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Piyush Goyal reviews Consultancy and Developmental Projects implemented by NIFT
Talking about the new possibilities opened in the post-covid world, the Minister asked NIFT to come up with initiatives to introduce hybrid courses, short-term and skill development courses to expand its reach.
- Country:
- India
The Minister for Textiles, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Piyush Goyal reviewed key Consultancy and Developmental Projects being implemented by National Institute of Fashion Technology ( NIFT). The projects included National Sizing Survey of India, VisionXT – Trend Insight and Forecasting Lab, NIFT Design Incubators, Pratibha – A digital platform for Rural Businesses, USTAAD, Centre of Excellence for Khadi, Craft Cluster Initiative, The Respositories – Textiles and Craft (RTC) Project. Shri Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles was also present.
Talking about the new possibilities opened in the post-covid world, the Minister asked NIFT to come up with initiatives to introduce hybrid courses, short-term and skill development courses to expand its reach. He said that NIFT should strive to work towards a larger vision of improving the incomes of weavers and artisans in the country.
Shri Goyal said that the projects like National Sizing Survey of India and VisionXT-– Trend Insight and Forecasting Lab could provide a big boost to our apparel exports.
Shri Goyal commended the efforts put forth by NIFT and complimented all the Project teams for this. Appreciating the craft cluster initiative, as part of which student undertake projects with artisans at the grassroots level, the Minister said that each NIFT student could adopt an artisan, which would go a long way in diversifying the products and improving both the quality and the processes of artisans. He however asked NIFT to expedite the progress in each project so that the desired outcomes reach the public and industries soon. The Minister also asked for exploring the possibility of converging some of the projects with similar existing projects.
Sh. Shantmanu, DG NIFT gave an overall review and informed that in addition to imparting world class fashion education NIFT also executes various consultancy projects. He gave a presentation on 8 such projects. Details of the Project are as under :
INDIAsize- NIFT is currently undertaking national sizing survey called INDIAsize, to address the disparities and inconsistencies in apparel sizing systems and fits. It is a pan India exercise, where anthropometric data is being collected, using state-of-art 3D whole body scanners, male and female population of age 15 to 60+. Project aims at creating a database of body measurements which is a true representative of the Indian population and will result in a creation of Size identification number for a customer through mapping, categorization and defining of their body shapes. The standardised body size chart thus created will help manufacturer to produce goods suited for the target consumer and help consumer to identify size which will be best suited for them resulting in a match and hence sales. This project is funded by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and partly through internal resources of NIFT.
VisioNxt-Trend Insight & Forecasting Lab - VisioNxt-Trend Insight & Forecasting Lab is the first ever Artificial intelligence and Emotional intelligence enabled fashiontrend insights and forecasting initiative in India which aims to identify, map and analysegeo-specific trends that will address the plurality of this nation. This project is fully funded by Ministry of Textiles. The team comprises 20 faculties and more than 400 trendspotters. The project has its Creative Lab in Delhi and AI Insights Lab in Chennai.
Repository: Textile & Craft- This is sponsored by DC (Handlooms) and DC (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles. The project aims to develop a national knowledge portal in the form of an integrated system that will lay down a framework to weave the past and present status of textiles, clothing and related crafts with focus on futuristic developments. The portal will aggregate data and repositories, including the rich information sources available within the Textiles Ministry and its subordinate offices. Collaboration with other institutions and ministries as well as select collections in museums, galleries and private collections are also envisaged.
4. Design Innovation & Incubation- Its objective is to develop an eco-system enabling pre-incubation and accelerator support by assisting the fashion, textile, lifestyle accessories, and design community entrepreneurs including NIFT members, craftsperson, artisans, and external community entrepreneurs in commercializing their products/service ideas. Four incubation centres are being set up in the NIFT premises at Delhi, Mumbai & Chennai.
Craft Cluster Initiative- NIFT with active support from the Offices of DC (Handlooms) and DC (Handicrafts) has developed and implemented the Craft Cluster Initiative Program. Through this initiative, NIFT aims to reach out to the artisans and craftsmen at the grass-root level. The artisans and craftsmen involved in the initiative benefit through knowledge dissemination and exposure to urban markets and design intervention,innovative designs and linkages with new markets. The uniqueness of the initiative lies in the fact that it has been integrated into the curriculum of every department in NIFT across all domains. This initiative at NIFT is designed with the objectives to sensitize NIFT students to the realities of the craft sector and give insight into regional sensibilities and diversities, resources and environment.
Apart from these projects of MoT, NIFT also executes consultancy projects of other ministries. Three of them were discussed in the meeting.
6. USTTAD
NIFT, as the knowledge partner for USTTAD, has identified crafts predominantly being practiced by minority communities and is supporting the Ministry of Minority Affairs through various activities like an extensive diagnostic study of the crafts and creating linkages between practicing designers and artisans to build long-term relationships.
With a collaborative approach for sustaining livelihoods and craft heritage, the products showcased have been co-created to combine the visual language of artisans with that of contemporary designers.
7. PRATIBHA
PRATIBHA- (Programme for Rural Artisan income Transformation through Incubation of Business ideas in Handmade sector). NIFT and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have joined hands to engage NIFT Alumni, young entrepreneurs and collaborate with artisans to develop co-owned enterprises and further showcase the enterprise stories, artisan profiles and product catalogues on a digital platform for wider reach.
8. Centre of Excellence for Khadi
A project sponsored by Ministry of MSME was sanctioned to NIFT to set up a Center of Excellence for Khadi in 2021. The Center of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) has been set up at NIFT to address the need of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in India. The objective is to help Khadi Institutions to effectively design, produce and market high quality differentiated khadi products in the Indian and global market. CoEK is envisaged to be a Center for experimentation, innovation and design for khadi fabrics, apparel, accessories and home fashions. It is working on Hub (at Delhi) and spoke (at Bengaluru, Kolkata, Shillong & Gandhinagar) model.
(With Inputs from PIB) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917913-piyush-goyal-reviews-consultancy-and-developmental-projects-implemented-by-nift | 2022-02-10T16:34:50 | en | 0.937441 |
New Delhi: A fresh plea was filed in the Supreme Court Thursday on the hijab row in Karnataka raising the issue of the right to practice religion as enshrined as a fundamental right in the Constitution.
The plea filed by Youth Congress president B V Srinivas and a journalism student contended that there is a direct infringement of fundamental rights and also as events are happening in multiple states and likely to spread further, it would be better and proper that the apex court takes cognisance of the issue.
The plea said that different high courts in different states may pass conflicting orders.
“Everyone has the right to wear clothes/ head gear of their choice and practice their own religion, its customs and traditions. If a small girl child is seen wearing Hijab , it can be ‘not out of her own choice’ but for older and adult girls and women wherein it is their choice, the right must be protected. Belief in religion is one thing but religious fanaticism is another facet altogether.
“The consequences of religious bigotry will not be right, no matter with what religion this bigotry is associated with. At least the schools, colleges and educational institutions should not be made the battleground for the fight against religious fanaticism,” said the plea filed through advocates Roopesh Singh Bhadauria and Mareesh Pravir Sahay.
It said the dispute related to whether the Hijab or head scarf is an integral part of Islam or not can end only after consideration of the top court and on the issue of a uniform dress code for educational institutions.
“Also, any individual’s fundamental rights and Constitutional rights on this aspect need to be considered and upheld which include wearing a Hijab or a head scarf. The Muslim girls and women must be given right to choose and right to wear a Hijab if they choose so, as their fundamental right,” the plea said.
Earlier in the day, senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned a plea on hijab row before a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana and said the problem is that schools and colleges are closed.
“Girls are being stoned. It’s spreading across the country,” he said.
The apex court said it would consider a submission seeking the listing of a plea for transferring a case on the hijab’ row from the Karnataka High Court to itself.
The top court said that the high court is seized of the case and should be allowed to continue with the hearing and also decide it. | https://www.siasat.com/fresh-plea-in-supreme-court-on-karnataka-hijab-row-2273490/ | 2022-02-10T16:34:55 | en | 0.963397 |
Biden says consumer inflation report shows budgets of Americans are 'being stretched'
The president added that his administration's policies had led to a decline in new unemployment claims, which he described as a sign of "real progress". U.S. consumer prices rose solidly in January, leading to the biggest annual increase in inflation in 40 years, fueling financial markets speculation for a 50 basis points interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve next month.
U.S. President Joe Biden said the January consumer price index report issued on Thursday was a reminder the budgets of Americans are under real strain, adding that his administration was using "every tool" it has to tackle the issue.
"We have been using every tool at our disposal, and while today is a reminder that Americans’ budgets are being stretched in ways that create real stress at the kitchen table, there are also signs that we will make it through this challenge", Biden said in a statement. Biden also said forecasters projected that inflation will ease by the end of 2022. The president added that his administration's policies had led to a decline in new unemployment claims, which he described as a sign of "real progress".
U.S. consumer prices rose solidly in January, leading to the biggest annual increase in inflation in 40 years, fueling financial markets speculation for a 50 basis points interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve next month.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has expressed its disappointment over the Karnataka High Court decision restraining students from wearing hijab till the matter is resolved.
“The Karnataka High Court has equated hijab – an article of faith – with saffron shawl – a politically motivated gimmick – and essentially asked Muslim Women to suspend observance of their faith till the High Court hears the matter,” read a statement by SIO.
The Karnataka High court hearing the Hijab issue on Thursday asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved.
Posting the matter for Monday, the full court also said the educational institutions can resume classes for the students.
The three-judge full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice J M Khazi and Justice Krishna S Dixit, which was formed on Wednesday, also said it wants the matter to be resolved at the earliest but till that time peace and tranquillity is to be maintained.
“Till the disposal of the matter, you people should not insist on wearing all these religious things,” CJ Awasthi said. “We will pass an order. Let the schools-colleges start. But till the matter is resolved, no student should insist on wearing religious dress,” he said.
Reacting to this, the student organisation said the HC statement “displays a complete lack of understanding of the issue at hand.” The SIO statement further read that for a believing person, articles of faith are not optional protocols to be picked up or abandoned at a mere whim.
Saying that the Hijab is an essential religious practice in Islam, SIO said the court’s order is a “direct infringement of the Muslim women’s fundamental right to practice their faith, as well as their fundamental right to education without discrimination.” | https://www.siasat.com/hijab-row-karnataka-hc-response-disappointing-says-sio-2273530/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:01 | en | 0.955316 |
Are you ready for the big game? Here’s a fun, plant-forward twist on Buffalo chicken wings: Cauliflower “wings.”
You might think a Super Bowl party without chicken wings is an automatic flag on the field, but cauliflower is a special teams champ. When treated right, cauliflower wings can be crisp, flavorful and so satisfying — not to mention inexpensive.
Chef Jose Frade, associate dean of degree programs at The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio, like to bread his veggies.
“Through my own failures, disappointments, and eventually successes, I realized that a breaded coating created the best texture for this dish. Even though, full disclosure: I do not like breaded chicken wings.” Frade pulses extra-crispy panko breadcrumbs in a food processor for a finer texture, but you can customize yours by adding sesame seeds, spices and herbs, or even some dried chile flakes.
One of the key plays is to trim your cauliflower into small florets before breading. This keeps them easy to eat (double dipping is a penalty), but also ensures that the coating won’t cook faster than the cauliflower. Coat your florets in a simple egg wash before tossing them in the breadcrumbs.
Wings from the store are often deep-fried, but we think baking cauliflower wings are the right call. Once they’re breaded, you can transfer the cauliflower to a metal rack fit over a baking sheet (this helps air circulate all around the florets, but you can bake right on the pan, if needed) and bake until they are golden brown and crisp all over.
Of course, wings are really less about the chicken and more about the sauce, and Frade likes to keep it tangy. “I sometimes blend cilantro, parsley, canned jalapeño brine, garlic and lime, and olive oil,” he said.
Inspired by the flavors of Thai-style beef salads, he likes a coating that is full of bright flavors, lots of acidity and plenty of heat. Of course, you’re not limited to one play on game day, so you can try a classic version and a new variation. The key to keeping your wings crispy is to sauce at the last minute, so give yourself a two-minute warning and toss the wings in just enough sauce to coat. No one wants a soggy wing.
There’s nothing like a creamy ranch or pungent-in-a-good way blue cheese dressing for dipping a crispy wing — chicken or cauliflower. But if you want to double down on the “healthier” options, Frade likes re-creating these flavors using Greek yogurt or tahini for creaminess.
“Acid from citrus is your friend here” since it is the best way to round out the richness of the fried cauliflower without overwhelming the flavors in your sauce, he said.
If cauliflower or wings just aren’t your thing, Frade shares the No. 1 request from his wife: an all-vegetable cheese “steak.” Saute a medley of mushrooms with garlic, green peppers and onions. Serve it with rolls, warm tortillas or even baked potato skins for this crowd pleaser.
Laura Monroe is the food editor for CIAfoodies.com and a Culinary Institute of America graduate. | https://www.expressnews.com/food/recipes-cooking/article/Super-Bowl-meatless-wings-16844522.php | 2022-02-10T16:35:03 | en | 0.928817 |
Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt faced a lot of heavy hitters during his 14-year Major League career. And he’s got the baseball bats to prove it.
About 16 bats hang like hunting trophies above a stone fireplace at Free Roam Brewing Co., a new craft brewery Affeldt opened with his business partners Brandon Phillips and Jaron Shepherd late last month on Boerne’s Main Street. The bats once belonged to batters he's faced, players he's admired and former teammates.
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“There’s a story behind every single bat,” Affeldt said in a recent video posted on social media. “We have a story behind everything here.”
The brewery held a soft opening in late January, giving customers a chance to sample the brewery’s full array of handcrafted American light lagers, hefeweizens, IPAs, stouts and porters.
The trio initially aimed for an early October opening but missed the goal by several months. Inside the old Boerne Liberty Stable on 325 S. Main St., the renovated space features an indoor tap room and a beer garden.
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The owners did not immediately return requests for comment.
Affeldt, a three-time World Series champion with the Giants, finished his career with a 0.86 ERA in postseason play, the third-lowest mark among pitchers who pitched at least 30 innings.
While in San Francisco, Affeldt found a second home at 21st Amendment Brewery. There, he hosted regular charity events and worked closely with Phillips and Shepherd, who were then the location's event manager and head brewer, respectively.
Shortly after Affeldt retired from baseball in 2015, he moved to Fair Oaks Ranch just outside of Boerne with his three sons. He invited Phillips and Shephard for a visit, and they fell in love with the area. Shephard is now the brewmaster at Freeroam Brewery and Phillips is the company's general manager.
Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/article/freeroam-brewing-boerne-jeremy-affeldt-16847456.php | 2022-02-10T16:35:04 | en | 0.963061 |
Olivia Rosas, 13, knew she wanted to be a teacher in the first grade. Her teacher, Regan Sanchez, “made me want to come to school every single day because she made school so fun and intriguing to me, and made me want to learn more,” Olivia said. “She had such a welcoming smile. Whenever you walked into her classroom, you just knew it was going to be a fun and eventful day.”
Over the past two years, the pandemic has taken a toll on teachers and educators. Many predict a massive shortage of professional educators as teachers reach burnout and resign or retire. Despite the challenges, Olivia knows teaching is a career that can make the world kinder and better and help others. Teaching, like she experienced in Sanchez’s class, can be one of the most joyful jobs anyone could ever hold.
“My dreams are just pretty much to make the world a better place, so that anybody can leave their mark on this Earth and for future generations,” Olivia said.
San Antonio’s largest school district, Northside ISD, the nonprofit network CAST Schools, and the area’s largest public university, the University of Texas at San Antonio, believe that, too. These partners have come together to create CAST Teach High School, a rigorous public high school for young people who aspire to go into education — as teachers, coaches, librarians, education technologists and more. These partners understand that education jobs are a cornerstone of San Antonio’s economy. By planting a flag to create a school for future teachers and educators, we recognize how important this field is to our local economy.
CAST Schools were designed six years ago in partnership with business leaders and public school districts as a regional economic mobility strategy. Historically, the San Antonio region has imported nearly 2,000 educators a year. A recent college graduate can earn up to $54,000 as a novice teacher. Other jobs in education, including administration roles, talent development and supporting nonprofits, can pay salaries ranging from $54,000 to more than $300,000 for superintendents in large school districts.
Now in four different local school districts, each CAST school connects young people to high-demand, high-growth, high-wage jobs in San Antonio. Students are nurtured as they pursue both college and career goals. With CAST Teach, the sixth school in the network, we plan to create a national model school that showcases everything we have learned from our previous schools: hands-on learning, connections to real-world industries and projects, mentorship and internships. Teachers will serve as guides who personalize a young person’s learning journey.
If Olivia were to change one thing about schools, she says, it would be their busyness, the moving from class to class, the emphasis on learning specific content. Young people need more time to reflect and to process what they are learning, she says.
At CAST Teach High School, under the leadership of principal Ericka Olivarez, we will listen to voices like Olivia’s to remake school in a way that puts young people on a path toward success, while remembering to make it a joy-filled place where students want to go every day. Moreover, we will honor their individual dreams and help them achieve them.
Olivia’s No. 1 goal as a teacher? “I just want to show students they can reach their goals, whatever goals they set, they can be reached.” With the opening of CAST Teach, we are professing our belief that education is the cornerstone of a strong economy in San Antonio and that focusing on education can and will keep San Antonio strong.
Jeanne Russell is the executive director of the CAST Schools network; Ericka Olivarez is the principal of CAST Teach High School; Brian Woods is the superintendent of Northside Independent School District. | https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/Commentary-Best-educators-for-a-better-tomorrow-16847835.php | 2022-02-10T16:35:05 | en | 0.970248 |
Twenty football coaches in the San Antonio area made more than $100,000 during the 2019-2020 school year, according to data gathered by the Express-News.
Alamo Heights coach Ron Rittimann tops the list, followed by Southside’s Ricky Lock. Both coach in one-high school districts and serve as athletic directors for their respective districts, too.
Rittimann’s position at Alamo Heights was previously held by two people – athletic director Jennifer Roland and head football coach Mike Norment.
Roland’s was paid around $123,000 before she resigned in 2019 for what the district deemed “personal reasons.” Norment made $93,500 before he retired after the 2019 season after serving as the Mules’ head coach for eight years.
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Rittimann was hired in 2020, and the Mules went 13-1 in 2021, advancing to the state quarterfinals for the fifth time in program history and for the first time since 2013.
"We had a unique situation where our current athletic director and our current head football coach positions became open (at the same time),” Alamo Heights superintendent Dr. Dana Bashara said. “We had many talented applicants who were interested in the AD position, and many interested in the head coach position, and others who were interested in coming to Alamo Heights ISD if we combined the position — one that is typical for single high school districts across the state and that would create overall cost savings to the district.”
Coach Lock completed his eighth season at Southside in 2021, with playoff appearances in seven of those seasons. Prior to his arrival, the Cardinals had made the postseason just four times since their program began in 1952. Southside is 54-35 during Lock’s tenure.
Northside ISD takes up 10 of the top 25 spots, headed by Brandeis’ Charles Bruce at No. 3 overall, earning around $119,000. Bruce completed his first season at Brandeis in 2021 and went 7-4. Juan Morales, listed at No. 12 overall, made $106,000 at Holmes. In
December, Morales was named the head football coach at Sotomayor, the new high school Northside ISD high school set to open in the fall.
"It is important to note our head football/athletic coordinator positions are considered an administrator on their respective campus, which puts them on an administrative pay scale,” Northside ISD athletic director Stan Laing said. “These salaries along with all other salaries are reviewed every couple of years from an outside entity to determine market value of these positions compared to other like school districts around the state."
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The area’s longest tenured active head coach, Larry Hill of Smithson Valley (Comal ISD), is listed at No. 4. Hill completed his 29th season at Smithson Valley last fall.
The highest paid coach at a program below the UIL Class 5A level is Louis Drum of Canyon Lake (Comal ISD). Drum made $103,500 at the Class 4A school. | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school/article/top-paid-football-coaches-San-Antonio-16814365.php | 2022-02-10T16:35:06 | en | 0.981599 |
Adani Ports forays into Bengal maritime sector, to operate berth at Haldia
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- India
The Kolkata port authorities on Thursday officially handed over the letter of award to Gautam Adani controlled Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) for mechanisation and upgradation of a berth in Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).
This marks the entry of the country’s largest private port operator in West Bengal's maritime sector.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), formerly the Kolkata Port Trust, said in a statement that the project envisages incorporating environment friendly, fully mechanised technology for handling dry bulk cargo.
Berth no. 2, where the company will work, will offer a capacity of 3.744 million metric tons per annum and the investment will be about Rs 298.26 crore.
The project is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25.
APSEZ outbid city-based Ripley & Co by quoting a royalty of Rs 75 per tonne for the rights to mechanise and run the dry bulk cargo handling berth at HDC.
Adani had initially shown interest in privatisation of Kidderpore dock in Kolkata but later did not participate in the financial bid.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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With dip in COVID-19 cases, three Bengali movies lined up for theatre release | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917921-adani-ports-forays-into-bengal-maritime-sector-to-operate-berth-at-haldia | 2022-02-10T16:35:06 | en | 0.913718 |
Hyderabad: Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. Muskan, the hijabi student of Mandya’s pre-University college in Karnataka, has done just that when she bravely faced the saffron scarf heckling mob the other day. The raw courage displayed by the girl when surrounded by ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chanting mob, has made her an overnight sensation. Accolades continue to pour in for this 20-something girl who did not break down but boldly confronted her hecklers.
Bravery hides in amazing places. Nobody expected a lone burqa clad girl to stand up to the jeering mob and pay them back in the same coin. Her yelling back ‘Allahu Akbar’ has come in for praise from not just members of the community but others as well. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has announced a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh to the girl for standing up for her constitutional and religious rights. Faith to kneel builds courage to stand. Muskan’s convictions are surely bigger than her fears.
While Muslim students in Hyderabad and elsewhere have come out in solidarity with their protesting Karnataka counterparts, social media is awash with praise for Muskan. Many have hailed her as a ‘tigress’ for taking on the saffron crowed. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, saluted the girl and appreciated her parents for her ‘unapologetic upbringing.’ Her act of fearlessness has become a source of courage for all, he remarked. Former Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah, wondered how macho they (the saffron mob) must have felt while targeting a lone young lady. Hatred for Muslims has been completely mainstreamed and normalised in India. We are no longer a nation that celebrates our diversity, he twitted.
There are many adverse comments too. But the whole thing is not just about hijab or saffron shawls but about politics of identity. Many are of the opinion that women should be free and empowered to wear or not to wear hijab. Whatever, the bold act of Muskan has spawned poems, art works and encomiums in the social media.
Kehkashaan, the YouTube channel of Idara Adab-e-Atfal, Bhatkal in Karnataka, has come up with a beautiful song on hijab: It goes like this:
Haya zamane mein aam karna
(Spread modesty in the world
Hijab ka ehtimam karna
Hijab mein aman hai amaan hai
Hijab aurat ka pasban hai
Be steadfast in wearing hijab
There’s peace and security in hijab
Hijab is woman’s protection)
Another song hails Muskan thus:
(Your takbeer has brought smile on lips
Aaee hai labon par teri takbeer se Muskan
Shaitan bhi takbeer ki haibat se pareshan
Parde mein kiya tu ne ada haqqe jasarat
Tu faqr se chilla ke main hun binte Muslman
Even the devil is upset by the takbeer
Under veil you have shown courage
Say proudly I am a Muslim daughter)
The hijab row has triggered a debate with people across the spectrum putting their own spin on the matter. The issue is further complicated with politicians taking a stand for and against hijab. As the controversy rages, what suffers is the Muslim girls’ access to education. Should a piece of cloth ruin education as Muskan has herself put it? | https://www.siasat.com/hijab-row-muskans-defiance-draws-praise-from-far-and-near-2273476/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:07 | en | 0.920439 |
Bengaluru: Amid the hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Thursday extended the closure of schools and colleges till the end of this week.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that schools in the state will reopen on Monday for classes up to class X. However, the reopening date of colleges has not been announced.
“The last two days have been very peaceful. Adjourning the matter for Monday, a three-member bench of the High Court today has appealed to all the schools to reopen but no religious dress codes should be followed by both sides,” the chief minister told mediapersons.
“I appeal to everyone to work together and see that there is peace in the colleges. Schools will reopen from Monday for classes up to the 10th standard. Degree colleges will reopen later,” added Bommai.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the state for the next three days.
Karnataka High Court, after the hearing of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in colleges, on Thursday asked students not to wear ‘religious things’ till the disposal of the matter.
A bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi of the High Court said that it will pass an order directing the reopening of colleges and asked students not to insist on wearing religious things till the disposal of the matter.
“Peace and tranquillity must be restored,” the court said while adjourning the matter for Monday.
The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students were allegedly denied entry to college wearing hijab by Muslim women earlier this month. | https://www.siasat.com/hijab-row-schools-in-karnataka-to-reopen-on-monday-decision-on-colleges-later-2273503/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:13 | en | 0.970907 |
PepsiCo logs double-digit volume growth in India in 2021
- Country:
- India
Global food and beverages major PepsiCo on Thursday reported a double-digit volume growth in the Indian market in 2021.
PepsiCo's net revenue in 2021 from Africa, Middle East, South Asia (AMESA) division, which includes India, was up 32.91 per cent to USD 6.07 billion as against USD 4.57 billion earlier.
In the region, PepsiCo's ''beverage unit volume grew 20 per cent, primarily reflecting double-digit growth in India and Pakistan'', the New York-based company said in an earnings statement.
Besides, the Middle East experienced double-digit growth and Nigeria saw high single-digit growth, it added.
In the convenient foods segment, its unit volume grew 38 per cent in the AMESA division, primarily reflecting a 35-percentage-point impact of its acquisition of South Africa-based company Pioneer Foods.
This also included ''double-digit growth in India and Pakistan and high-single-digit growth in the Middle East'', it said.
In 2021, PepsiCo's operating profit from the region increased 43 per cent, primarily reflecting net revenue growth, a 31-percentage-point impact of the prior-year acquisition and divestiture-related charges associated with the acquisition of Pioneer Foods and productivity savings.
Overall, its global net revenue for the year ended December 25, 2021 rose 12.93 per cent to USD 79.47 billion, the company said.
PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said, ''Our full year net revenue growth meaningfully accelerated in 2021 versus the previous year and this gives us added confidence that the investments we have made in our people, brands, innovation, supply chain, go-to-market systems and digitization initiatives are working.'' ''For 2022, we expect to deliver 6 per cent organic revenue growth, which is at the high-end of our long-term target range and implies a strong acceleration in our organic revenue growth on a two-year basis,'' he added.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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U.S. raid on Islamic State leader critical for peace, stability in Middle East, Japan says | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917922-pepsico-logs-double-digit-volume-growth-in-india-in-2021 | 2022-02-10T16:35:14 | en | 0.93254 |
The Karnataka High court hearing the Hijab issue on Thursday asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved. Posting the matter for Monday, the full court also said the educational institutions can resume classes for the students.
A week ago, a petition was filed by a Muslim student before the Karnataka high court seeking a declaration that wearing the hijab (headscarf) is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution of India aside from being an essential facet of the Islamic faith.
The court has provided no interim relief to the students of the college and ordered that educational institutions be reopened, ensuring that the diktat of the state is followed.
Twitter users have expressed their disapproval and disappointment over the interim decision of the court over the hijab controversy, which has been raging since early January.
(with inputs from PTI) | https://www.siasat.com/hijab-row-twitter-expresses-disappointment-over-karnataka-hcs-interim-decision-2273429/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:19 | en | 0.958172 |
India among top 5 economies for ease of starting new business: Global survey
- Country:
- United Kingdom
India is among the top five easiest places to start a new business, a global consortium of over 500 researchers said on Thursday in its latest report, putting the country on top amongst low-income economies on different entrepreneurial framework conditions.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2021/2022 report, unveiled at the Dubai Expo, gathered data via a survey of at least 2,000 respondents across each of 47 high, medium and low-income economies.
The survey of Indian respondents, who answered questions on their entrepreneurial activity, attitudes to enterprise and view of their local entrepreneurial ecosystem, found that 82 per cent think it is easy to start a business, placing India fourth globally.
As many as 83 per cent believe that there are good opportunities to start a business in their area – second globally and 86 per cent believe they have the skills and knowledge to start a business – fourth globally.
Besides, 54 per cent cite fear of failure as a reason for not planning to start a new business in the next three years, placing India second out of 47 in this list.
The GEM report put India on the top amongst low-income economies (according to GDP per capita) on different Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions such as Entrepreneurial Finance, Ease of Access to Finance, Government Policy: Support and Relevance; and Government Support: Taxes and Bureaucracy; while Government Entrepreneurial Programmes was ranked second highest.
However, the results indicated that entrepreneur sentiment of growth expectation was weak – with more than 80 per cent of Indian entrepreneurs reporting much lower growth expectations than last year.
Dr Sreevas Sahasranamam, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, and one of eight authors of the GEM report, said: “The fact that over 80 per cent of respondents in India agreed that it is easy to start a business in the country, placing India amongst the top five economies globally, reflects an entrepreneurial ecosystem that has improved, thanks to government initiatives such as ‘Startup India’ and ‘Make in India’.” However, entrepreneurial intentions among the general population and growth expectations among entrepreneurs, are still muted, he said.
“So, there is a need for cultural change around reducing the fear of failure amongst the general population, and support for scaling-up new ventures,” he said.
Dr Sunil Shukla, Director-General of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India and GEM India National Team Leader, said: “Entrepreneurship has become a key factor for sustainable economic growth and has huge potential to create employment opportunities”.
“Developing an entrepreneurial mindset within the country has become a primary objective for governments and societies worldwide. In the Indian context and given its socio-economic challenges as well as its size and scope, a holistic approach to entrepreneurship development can bring transformational changes to the socio-economic landscape of the country,” he said.
Further, survey data found that more than 77 per cent of entrepreneurs are pursuing new opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic – placing India first out of 47.
This observation reiterates the findings of a report published last year by researchers from the University of Strathclyde and King’s College London that found almost 60 per cent of entrepreneurs in India predict a long-term positive impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.
Sreevas further said: “We observed a clear relationship between the level of national income and the share of start-ups in business services, such as professional services, communications, with this share typically being much higher in high-income than in low-income economies”.
“Thus, encouraging new start-ups in differentiated, knowledge-based high-value business services compared to consumer services may improve the development path of developing economies like India, paving a path to its USD 5 trillion economy ambition.
“Although there is a high-level entrepreneurial activity in low-income economies, their job creation ambition appears low, and hence may not easily translate into employment-intensive established businesses in the future. Thus, a focus on training and other forms of business development support to support scaling-up of ventures is needed in such economies,” he added.
Globally, the GEM report found that in 15 out of these 47 economies, more than half of entrepreneurs agreed that the pandemic had led to new business opportunities.
In 2020, this had been the case for just nine out of 46 economies.
GEM is a consortium of national country teams, primarily associated with top academic institutions that carry out survey-based research on entrepreneurship around the world.
It is the only global research source that collects data on entrepreneurship directly from individual entrepreneurs.
GEM’s Adult Population Survey provides analysis on the characteristics, motivations and ambitions of individuals starting businesses, as well as social attitudes towards entrepreneurship.
The National Expert Survey looks at the national context in which individuals start businesses.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Bureaucracy
- University of Strathclyde and King’s College London
- Dubai Expo
- Entrepreneurship Development
- Sreevas Sahasranamam
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurial Programmes
- Access to Finance
- Government Policy:
- Indian
- Sunil Shukla
- Adult Population Survey
- University of Strathclyde
- Ease
- Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions
- The National Expert Survey
- India
- GEM India National Team Leader
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Lucky genes can help protect people with obesity from diseases like type 2 diabetes: Study | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917924-india-among-top-5-economies-for-ease-of-starting-new-business-global-survey | 2022-02-10T16:35:22 | en | 0.932589 |
Abu Dhabi: Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is visiting Abu Dhabi for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022.
Clinton will headline its inaugural Forbes 30/50 Summit, a global event gathering generations of women from both the “30 Under 30” list and “50 Over 50” list in Abu Dhabi to mark International Women’s Day.
Clinton will receive the Forbes International Women’s Day Lifetime Achievement Award to commemorate her leadership and influential voice on the global stage in advancing the cause of women and fighting for gender equity.
Mika Brzezinski, President of Forbes 30/50 and Know Your Worth Foundation will interview Clinton as part of the award acceptance on International Women’s Day, and delve into her life from her graduation speech at Wellesley College in 1969 up to her work as a US senator, where she made women’s rights a cornerstone of US foreign policy.
Other notable guests at the event will include Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Investment Management, Paulina Porizkova, model and actress, and Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty. | https://www.siasat.com/hillary-clinton-to-headline-international-womens-day-event-in-abu-dhabi-2273378/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:25 | en | 0.928668 |
Lebanese PM signals difficulty in agreeing financial recovery plan
A plan for addressing a $70 billion hole in the financial system is seen as the starting point for talks with the International Monetary Fund and vital to reviving the paralysed banking system. "The economic recovery plan is not easy...We think it is a difficult process, a Kamikaze operation," Mikati said in a televised news conference after the cabinet approved the 2022 state budget.
- Country:
- Lebanon
Prime Minister Najib Mikati indicated on Thursday difficulties in agreeing a financial recovery plan critical to steering Lebanon out of its devastating economic collapse, calling it a "Kamikaze operation". A plan for addressing a $70 billion hole in the financial system is seen as the starting point for talks with the International Monetary Fund and vital to reviving the paralysed banking system.
"The economic recovery plan is not easy...We think it is a difficult process, a Kamikaze operation," Mikati said in a televised news conference after the cabinet approved the 2022 state budget. Lebanon has been in crisis since late 2019 when the financial system unravelled under the weight of huge public debts, sinking the currency by more than 90% and plunging a majority of the population into poverty.
"The recovery plan is not easy, not easy, not easy and is taking all this time," Mikati said in a televised news conference after cabinet approved the 2022 state budget. He said that what had been reported in the media about the plan was untrue. "We have a number of options and we are discussing them with the IMF," Mikati said.
A draft recovery https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/lebanon-plan-sees-93-currency-slide-turns-bulk-fx-deposits-pounds-2022-01-31plan seen by Reuters last month proposed converting the bulk of $104 billion of hard currency deposits in the banking system to Lebanese pounds, with only $25 billion being returned to savers in U.S. dollars. A previous recovery plan drawn up by a government in 2020 was shot down by commercial banks, the central bank and powerful political parties who disagreed over the size and distribution of losses, torpedoing IMF talks at the time.
The Lebanese pound has slumped by more than 90% since the financial crisis erupted in late 2019. Though the government has yet to formally cancel the old pegged exchange rate of 1,500 pounds to the dollar, the new budget for the first time applies a rate much closer to the market value for customs transactions of around 20,000.
The budget projects spending at 47 trillion pounds with a deficit of around 7 trillion pounds, Mikati added, equal to around $330 million at the parallel market rate on Thursday. He did not say what GDP growth forecast had been used in drawing up the budget, or give the deficit as a percentage of GDP.
Mikati said this deficit was set to increase when spending for the crippled state electricity sector was approved. The budget still requires the approval of parliament.
"This is a stabilization budget," Samir Daher, an economic adviser to Mikati, told Reuters. "It's like someone is falling from the 7th floor of a building and you want them to land on their feet, not on their head. There's still a long way to go after its approved."
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U.S. Coast Guard reports 39 missing from capsized boat off Florida | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917925-lebanese-pm-signals-difficulty-in-agreeing-financial-recovery-plan | 2022-02-10T16:35:29 | en | 0.960717 |
Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s popular annual trade fair ‘Numaish’, which was abruptly shut down a day after inauguration on January 6 due to surge in Covid-19 cases, is likely to be reopened later this month.
With health authorities declaring that the third phase of the pandemic is over in the state, All India Industrial Exhibition Society, the organisers of the annual event, are planning to resume ‘Numaish’ from February 20-25.
As Covid curbs have been lifted in the state, the organisers have made a request to police and other authorities to grant permission for conducting the fair for one month.
A meeting of the society attended by some government officials was held on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. According to a member of the society, various departments have responded positively. The organisers are said to be waiting for final nod from police.
After receiving the permission from all departments concerned, the society will invite traders to again set up their stalls.
The 45-day-long Numaish, which began on January 1, was shut the very next day as authorities announced that they are suspending it till January 10. After a review of the situation, the authorities cancelled the fair in view of the orders issued by the government banning public gatherings.
On the night of January 2, authorities had ordered closure of Numaish, a day after it was inaugurated by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and state home minister Mahmood Ali.
About 10,000 people had visited the exhibition when authorities ordered All India Industrial Exhibition Society (AIIES) to close it.
AIIES, which has been organizing the fair for 80 years, had put in place various measures to adhere to Covid-19 safety rules like compulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and vaccination of all stall owners.
The organisers had allotted 1,600 stalls to traders and various business organizations from different parts of the country to sell their products at the fair.
The abrupt closure causes huge losses to traders who had made set up their stalls.
The exhibition could not be held last year due to Covid-19 situation. This was only the third time in its history that it could not be held.
Numaish-e-Masnuaat-e-Mulki or in short Numaish made a humble beginning in 1938 as an event to promote locally produced goods.
The fair begins on January 1 every year and continues for 45 days. Traders from various parts of the country set up their stalls during the exhibition, which is visited by 45,000 people every day. Over 20 lakh visitors had visited the exhibition in 2019. | https://www.siasat.com/hyderabads-popular-fair-numaish-likely-to-reopen-2273548/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:31 | en | 0.984958 |
Pandemic impacted business but things are coming back: Nykaa MD
- Country:
- India
FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd, which runs an online marketplace for beauty and wellness products firm Nykaa, expects strong momentum in the business as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and the situation becomes normal, according to a top official of the company.
Nykaa, which focuses on beauty, fashion and personal care commerce, has posted about a 57 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 29 crore in the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, after it more than doubled its marketing expense to acquire customers.
The company had registered a PAT of Rs 68.9 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal.
During the three quarters of the current financial year, its PAT was down 23 per cent to Rs 33.7 crore compared with Rs 43.7 crore in the year-ago period.
''We do believe that COVID-19 has had some amount of impact on our category, especially the make-up. During certain quarters, it was low compared to skincare, hair care and personal care that have gained.
''Cosmetics had suffered due to COVID-19. Those things have started coming back but we don't believe it is back to the pre-COVID-19 level of consumption,'' Nykaa Executive Chairperson, MD and CEO Falguni Nayar told PTI.
She said that last year, the company had put a brake on marketing expenses due to COVID-19 and, hence, this is a one-time impact that has reflected on the third quarter.
The company increased marketing expenses during the December 2021 quarter by 155 per cent to Rs 153.6 crore, from Rs 60.2 crore in the December 2020 quarter.
Nayar added that the company's gross margins increased to 46.3 per cent in the December 2021 quarter from 41.8 per cent a year.
''Our customers have increased by all standards, be it unique visitors. There is a huge improvement in all those numbers compared to a year ago.
''In our category, skincare, hair and personal care are fine but in make-up, we do believe as COVID-19 recedes, there should be stronger momentum. Some amount of fashion demand is back but again, it is not the same. Wedding entertainment travel has to open up,'' Nayar said.
The beauty and personal care (BPC) GMV of Nykaa grew 32 per cent YoY to Rs 1,533.3 crore in the December 2021 quarter.
The company's fashion GMV (gross merchandise value) more than doubled to Rs 510 crore and contributed 25 per cent to the consolidated GMV during the reported quarter.
''Physical retail stores are a little bit better now but they are not at the levels of the pre-festive season when people were going out. The first half of the festive season was good and then started falling off the cliff in December.
''It was slightly better than late December and early January (2022),'' Nayar said.
Nykaa customer visits in the fashion category more than doubled to 11.5 crore in the fashion category and it grew 16 per cent in the BPC category to 23.2 crore in the December 2021 quarter on a year-on-year basis.
''Consumer behaviour,...how much people are ready to step out and socialise. All of these things are important for categories like beauty.
''That's why we think that the world will return to that type of behaviour and when that happens, we are preparing ourselves today by acquiring customers who will contribute when things return to normalcy,'' Nykaa.com CEO Anchit Nayar said.
Nykaa's consolidated revenue from operations, however, increased by about 36 per cent to Rs 1,098.36 crore during the December 2021 quarter, from Rs 807.96 crore in the December 2020 quarter. | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917930-pandemic-impacted-business-but-things-are-coming-back-nykaa-md | 2022-02-10T16:35:36 | en | 0.971695 |
Kolkata: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Thursday requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow spectators at Eden Gardens for the T20I series against West Indies.
India and West Indies will lock horns in the T20I series at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata from February 16.
“The matter relating to the hosting of the three T20 international matches between India and West Indies were discussed threadbare,” CAB said in a statement.
“It was informed to the members that the CAB has requested the BCCI to allow spectators at the venue. Feedback from the BCCI is awaited. CAB is still hopeful of a positive outcome,” it added.
The Apex Council Meeting of CAB also approved the decision that the floodlight system of the Eden Gardens needs renovation and the LED system needs to be installed at the earliest with DMX facility.
Moreover, fixtures and tournament rules for the upcoming league tournaments for both first and second divisions were approved by the members and it was decided that fixtures may be released immediately.
“Registration window for the players has been extended till 28 February 2022 keeping in mind the current relaxations accorded by the State Government so that it’s easier for the clubs, units as well as the players to come and complete their registration formalities,” CAB said.
The Apex council congratulated U19 World Cup-winning Indian team members Avishek Porel and especially Ravi Kumar for his exceptional bowling performance. | https://www.siasat.com/ind-vs-wi-cab-requests-bcci-to-allow-spectators-for-t20i-series-2273510/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:37 | en | 0.976845 |
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday expressed shock over the dress code controversy erupting in certain parts of the country.
A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari asked: “What is paramount? Is it the country or religion?
“I mean it is really shocking. Somebody is going for the hijab, somebody is going for the topi, and somebody is going for other things.”
Questioning the intention behind such things, he asked: “Is it one country or divided by religion or by something like that. This is quite surprising.”
Pointing out the fact that India was a secular country, he said: “What is found from the current affairs is nothing but an effort to divide the country by religion.”
The Acting Chief Justice’s observations came while hearing a batch of petitions filed by Srirangam-based activist, Rangarajan Narasimhan who wanted the court to implement a strict dress code for devotees, disallowing non-Hindus from stepping into the temples across Tamil Nadu.
The bench asked the petitioner for an illustration to show the custom of dress code followed in practice as it made it clear that the custom is for individual temples.
He asked the petitioner how the question of putting up display boards arises if there was no uniform dress code. When the petitioner sought an order, the bench asked him to show what part of the ‘Agamas’ refer to trousers and shirts.
The bench also warned that he could be barred from appearing in person before the court and directed him to use appropriate words and stay away from quarrelling.
Advocate General R. Shanmugasundaram informed the court that each and every temple was following its own custom and visitors belonging to other religions are allowed only up to the ‘akodi maram’ (flag pole).
The bench finally allowed the petitioner to file an affidavit with illustrations on flouting of the dress code in temples. | https://www.siasat.com/is-nation-or-religion-paramount-madras-hc-expresses-shock-over-dress-code-row-2273480/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:43 | en | 0.965843 |
Israel's El Al Airlines says Dubai flights will be disrupted from Sunday
- Country:
- Israel
Flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines said on Thursday it would not be able to maintain a full flight schedule to Dubai from Sunday due to disagreements over security arrangements in Dubai.
Tens of thousands of Israelis who had already purchased tickets will not be able to fly, it said. El Al and two local rivals called on the Israeli government to intervene.
One option, they said in a letter made public, was to secure from Dubai authorities "an additional allocation of security tags, to an extent that will allow the Israeli companies to handle the entire planned flight schedule." The other was to reroute flights operated by airlines in both countries away from Dubai to nearby Abu Dhabi or other airports to ensure fair competition.
Nonstop flights from Tel Aviv to Dubai on El Al and smaller rivals Israir and Arkia were among the fruits of a landmark 2020 deal establishing ties between Israel and the UAE. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have visited the UAE commercial hub since. Israeli and Emirati government officials had no immediate comment.
The three carriers often offer about 10 flights a day to Dubai. Now they said only three Israeli flights total will be permitted daily, and that Israeli security services told them those will have to stop completely by March 8. Israel's Shin Bet security service has voiced concerns - which it did not publicly detail - about arrangements at Dubai International Airport.
It has suggested that UAE capital Abu Dhabi could serve as an alternative for the Israeli carriers, but industry officials said that was not commercially viable as long as competitors still use Dubai. Emirati state carrier flydubai operates direct Dubai-Tel Aviv flights and Dubai's Emirates has been looking to launch flights to Israel. Etihad Airways and Wizz Air fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv.
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Sailing-SailGP names Abu Dhabi's Mubadala as title partner of grand final | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917939-israels-el-al-airlines-says-dubai-flights-will-be-disrupted-from-sunday | 2022-02-10T16:35:44 | en | 0.962729 |
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government and world’s leading travel tech platform, OYO Group on Thursday launched rural home stay under the project “Crown of Incredible India” during an event presided by Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha.
Sinha also announced Rs 50,000 special financial assistance to the youth willing to establish a home stay unit.
The Lt Governor said that Jammu and Kashmir UT has emerged as a leader in the tourism sector over the last two and a half years.
With a market giant like OYO coming onboard, we are making in-roads to encourage micro-entrepreneurs in the villages and revitalising local art & crafts and redevelopment of rural areas, added the Lt Governor.
This new initiative will empower local communities, youth and women, fulfilling the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Through vocal for local products, individuals and enterprises will help in poverty alleviation and sustainable development, said the Lt Governor.
The venture will help in building a tourist infrastructure of world standards in rural Jammu and Kashmir. By December this year, around 200 home stays will be available on OYO platform, he added.
Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO, OYO, said that the OYO group is proud to extend its partnership with the Jammu and Kashmir government to generate economic and employment opportunities in rural areas.
OYO Hotels has tied up with 20 home stays in Pahalgam and 10 home stays are present on their platform as on date. The project also aims to improve tourism in underpenetrated areas in Udhampur, Doda, Pahalgam and Kokernag, it was informed. | https://www.siasat.com/jk-government-oyo-group-launch-rural-home-stay-2273489/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:49 | en | 0.947842 |
Haridwar: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, while addressing a political rally in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, made a veiled attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that it formulates economic policies not to help citizens but to favour industrialists and capitalists.
Mayawati said, “BSP is the only party that does not work with the money of capitalists, unlike other political parties which formulate economic policies not to help citizens but to favour industrialists.”
According to the BSP chief, the other parties have attained power at the Centre and state with the help of their industrialist friends.
She added that the BSP would use political power as a tool to improve the lives of common people. | https://www.siasat.com/mayawati-attacks-bjp-says-it-formulates-economic-policies-to-help-industrialists-2273514/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:51 | en | 0.969144 |
NY flight to Florida diverted over ''disruptive passenger''
The airline didnt immediately respond to a request for information.Savannah Figueroa, who was on the flight, told WRAL-TV that the man claimed people were touching him and trying to stick him with needles to collect his DNA and threatened everyone on the plane.
- Country:
- United States
A disruptive passenger prompted a flight from New York to Florida to divert to a North Carolina airport Wednesday night, officials said.
Frontier Airlines flight 1335 left LaGuardia Airport and was headed to Orlando International Airport when it was diverted to Raleigh-Durham International Airport around 8:15 p.m. because of a "disruptive passenger,'' according to a statement from the airport. Airport law enforcement, fire-rescue and Wake County EMS responded, the airport statement said, but there were no details about how the situation was resolved. The flight departed for Orlando around 9:40 p.m., airport officials said, referring questions to the FBI and the airline.
The investigation is ongoing and no federal charges have been filed, FBI spokesperson Shelley Lynch said in an email. The airline didn't immediately respond to a request for information.
Savannah Figueroa, who was on the flight, told WRAL-TV that the man claimed people were touching him and trying to stick him with needles to collect his DNA and threatened everyone on the plane. When flight attendants asked the man to lower his voice, Figueroa said he got angrier. The man was cursing, screaming and threatening everyone on the plane, she said. Eventually, several men stood up and took off their belts to restrain the man. Figueroa said the flight was in the air for an hour after the man began yelling, Figueroa said. Video taken on the flight showed flight attendants blocking the cockpit doors and passengers helping restrain a man on the flight.
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Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday said new districts in the state should be formed by Ugadi.
He directed the officials to make preparations to start work by District Collectors and Superintendents of Police in the new districts from the same day.
During the review meeting held on creation of new districts at his official residence, the Chief Minister said the whole mechanism should function more efficiently after formation of the new districts.
He said preparations should start in regard to division of employees, setting up of infrastructure facilities, and identification of buildings required for the functioning of the government machinery till new buildings are readied.
Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to finalise plans for construction of new buildings and start identification of required lands for them. He asserted that priority should be given to scrutinise objections raised if they are rational and discussions should be held with them who raised the objections.
He directed the officials to appoint existing Collectors and SPs in the new districts as their experience would help for hassle-free administration in the new districts and added that they will monitor setting up of infrastructure facilities and preparations for administration.
He instructed the officials to prepare plans for the policy to be followed in regard to local bodies (division of Zilla Parishads) after considering judicial and legal issues.
The officials briefed the Chief Minister on new district maps and priorities taken into consideration for deciding district headquarters and said they are keenly taking note of the objections, suggestions and advices on the new proposals.
The state government has already announced its decision to create 13 new districts. A notification to double the number of districts to 26 was issued on January 26.
The government has sought suggestions and objections to the proposal within 30 days.
Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised during 2019 elections that every parliamentary constituency in the state will be turned into a district. The state has 25 Lok Sabha constituencies. | https://www.siasat.com/new-districts-in-andhra-pradesh-to-be-formed-by-ugadi-cm-2273521/ | 2022-02-10T16:35:57 | en | 0.97341 |
MX TakaTak to merge with ShareChat's Moj short video platform
Short video platform MX TakaTak will merge with social media firm ShareChats Moj platform to create a community of 100 million content creators with access to 300 million monthly active users, a joint statement said.Both Moj and MX TakaTak were launched in July 2020 after the government banned a host of Chinese apps, including popular short video platform TikTok.
- Country:
- India
Short video platform MX TakaTak will merge with social media firm ShareChat's Moj platform to create a community of 100 million content creators with access to 300 million monthly active users, a joint statement said.
Both Moj and MX TakaTak were launched in July 2020 after the government banned a host of Chinese apps, including popular short video platform TikTok. ''MX Media Co. Ltd, the parent company of MX TakaTak, and ShareChat, the parent company of Moj, today announced a strategic merger between Moj and MX TakaTak, to create the largest short video platform for Indians, whereby the two platforms will now be controlled by ShareChat,'' the statement said. The combined platform will have 100 million creators, over 300 million Monthly Active Users (MAU), and nearly 250 billion monthly video views. Post this transaction, MX Media and its shareholders will become strategic shareholders of ShareChat, the statement said. Moj claims to have over 160 million MAUs and over 50 million creator communities in 15 Indian languages. It has a team of over 100 people, spread across the US, Europe, and India. MX TakaTak was launched in July 2020 and reached 150 million MAUs, across 10 languages. ''We at ShareChat are building India's largest content ecosystem which has been on an unprecedented growth trajectory. MX TakaTak is a popular platform and this merger further solidifies our position in the short video ecosystem. ''With this development, we aim to build the largest original content platform on Moj along with the largest community of users across India,'' ShareChat and Moj co-founder and CEO Ankush Sachdeva said. MX TakaTak will continue to function as a separate platform for now, but the two platforms' creator base, content supply and recommendation algorithms will be integrated. In the coming months, the experience of users and creators will converge enabling creators from both platforms to reach the most extensive set of audiences in India, the statement said. ''As India's largest digital entertainment platform, MX has always strived to build superior world class products, and TakaTak is no exception. This combined with Moj's AI and execution capabilities makes the combined business a truly world class short video platform. ''MX has created two 'unicorns' within one business, unlocking significant value for our shareholders, and will now continue to double down on OTT, with significantly increased financial resources,'' MX Media CEO Karan Bedi said.
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European shares extend recovery as investors focus on Fed update | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1917970-mx-takatak-to-merge-with-sharechats-moj-short-video-platform | 2022-02-10T16:35:58 | en | 0.92658 |
Nathan Chen vowed publicly to have fun at his second Olympics, to free his head of the anxiety that overwhelmed him four years ago.
Chen remained so true to that pledge that he even broke out a wry smile after his one mistake in a free skate of surpassing difficulty Thursday afternoon.
He handled the free and an equally demanding short program so well on his sport’s biggest stage that Chen won the Olympic gold medal easily at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, the city where his mother grew up.
But there was nothing easy about the journey that got him here.
“I never thought I would actually be able to make this happen,” Chen said. “It was a pretty daunting mountain.”
His coach, Rafael Arutunian, recalled Chen and his mother, Hetty Wang, driving every few months from Salt Lake City to southern California for lessons with him at the start of their working relationship 11 years ago. They were lessons the family could not really afford, so Arutunian would take the money Chen’s mother paid him and give it back to her son.
“One day he said to his mom, ‘If we don’t move, I will not make it,’” Arutunian said. “This was an 11-year-old boy saying that.”
Chen made it happen with that kind of will, a will that drove him to push himself and his sport past seemingly established limits, a will that allowed him to become the seventh U.S. man to win a singles Olympic figure skating gold medal.
“My mom and I grew up quite poor, and Raf obviously knew about the situation,” Chen said. “He would say, `I don’t really want that money. I want you to achieve the goal you want.’”
So he moved with his mother to be close to the coach. And he repaid Arutunian with the medal the coach had dreamed of from the time he began coaching 46 years ago.
“Raf has always shared with me how much he has wanted to coach somebody to an Olympic title,” Chen said.
Chen did it despite the weight of expectations that grew exponentially after winning the last three world championships.
“In my mind, I was not the favorite,” he insisted.
Yet he has been one of the faces of NBC’s Olympic promotion for months. He is in commercials seemingly every five seconds during the Olympic coverage in the United States. Video of his Tuesday short program had 3 million YouTube views by the time he finished the free skate.
And Chen had four long years to carry the mental baggage of what had happened at the 2018 Olympics, when he got swept up in expectations and finished fifth after staggering to 17th in the short program.
SEE MORE: Nathan Chen sets world record short program score
That burden was among the reasons Evan Lysacek, the previous U.S. man to win Olympic gold, felt there would be special meaning in both Chen’s triumph and the quality of the skating that produced it.
“External factors of the Games as a whole can contribute to how we remember a performance,” Lysacek, the 2010 champion, said when we spoke before the free skate. “Consider political tensions going in, Team USA’s performance overall, and how much weight rested on Nathan’s shoulders to be the hero for America.”
Chen, 22, won with five clean quadruple jumps and the regret of a perfectionist over popping the triple flip that was to accompany the last quad in a program to the music of Elton John. He followed a world record short program score with a free skate score relatively modest by his own standards – his fourth best and some six points from his world record – but one that only he has topped since 2017.
The result was 332.60 points, a score only he has bettered (by three points). He finished far ahead of the three Japanese skaters who followed: Yuma Kagiyama (310.05), Shoma Uno (293.00) and Yuzuru Hanyu (283.21).
Hanyu literally fell short of his goals to win a third straight Olympic title and to become the first man to land a quadruple axel in competition. Chen’s teammate, Jason Brown, took sixth without a quad, using his consummate artistry and execution of each element to wind up less than two points from fourth.
SEE MORE: Yuzuru Hanyu attempts unprecedented move, falls hard in free
“I was sort of watching what the other men were doing, and I had an idea of what I needed to accomplish,” Chen said.
Will he go on? Chen’s only current long-range plan is to return to Yale in August, when he will be a junior after having taken a two-year leave.
To put Chen’s skating into perspective, I had called Lysacek and two other U.S. men who have won Olympic gold, Scott Hamilton (1984) and Hayes Jenkins (1956), a few hours in advance of the free skate.
“I believe no one will be able to replicate what Nathan has done and can do,” Hamilton said. “He is a one-of-a-kind talent that I’m grateful has comes into our world in my lifetime.
“Nathan is cut from the same cloth as Dick Button (the 1948 and 1952 gold medalist.) Not being satisfied with the status quo, Nathan did everything possible (and impossible) to build his athleticism in a way no one else previously had.”
Jenkins, who competed against Button, expected how well Chen skated at the Olympics because he has seen Chen skate that way repeatedly before.
“First, he has done the finest athletic performances by a man I ever have seen,” Jenkins said. “Second, they were coupled with very significant artistic performances. Look at his arms, his hands, his carriage. It is all very fluid, not exaggerated, and everything has a purpose.
“And, third he was very aware of the music, which we know not all skaters are.”
He was the final performer in the free skate. He could have played it safe and taken out a quad. That would have been out of character for a skater who always has dared the unprecedented.
So there would be two quad flips, a quad salchow, a quad lutz and a quad toeloop. And when the music turned to a fast hip-hop beat near the end, he got completely into the tempo, no matter that he had fallen doing that while winning a sixth straight U.S. title in January. He smiled again, this time a broad one.
Chen could sense by then he was winning an Olympic gold medal. How could anything be more fun than that. | https://www.ktsm.com/2022-olympics/at-age-11-chen-set-course-for-olympic-gold/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:01 | en | 0.988277 |
Abu Dhabi: Actress-dancer Nora Fatehi is all set to visit Expo 2020 Dubai— the world’s largest cultural gathering, on February 16.
The actor will grace the Jubilee stage at 8 pm UAE time (9:30 pm IST).
Expo 2020 Dubai took to Instagram and announced her visit, “Beloved in Bollywood and the Arab world, Nora Fatehi is coming to the Jubilee Stage on Wednesday, 16 February at 20:00 for a show you don’t want to miss! See her LIVE at Expo 2020 Dubai—it’s now or never, before it’s gone forever!.”
Nora Fatehi has recently shown her dance moves in “Dance Meri Rani” with singer Guru Randhawa, the video that has exceeded 100 million views on YouTube.
Nora, who hails from a Moroccan family but was born and brought up in Canada, has done a number of dance tracks for hit films in Bollywood including ‘Muqabala’ and ‘Garmi’ (‘Street Dancer 3D’), ‘O Saki Saki’ (‘Batla House’), ‘Kamariya’ (‘Stree’), among others.
As Expo 2020 approaches its last 50 days, a spate of celebs sighting is in store, with Ranbir Kapoor coming to the Jubilee stage on February 13, while singer Amit Trivedi will headline a concert on February 26.
Other international acts scheduled to be shown at the venue include rock band Coldplay on February 15, Filipino singer Bamboo will perform on February 11, and Filipino artist Moira dela Torre on stage on February 14.
Pakistani playback singer, songwriter, composer and actor Atif Aslam is all set to perform at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 11. Atif will be accompanied by a Symphonic Orchestra.
Bollywood singers Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu — who defined the ‘90s music era in Bollywood, will perform together at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on February 26. | https://www.siasat.com/nora-fatehi-to-perform-at-expo-2020-dubai-on-feb-16-2273363/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:03 | en | 0.946706 |
Zimbabwe's teachers strike amid pandemic and high inflation
A teachers strike has paralysed learning at many Zimbabwean schools, which opened this week after a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In Harare, some schools managed to open Thursday while at others a few teachers reported for work but did not teach, according to unions.
- Country:
- Zimbabwe
A teachers' strike has paralysed learning at many Zimbabwean schools, which opened this week after a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Harare, some schools managed to open Thursday while at others a few teachers reported for work but did not teach, according to unions. The government denounced the strike as “unwarranted conduct” that is depriving children of their right to education.
The government has suspended without pay all striking teachers for three months, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Evelyn Ndlovu announced Thursday. Many teachers decided to stay at home to protest salaries of about $100 a month. They are demanding that their pay be increased to about $500 per month.
In 2018, teachers earned the equivalent of about $540 a month but that amount has been eroded by years of inflation, currently estimated at 60%, and the devaluation of Zimbabwe's currency. In response, the government has offered a 20% pay increase, payment of part of the teachers' salaries in US dollars, and subsidies on the purchases of cars and houses. The government also threatened to cut the salaries of those not reporting for duty.
Unions have rejected the government offer, saying the proposed pay rise is too low. Union officials also said they doubt the government will deliver on the promises of cheaper houses and duty-free importation of cars, citing the failure of previous pledges. They added that teachers cannot afford to purchase cars, even with the subsidies.
“Teachers have been reduced to paupers, they are living in poverty. Teachers can't even afford to pay school fees in the schools where they ordinarily teach,'' Obert Masaraure, president of the vocal Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe told The Associated Press.
''They need almost eight months of their salaries to pay for school fees alone. Teachers are fasting to send a child to school,” he said. Zimbabwe has about 140,000 government school teachers for 4.6 million students. The southern African country closed schools for almost 6 months when it detected its first COVID-19 case in March 2020. Since then, schools have been intermittently closed, often for prolonged periods, due to the pandemic. Classes were supposed to start in January but the government, citing the surge of omicron cases, only reopened schools this week, following intense pressure from people tired of keeping children at home or without money to pay for online lessons. In Chitungwiza, a working-class center about 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the capital, Harare, schools were eerily quiet, with no sign of teachers or pupils. At some schools, classrooms were locked. At one school, a few children played soccer and other games in overgrown grass in the morning to pass time. Some dozed off on the school grounds while others trooped back home.
Parents were riled, but many said they understood the plight of the teachers.
“We are just coming out of lockdowns and now the schools are open but no learning is taking place. What kind of future are we building for our children?” said Edmore Chise, a parent.
“The government should respect teachers, these teachers have families, they also have to pay school fees for their own children,” he said, dropping off his daughter at a school on the outskirts of central Harare. Security guards took the temperatures of masked pupils, who proceeded to wash their hands under taps of running water. Teachers must be vaccinated, according to a vaccine mandate that orders all government employees to be vaccinated to be allowed to access work stations.
The teachers' demand for higher pay comes as many other Zimbabweans struggle with widespread poverty. After years of economic decline and the collapse of many businesses offering formal employment, more than 60% of Zimbabwe's 15 million people survive by selling goods on the streets, offering services from their homes or are otherwise self-employed, according to the International Monetary Fund.
More than half the population lives in extreme poverty exacerbated by COVID-19, according to a joint survey by the government, the World Bank and the United Nations children's agency.
Many grocery shops and services - such as electricity and water which must be purchased privately — demand payment in U.S dollars. To pay for such necessities, civil servants such as teachers have to buy the greenbacks at exorbitant prices from illegal traders due to a shortage of hard currency in banks.
The latest disruption is worsening the situation of children, especially ones from poor families already devastated by the pandemic, said Masaraure, the union leader.
“When schools were closed those who accessed online education were just a few. The learners have missed out on learning,'' he said. ''There is an ongoing academic genocide. We are losing a whole generation that is now engaged in child marriages because they can't be in school.”
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Zimbabwe's teachers strike amid pandemic and high inflation | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917852-zimbabwes-teachers-strike-amid-pandemic-and-high-inflation | 2022-02-10T16:36:06 | en | 0.97998 |
BEIJING (AP) — Erin Jackson shocked herself by making the U.S. Olympic speedskating team four years ago. She’d only been on the ice four months. Now she’s the favorite to win the 500 meters in Beijing.
The former inline and roller derby skater from sunny Florida has made huge strides since 2018.
Jackson is the first Black woman to win a World Cup race. She dominated this season by winning four of the Erieight races and medaling in two others.
Jackson slipped at the U.S. trials and finished third but Brittany Bowe gave up her spot in the 500 to Jackson and says her friend is at the top of her game and will show the world in Beijing. | https://www.ktsm.com/2022-olympics/us-speedskating-drought-in-china-could-end-soon/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:08 | en | 0.972866 |
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday proposed to enhance the cap under e-RUPI prepaid digital vouchers.
The present cap of Rs 10,000 will be increased to Rs 1 lakh per voucher and such vouchers will be allowed to be used more than once, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while announcing the latest monetary policy meeting outcome.
This enhancement is expected to further facilitate the delivery of various government schemes to the beneficiaries more efficiently, he said.
The e-RUPI pre-paid digital voucher developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was launched in August 2021, Das added. | https://www.siasat.com/rbi-proposes-to-raise-limit-on-e-rupi-vouchers-to-rs-1-lakh-2273496/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:09 | en | 0.932278 |
New Delhi: Twitter, under new CEO Parag Agrawal, posted robust quarter results on Thursday, as revenue reached $1.57 billion (with ad revenue of $1.41 billion) — both up 22 per cent (on-year) — driven by ongoing revenue product improvements, solid sales execution and a continued increase in advertiser demand.
The micro-blogging platform reported 217 million average mDAU (monetisable daily active users), up 13 per cent, driven by product improvements, as well as global conversation around current events.
“Our strong 2021 performance positions us to improve execution and deliver on our 2023 goals. We are more focused and better organised to deliver improved personalisation and selection for our audience, partners, and advertisers,” said Agrawal who took over from Jack Dorsey in November.
For 2021, Twitter registered over $5 billion in annual revenue, up 37 per cent for the year.
“There are no changes to our goals of 315 million average mDAU in Q4 2023 and $7.5 billion or more revenue in 2023. Our increased focus on performance ads and the SMB opportunity after the sale of MoPub positions us even better for 2022 and beyond,” said CFO Ned Segal.
The company also announced a new $4 billion share repurchase authorisation, of which half ($2 billion) will be executed through an accelerated share repurchase programme (ASR).
The US revenue was $885 per cent, an increase of 21 per cent for Q4 while international revenue was $683 million, an increase of 23 per cent.
“Japan, our second largest market, reported revenue of $194 million, up 10 per cent,” said Twitter.
Nearly 280 million accounts now follow at least one Topic, with more than 14.5K Topics available across 11 languages on Twitter. | https://www.siasat.com/twitter-posts-robust-results-user-growth-under-parag-agrawal-2273551/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:11 | en | 0.946113 |
Companies are shelling out big bucks this year to feature A list celebrities in their commercials set to air during Super Bowl LVI.
Amazon tapped Scarlett Johansson and her “SNL” head writer and Weekend Update co-host husband, Colin Jost, for a commercial featuring “Alexa” hypothetically reading the couples’ minds.
Sexiest Man Alive Paul Rudd is in a Lay’s commercial with his friend and fellow A-lister, Seth Rogan.
“It’s really a level of talent that perhaps we have not seen in years past,” Ad Age editor Jeanine Poggi explained. And that talent costs money.
Ad Age says the cost for about 30 seconds of airtime during the game is set at $7 million this year. To compare, in the past, it has ranged from about five to 6.8 million.
Former pro football player and current Jackson State University football coach, Deion Sanders, and his son Shedeur Sanders are in a commercial for the greek yogurt company, Oikos. The spot lovingly has the father-son duo competing against each other to see who is stronger, both crediting the added protein in their yogurt.
“That’s – to me. It’s brilliant.” the elder Sanders says. “We’re challenging one another like a father and son would do. And then you cap it off with my mother in the end challenging us to just just shut up and do what we’re supposed to be doing. I mean, that’s an African-American household, that’s a father and son relationship that’s bringing unity and family together as one on one screen. I love every bit of it.”
The ads are set to air when the Los Angeles Ram take on the Cincinnati Bengals Feb. 13 on NBC. | https://www.ktsm.com/sports/the-big-game/these-super-bowl-ads-bring-star-power/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:14 | en | 0.961943 |
Over 1,000 groups, individuals condemn 'targeting, exclusion' of hijab-wearing Muslim students
More than 1,000 feminists, democratic groups, collectives, academicians, lawyers and individuals from various walks of life came together to condemn the targeting and exclusion of hijab-wearing Muslim students on Thursday, while alleging that the head scarf is only the latest pretext to impose an apartheid on Muslim women.In an open letter signed by over 1,850 people, the signatories stated that they firmly believe that the Constitution mandates schools and colleges to nurture plurality, not uniformity.Uniforms in such institutions are meant to minimise the differences between students of different and unequal economic classes.
- Country:
- India
More than 1,000 feminists, democratic groups, collectives, academicians, lawyers and individuals from various walks of life came together to condemn the ''targeting and exclusion'' of hijab-wearing Muslim students on Thursday, while alleging that the head scarf is only the latest pretext to impose an ''apartheid'' on Muslim women.
In an open letter signed by over 1,850 people, the signatories stated that they firmly believe that the Constitution mandates schools and colleges to nurture plurality, not uniformity.
''Uniforms in such institutions are meant to minimise the differences between students of different and unequal economic classes. They are not intended to impose cultural uniformity on a plural country. This is why Sikhs are allowed to wear turbans not only in the classroom but even in police and the Army,'' they said. ''This is why Hindu students wear bindi/pottu/tilak/vibhuti with school and college uniforms without comment or controversy. And likewise, Muslim women should be able to wear hijabs with their uniforms,'' they added.
The letter further states that ''making hijabi women sit in separate classrooms or move from colleges of their choice to Muslim-run colleges is nothing but apartheid''.
The letter was endorsed by more than 130 groups across 15 states, including All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), National Federation of Indian Women, Bebaak Collective, Saheli Women's Resource Centre, Awaaz-e-Nizwan, National Alliance of People's Movements, Forum Against Oppression of Women, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Dalit Women's Collective, National Federation of Dalit Women, Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression and Feminists In Resistance.
Protests for and against the hijab have intensified in parts of Karnataka. The demonstrations turned violent in some places on Tuesday after the government in the southern state issued an order last week making uniforms prescribed by it or the management of private institutions mandatory for students in schools and pre-university colleges.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress have hit out at each other over the controversy.
Activists of the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had put up banners in Maharashtra's Beed city on Monday in support of hijab for Muslim students.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- AIMIM
- Hindu
- Beed city
- All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA
- National Alliance
- All India Progressive
- Constitution
- Karnataka
- Saheli Women's Resource Centre
- Sikhs
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- People's Movements
- Forum Against Oppression of Women
- People's Union
- National Federation of Indian Women
- Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen
- Congress
- Army
- National Federation of Dalit Women
- Maharashtra
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U.S. companies push Biden, Congress for caution on Russia sanctions | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917862-over-1000-groups-individuals-condemn-targeting-exclusion-of-hijab-wearing-muslim-students | 2022-02-10T16:36:14 | en | 0.922671 |
Christchurch: Pakistan team reached Christchurch, New Zealand on Thursday for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Taking to their Twitter, Pakistan Cricket Board wrote, “Karachi Dubai Auckland Christchurch, Our women’s team have reached New Zealand for #CWC22.”
Bismah Maroof will be leading Team Pakistan in the tournament. The event will mark Bismah’s return to international cricket after two years as she took a break from the game for the birth of her first child in December 2020.
The Women’s World Cup will be held in New Zealand from March 4-April 3.
Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar (vice-captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Sidra NawazTraveling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi, and Tuba Hassan. | https://www.siasat.com/womens-world-cup-team-pakistan-arrives-in-new-zealand-2273506/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:17 | en | 0.921392 |
Watch: See what SoFi stadium is serving for the Super Bowl
by: Austin Kellerman
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by: Austin Kellerman
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LOS ANGELES (NEXSTAR) — Ahead of Sunday’s big game, the crew at SoFi Stadium gave us a look at some of the food and drinks they’ll be serving up for football’s biggest fans.
You can click on the video player above for an inside look! | https://www.ktsm.com/sports/the-big-game/watch-see-what-sofi-stadium-is-serving-for-the-super-bowl/ | 2022-02-10T16:36:20 | en | 0.930031 |
Hijab row: High Schools in Karnataka to resume from Feb 14, PUC and Degree Colleges thereafter
Following the High Courts directions, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to resume classes for high school students up to class 10 from February 14, and for Pre-University and Degree Colleges thereafter.The decision was arrived at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with Ministers of Home, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education Departments, and senior officials.The three-judge bench has said that they will hear the case on a day-to-day basis and that everyone should maintain peace, and not to wear religious dress at colleges until then order.
- Country:
- India
Following the High Court's directions, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to resume classes for high school students up to class 10 from February 14, and for Pre-University and Degree Colleges thereafter.
The decision was arrived at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with Ministers of Home, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education Departments, and senior officials.
''The three-judge bench has said that they will hear the case on a day-to-day basis and that everyone should maintain peace, and not to wear religious dress at colleges until then (order). They have also given instruction for reopening of educational institutions,'' Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, discussions were held at the meeting aimed at establishing peace at school and college campuses and creating an atmosphere for students to study together, and to maintain law and order.
''It has been decided that high school classes up to class 10 will start functioning from Monday and in the second stage PUC and degree colleges will start, the dates will be announced in the due course,'' he said.
The Karnataka High court hearing the Hijab issue on Thursday asked students not to insist on wearing religious garment on campuses of educational institutions, till the disposal of the matter.
Posting the matter for Monday, the court also said the educational institutions can resume classes for the students.
The three-judge full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice J M Khazi and Justice Krishna S Dixit, which was formed on Wednesday, also said it wants the matter to be resolved at the earliest but till that time peace and tranquillity is to be maintained.
The Chief Minister said he has called a meeting of Ministers with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendent of Police, Deputy Director of Public Instruction and CEOs of Zilla Panchayats of all districts on Friday evening via video conferencing to gather information about the ground situation in the districts and to give certain directions.
''Our Ministers, Education Minister, Home Minister and I will be in constant touch with senior officials, who have been instructed to remain in touch with district and taluk level officials. We will have to maintain peace, law and order until the High Court comes out with a final order and all the necessary steps are being taken in this regard,'' he said, as he complimented students for maintaining peace during the last two days.
As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the government declared a holiday to all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Bommai urged upon everyone including politicians, not to make statements that incite people and to maintain peace.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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K'taka not to compromise on river-linking projects, will take all steps to get its rightful share, says Basavaraj Bommai | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917864-hijab-row-high-schools-in-karnataka-to-resume-from-feb-14-puc-and-degree-colleges-thereafter | 2022-02-10T16:36:22 | en | 0.972465 |
Hijab row: Udupi MLA welcomes Karnataka HC order
- Country:
- India
Welcoming the Karnataka High Court interim order on the Hijab issue, Udupi MLA and president of Udupi government PU college development committee K Raghupati Bhat on Thursday said a responsible decision has been taken by it considering the future of the students.
The interim order passed by the High Court is excellent, he told reporters in Udupi and hoped that there will be daily hearings on the issue next week.
He said steps should be taken to resume classes soon as the examinations are set to begin next month and students cannot afford to lose more working days.
He said religious customs are to be followed at home. The hijab issue is now being discussed at the international level and the country should stand together at this point of time.
He asked boy students not to wear saffron shawls and wanted the government to direct colleges to resume classes from Friday itself. Meanwhile, BJP leader and Udupi PU college committee vice president Yashpal Suvarna alleged that organisations like Campus Front of India (CFI) are ruining the future of Muslim girl students by instigating them to act according to their 'scripted' protests.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Muslim Brotherhood targeted India, launched campaign to damage image: Report | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917879-hijab-row-udupi-mla-welcomes-karnataka-hc-order | 2022-02-10T16:36:30 | en | 0.953984 |
Not in favour of hijab, but deep contempt for hooligans trying to intimidate girls: Javed Akhtar
The demonstrations turned violent in some places on Tuesday after the government in the southern state issued an order last week making uniforms prescribed by it or the management of private institutions mandatory for students in schools and pre-university colleges.The row prompted the BJP-run government on Tuesday to declare a three-day holiday for the institutions.Akhtar took to Twitter and wrote that he had contempt for the hooligans who were trying to intimidate a group of girls.I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa.
- Country:
- India
Veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar on Thursday said he has never been a supporter of hijab or burqa but was deeply angered by those trying to ''intimidate'' girls wearing hijab in the ongoing issue in Karnataka.
Protests for and against the hijab have intensified in parts of Karnataka. The demonstrations turned violent in some places on Tuesday after the government in the southern state issued an order last week making uniforms prescribed by it or the management of private institutions mandatory for students in schools and pre-university colleges.
The row prompted the BJP-run government on Tuesday to declare a three-day holiday for the institutions.
Akhtar took to Twitter and wrote that he had ''contempt'' for the ''hooligans'' who were trying to intimidate a group of girls.
''I have never been in favour of Hijab or Burqa. I still stand by that but at the same time I have nothing but deep contempt for these mobs of hooligans who are trying to intimidate a small group of girls and that too unsuccessfully. Is this their idea of 'manliness' . What a pity,'' he tweeted.
When a Twitter user questioned Akhtar's silence on the issue of women wearing hijab or burqa, the 77-year-old wrote that those with saffron shawls on their shoulders can't oppose women's clothing.
''Secular people like me have the right to oppose burqa and hijab (we have always done that) but not those who themselves have saffron shawls on their shoulders. Aren't they of the same ideology that caused violence against Hindu girls in Mangalore for having coffee in a restaurant,'' he asked.
On Thursday, the Karnataka High court, hearing the hijab issue, asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved.
Posting the matter for Monday, the full court also said the educational institutions can resume classes for the students.
Several others from the industry, including actors Swara Bhasker, Richa Chadha, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan and veteran actor Shabana Azmi also raised their voice against the controversy.
Reacting to a viral video, where a burqa-clad college student in the state was surrounded by men wearing saffron shawls, Chadha said it was a ''shameful'' incident.
''Raise your sons better! A bunch of ugly, cowards attacking a lone woman in a pack and feeling proud of it? What losers! Shameful. They'll be jobless, more frustrated and penniless in a few years. What poor upbringing! No sympathy, no redemption for them. I spit on your kind,'' Chadha wrote.
Azmi shared a picture of girls wearing a tricolour hijab, writing, ''How about beating them at their own game?'' The veteran also tagged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Ghaywan wrote that the incidents demand that ''well-meaning'' Hindus call out the hate within a section in the community.
''Genocide is at the doorstep. It's not just on Muslims (and Dalits) to fend for themselves. Progressive well-meaning Hindus will have to call out the hate within, demand accountability and force action! Your silent disassociation is meaningless,'' the filmmaker wrote.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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It doesn't matter if someone leaves or join the Congress: Gehlot | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917889-not-in-favour-of-hijab-but-deep-contempt-for-hooligans-trying-to-intimidate-girls-javed-akhtar | 2022-02-10T16:36:38 | en | 0.968123 |
Hijab row: No legal provision of penalty for violation of uniform, argue Muslim students
The state government has issued an order saying head scarf cannot be worn -- a religious culture of the girls, which cannot be curtailed, Kamat said and pleaded that the girls should be allowed continue to wear head scarves and go to the college.
- Country:
- India
The student-petitioners who challenged the ban on wearing Hijab in educational institutions on Thursday told the Karnataka High Court that the Karnataka Education Act-1983 does not have any provision of penalty for infraction of uniform. Advocate Sanjay Hegde, who appeared on behalf of students from Kundapura before the full bench of the Karnataka High Court, said the penalty clause prescribed in the KEA-1983 largely restricted to college management. He said the Act has provision to impose fine for copying, malpractices and loitering. ''There is, however, no penalty for infraction of uniform,'' Hegde contended before the full-bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi. The bench was constituted on Wednesday night to hear the Hijab case after the single bench of Justice Dixit referred it to the CJ saying a larger bench may hear it. According to Hegde, the petitioners have been wearing their regular head scarves along with their uniform but the college management insisted that they should remove it to attend classes. Since December the petitioners have faced discrimination and they were made to stand out of the class though his clients said head scarves were their religious and cultural practice, Hegde argued. Intervening in the argument, Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi pointed out that after the girls started coming to the colleges wearing Hijab, some other students started coming wearing saffron shawls leading to chaos. As a result, the state declared holidays for three days in the schools and colleges till Friday. AG Navadgi also said the educational institutions decided the school uniform based on the state government's directive. Noting that the state government was keen to resume the classes, he said it was difficult for children as some want to wear head scarves, while other want saffron scarves. Advocate Devadatt Kamat, who appeared for students from Udupi, said the issue was not related to uniform as the students have been following it. According to him, the students only wanted to wear the head scarves of the same colour. The state government has issued an order saying head scarf cannot be worn -- a religious culture of the girls, which cannot be curtailed, Kamat said and pleaded that the girls should be allowed continue to wear head scarves and go to the college. ''Our fundamental right is held hostage to the college development committee. The government order says prohibition of head scarves is not a violation of Article 25. The GO is not as innocuous as the state government says,'' Kamat argued. The lawyer for Udupi students also cited verses from Quran which said it was incumbent upon women to cover their heads before anyone other than close family members. However, Sanjay Hegde underlined that the case was not just restricted to religious practice but ''a case of essential education for the girl child''. ''We had Dr Ambedkar who was made to sit apart in the school. After so many years of independence, I do not want any kind of separation,'' the senior advocate said. The Hijab row started in December end when a few students started coming to the government pre-university college in Udupi wearing Hijab. To protest against it, some Hindu students turned up wearing saffron scarves. The controversy spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the State, and the protests took a violent turn at some place earlier this week compelling the state government to announce three days' holiday from Wednesday.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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73rd Republic Day parade: Karnakata tableau represents state as 'Cradle of Traditional Handicrafts' | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917916-hijab-row-no-legal-provision-of-penalty-for-violation-of-uniform-argue-muslim-students | 2022-02-10T16:36:46 | en | 0.974781 |
Latest move against minorities by BJP govt in Karnataka: CPI(M) on hijab row
- Country:
- India
Denying Muslim students the right to wear hijabs to educational institutions is the latest move by the BJP government in Karnataka against minorities and should not be seen in isolation from the overall context of what is happening in the southern state, the CPI(M) alleged on Thursday.
An editorial in party mouthpiece ''People's Democracy'' said the statements made by ministers, MPs and MLAs on the issue make it clear that Muslims are being ''targeted for their religious identity and will be treated as second-class citizens and denied the equal rights provided under the Constitution''.
''The hijab worn by Muslim girl students has been seized upon by the BJP and Hindutva forces to create another divisive and anti-Muslim polarisation in Karnataka.... The BJP government acquiesced in the demand of the Hindutva outfits that girls wearing hijab should not be allowed to attend government schools and colleges.
''This is the latest move by the BJP state government against the minorities. In the name of not allowing any religious symbols in the dress of students, the right of Muslim girls to get an education is being denied,'' the editorial said.
It further said the visuals of Muslim girls with hijabs being barred from entering campuses have brought out ''starkly the gross injustice'' of preventing girls who aspire to study.
The hijab issue ''should not be seen in isolation from the overall context of what is happening in Karnataka'', the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said. It said since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came back to power in Karnataka by toppling the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019, it has gone about ''assiduously to impose the Hindutva agenda'' on the state.
It adopted a stringent law against the slaughter of all forms of cattle in 2020, which was basically aimed against Muslims, many of whom are in the cattle trade and the selling of meat, the Left party said.
This, it alleged, was followed by the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, which ''is targeting the Christian community and interfaith marriages''. ''On the ground, vigilantes who attack social mixing of young men and women of different faiths have become more brazen and grown in the coastal districts. It is a big irony that the very department which has ordered that hijabs cannot be worn in pre-university colleges is the very same department which called for a week-long performance of Surya namaskar to commemorate the 75th year of independence in colleges across the state,'' it said.
Accusing the Karnataka government of acting against the fundamental right of Muslim girls to education, the party asked if ''religious identity cannot be expressed in clothing in an educational institution, then would that mean that Sikh boys cannot be allowed to wear turbans to school?'' ''Wearing a hijab for a Muslim girl or a turban for a Sikh boy would constitute an essential religious practice. Behind the move to deny hijab-wearing girls access to education is the effort in Karnataka to make Muslims second-class citizens. This is a matter of fundamental importance concerning the constitutional rights of a section of citizens,'' it said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Claim that others need to protect our Constitution is presumptuous, preposterous: MEA on Indian American Muslim Council event. | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917927-latest-move-against-minorities-by-bjp-govt-in-karnataka-cpim-on-hijab-row | 2022-02-10T16:36:54 | en | 0.95388 |
Hijab Row: RSS' Muslim wing distances itself from UP functionary supporting burqa-clad girl
- Country:
- India
Hours after its local functionary in Uttar Pradesh backed a burqa-clad student who was heckled by youth shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans at a Karnataka college, the RSS' Muslim wing on Thursday distanced itself from his statement and said some fanatics are misusing her to amplify the row over 'hijab' to vitiate the country's atmosphere.
In a statement, the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) categorically said that it does not support such ''fanaticism and religious frenzy'' and favoured the move to enforce dress code for students in educational institutions Karnataka.
In a video message, the MRM's founder and a senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar said the ongoing row over 'hijab' is ''a cruel and disgusting'' face of the nefarious design of ''some fanatics'' to disturb harmony and peace in the country.
''Some fanatics are misusing Muslim daughter muskan Khan, who is always seen in jeans, to defame India and malign Islam,'' he said.
He also demanded that a ''through investigation'' be conducted into the entire episode to expose those involved in creating a row over hijab and fanning ''communal passion'' to vitiate the country's atmosphere.
Earlier in the day, Prant Sanchalak (Awadh) of the MRM Arun Singh had backed the burqa-clad student, Bibi Muskan Khan, who was recently seen being heckled by a group of youth shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans at a Karnataka college in a viral video, saying 'purdah' is part of the Indian culture.
''She is the daughter and sister of our community, we stand with her at this time of crisis,'' he told PTI. The MRM is an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with stated objective to bring Hindus closer to Muslims.
''I want to clarify that neither Muslim Rashtriya Manch nor its chief patron Indresh Kumar supports any such thing. Some fanatics are misusing girls to amplify the row (over hijab) to vitiate the atmosphere of social harmony and peace in the country. We do not support any such fanaticism and religious frenzy,'' the MRM's national convenor and media in-charge Shahid Sayeed said in a statement.
The MRM vehemently condemns and opposes such ''a fanatic move'', he added Sayeed said practice of 'hijab' and 'purdah' systems have their importance ''in every religion and society'' but it has no relationship with the schools, colleges, educational institutions, industrial or business sectors. ''It's not appropriate to practice 'hijab' or purdah system in any institution which has its own dress code,'' he said. As it is necessary for the citizens to abide by the rules and law of their country. it is also necessary for the students to abide by the rules of the educational institutions they are enrolled to, he contended. ''Those, who do not do so, can not be honest to Islam and its Prophet,'' he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Emergence of hijab controversy part of plot, says RSS leader Indresh Kumar | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1917928-hijab-row-rss-muslim-wing-distances-itself-from-up-functionary-supporting-burqa-clad-girl | 2022-02-10T16:37:01 | en | 0.949829 |
Is ‘The Vampire Diaries’ ever coming back? Here’s everything we know
- Country:
- United States
CW's famous supernatural teen drama The Vampire Diaries aired 171 episodes over eight seasons. Fans were disheartened to know that there is less chance for The Vampire Diaries Season 9.
It was the most-watched series on the network before being supplanted by Arrow. The show received numerous award nominations and won four People's Choice Awards and many Teen Choice Awards. After the pilot episode in 2006, it attracted the largest audience and averaged 3.60 million viewers.
Some fans think the show will not return, as the story has come to its natural conclusion in Season 8. But some fans still believe that CW might come with Season 9 or at least a reboot season, thanks to the popularity of the series.
But it is highly unlikely that The Vampire Diaries Season 9 will ever be made. But we have examples of 'Legacies' and 'The Originals' - the two spin-off series of The Vampire Diaries.
Back in 2017, showrunner and co-creator Julie Plec told Hollywood reporter, "There were a lot of things that went into [the decision to end the series]."
"Some logistics, some contractual, where you were just like, 'OK if this person doesn't come back, is the show still going to be good? What if they do come back, but we don't know until the end?' A lot of that silly stuff you're not supposed to talk about. Logistical stuff," Plec added.
The Vampire Diaries summary
The Vampire Diaries' story follows the life of a girl Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) who lost her parents in a car accident and later falls in love with a vampire named Stefan Salvatore (played by Paul Wesley). The relationship between Stefan and Nina becomes complicated when Stefan's mysterious older brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) returns with a plan to bring back their past love Katherine Pierce, a vampire who looks exactly like Elena.
The eighth season of The Vampire Diaries ended with the death of Stefan(played by Paul Wesley). Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) are dead and find peace and she reunites with her parents, John, and Jenna in the afterlife in her form of Peace at the Gilbert family home.
Why there is no chance for The Vampire Diaries Season 9
Everyone's favorite show The Vampire Diaries' most anticipated Season 9 was earlier rumored to be released in March 2021. Unfortunately, the series developer, Julie Plec discredited all rumors related to the making of The Vampire Diaries Season 9. She said that she isn't currently working on any spinoffs but has been positive about anything related to the ninth season moving ahead.
Addressing the fans about the rumor encircling in the internet, he said on Andy Cohen's SiriusXM radio show, "I have not heard anything about a season nine. ... what would happen Stefan and Damon are, you know, Damon has like gray hair, and they're, they have canes like, 'Oh, I got, gotta feed the baby.'"
The Vampire Diaries already had a satisfying run for eight seasons, thus the chance of The Vampire Diaries Season 9 is almost negligible. "Listen, it ran it, it ran a great course. And now it's still living. That's what's so amazing. It's still living," Ian Somerhalder added.
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Furthermore, Ian Somerhalder refused to reprise his role as Damon Salvatore saying he would no longer prefer to play the role of a vampire again. Following him, Nina Dobrev also refused to play her role. Although Nina announced earlier in April 2015 that she would leave Vampire Diaries after Season 6, she returned as a voiceover artist in Season 7.
A year after the Vampire Diaries concludes, Paul Wesley told to Us Weekly that he thinks the show ran a little long.
"To be honest with you, the show probably could've ended maybe a year earlier. I felt like we kept it going, but we all knew this was the best possible thing to do," he said on the Watch With Us podcast. "You start to run out of the story, and I think we had told all the story that needed to be told."
Therefore, The Vampire Diaries Season 9 hardly has any chance in the future. Stay tuned to Devdiscourse for more updates on Hollywood news.
Also Read: What happened when Robert Pattinson kissed Kristen Stewart during audition on bed? | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917820-is-the-vampire-diaries-ever-coming-back-heres-everything-we-know | 2022-02-10T16:37:09 | en | 0.974952 |
Police: Ex-American Idol star took marijuana before crash
Kennedy told deputies after the crash that he had taken a deep draw from a vaping device and then felt its effects while driving, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.Kennedys lawyer, Ryan Beasley, said no alcohol was involved.The warrant is the first indication that marijuana is part of the prosecutions felony charge, which carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.The crash was a terrible accident, and Kennedy is deeply sorry, Beasley told The Associated Press.
- Country:
- United States
Marijuana was involved in a deadly South Carolina crash in which a former “American Idol” contestant has been charged with driving under the influence, according to an arrest warrant.
Caleb Kennedy, 17, ran over a man with his pickup truck Tuesday after driving up a residential driveway, authorities said. Kennedy told deputies after the crash that he had taken a “deep draw” from a vaping device and then felt its effects while driving, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.
Kennedy's lawyer, Ryan Beasley, said no alcohol was involved.
The warrant is the first indication that marijuana is part of the prosecution's felony charge, which carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
The crash was a “terrible accident,” and Kennedy is deeply sorry, Beasley told The Associated Press. Beasley said he believes that something caused a reaction with prescription medication that Kennedy was taking.
The country music singer is accused of driving his truck into Larry Duane Parris, 54, who was standing just outside his shop where he fixes boats in Spartanburg County, authorities said. The impact of Tuesday's crash drove Parris inside the shop, where he was found by his daughter, Solicitor Barry Barnette said.
In a 911 call, Parris' daughter can be heard screaming for help, and Kennedy can be heard on the tape saying he was sorry as he held the dying man inside the shop, the solicitor said. Parris was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
“He was holding the victim in his arms when the police got there,” Beasley told the AP.
“This was obviously a terrible, terrible accident,” Beasley said. Kennedy, a high school junior, “by all indications is a great student, never been in trouble.” Kennedy is being charged as an adult and remains jailed after a judge denied any bond for now. Beasley said he planned to request bond at a court hearing later this month.
Kennedy advanced into the Top 5 of the ABC talent show last year, but dropped out after a video circulated of him sitting next to someone wearing what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan hood.
Kennedy apologised at the time for the video, saying on social media that “it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way.” Kennedy's mother, Anita Guy, told news outlets that the video was filmed when Kennedy was 12 and had been taken out of context. She said Kennedy had been imitating characters from a movie.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917850-police-ex-american-idol-star-took-marijuana-before-crash | 2022-02-10T16:37:18 | en | 0.985796 |
Zooey Deschanel joins cast of 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' live-action adaptation
Hollywood actor Zooey Deschanel would be breaking out her art supplies for Sony's upcoming live-action take on the classic children's book 'Harold and the Purple Crayon'.
- Country:
- United States
Hollywood actor Zooey Deschanel would be breaking out her art supplies for Sony's upcoming live-action take on the classic children's book 'Harold and the Purple Crayon'. According to The Hollywood Reporter, published in 1955, Crockett Johnson's book follows Harold, a 4-year-old who, with the power of his crayon, creates worlds around him.
Deschanel will join an already announced cast of Zachary Levi and Lil Rel Howery. Academy Award nominee Carlos Saldanha will direct the live-action movie from a screenplay by David Guion and Michael Handelman, the writers behind 'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb' and 'Dinner for Schmucks'. John Davis is producing through his Davis Entertainment banner.
'Harold' has long been a sought-after, if not difficult to crack, Hollywood IP. Spike Jonze, Will Smith and Steven Spielberg were once attached to a feature adaptation in different capacities. Deschanel is best known for her role on the long-running sitcom 'New Girl', with an extensive list of feature credits that include '(500) Days of Summer, 'Yes Man', 'Our Idiot Brother' and 'Elf'.
The Emmy and Golden Globe nominee will next be seen in Focus Features' 'Dreamin' Wild', opposite Casey Affleck and Walton Goggins, as per The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917907-zooey-deschanel-joins-cast-of-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-live-action-adaptation | 2022-02-10T16:37:26 | en | 0.925507 |
First trailer of 'Jurassic World: Dominion' unveils dino mayhem
The much-anticipated first trailer for 'Jurassic World
- Country:
- United States
The much-anticipated first trailer for 'Jurassic World: Dominion' has been unveiled and it is packed with equal parts dino action and nostalgia. The film, from Universal and director Colin Trevorrow, is the third film in the 'Jurassic World' franchise that began in 2015.
'Dominion' includes mainstays Chris Pratt and Bryce Callas Howard and also brings back the stars of 'Jurassic Park', the 1993 adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel that first introduced the world to a park in which dinosaurs run amok. Back in action are Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. In the almost 3-minute trailer, there are dinosaurs wandering free in a wintery tundra and swimming in the ocean as humans look on warily.
"Human and dinosaurs can't coexist. We created an ecological disaster," Dern says in the trailer, which is a keen observation that should have been apparent five movies ago. "We not only lack dominion over nature, we're subordinate to it," says Goldblum. Earlier, a prologue for 'Jurassic World: Dominion', which debuted in November 2021, gave a brief glimpse into this new, alarming landscape. In it, a massive T-rex wreaks havoc on a drive-in movie theater.
"It is a true ensemble of all of these people, even if they may not be side by side the whole time. There is just something really exhilarating, just from a generational standpoint, to be able to put all of these characters into a situation where they are again having to not just survive together, but make sure that we all don't go extinct just like the dinosaurs," Trevorrow told The Hollywood Reporter last year. He wrote the film's script with Emily Carmichael, based on a story he developed with Derek Connolly. In November, Universal unveiled the first five minutes of the film, which depicts how one misquito's actions millions of years earlier led to dinosaur resurrection in the modern day.
'Dominion' deals with the fallout from 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' (2018), which showed the destruction of the dinosaurs' home, Isla Nublar, and dinosaurs escaping into the modern world. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917940-first-trailer-of-jurassic-world-dominion-unveils-dino-mayhem | 2022-02-10T16:37:34 | en | 0.945815 |
Russian gallery says guard added eyes to avant-garde work
It said the damage can be repaired.The Yeltsin Center in Ekaterinburg said the vandalism of the painting Three Figures by Anna Leporskaya occurred December 7.It said the suspected culprit worked for a private company providing security at the gallery.
- Country:
- Russian Federation
A Russian gallery says one of its security guards has vandalized an avant-garde painting on loan from the country's top art repository by drawing eyes on the picture's deliberately featureless faces. It said the damage can be repaired.
The Yeltsin Center in Ekaterinburg said the vandalism of the painting “Three Figures” by Anna Leporskaya occurred December 7.
It said the suspected culprit worked for a private company providing security at the gallery. The painting, dating from the 1930s, shows three torsos and heads with hair but no facial features; the vandal drew eyes on two of them with a ballpoint pen.
The Yeltsin Center said the painting has been sent for restoration to the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, which owns it. The Russian news site RBK said a criminal case has been opened on charges that carry a sentence of up to three months in prison. The picture had been reportedly insured for 74.9 million rubles (roughly $1 million).
Leporskaya, who lived from 1900-1982, was a student of Kazimir Malevich, a seminal Russian abstract artist best known for his 1915 work “Black Square.”
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917956-russian-gallery-says-guard-added-eyes-to-avant-garde-work | 2022-02-10T16:37:41 | en | 0.974774 |
Mouni Roy amps up glam quotient in black monokini
Actor Mouni Roy is giving major fashion goals while vacationing with her husband Suraj Nambiar in Kashmir.
- Country:
- India
Actor Mouni Roy is giving major fashion goals while vacationing with her husband Suraj Nambiar in Kashmir. On Thursday, she unleashed her inner fashionista by wearing a black monokini against the scenic backdrop of snow.
"If kisses were snowflakes I would send you a blizzard," Mouni captioned the post. Mouni's hot avatar has left netizens in awe of her beauty.
"Hot. Hot," a social media user commented. "Beauty in black," another one wrote.
For the unversed, Mouni and Suraj tied the knot on January 27 in Goa. Their wedding affair was attended by several members from the film industry including Mandira Bedi, Aamna Sharif and Arjun Bijlani among others. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1917967-mouni-roy-amps-up-glam-quotient-in-black-monokini | 2022-02-10T16:37:49 | en | 0.971366 |
GM, Stellantis cut some production following Canadian trucking protests
Stellantis plants said all of its North American plants are running as of Thursday morning, "but a number of U.S. and Canadian plants cut short second shifts Wednesday night due to parts shortages caused by the closure of the Detroit/Windsor bridge." GM said was forced to cancel two production shifts at a plant in Michigan where it builds sport utility vehicles after Canadian trucking protests.
General Motors Co and Chrysler-parent Stellantis said on Thursday they were forced to cancel or scale back some shifts because of parts shortages stemming from Canadian trucking protests against pandemic measures. Stellantis plants said all of its North American plants are running as of Thursday morning, "but a number of U.S. and Canadian plants cut short second shifts Wednesday night due to parts shortages caused by the closure of the Detroit/Windsor bridge."
GM said was forced to cancel two production shifts at a plant in Michigan where it builds sport utility vehicles after Canadian trucking protests. The largest U.S. automaker said it had canceled a shift on Wednesday and a shift Thursday at its Lansing Delta Township plant. Both Ford Motor Co and Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday they had been forced to halt some operations because of supply chain disruptions stemming from protests that have snarled traffic at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Stellantis said the "situation at the Ambassador Bridge, combined with an already fragile supply chain, will bring further hardship to people and industries still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope a resolution can be reached soon so our plants and our employees can return to normal operations." The White House said Wednesday it was talking to automakers, Canada and customs officials to try avoid disruptions to auto production.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Hijab row: Schools in Karnataka to reopen on Monday, decision on colleges later
Amid the hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Thursday extended the closure of schools and colleges till the end of this week.
- Country:
- India
Amid the hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Thursday extended the closure of schools and colleges till the end of this week. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that schools in the state will reopen on Monday for classes up to class X. However, the reopening date of colleges has not been announced.
"The last two days have been very peaceful. Adjourning the matter for Monday, a three-member bench of the High Court today has appealed to all the schools to reopen but no religious dress codes should be followed by both sides," the chief minister told mediapersons. "I appeal to everyone to work together and see that there is peace in the colleges. Schools will reopen from Monday for classes up to the 10th standard. Degree colleges will reopen later," added Bommai.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the state for the next three days. Karnataka High Court, after the hearing of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in colleges, on Thursday asked students not to wear 'religious things' till the disposal of the matter.
A bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi of the High Court said that it will pass an order directing the reopening of colleges and asked students not to insist on wearing religious things till the disposal of the matter. "Peace and tranquillity must be restored," the court said while adjourning the matter for Monday.
The Hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in Karnataka when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students were allegedly denied entry to college wearing hijab by Muslim women earlier this month. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917829-hijab-row-schools-in-karnataka-to-reopen-on-monday-decision-on-colleges-later | 2022-02-10T16:38:05 | en | 0.97078 |
Mexican power bill won't breach USMCA trade pact, president says
Earlier, Lopez Obrador said that the power initiative will fall to lawmakers in Congress to approve or reject. He also defended the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) power utility, which he said was keeping prices down.
- Country:
- Mexico
A Mexican bill aimed at boosting state control of the power market will not breach the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told Reuters https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/kerry-urges-cooperation-with-mexico-clean-energy-power-bill-rankles-2022-02-09 on Wednesday he had pressed Mexico during a meeting with Lopez Obrador to ensure the power initiative does not go against USMCA.
Responding to a question in a news conference about Kerry's USMCA comments, Lopez Obrador downplayed any potential risk. "The treaty is not affected at all," he said.
The bill seeks to prioritize Mexico's national power utility over private firms, and has sparked criticism that it would undermine wind and solar power investment at a critical time for companies striving to use more clean energy. Earlier, Lopez Obrador said that the power initiative will fall to lawmakers in Congress to approve or reject.
He also defended the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) power utility, which he said was keeping prices down. "It benefits all of us for the CFE not to be weakened ... we have to defend this public company," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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S.Africa's SAPREF refinery to pause operations indefinitely in March
South Africa's largest refinery, SAPREF, a 50/50 joint venture between oil majors BP and Shell will pause operations indefinitely from March 22 as its owners consider selling the plant. Situated in the east coast city of Durban, SAPREF has a nameplate capacity of 180,000 barrels per day and accounts for around 35% of the refining capacity in Africa's most industrialised economy, a net importer of petroleum products.
- Country:
- South Africa
South Africa's largest refinery, SAPREF, a 50/50 joint venture between oil majors BP and Shell will pause operations indefinitely from March 22 as its owners consider selling the plant.
Situated in the east coast city of Durban, SAPREF has a nameplate capacity of 180,000 barrels per day and accounts for around 35% of the refining capacity in Africa's most industrialised economy, a net importer of petroleum products. "The decision has been taken to allow an informed finalization on the various options available to the shareholders, a sale option being the most preferred," said the statement.
"Until decisions about the future of the plant have been made – including a possible change of ownership – the SAPREF shareholders are unable to commit to further investment in the refinery," the operators said. In September, South Africa's petroleum industry body SAPIA warned the country's refinery capacity could become obsolete within two years as the government pushed to introduce rules meant to reduce sulphur emissions from 2023.
The South African Petroleum Industry Association, which represents oil firms such as BP and Shell that operate local refineries, has deadlocked with government in talks to finance the upgrade of six refineries to cleaner fuels at an estimated cost of $3.9 billion.
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- Africa | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917837-safricas-sapref-refinery-to-pause-operations-indefinitely-in-march | 2022-02-10T16:38:21 | en | 0.95243 |
France to boost solar energy capacity beyond 100 GW by 2050, says Macron
- Country:
- France
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that France plans to multiply its solar energy production capacities roughly tenfold by 2050.
Solar energy capacities should reach a capacity over 100 gigawatt by 2050, while off-shore wind capacity should grow to 40 gigawatt from virtually zero at the moment, Macron said in a speech outlining his plans for France's future energy mix.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Truck blockade at US-Canadian border shuts auto plants
- Country:
- Canada
The truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country's COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, Toyota and General Motors to shut down plants or otherwise curtail production on both sides of the US-Canada border.
The bumper-to-bumper demonstration entered its fourth day Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products back and forth across the border.
The bridge is the busiest US-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25% of all trade between the two countries.
Ford said its Windsor, Ontario, engine plant reopened Thursday after being shut down on Wednesday because of a lack of parts. But the factory and the company's assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, near Toronto, are operating at reduced capacity, the automaker said.
"This interruption on the Detroit-Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, suppliers, communities and companies on both sides of the border," Ford said in a statement. "We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the US and Canada." On the US side, GM cancelled the second shift on Wednesday and the first shift Thursday at its midsize SUV factory outside Lansing, Michigan.
Toyota said it will not be able to manufacture anything at three Canadian plants for the rest of this week because of parts shortages. In a statement, the automaker blamed supply chain disruptions, weather and pandemic-related problems, but the shutdowns came just days after the blockade began Monday.
Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, said all of its North American factories were running Thursday, but shortages because of the blockade forced it to shorten shifts at several plants.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden administration is watching the bridge blockade closely, noting the risk to the US auto industry.
Hundreds of demonstrators in trucks have also paralysed the streets of downtown Ottawa for almost two weeks, and dozens more have been blocking the border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, railing against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Freedom Truck Convoy has been promoted and cheered on by many Fox News personalities and attracted support from the likes of former President Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Wednesday that police had not removed protesters there for fear of inflaming the situation. But he added: "We're not going to let this happen for a prolonged period of time." As of Wednesday, the demonstration involved 50 to 74 vehicles and about 100 protesters, police said. To avoid the blockade and get into Canada, truckers in the Detroit area have had to drive 70 miles north to Port Huron, Michigan, and cross the Blue Water Bridge, where there was a 4½-hour delay leaving the US While protesters have been calling for Trudeau's removal, most of the restrictive measures around the country have been put in place by provincial governments. Those include requirements that people show proof-of-vaccination "passports" to enter restaurants, gyms, movie theatres and sporting events.
Many provinces announced plans this week to remove or relax those restrictions after the surge in omicron cases crested in the country. Pandemic restrictions have been far stricter in Canada than in the US, but Canadians have largely supported them. Canada's COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the US.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Political parties speak of making 'Bhagat Singh's Punjab', but no one did, say residents of Punjab's Hussainiwala
72-year-old Gurbak Singh, who had come from Jalalabad to visit Bhagat Singh's memorial in Punjab's Hussainiwala on Thursday rued how all the political parties speak of making Punjab what Bhagat Singh had dreamt of but no one ever did.
- Country:
- India
By Niranjan Mishra 72-year-old Gurbak Singh, who had come from Jalalabad to visit Bhagat Singh's memorial in Punjab's Hussainiwala on Thursday rued how all the political parties speak of making Punjab what Bhagat Singh had dreamt of but no one ever did.
Gurbak Singh further added, "This is the freedom fighters' land, but this land could not be what the freedom fighters had dreamt it to be. All the political parties speak of following their path but no one ever did." Hussainiwala in Punjab's Firozpur district is no less than a pilgrimage site in India. This was the place where Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were cremated on the banks of river Sutlej. After India's Independence and partition, Hussainiwala became a part of Pakistan. Later the Indian government made an agreement with the Pakistan government under which Hussainiwala became a part of Indian territory. The traces of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War can also be seen here.
72-year-old Gurbak Singh had come from Jalalabad with his family to visit the freedom fighters' memorial site here. While speaking to ANI, he said, "Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged before the scheduled time in Lahore jail and their bodies were brought here secretly. Later his comrades performed his last rites and his samadhi has been built at the same place." Divyanshu Chaurasia, a local said, "Pakistan is only a few kilometres from here. Earlier the train used to go there."
While showing the bullet marks on the old railway station building here, Divyanshu said that in the 1971 war, there was a lot of damage to this place. "This place was destroyed by the Pakistani Army in the 1971 war, it was rebuilt again in 1973", he informed. Chaurasia said, "The Pakistan border can be seen from this place-people are both thrilled and scared about it.
In the upcoming elections, the people of Hussainiwala are ready to vote in the hope of a good government. The people of Ferozepur urban want a Punjab which Bhagat Singh had dreamt of. He said that the biggest problem in Hussainiwala is alcohol. Jagir Singh of Hussainiwala village said, "Narcotics are sold in plenty in this area. Bhagat Singh never wants drugs to be sold. In so many years we have seen so many governments but nothing has changed. So this time we will vote for change and want Bhagat Singh's dream of Punjab to fructify."
Kulwant Singh said, "In the last 75 years we have seen all the parties' governments and this time people want some change. Politicians come and leave with promises but they never got any work done. Drug addiction can also end if the government wants it, but governments do not seem to want it." Hussainiwala youth are facing problems in employment and education. 18-year-old Amarendra Singh, who will cast his vote for the first time this time said that due to poverty and household responsibilities, he could study only till class 10 and then started working. "Till now all the parties and governments talk about making Punjab Bhagat Singh's dream state, but no one does anything. They come only once to ask for the vote but never get back to know about the people."
Punjab will go to the polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917854-political-parties-speak-of-making-bhagat-singhs-punjab-but-no-one-did-say-residents-of-punjabs-hussainiwala | 2022-02-10T16:38:44 | en | 0.98244 |
J&K govt, OYO launch 'Crown of Incredible India' home-stay initiative
- Country:
- India
To give a boost to the distressed tourism industry and turn the youth into start-up entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir, hospitality tech firm OYO on Thursday partnered with the J&K administration to launch a rural tourism initiative, 'Crown of Incredible India', across the Union Territory.
Under this collaborative approach, OYO will also partner with the government's 'Mission Youth' programme to open homestays across 75 villages to promote entrepreneurship and create self-employment opportunities, officials said.
''The J&K government and...OYO Group launched rural homestay under project 'Crown of Incredible India' to encourage micro-entrepreneurs in the villages. It will revitalise local art and crafts and redevelopment of rural areas,'' a senior official said.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who launched the initiative along with OYO founder and Group CEO Ritesh Agarwal at Raj Bhawan here, said, ''Rural homestays in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra have started to rival conventional tourism. Having the most beautiful locales in the country, J&K is determined to catch up. This partnership marks the start of a new chapter.'' He said that OYO has made a great start to onboard J&K's rural homestays on their platform.
''Our mission youth department has identified 75 villages under the tourist village network. They will partner with OYO, not just to generate jobs, but to improve the local economy and infrastructure.
''Those youth in this programme, who want to start their homestays, we will support them through an incentive of Rs 50,000 each,'' Sinha said.
He further added that J&K is today the 6th largest tourist destination in India in terms of tourist influx and has created both jobs and revenue.
''In August-November 2021, J&K witnessed 52 lakh tourists, which is growing by the day.
''With this project, OYO plans to start with 20 homestays immediately of which 10 are already live. OYO will ensure that 200 of our homestays are on their platform by December,'' he said.
Sinha added that this will provide both national and international tourists, the opportunity to experience and live the culture and tradition of JK. ''We will be able to create the most well developed rural tourism circuit,'' he said.
OYO founder and Group CEO Ritesh Agarwal said, ''We, at OYO, are thrilled to be a part of the unique tourism opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir, and are excited to welcome travellers visiting the state for unique stay experience at these homestays.'' Agarwal said OYO is proud to extend our partnership with the Jammu & Kashmir government to generate economic and employment opportunities in the district. The 'Crown of Incredible India' will enable socioeconomic development helping people become Atmanirbhar, he added.
''As the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, 75 glorious years of progressive India, we at OYO renew our commitment to strengthen tourism for the benefit of local communities,'' the CEO said. OYO in J&K is a key player in the tourism ecosystem and has over 140 hotels and homes creating over 500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The J&K tourism village network, under the aegis of 'Mission Youth', will start with 75 villages to boost the local economy by encouraging community entrepreneurship as 200 homestays are planned in one year in Udhampur, Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Doda and other underpenetrated districts.
The Mission Youth initiative of the J&K government provides a platform to the local youth under multiple schemes and it offers financial assistance, last-mile infrastructure and accessibility to promote sustainable livelihood, officials said.
The J&K government under the Mission Youth will support 500 youth for establishing homestay, and Rs 50,000 financial assistance per homestay will be provided for refurbishment. The venture will help in building a tourist infrastructure of world standards in rural J&K, they said.
The homestay owners in Jammu & Kashmir are primarily engaged in agricultural activities making it a key source of their income, they said.
''This includes apple, saffron, corn and walnut cultivation, one of the mainstays of Jammu & Kashmir's economy. Many have had to migrate to cities in search of livelihoods,'' he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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France to build six new next-generation EPR nuclear reactors - Macron
- Country:
- France
France will build six new next-generation EPR2 nuclear reactors and look into options to build up to eight additional reactors, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday as he announced his plans for the country's future energy mix.
"Starting from today, we will launch a programme to launch new nuclear reactors", Macron said.
Macron also said that he would ask state-owned utility EDF to keep existing nuclear reactors online much longer than planned, saying that EDF should study extending their life-spans to more than 50 year.
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Macron puts nuclear energy at heart of carbon-neutral push, announces new reactors
France will build at least six new nuclear reactors in the decades to come, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, placing nuclear power at the heart of his country's drive for carbon neutrality by 2050. Macron said the new plants would be built and operated by state-controlled energy provider EDF and that tens of billions of euros in public financing would be mobilized to finance the projects and safeguard EDF's finances.
- Country:
- France
France will build at least six new nuclear reactors in the decades to come, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, placing nuclear power at the heart of his country's drive for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Macron said the new plants would be built and operated by state-controlled energy provider EDF and that tens of billions of euros in public financing would be mobilized to finance the projects and safeguard EDF's finances. Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power in France, Macron also announced he wanted to extend the lives of older nuclear plants to 50 years from 40 years currently provided it was safe.
"We are fortunate in France to be able to count on a strong nuclear industry, rich in know-how and with hundreds of thousands of jobs," Macron said, unveiling his new nuclear strategy in the eastern industrial town of Belfort. The announcement comes at a difficult time for debt-laden EDF which is grappling with corrosion problems that have forced multiple old nuclear reactors offline for extended periods and with having to persuade foreign buyers it can deliver projects on time and to budget.
Macron's nuclear blueprint cements his commitment to nuclear power, a mainstay of postwar France's industrial prowess but whose future was uncertain early in his mandate as he promised to reduce the weight of nuclear in the country's energy mix. Macron's thinking has been shaped by the European Union's ambitious goals for carbon neutrality within three decades, which put renewed focus on energy forms that emit fewer, or zero, greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, including nuclear.
The first new-generation EPR reactor would come online by 2035, Macron said. Studies for a further eight reactors beyond the initial half-dozen new plants would be launched, he added. Macron said the state would assume its responsibilities in securing EDF's finances and its short- and medium-term financing capacity.
"We will not let EDF down," Macron said.
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FACTBOX-Britain's hidden childhood poverty in figures
By Emma Batha LONDON, Feb 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Millions of children are growing up in poverty in Britain - one of the world's richest countries - as families struggle with soaring food prices, energy bills and housing costs. With inflation at a 30-year high, children's charities want more support for low-income families facing increasing hardship amid a cost-of-living crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Emma Batha LONDON, Feb 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Millions of children are growing up in poverty in Britain - one of the world's richest countries - as families struggle with soaring food prices, energy bills and housing costs.
With inflation at a 30-year high, children's charities want more support for low-income families facing increasing hardship amid a cost-of-living crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some facts:
- 4.3 million children, or nearly one in three, were living in poverty in 2019/2020, according to the latest available data. Charities say the nationwide figure will be higher now. - The child poverty rate was 31% in 2019/2020, up from 27% in 2013/14.
- 75% of children growing up in poverty live in families where at least one person works. - 46% of children from Black and minority ethnic groups live in poverty compared with 26% of children in white British families.
- 49% of children in lone-parent families are in poverty, in part due to higher childcare costs and lower earnings potential. - Children in larger families are twice as likely to be poor as those from smaller families.
- 1.8 million children were growing up in very deep poverty even before the pandemic stuck - A million households - including 550,000 children - were estimated to have been destitute in 2019, up 35% since 2017.
- The cost of raising a child to the age of 18 is about £160,700 for a couple and £193,800 for a lone parent - up more than 3% since last year, says the Child Poverty Action Group. - Britain has one of the world's most expensive childcare systems, with the average bill rising by 4%-5% in 2021.
- More than 1.74 million children in England were eligible for free school meals in January 2021, up 17.3% on January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. - Children from lower-income families are developmentally a year behind better off children when they start school. Sources: Child Poverty Action Group, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Coram Family and Childcare, Save the Children UK
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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EU earmarks 150 billion euros for investment in Africa
The European Union has earmarked over 150 billion euros ($170 billion) for investments in Africa under a global fund launched to offer an alternative to Chinese money, the European Commission said on Thursday. The investment would take up half of the EU's 300-billion-euro Global Gateway scheme, which that was launched in December with the aim of strengthening Europe's supply chains and fighting climate change in sectors including health, energy and transport.
The European Union has earmarked over 150 billion euros ($170 billion) for investments in Africa under a global fund launched to offer an alternative to Chinese money, the European Commission said on Thursday.
The investment would take up half of the EU's 300-billion-euro Global Gateway scheme, which that was launched in December with the aim of strengthening Europe's supply chains and fighting climate change in sectors including health, energy and transport. It comes as many European states seek to reduce illegal migration from Africa, driven in part by poverty and joblessness, and as fossil fuel producers in Africa bristle against the strict carbon reduction goals set by richer nations to reduce global warming.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the regional plan at a news conference in Dakar with Senegalese President Macky Sall. How the funds will be disbursed or spent is not yet clear.
At the launch of the Gateway fund in December, the EU said the money would come in the form of grants, loans or guarantees from EU institutions, governments, EU financial institutions and national development banks. An EU source said the 150 billion could come in payments of 20 billion per year, of which only 6 billion would come from EU funds and the rest from EU states and private investors.
China launched its Belt and Road project in 2013 to boost trade links with the rest of the world, and has been spending heavily on the development of infrastructure in dozens of countries around the world, not least in Africa. EU officials say the financing terms offered by Beijing are often unfavourable and opaque, and make some poorer countries, especially in Africa, dependent on China through debt. ($1 = 0.8744 euros)
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EU talks with West African neighbours unexpectedly postponed, Borrell says | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917873-eu-earmarks-150-billion-euros-for-investment-in-africa | 2022-02-10T16:39:22 | en | 0.955658 |
Court discharges woman accused of sexually harassing a minor boy giving benefit of doubt
In one of its kind case, a woman in her 20s has been discharged by a Delhi Court on the allegation of sexually harassing a minor boy.
- Country:
- India
In one of its kind case, a woman in her 20s has been discharged by a Delhi Court on the allegation of sexually harassing a minor boy. The Court discharged her giving the benefit of doubt. The court also found the birth certificate of the victim forged.
On the other hand, the bone ossification report proved that he was not a minor at the time of the alleged incident. She was booked and arrested under POCSO Act by the Delhi Police. She was granted bail after 70 days of judicial custody. Special POCSO Judge Kumar Rajat discharged the woman saying, "In this matter benefit of doubt need to be given to the accused and the upper limit of 20 years is taken as the age of the victim.
The court in an order dated 8 February said that in this case, an ossification test was conducted on 17 June 2021 and the alleged incident is of January 2020. Even if the age of the victim is considered 20 years on 17 June 2021 and two years are deducted from the same, then the date comes as 17 June 2019, the date on which the victim was major, so after six months in January 2020, he was definitely a major and not a child. The court said that no offence under section 4 POCSO Act is made out against the accused. This court has no jurisdiction to try the present case and since the charge sheet was filed under sections 328/379/506 also, the case is required to be transferred to the Sessions Court for trial in accordance with the law.
The present case was lodged at Police Station Paschim Vihar East on the direction of the Metropolitan Magistrate. The family of the victim approached the court with a complaint which alleged that he was sexually harassed in an abbreviated condition in a hotel room by the woman accused. They also alleged that she had stolen money from the victim and also threatened him. They had claimed that the victim was a minor according to the birth certificate issued by the MCD. On this complaint, a direction to lodge FIR was passed by the Magistrate.
After investigation, the Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet under section 4 of POCSO and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Advocate Tarun Narang, counsel for the accused, raised serious doubt on the birth certificate of the victim. The Special Court had ordered for an age enquiry on his submissions.
During the enquiry, the birth certificate was found forged and the record thereof was not found at the Civil Zone, MCD office and contradictions were found in the birth certificate issued by a hospital at Hisar, Haryana. Court has also ordered the Bone Ossification test of the victim. In this test, he was found to be a major. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917878-court-discharges-woman-accused-of-sexually-harassing-a-minor-boy-giving-benefit-of-doubt | 2022-02-10T16:39:30 | en | 0.986453 |
Macron bets on nuclear in carbon-neutrality push, announces new reactors
Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power in France, Macron also announced he wanted to extend the lifespan of older nuclear plants to 50 years or more from 40 years currently, provided it was safe. The announcement comes at a difficult time for debt-laden EDF, which is facing delays and budget over-runs on new nuclear plants in France and Britain, and corrosion problems in some of its ageing reactors.
- Country:
- France
France will build at least six new nuclear reactors in the decades to come, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, placing nuclear power at the heart of his country's drive for carbon neutrality by 2050. Macron said the new plants would be built and operated by state-controlled energy provider EDF and that tens of billions of euros in public financing would be mobilized to finance the projects and safeguard EDF's finances.
"What our country needs, and the conditions are there, is the rebirth of France's nuclear industry," Macron said, unveiling his new nuclear strategy in the eastern industrial town of Belfort. Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power in France, Macron also announced he wanted to extend the lifespan of older nuclear plants to 50 years or more from 40 years currently, provided it was safe.
The announcement comes at a difficult time for debt-laden EDF, which is facing delays and budget over-runs on new nuclear plants in France and Britain, and corrosion problems in some of its ageing reactors. The nuclear blueprint cements France's commitment to nuclear power, a mainstay of the country's postwar industrial prowess but whose future was uncertain after Macron and his predecessor had promised to reduce its weight in the country's energy mix.
Macron's thinking has been reshaped by the European Union's ambitious goals for carbon neutrality within three decades, which put renewed focus on energy forms that emit fewer, or zero, greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, including nuclear. Surging energy prices and concerns about Europe's reliance on imported Russian gas have also persuaded French officials of the region's need for more energy independence.
EDF estimates the cost of six new EPR reactors at about 50 billion euros, depending on financing conditions. The first new reactor, an evolution of the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR), would come online by 2035, Macron said. Studies for a further eight reactors beyond the initial half-dozen new plants would be launched, he added.
France will also increase its solar power capacity tenfold by 2050 to more than 100 gigawatts (GW) and target building 50 offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of at least 40 GW. Capacity from land-based wind turbines, which face strong public resistance, would only be doubled by 2050, he said. ENERGY U-TURN
Macron's decision to extend the lifespan of existing plants marked a U-turn on an earlier pledge to close more than a dozen of EDF's 56 reactors by 2035. Nuclear safety still divides Europe after Japan's Fukushima disaster. France lobbied hard for nuclear to be labelled as sustainable under new European Commission rules on green financing [https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/eu-proposes-rules-label-some-gas-nuclear-investments-green-2022-02-02/ ].
If the new EU taxonomy rules are approved, it should reduce the cost of financing nuclear energy projects. Macron said the state would assume its responsibilities in securing EDF's finances, indicating that the government may inject fresh capital into the 84% state-owned firm.
The State will assume its responsibilities in securing EDF's finances and its short- and medium-term financing capacity," Macron said. EDF's EPR reactors have suffered a troubled history. EPR projects at Flamanville in France and Hinkley Point in Britain are running years behind schedule and billions over budget, while EPR reactors in China and Finland have been hit by technical issues.
Separately EDF this week revised lower its output forecast for its nuclear fleet to 295-315 TWh compared to 361 TWh last year, in part due to extended reactor shutdowns due to corrosion problems in several reactors. If the level drops below 300 TWh, it would be at its lowest since 1990. Compounding EDF's difficulties, Macron, who faces a re-election battle in two months and is striving to head off public anger over rising energy bills, has ordered the utility to sell more cheap power to rivals – a move that is will knock about 8 billion euros off EDF's 2022 core earnings.
EDF's share price is down 18% so far in 2022. EDF confirmed on Thursday it would buy a France-based nuclear turbine unit from General Electric as the utility looks to bundle nuclear activities deemed to be strategic.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917881-macron-bets-on-nuclear-in-carbon-neutrality-push-announces-new-reactors | 2022-02-10T16:39:37 | en | 0.959546 |
World Pulses Day empowers youth, for sustainable ‘agrifood’ systems
The UN marks World Pulses Day on Thursday, this year celebrating how these nutritious beans, grains and seeds, crucial to so many cuisines worldwide, can empower youth to help achieve sustainable commercial farming (agrifood) systems.
Focused on the key role young people play in shaping a better future for food, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is holding an online event with testimonies and perspectives from youth representatives.
On twitter, the agency’s Director-General, QU Dongyu, said he was calling on youth “to support the transformation of agrifood systems to be more sustainable, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
On this year's #WorldPulsesDay, I call on youth to support the transformation of agrifood systems to be more sustainable, to help achieve the #SDGs.
— FAO Director-General QU Dongyu (@FAODG) February 10, 2022
Pulses play a vital role in addressing the challenges of food security, human nutrition, soil health & the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/OEHjbXpA8L
Youth as a bridge
According to the agency, pulses create economic, social and environmental opportunities, but for the adoption of pulse-driven agriculture, young people must be at the centre of any strategy.
“Youth can act as a bridge between traditional farming techniques and new technologies, helping to make agriculture more sustainable and nutrition-sensitive”, the agency says in a note about the event.
They can also bring added value to the promotion of pulses by shedding light on new business opportunities along the value chain.
What are pulses?
Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food.
Dried beans, lentils and peas are the best known and consumed types of pulses, but there are several varieties more from around the world, all which provide great benefits for food security, nutrition, health, slowing climate change, and maintaining biodiversity.
Staples dishes and cuisines from across the world feature pulses, from hummus in the Mediterranean (chickpeas), to a traditional full English breakfast (baked beans) to Indian dal (peas or lentils).
Pulses do not include crops that are harvested green (like green peas, green beans), that are classified as vegetable crops. Also excluded are those crops used mainly for oil extraction (soybean and groundnuts) and leguminous crops that are used exclusively for sowing purposes (like seeds of clover and alfalfa).
Health and economic benefits
Pulses are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible.
They are also low in fat and rich in soluble fibre, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar.
Because of these qualities, they are recommended by health organizations for the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and some heart conditions. Pulses have also been shown to help combat obesity.
For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can both sell them and consume them, which helps farmers maintain household food security and economic stability.
A variety of pulses on display in a market in Cairo, Egypt., by © FAO/Pedro Costa GomesClimate
Pulses also have nitrogen-fixing properties that improve soil fertility, by increasing and extending the productivity of farmland.
By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can also promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity, while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay.
Furthermore, pulses can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil.
Greenhouse gases are released during the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers, and their overuse can be detrimental to the environment.
The General Assembly designated 10 February as World Pulses Day in 2019, building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016, implemented by FAO.
Visit UN News for more.
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Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrates Republic Day | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917886-world-pulses-day-empowers-youth-for-sustainable-agrifood-systems | 2022-02-10T16:39:45 | en | 0.932759 |
Kazakh leader thanks Putin for help during January unrest
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday for helping end violent unrest in the Central Asian nation last month, which both leaders blamed on international "bandits" and "terrorists". Putin said Kazakhstan, Moscow's close ally, was now firmly standing on its feet and expressed hope the two countries would continue their cooperation.
- Country:
- Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday for helping end violent unrest in the Central Asian nation last month, which both leaders blamed on international "bandits" and "terrorists".
Putin said Kazakhstan, Moscow's close ally, was now firmly standing on its feet and expressed hope the two countries would continue their cooperation. A Russia-led security bloc sent troops to Kazakhstan last month amid the worst unrest in the former Soviet republic's post-Soviet history which Nur-Sultan and Moscow have both described as a coup attempt.
Tokayev sidelined his former patron, ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev, during the unrest and has since removed a number of his relatives from prominent positions in the government and state companies. In his first visit to Moscow as a full-fledged leader, Tokayev oversaw the signing of an agreement under which Russian nuclear firm Rosatom will train Kazakh nuclear power engineers.
Kazakhstan has no nuclear power plants, but plans to build at least one, and the choice of a training partner could indicate that Rosatom was likely to build the plant as well.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Kazakh president Tokayev takes over as ruling party leader | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917899-kazakh-leader-thanks-putin-for-help-during-january-unrest | 2022-02-10T16:39:53 | en | 0.969868 |
Portugal's church abuse panel gathers over 200 testimonies in one month
A commission investigating child sexual abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church said on Thursday more than 200 alleged victims had already been in touch to share their stories since its launch a month ago. The abuse allegations have come from people born between 1933 and 2006, from various backgrounds, from every region of the country and also from Portuguese nationals living abroad.
- Country:
- Portugal
A commission investigating child sexual abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church said on Thursday more than 200 alleged victims had already been in touch to share their stories since its launch a month ago.
The abuse allegations have come from people born between 1933 and 2006, from various backgrounds, from every region of the country and also from Portuguese nationals living abroad. Many of the 214 people who have shared their testimonies mentioned other children who might have been abused by the same person, the commission said in a statement.
"The allegations reveal suffering... which, in some cases, has been hidden for decades," the commission said. "For many, this is the first time they are breaking their silence." It started its work in early January after a major report https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/report-finds-216000-children-were-victims-french-clergy-sex-abuse-since-1950-2021-10-05 by a commission in France revealed last year around 3,000 priests and religious officials sexually abused https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-investigation-into-its-catholic-church-sex-abuse-crisis-2021-10-04 more than 200,000 children over the past 70 years.
It also followed pressure from prominent Portuguese Catholics to lift the veil of silence that had surrounded the issue. The six-person commission is primarily funded by the Roman Catholic Church itself, but its head, child psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, has said he would be the first to walk out if the |Church tried to intervene in the process.
The commission, which has its own website and phone line, relies on alleged victims to come forward, but also on access to historic files from dioceses. They hope to present the report by the end of this year. Most of the allegations have been shared via an online form on the website.
The commission said there were fears the online forms might not be reaching victims who live in isolated areas and who might not have access to new technologies. To reach them, it said it was making contact with local charities and other entities.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- France
- Roman Catholic Church
- Portuguese | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917900-portugals-church-abuse-panel-gathers-over-200-testimonies-in-one-month | 2022-02-10T16:40:01 | en | 0.974286 |
India Pavilion participates at 72nd Berlinale European Film Market 2022
The star-studded Inaugural Session saw Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr Apurva Chandra extolling the film industry of India as the biggest in the world, producing 3000 films every year.
- Country:
- India
The virtual inaugural session of India's participation in the annual film market at Berlin called EFM or the European Film Market which is organised on the sidelines of the Berlin International Film Festival, was held on Thursday.
The Inaugural session, hosted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), saw the unveiling of the virtual India Pavilion which showcases, among other things, 75 Years of India's Independence – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The star-studded Inaugural Session saw Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr Apurva Chandra extolling the film industry of India as the biggest in the world, producing 3000 films every year. He commended the prowess of India's animation, visual effects, gaming and comics industry, calling it India's next big growth story, after the information technology sector.
India's Ambassador to Germany, Mr Parvathaneni Harish, talked about the rich history of Indo-German collaboration in film making, right from the days of Himanshu Rai in the early fifties.
Ms Mariette Rissenbeek, Executive Director of Berlin International Film Festival congratulated India on celebrating 75 years of Independence. She made a special mention of the seven young talented artists from India who have been chosen to be part of Berlinale Talent this year.
Mr Siddharth Roy Kapur, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Media & Entertainment and President - Producers Guild of India Founder & Managing Director, Roy Kapur Films moderated the session and set the background by sharing the size of Indian film industry at roughly 3 billion Euro. He also gave an overview of the single window clearance for film shootings being facilitated by the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) of MIB.
Mr Biren Ghose, Vice Chairman, CII National Committee on Media & Entertainment and Country Head – India, Technicolor spoke about the quantum change that film production has undergone over the years. He invited film makers from across the world to make India their go-to destination for post-production and virtual production.
The highlight of the session was showcasing of the trailers of two Hindi films – Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which is going to make its world premiere at the Berlin Gala on 18 February and thereafter going to release in India on 25 February; and Sardar Udham Singh, directed by Mr Shoojit Sircar and being screened at EFM this year.
Mr Sircar thanked MIB and NFDC for taking the story of an Indian freedom fighter to Berlinale and providing it a prestigious international platform. Lead actor of the film, Mr Vicky Kaushal also thanked the ministry officials for the opportunity and invited everybody to watch the movie in the Indian Pavilion.
The India Pavilion offers a sneak peek into the cinemas of India and the beautiful locales which beacon film makers to come to India. The pavilion will remain live till 17th February. There will be conference sessions and film screenings daily.
Hundred years of Satyajit Ray are also being commemorated with a special screening of choice films of the maestro and some documentaries on his life in the India Pavilion. Eight other Indian films in different regional languages are being screened at the India Pavilion. These include Semkhor in Dimasa dialect of Assam; Bittersweet and Godavari in Marathi; Koozhangal in Tamil; Kalkokkho in Bengali; Natyam in Telugu; Alpha Beta Gamma in Hindi and Dollu in Kannada. During the festival, CII and MIB will also be offering a tribute to the nightingale of India, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar who passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on 6 February after reigning over the music world of Indian cinema for eight decades as a playback singer.
The India Pavilion and film screenings can be accessed by clicking on the following link https://indiapavilionatberlinale2022.webconevents.com
(With Inputs from PIB) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917934-india-pavilion-participates-at-72nd-berlinale-european-film-market-2022 | 2022-02-10T16:40:09 | en | 0.930455 |
Protesters take to Sudan's streets once more, decrying coup and arrests
The takeover ended a partnership https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-transition-needs-reset-after-civilian-leaders-exit-puts-military-back-2022-01-06 between the military and civilian political parties, drawing international condemnation and plunging Sudan into political and economic turmoil. Protests organised by neighbourhood resistance committees have drawn hundreds of thousands of people, and at least 79 have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in crackdowns.
- Country:
- Sudan
Sudanese protesters marched in neighbourhoods across the capital and the country on Thursday in protest at October's military coup and a wave of political detentions. The takeover ended a partnership https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-transition-needs-reset-after-civilian-leaders-exit-puts-military-back-2022-01-06 between the military and civilian political parties, drawing international condemnation and plunging Sudan into political and economic turmoil.
Protests organised by neighbourhood resistance committees have drawn hundreds of thousands of people, and at least 79 have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in crackdowns. Hundreds of protesters on Thursday diverged from planned routes to renew efforts to march on the presidential palace, but were met with tear gas and a heavy security presence a little more than a kilometre from their goal.
"We will continue demonstrating in the streets until we bring down military rule and bring back democracy," said 22-year-old university student Salah Hamid. Other protests took place across the Nile in the cities of Omdurman and Bahri, and farther away in Gadarif and Sennar.
Sudan's long-standing economic woes have been exacerbated since last month by the blockade of the Northern Artery https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-export-highway-blockaded-protests-stoked-by-trade-woes-2022-02-10, a key route for trucks carrying exports from Sudan into Egypt. That protest, originally against a rise in electricity prices for farmers, has expanded to demand more support for both farmers and traders, and has trapped hundreds of Egyptian trucks in Sudan.
The U.S. Embassy advised Americans on Thursday morning to avoid crowds and demonstrations and to keep a low profile. While some protesters in Khartoum said they were opposing a normalisation of relations with Israel that has been spearheaded by the military, others marched for the more than 2,000 people who lawyers say have been arrested since the coup. More than 100 remain in jail, one lawyer said on Thursday.
Two prominent political critics of the military, Khalid Omer Yousif and Wagdi Salih, were arrested on Wednesday. Brigadier Altahir Abu Haja, media adviser to military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said in a statement on the state news agency SUNA that their arrests were not political and that investigations were continuing.
(Additional reporting and writing by Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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U.S. prepared to impose additional costs on Sudan's military if violence continues | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917951-protesters-take-to-sudans-streets-once-more-decrying-coup-and-arrests | 2022-02-10T16:40:18 | en | 0.955191 |
EXPLAINER-How a German 'climate' fund set out to help Russia dodge U.S. sanctions
A German politician set up a state-backed foundation with Russian energy company Gazprom last year to help Moscow avoid U.S. sanctions on a pipeline due to carry Russian gas to Europe. The move adds to questions about whether the United States and Germany are on the same page over the $11 billion project – a crucial issue as the two major democracies lead NATO allies in a pushback against Russian President Vladimir Putin .
- Country:
- Germany
A German politician set up a state-backed foundation with Russian energy company Gazprom last year to help Moscow avoid U.S. sanctions on a pipeline due to carry Russian gas to Europe.
The move adds to questions about whether the United States and Germany are on the same page over the $11 billion project – a crucial issue as the two major democracies lead NATO allies in a pushback against Russian President Vladimir Putin . In 2019 https://www.reuters.com/article/nordstream-gas-usa-idAFL3N2N7209, Washington imposed sanctions on those involved in laying the pipeline, Nord Stream 2. The United States has argued that the line, which is built but is not yet pumping gas, is a tool https://2017-2021.state.gov/fact-sheet-on-u-s-opposition-to-nord-stream-2/index.html for Russia to support aggression against Ukraine.
A major pipeline from Russia to Europe currently crosses Ukraine, but Nord Stream 2 runs direct to Germany under the Baltic Sea. By enabling Russia to cut Ukraine out of Europe's energy supply, Washington says the pipe will weaken Kyiv and make it more vulnerable to Russian invasion. Germany rejects the U.S. sanctions, saying Nord Stream 2 is primarily a commercial project that diversifies energy supplies for Europe. Senior German politicians from both main parties have said the U.S. objections are self-interested: Washington wants to sell Germany more gas.
Russia has repeatedly said that the project is commercial, not political, it would help alleviate power shortages in Europe and bring down gas prices; it says the sanctions are unfair and serve as a tool against competitors. Despite the sanctions, the line was completed in 2021.
By December, Moscow had amassed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders. It denies it is planning an invasion. U.S. officials say an attack could occur within days or weeks. What is the foundation?
The Klima- und Umweltschutz (Climate and Environment Protection Foundation) was set up in January 2021, when the pipeline was virtually complete, by the government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the east German region where Nord Stream 2 makes landfall. An initiative of Social Democrat state premier Manuela Schwesig, the Foundation says it will boost the role of renewables, and gas as a bridging technology towards cleaner fuels. Where did the money come from?
The regional government injected 200,000 euros ($230,000) into the Foundation, according to the region's public audit office. The Foundation was also endowed with 20 million euros from Nord Stream 2 AG, a Switzerland-based company owned by Gazprom PAO, according to a company spokesperson. Nord Stream 2 said it would give the Foundation a further 2 million euros each year. Any profits made by the commercial arm will also go to the Foundation's endowment, according to its charter.
What does the Foundation do? It is a philanthropic fund that supports environmental projects, which according to its statutes also has a commercial arm. The commercial arm carries out its activities related to Nord Stream 2.
Its website lists environmental projects it has supported: For example, it says it offers every kindergarten in the state a free tree for children to plant plus 500 euros, and runs competitions for children to think up ways of making schools more climate-friendly, promising grants to the winners. Its charter says the Foundation's secondary goal is to make sure the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is completed, "regardless of external efforts."
The Foundation can acquire, manage, own, provide or let land, tools and machines that help it fulfill either goal, including the completion of the pipeline, the charter says. "We believe that it is right to build the pipeline," Schwesig told reporters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-nordstream-foundation-idUSKBN29B1FE in January 2021.
She and others have argued that Germany needs a source of energy which does not depend on good will between Russia and Ukraine. Advocating for the pipeline in the state parliament last January, Schwesig said https://www.dokumentation.landtag-mv.de/parldok/dokument/47662/plenarprotokoll_7_108.pdf#page=30 the U.S. sanctions were self-interested. "Nobody who is working on building the pipeline is doing anything wrong," she said. "The ones doing something wrong are those who are trying to stop the pipeline at the last minute ... That's why we expect our Federal Government to push back firmly against the sanctions."
Former Finance Minister Olaf Scholz - now Chancellor - has rejected https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-russia-nord-stream-germany-idAFS8N28N08D the U.S. sanctions as interference in Germany's affairs. Who else backs the Foundation?
Schwesig's Social Democrat Party (SPD), which leads Germany's governing coalition and has traditionally advocated for close relations with Russia, is the bedrock of political support for the foundation, but a politician from the opposition Christian Democrats also serves on its board – reflecting broad public backing for Nord Stream 2 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The Foundation's president is SPD member Erwin Sellering, a past state premier. Gerhard Schroeder, a former SPD Chancellor and close friend of Putin's, has headed the shareholders' committee of Nord Stream since 2005. He is also on the board of Russia's top oil producer Rosneft, and this month was nominated to join Gazprom's board of directors. Schroeder declined to comment to Reuters.
What benefits will Germany get from the pipeline? The pipeline would double the amount of gas Russia can pump directly to Germany. Russian natural gas accounts for around half of Germany's gas needs https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/how-much-does-germany-need-russian-gas-2022-01-20. Gas keeps half of Germany's households warm and is key for manufacturing industries like ceramics in Europe's largest economy. Gas accounted for just over 15% of German electricity generation last year, according to the energy and water industry group BDEW.
What has the Foundation done to help the pipeline get built? It declined to answer the question.
In an account of its first year on its website, it said that to complete the pipeline, "the U.S.'s illegal threats had to be countered with a wide range of measures, which for obvious reasons cannot be made the subject of public explanation." The commercial arm, which carries out its activities related to the pipeline, is headed by a person appointed by Nord Stream 2, according to The Foundation's statute. The Foundation declined to tell Reuters whom Nord Stream 2 had appointed to head the commercial arm.
Public records show the foundation owns the Blue Ship https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/BLUE-SHIP-IMO-9381990-MMSI-210251000, a general cargo vessel built in 2006 sailing under Cypriot flag. Stationed in the Russian port of Murmansk for much of 2020, the vessel entered the Baltic on July 1 last year, and has remained near the port of Mukran, some 30 km (18 miles) from the pipeline's landing point of Lubmin ever since. No other ships are registered to the foundation. A U.S. State Department report to Congress last November said the Blue Ship was one of two vessels that had engaged in pipe-laying activities, on Nord Stream 2 or another sanctioned project.
The Blue Ship was not sanctioned, however. The State Department said the ship's owner was exempt from sanctions. A 2021 bill https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6395/BILLS-116hr6395enr.pdf enacting the sanctions stated that European Union governments were excluded, as well as EU governments that were not operating as a business. The State Department did not elaborate. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration waived https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-waive-sanctions-firm-ceo-behind-russias-nord-stream-2-pipeline-source-2021-05-19 some sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in May 2021 as Washington sought to rebuild ties with Germany, after relations deteriorated under former President Donald Trump.
How does the local area benefit from the pipeline? Several hundred local workers were involved in building it, "several hundred million euros" have been invested in the state so far in relation to Nord Stream 2, and the pipeline operator expects to employ around 30 workers long-term, a spokesman for Gas for Europe (G4E), the German subsidiary of Nord Stream 2, told Reuters.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern houses much of Germany's offshore wind capacity and the local government says it aims to use wind power to produce "green" hydrogen that can in future be exported through the Nord Stream 2 line. What does the rest of Germany say about the Foundation?
The foreign ministry declined to comment on the Foundation or its goals. Former Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who was in office when the Foundation was set up, said at the time it was "a decision made in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it was not a decision of the federal government." The region's public audit office has criticised the Foundation. In a statement to Reuters, the office said the state had only given it partial information about the Foundation, had done so late, and the public money the state had given to the Foundation was no longer under the state's control.
Some environmentalists argue that supporting gas is harmful to the climate, noting that gas emits carbon when burned. German NGO Environment Aid has called the Foundation "a service to Nord Stream 2 AG." What does the Foundation say about the Ukraine crisis?
Its president Sellering told Reuters the crisis is being used as an excuse by "significant forces" in the United States and Germany who have always been opposed to the pipeline, and who now, "in advance of and independent of any actions by Russia, are trying to bring about an end to Nord Stream 2." He said it would be unfair if Germany were made to stop importing Russian gas while the United States continued to import raw materials from Russia.
If fresh sanctions are imposed on the pipeline, will the Foundation act to blunt their impact? The Foundation did not respond to this question.
(Additional Reporting by Jonathan Saul in London, Daphne Psaledakis, Timothy Gardner and Andrea Shalal in Washington D.C., Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Edited by Sara Ledwith)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1917969-explainer-how-a-german-climate-fund-set-out-to-help-russia-dodge-us-sanctions | 2022-02-10T16:40:25 | en | 0.960702 |
HP sees 6 new COVID-19 deaths, 547 cases
Six people succumbed to COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 4,049, even as the state recorded 547 fresh cases, taking the tally to 2,79,198, a health official said.Among the deceased, four were men and two women. With this, the total number of recoveries in Himachal Pradesh went up to 2,70,784, he said.
- Country:
- India
Six people succumbed to COVID-19 in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 4,049, even as the state recorded 547 fresh cases, taking the tally to 2,79,198, a health official said.
Among the deceased, four were men and two women. They were aged between 43 to 87 years, he said. Of these, two deaths were reported in Shimla and one death each in Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi and Sirmaur.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state went down to 4,344 on Thursday from 4,421 a day earlier, the official said.
Besides, 618 more patients recovered from the viral disease. With this, the total number of recoveries in Himachal Pradesh went up to 2,70,784, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Who picked Rahul Gandhi's pocket at Harmandir Sahib, is it one more attempt to bring bad name to our holiest shrine: Harsimrat Kaur Badal | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917836-hp-sees-6-new-covid-19-deaths-547-cases | 2022-02-10T16:40:36 | en | 0.954097 |
Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19 for 2nd time
- Country:
- United Kingdom
Prince Charles, the heir to the Biritish throne, has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time and is now self-isolating, Clarence House said on Thursday.
The positive result of the Prince of Wales, who has received three vaccination shots, was announced on Twitter moments before he was due to arrive at an engagement in Winchester.
On Wednesday, the 73-year-old heir to the throne and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, met people at a reception in the British Museum.
Camilla tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday, Clarence House said.
This is the second time Charles has contracted the contagion.
He caught the virus in March 2020 when he reported only mild symptoms.
Clarence House confirmed that Charles was triple vaccinated, but did not give further details on whether he was experiencing any symptoms this time.
It is also yet to be confirmed whether Charles has seen Queen Elizabeth II, 95, recently.
But it said that Camilla received a negative result in a routine test earlier.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Guinea-Bissau president says situation under government control -Twitter post | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917853-prince-charles-tests-positive-for-covid-19-for-2nd-time | 2022-02-10T16:40:44 | en | 0.968687 |
India heading towards becoming vaccine super-power: DG ICMR
Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava on Thursday hailed the 96 per cent nationwide COVID-19 vaccination coverage of the first dose and said that India is heading towards becoming a vaccine super-power.
- Country:
- India
By Shalini Bhardwaj Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava on Thursday hailed the 96 per cent nationwide COVID-19 vaccination coverage of the first dose and said that India is heading towards becoming a vaccine super-power.
The Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is under phase 3 of clinical trials in India. This vaccine is expected to be of use in future for the treatment of other diseases as well. Addressing a press briefing, Dr Bhargava said, "India is heading towards becoming a vaccine superpower. The fact is that these vaccines are going to be available for other diseases."
"Because such a large proportion of our population has been vaccinated, we are not seeing such a disastrous third surge in terms of hospitalisations and mortality that protection has been provided by the extreme 96 per cent vaccine coverage first dose and that I think is a major strength of the nation," he added. Highlighting the importance of the mRNA vaccine, Dr V K Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said, "We need the mRNA platform because it's the new platform. It has been shown that vaccines developed on this platform, at least for coronavirus, have been effective worldwide."
"This platform of vaccine is an asset today in wake of COVID, Omicron. But also beyond it for other diseases for which the vaccines have been eluding us; it could be malaria, dengue or TB, there are so many diseases for which we are still hunting for affordable and effective lasting vaccines," he added. Praising the Pune based company Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Dr Paul said, "We treasure this platform and we compliment the company and group that have gone into it so as a platform, it will continue to be important in the medium term or near future and beyond as an option in the fight for SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It remains relevant just as other so many vaccines are relevant in the world."
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals has submitted phase 2 data of mRNA vaccine and has also completed recruitment for phase 3. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917857-india-heading-towards-becoming-vaccine-super-power-dg-icmr | 2022-02-10T16:40:53 | en | 0.959733 |
CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were higher on Thursday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for Mar. was up 10.50 cents at $7.9650 a bushel; Mar. corn rose 16.25 cents at $6.60 a bushel; Mar. oats gained 21.50 cents at $6.7525 a bushel; while Mar. soybeans advanced 39.25 cents at $16.2875 a bushel.
Beef and pork were higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Feb. live cattle was rose .80 cent at $1.4317 a pound; Jan. feeder cattle was up .45 cent at $1.68 a pound; Feb. lean hogs gained 1 cent at $.9072 a pound. | https://www.chron.com/business/article/Grains-higher-livestock-higher-16847773.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:04 | en | 0.948039 |
UK's Queen Elizabeth recently met son Charles who has tested positive for COVID
- Country:
- United Kingdom
Britain's Prince Charles, who has tested positive for COVID-19, recently met his mother Queen Elizabeth, but the 95-year-old monarch is not showing any symptoms, a royal source said on Thursday.
The source said the situation would continue to be monitored.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Advertisement | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917863-uks-queen-elizabeth-recently-met-son-charles-who-has-tested-positive-for-covid | 2022-02-10T16:41:04 | en | 0.95339 |
GENEVA (AP) — Two independent U.N. human rights experts called Thursday on Sweden’s government not to issue a license to industrial backers of a planned iron-ore mine that environmentalists say would generate large amounts of toxic waste and other pollution.
The proposed project would involve British company Beowulf Mining and their Swedish subsidiary Jokkmokk Iron Mines AB. Teen environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who is Swedish, joined a protest against the planned mine over the weekend.
The experts say plans for the mine in the Gallok region have gone forward without obtaining the “free, prior and informed consent” of the indigenous Sami people, whose lives and livelihoods could face risks from the project. They said migration of reindeer, who are herded by the Sami, could be endangered.
“There has been insufficient assessment and recognition of the environmental damage the mine will cause,” they said in a statement, pointing to a Swedish law passed on Jan. 27 – but not yet in force -- that will require authorities to consult with the Sami before taking actions that could affect them.
Thursday’s call came from José Francisco Cali Tzay, a special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, and David Boyd, special rapporteur on human rights and the environment. Special rapporteurs work on a voluntary basis under a mandate from the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, and do not represent the United Nations.
The Sami people are the indigenous people of Sampi, the region historically known as Lapland, and their lifestyle in under threat by the mining and forestry industry that encroach on grazing land. | https://www.chron.com/business/article/UN-experts-urge-Sweden-to-stop-planned-iron-ore-16847851.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:10 | en | 0.950703 |
Decision on third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all adults will be based on scientific need: Govt
- Country:
- India
Noting that the decision on third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all adults will be taken based on scientific need, the government on Thursday said emerging knowledge on the subject is under its active consideration.
Responding to a question at a weekly press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said all decisions on precaution doses are taken first and foremost based on the need.
''The scientific need is the first part that drives it, then other considerations -- programmatic and epidemiological. Just because anyone else is doing it, they have their own context, we have our own context and all this is under constant scientific scrutiny and decision-making,'' he said.
The official said additional need for vaccination and inclusion of population for vaccination is examined constantly.
''… we also look at developments in the world and keep analysing and all options of vaccination are under active consideration and as decisions are taken, it would be announced,'' he said.
Responding to a question on vaccination coverage, Joint Secretary at the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said though there is variation in coverage of vaccination between different age groups, but collectively the vaccination pace is still good in the country.
''In October last year, an average 77.55 lakh doses were given every day. In November, about 59.32 lakh doses were given. In December, the number was 61.91 lakh and in January, it was 69.49 lakh and in the last nine days, approximately 51 lakh doses were given on an average every day. But with 96 per cent first dose coverage and 78 per cent second dose coverage, the available number of people who need to get vaccinated reduces a bit,'' he said.
''If we look today, we are giving 51 lakh doses on an average every day and we urge you to bring awareness among those in young adolescents who have not yet taken vaccination,'' he added.
On re-infection cases during the third wave, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said infection with one variant does not provide protection from the other variant so as variants have emerged, re-infection has been seen.
''However, we have seen that the use of vaccination prevents severe disease and hospitalisation and death, and COVID appropriate behaviour is useful to prevent it. The biological aspects play a role from individual to individual,'' he said.
Paul added that re-infection cases are being constantly watched.
''We have to accept this as a reality and respond to this at the personal and system level as well as at the vaccination and social vaccination level,'' he said.
PTI UZM PLB SRY
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- Health Ministry | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917885-decision-on-third-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine-for-all-adults-will-be-based-on-scientific-need-govt | 2022-02-10T16:41:13 | en | 0.970377 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Chris Young combined his skills as an artist and a producer to earn seven nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards, including album of the year and single of the year.
The show's co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett announced the nominations on Thursday. Allen and Barrett will share hosting duties with country superstar Dolly Parton during the show being livestreamed on Prime Video from Las Vegas on March 7.
Young shares three of those nominations with his collaborator Kane Brown for their hit song “Famous Friends.”
Miranda Lambert earned five nominations, including entertainer of the year, and is now tied with Reba McEntire for her 16th female artist of the year nomination. First-time nominee Walker Hayes also received five nominations, due to his viral Applebee's themed song “Fancy Like," up for single of the year.
Chris Stapleton, a five-time nominee, is up for entertainer of the year, alongside Lambert, Eric Church, Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood.
Album of the year nominees include Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Young, Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.
Wallen is back as a four-time nominee after being removed from last year's ACM ballot after he was caught on camera using a racial slur. Wallen earned nominations for album of the year for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” which was the most popular album across all genres last year. He also earned nominations for male artist of the year and song of the year.
Co-hosts Allen and Barrett also earned nominations for male and female artist of the year, respectively.
Pop star Taylor Swift also got a nomination — her first from the ACMs since 2018 and her 32nd nomination total — for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)" off her re-recorded version of “Red (Taylor's Version)." | https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Chris-Young-leads-Academy-of-Country-Music-16847728.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:17 | en | 0.976921 |
Nepal to reopen Pashupatinath Temple from Friday
- Country:
- Nepal
Nepal's iconic Pashupatinath Temple, the 5th century holy Hindu shrine which was closed due to the fresh wave of COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen for devotees from Friday adhering to health protocols.
According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the temple is being reopened as per the new order issued by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.
The DAO on Monday allowed activities like worship, meditation or prayer in places like temples, mosques, monasteries and churches by following health safety protocols.
Pashupatinath Temple - classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979 - is the largest temple complex in Nepal and stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River and sees thousands of worshippers from Nepal and India every day.
Nepal on Thursday reported 1,369 new cases of COVID-19 along with 2,238 recoveries and 12 deaths. So far, 11,864 people have died from the virus across Nepal.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Active COVID-19 cases in Nepal exceed 90,000, elderly people severely affected | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917895-nepal-to-reopen-pashupatinath-temple-from-friday | 2022-02-10T16:41:21 | en | 0.94623 |
NEW YORK (AP) — Sebastián Yatra calls his experience with Disney's “Encanto” a "gift from God.”
The Colombian singer-songwriter performs “Dos Oruguitas,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and nominated to the Oscars for best original song. The movie is also nominated for best animated film and best original music.
“Being present this way at the Oscars, not only with this song but with the movie ‘Encanto’ which is inspired by my country, is a gift from God, a gift from life," Yatra said.
"Being the voice chosen to sing this song among so many wonderful Colombian artists and performers is simply a matter of being very lucky, being in the right place at the right time,” he said in an interview from Medellin, Colombia.
Set in the land of magical realism, “Encanto” follows Mirabel Madrigal, a teenage girl frustrated by the fact that she is the only member of her family without magical powers. The cast, led by Argentine-American actress Stephanie Beatriz, includes Diane Guerrero, John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama and Angie Cepeda.
It is the first Walt Disney Animation Studios film to be co-directed by a Latina, Charise Castro Smith, and features original songs by Miranda that have topped the Billboard charts, such as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which became the most listened to theme of a Disney animated film in more than 26 years, surpassing “Let It Go” from “Frozen.”
But when it came to submitting a song to the Academy Awards, the chosen one was “Dos Oruguitas.”
The moving allegorical ballad is the first Spanish-language song nominated for an Oscar since “Al Otro Lado del Río” from “The Motorcycle Diaries” won Uruguayan Jorge Drexler the award in 2005. That year, the academy invited Spanish star Antonio Banderas, a face better known than Drexler's, to perform it at the ceremony in a bittersweet moment for the songwriter and his Latin American fans.
But Yatra’s 28.9 million followers on Instagram (and 17.1 million on TikTok) could potentially give a boost to the Oscars' ratings, which last year plummeted to an all-time low of 9.85 million viewers.
“I think there are big chances of making history not only for Colombia but for the Spanish language and Latin artists in general,” Yatra said. “I think Drexler definitely put up like the steppingstones and now, more and more, everybody is open to having new faces at the Oscars ... If I have the opportunity to be that new face there, I’m definitely gonna enjoy it and just sing my heart out.”
The Latin star, who's hits include “Robarte un Beso”, “Un año” and “Tacones Rojos”, recalled how he was contacted to participate in the project. Apparently, Miranda had heard his ballad “Adiós,” released early last year, and decided he was the one.
“My manager Paula (Kaminsky) called me and told me, ‘Sebas, they are calling me from the Lin-Manuel and the Disney team for the movie ‘Encanto.’ I didn’t even finish listening. I said, 'Yes! Whatever they tell you, say yes. And well, obviously I said yes and she told me it was to sing one of the songs from the movie.
“And beautiful things kept happening,” he continued, “because it was to sing one of the songs, then it was the main love song, than it was going to be in Spanish and they also wanted to record it in English in case different countries wanted to use it in English.”
He proudly pointed out that, although they recorded it in both languages, they decided to keep it in Spanish in all versions of the movie. “Even if you are listening to the movie in Chinese, when the part of ‘Dos Oruguitas’ comes in, you hear it in Spanish, which is the first time this has happened in the history of Disney movies.”
“Dos Oruguitas” will compete for the Oscar with “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” “Down to Joy” from “Belfast,” “No Time to Die” from “No Time to Die” and “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days."
The 94th Academy Awards ceremony will be aired live on March 27 on ABC from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
___
Sigal Ratner-Arias is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sigalratner. | https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Oscars-2022-Sebasti-n-Yatra-calls-Encanto-a-16847682.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:23 | en | 0.97013 |
MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian gallery says one of its security guards has vandalized an avant-garde painting on loan from the country’s top art repository by drawing eyes on the picture's deliberately featureless faces. It said the damage can be repaired.
The Yeltsin Center in Ekaterinburg said the vandalism of the painting “Three Figures” by Anna Leporskaya occurred Dec. 7. It said the suspected culprit worked for a private company providing security at the gallery.
The painting, dating from the 1930s, shows three torsos and heads with hair but no facial features; the vandal drew eyes on two of them with a ballpoint pen. The Yeltsin Center said the painting has been sent for restoration to the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, which owns it.
The Russian news site RBK said a criminal case has been opened on charges that carry a sentence of up to three months in prison. The picture had been reportedly insured for 74.9 million rubles (roughly $1 million).
Leporskaya, who lived from 1900-1982, was a student of Kazimir Malevich, a seminal Russian abstract artist best known for his 1915 work “Black Square.” | https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Russian-gallery-says-guard-added-eyes-to-16847739.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:29 | en | 0.977114 |
Costa Rica president tests positive for COVID-19
- Country:
- Costa Rica
Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said on Thursday.
"He is doing well and will be in isolation at his home," his office said in a statement.
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NEW YORK (AP) — The band Spoon has taken a sonic fork in the road and, appropriately enough, the first single from their new album mentions another piece of silverware — a knife.
“The Hardest Cut” — complete with the line "we live on a knife" — roars with a dark, grunge-meets-'70s guitar energy, a signal of what's to come from the Texas-based band on their 10-track, 10th album, “Lucifer on the Sofa.”
“We wanted to make a rock ‘n’ roll record, a great rock ‘n’ roll record," says frontman Britt Daniel. "I just don’t feel like there’s enough great rock ‘n’ roll records being made these days.”
“Lucifer on the Sofa” via Matador Records is a turn toward more muscular, minimalist classic rock, more aggressive and rehearsed than the band's predecessor “Hot Thoughts,” where synths were prominent and songs constructed on the fly.
“We always tend to want to react a bit against the record we just did. That last record was more of a pieced together record, a produced record. It was a record where a lot of times we started recording and we didn’t know what the song really was,” says Daniel.
For “Lucifer on the Sofa,” drummer Jim Eno says Spoon tried to lean into Texas rock and early ZZ Top, using more real instruments than effects.
“The stuff that sounds like a band playing in a room has always been the kind of records that we grew up listening to. So it was trying to capture some of that,” says Eno.
Daniel estimates the new album was two-thirds done when the pandemic hit in March 2020. “I found myself with a lot of alone time and I wrote a lot more songs. That was the thing that kind of made me feel normal during the harshest part of lockdown,” he says.
While some songs the band had been kicking around for a few years, several were informed by the pandemic, including the “The Devil & Mister Jones” about a bad dude and “Wild,” about the drudgery of life.
“We like to challenge ourselves and not repeat ourselves,” says Eno. “I feel like some bands may just have the exact same formula over and over again, and I feel like we try not to do that.”
The album starts with a cover of Smog’s “Held” and chugs along in a rock vein until getting a little spacey with “Astral Jacket” and “Satellite,” before taking a weird and cool detour with the title track.
“The lucifer on the sofa is me,” says Daniel. “It’s the character that I can become when I’m at my worst. And I think a lot of people have that same kind of character. Nobody is the same person at all times and at times of distress bad things tend to come out.
“Whenever I recognize that person come out, I try to get past it. My way of trying to get past it in this song is to get up off that sofa.”
Members of Spoon have lately returned to Austin full-time and Daniel says he's most enjoying listening to live music on a daily basis.
“It’s a town where it’s all about live performances and bands that are doing it because it’s fun and not doing it with an eye on the music industry,” he says. “It’s the life I like.”
Spoon is getting great reviews for the new clutch of songs, with Rolling Stone saying it might be the band's best record and Paste magazine calling it “the sound of a band in peak form who are pushing to get better, go further and resist any temptation to slack off.”
That's a far cry from the days when Spoon were dropped by Elektra Records and had difficulty convincing anyone to put out their “Girls Can Tell” album. Daniel was advised to change the band's name. It was considered damaged goods.
“Maybe that would have been the smart thing to do, but we didn’t do it that way,” he recalls. “We somehow found an audience and then labels were more welcome to putting out our records.”
The band plans to tour with the new material, kicking off live shows on April 6 in Boston and ending June 4 in Phoenix. Along the way, they'll make stops in, among other cities, New York, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.
Daniel and Eno are eager to play live again and happy how “Lucifer on the Sofa” ended up. “I think Britt’s writing the best songs that he’s ever written,” says Eno. “When you’re in a band with a great songwriter, everything can fall together a lot more easily.”
___
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits | https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/The-band-Spoon-returns-with-a-great-rock-n-16847775.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:35 | en | 0.979661 |
Turkey's Erdogan tests negative for COVID-19 -state media
- Country:
- Azerbaijan
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has been isolating since Saturday after contracting the coronavirus, tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, state-owned Anadolu news agency cited his doctor as saying.
Erdogan said on Saturday he had tested positive for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
"The PCR tests we have done over the past two days have come back negative," Erdogan's doctor Serkan Topaloglu was quoted as saying. "I think the President will go back to his routine programme very soon, even tomorrow," he added.
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- Erdogan | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1917912-turkeys-erdogan-tests-negative-for-covid-19--state-media | 2022-02-10T16:41:37 | en | 0.980878 |
NEW YORK (AP) — The world of Well-Read Black Girl, and founder Glory Edim, keeps growing.
What began in 2015 as an Instagram book club and a phrase on a T-shirt given to Edim by her boyfriend is now a newsletter, literary festival, podcast and the basis for two published anthologies. On Thursday, Liveright Publishing Corporation and Well-Read Black Girl announced a partnership for a literary series dedicated to debut fiction by women and non-binary authors, “with a focus on people of color and traditionally underrepresented voices.”
The series is called “WRBG x Liveright" and stating in 2023 will publish two books a year. It continues a wave of recent imprints centered on diversifying the literary market, from Tiny Reparations at Penguin Random House to Black Privilege Publishing at Simon & Schuster. It also comes at a time when a wave of new laws and other actions have led to books being removed from schools and libraries around the country.
“I founded Well-Read Black Girl in 2015 to serve as a one-of-a kind affirming space for Black women to encounter literature and engage in critical discourse with one another," Edim said in a statement.
“We started with a devotion to Black voices, but now, aware of the deep structural changes occurring in the publishing industry and public education — and the tide of rising dissent that threatens to silence authors of color and queer, non-binary, trans and disabled writers — it is time to expand our work.”
During a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Edim said that the idea for the series came out of conversations with Liveright editor Gina Iaquinta, whose authors include Nicole Dennis-Benn, Rion Amilcar-Scott and Amber Sparks. Edim said that initially she and Iaquinta will only look at submissions from authors with agents, but she is open to changing the requirements in the future and perhaps establishing a literary prize or fellowship.
Last fall, Liveright published “On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library,” for which Edim chose stories by Toni Morrison, Edwidge Danticat and Zora Neale Hurston among others. Edim's affinity for Liveright's parent company, W.W. Norton & Company, dates back to her years as a student at Howard University, when assignments often were drawn from Norton's widely used anthologies.
“You would have a poetry collection with Rita Dove and Audre Lorde in it, or African American literature edited by Henry Louis Gates,” she said. “I was just so impressed that so many books I was reading came from this powerhouse group. I would love for some of the books I'm working on to end up in the hands of students, young people reading and learning.” | https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Well-Read-Black-Girl-to-help-launch-new-literary-16847726.php | 2022-02-10T16:41:41 | en | 0.962747 |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Talking trash about the Kardashians is a common pastime for many ordinary Americans. On Monday, a few got to do it to their faces.
Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner and her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner all sat in the front row of a Los Angeles courtroom as prospective jurors aired their feelings about the famous family and the four women, all defendants in a lawsuit brought by Rob Kardashian's former fiancée Blac Chyna.
“Anything that has to do with their names is just a big no for me,” one man said. “I don’t think reality TV is good for society.”
Chyna, whose legal name is Angela White, is suing the Kardashians, alleging they destroyed her television career, and during jury selection her attorney Lynne Ciani asked dozens of candidates their feelings about the plaintiff and defendants, and the reality shows the case stems from.
Another said, “I sincerely hope none of these people get any wealthier because of this."
One woman said her teenage daughter tried to watch “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” when it first came on, but she put a stop to it.
“I don't think they were the best role models,” she said. "I wouldn’t let her watch anything involving them.”
One panel member couldn't even wait to be asked. Told to give his name, occupation, marital status and hometown shortly after sitting down, he answered then added, “and I just want to say I have a very negative perception of the parties and I'm not sure I could be unbiased.”
The defendants didn't seem defensive about the disrespect. They chatted with each other and smiled during breaks.
Judge Gregory W. Alarcon wasn't entirely pleased by the tone, however.
“I appreciate your honesty. You’re certainly not shy,” he told the panel. "But this is the type of case like all cases where everybody is entitled to a fair trial. There’s a jury instruction that says the wealth of a party or the poverty of the party doesn’t matter."
Jury selection is expected to continue Tuesday, with opening statements to follow. The Kardashian women are all expected to testify during the trial, and had been expected to attend at least parts of it, but their appearance for jury selection was something of a surprise.
Wearing loose-fitting business suits, the mother in white, her daughters in blacks and grays, they were ushered in by security at the last moment before the jury panel was brought in.
One prospective juror, who has served on other cases, said he didn't like the pampered treatment he felt the defendants were getting.
Michael G. Rhodes, the Kardashians' attorney, explained that courthouse security drove them in and escorted them into the courtroom for a reason.
“Do you understand that there is a dark side to celebrity," Rhodes said, "and that people that are famous sometimes need extra security?”
“Does that mean that they need Fiji water hand-delivered to them as they sit in court?” the man responded.
The family did have supporters in the room too.
“I am a pretty big fan of the Kardashians so I don’t think I would be able to make an unbiased judgment," one young woman said.
“I also am a big fan of the Kardashians," a young man said. "I’ve been watching it since I was little, so I don’t think I could be very fair.”
The Kardashian fans said they knew who Blac Chyna was, but hadn't developed strong feelings about her.
One woman who said she didn't care for the Kardashians said she liked Chyna because the two went to the same nail salon and she was “always nice to me.”
Chyna, a model and influencer, began dating the lone Kardashian brother, Rob, in January 2016, and by the time the year was over they were engaged, had a daughter together and were starring in their own “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” spinoff called “Rob & Chyna," on the E! network.
A second season was being shot when the two broke up, and the show was scrapped.
In 2017, Chyna sued the family for $100 million, saying they had defamed her and illegally interfered with her contracts and business dealings, using their power with producers and executives to drive her out of reality television.
The Kardashians denied any wrongdoing and said in court filings that they had legitimate concerns about Chyna and fears for the safety of their son and brother given the “violence and toxicity” of the relationship.
Chyna is also suing Rob Kardashian, but the differences in her allegations against him prompted the judge to sever that part of the case into a separate trial that will follow this one.
The family gained fame through 20 seasons of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians," which ran from 2007 to 2021 on E! and made them social media superstars and prized product pitchers.
A sequel series on Hulu, “The Kardashians,” premiered Thursday.
___
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton | https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/article/Potential-jurors-in-Kardashian-case-air-hate-to-17089049.php | 2022-04-19T00:18:51 | en | 0.98708 |
The FBI might not have found any Civil War-era gold at a remote woodland site in Pennsylvania — but it's definitely got records of the agency's 2018 dig, and will soon have to turn them over to a father-son pair of treasure hunters.
A federal judge has ordered the FBI to speed up the release of records about the search for the legendary gold, ruling Monday in favor of Finders Keepers, the treasure hunting outfit that led FBI agents to the remote site. The group accuses the Justice Department of slow-walking their request for information.
The FBI must turn over 1,000 pages of records per month, starting in 30 days, and the first batch of records must include a key report sought by Finders Keepers, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered.
The ruling came four months after Finders Keepers sued the Justice Department over its failure to produce records on the FBI’s search. The FBI has long insisted its March 2018 dig came up empty, but Finders Keepers says the government has acted suspiciously throughout the four-year saga.
Finders Keepers’ owners, the father-son duo of Dennis and Kem Parada, spent years looking for the fabled 1863 shipment of Union gold that was supposedly lost or stolen on its way to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. The pair eventually led the FBI to a remote site 135 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh where they say their instruments identified a huge hunk of metal.
The FBI brought in its own contractor — the geophysical consulting firm Enviroscan — which said its sensitive equipment detected a 9-ton metallic mass suggestive of gold, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed last year at the request of news organizations including The Associated Press.
On Monday, Mehta ordered the government to include Enviroscan's report to the FBI, along with FBI photos taken at the site, in the first batch of documents it turns over to Finders Keepers.
But the judge declined to compel the Justice Department to explain a discrepancy in the number of video files it says it has of the dig. Finders Keepers said in a court filing last month that the FBI initially said its records included 17 video files. Now, the government claims there are only four videos. Federal officials have not explained the discrepancy, the treasure hunters said.
Mehta said the Freedom of Information Act only requires that an agency produce records, not answer questions from the person requesting them.
The FBI initially claimed it had no files about the investigation at all. Then, after the Justice Department ordered a more thorough review, the FBI claimed its records were exempt from public disclosure. Finally, in the wake of the treasure hunters’ appeal, the FBI said it had located records it could potentially turn over — but that it would take years to do so. That prompted the treasure hunters’ Freedom of Information Act suit seeking to compel production. | https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Judge-orders-FBI-to-produce-records-on-Civil-War-17089158.php | 2022-04-19T00:18:55 | en | 0.959729 |
Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile sports and entertainment venues, na...
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "All or Nothing Evening" game were:
01-03-07-08-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-23
(one, three, seven, eight, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, twenty-three) | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-All-or-Nothing-Evening-17089193.php | 2022-04-19T00:18:57 | en | 0.873098 |
ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A man died Monday after his SUV crashed into the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana, police said.
The crash occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. at McNaughton Park in Elkhart, police said.
A bystander approached an officer near the scene when it happened and the officer jumped in to try to save the man, but the vehicle was already fully submerged, police said.
At that point, Elkhart Fire and Rescue was sent to the scene, said Jessica McBrier, an Elkhart police spokeswoman.
“The Elkhart County Homicide Unit has come to the scene, and they’ll be taking over the investigation. It is protocol for the homicide unit to respond to any suspicious deaths within the county," McBrier said.
No one else was inside the vehicle. | https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Man-dies-after-SUV-crashes-into-northern-Indiana-17089218.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:01 | en | 0.983458 |
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Daily 3" game were:
6-4-9
(six, four, nine)
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Daily 3" game were:
6-4-9
(six, four, nine) | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-3-game-17089248.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:03 | en | 0.924017 |
Deloitte Australia
As the world becomes more connected, cyber threats are growing in number and complexity. Cyber is moving in new directions, beyond an organisations walls and IT environments and into the products they create, t...
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This evening's outlook for North Platte: Clear skies. Low 37F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. North Platte will see warm temperatures this Tuesday. It looks like it will be a moderate 76 degrees. Expect a drastic drop in temperatures though, with a low reaching 46 degrees. Strong winds are in tomorrow's outlook, with winds reaching 26 miles per hour, coming from the south. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. Visit nptelegraph.com for more weather updates.
Apr. 18, 2022 evening weather update for North Platte
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Strong winds are a normal weather trait in the Great Plains, so breezy conditions are no surprise this time of year. What has been surprising has been the strength and relentlessness of the wind.
Not much going on Friday. With another low pressure system approaching and colder than normal temperatures though, a rain/snow mix is looking likely for many on Sunday.
As a cold front pushes into eastern Nebraska, scattered storms look likely later today, with some capable of producing damaging wind, hail, and tornadoes. Here's everything you need to know.
When a tornado warning is issued, what should you do? Here's a step-by-step guide to help keep you and your family safe if a tornado is headed your way.
There are three types of tornado alerts issued by the National Weather Service. Knowing the difference between the three is important. Meteorologist Matt Holiner breaks down what each alert means.
Wind gusts will reach 40 to 50 mph across the state Thursday. Find out when we'll all catch a break from the wind and who has a chance of rain in our updated forecast.
Chief Meteorologist Matt Holiner recaps last night's storms in eastern Nebraska, breaks down the big cool down today, and previews the increasing winds for Thursday.
Up to 10 tornadoes were reported across mostly the northern half of Iowa, the weather service said, but only ones near Logan in western Iowa and near Stacyville and St. Ansgar in northeastern Iowa have been confirmed.
While temperatures will be fairly uniform across the state Monday, a warm front will cause a big difference for Tuesday. Isolated showers are expected as well. Here's your latest forecast.
Warm temperatures are in the forecast for the North Platte area. It looks to reach a pleasant 70 degrees. Expect a drastic drop in temperature… | https://nptelegraph.com/weather/apr-18-2022-evening-weather-update-for-north-platte/article_8e57815a-9cef-59c4-8eb3-803a751e6cbb.html | 2022-04-19T00:19:03 | en | 0.947667 |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Monday it is barring anti-satellite missile testing by the United States, a move that White House officials say is meant to underscore its hopes of establishing new norms for military action in space.
The U.S. has sharply criticized Russia and China for conducting anti-satellite missile tests, although it also used an interceptor missile fired from a U.S. Navy warship more than 14 years ago to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite.
The issue is one that’s taken on greater urgency after Russia in November launched a missile to destroy a defunct Soviet-era satellite. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the Russian action as an “irresponsible act.” The strike created more than 1,500 pieces of space debris that increased risk to U.S. and Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong space station, according to U.S. Space Command.
Harris, who chairs the White House National Space Council, planned to discuss the U.S. commitment to bar anti-satellite missile testing and establishing norms for space during a speech on Monday evening at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the central coast of California, according to the White House.
The Russian test occurred as it was massing troops ahead of its latest invasion of Ukraine. The more than seven-week-old war has left thousands dead and has caused to U.S. and its allies to hit Russia with massive economic sanctions.
A similar weapons test by China in 2007 also resulted in widespread debris.
“The long-lived debris created by these tests now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic, and scientific interests, and increases risk to astronauts in space,” the White House said in a statement. “Overall, these tests jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of space by all nations.”
The Biden administration announcement of the anti-satellite missile testing ban comes months after Harris announced at a meeting in December that White House National Security Council officials would work with officials at the Pentagon, State Department, and other U.S. national security agencies to develop proposals for national security space norms.
The U.S. is the first country to announce such a ban.
The kind of direct-ascent weapon that the Biden administration is committing not to fire relies on interceptor missiles that travel from the Earth’s surface to strike a satellite target hundreds of miles into space.
Since the 1960s, the United States, China, India and Russia have conducted more than a dozen anti-satellite tests in space that destroyed satellites and created more than 6,300 pieces of orbital debris, according to the Secure World Foundation, a nongovernmental group that advocates for sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space.
At least 4,300 pieces of that debris are still in orbit today and pose long-term threats to human spaceflight, science and national security missions, and the future economic development of space, according to the foundation.
Anti-satellite missile tests by the U.S. in 2008 as well as one by India in 2019 targeted satellites at much lower altitudes, well below the space station at about 260 miles (420 kilometers).
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the destruction of a satellite in low-earth orbit by missile was meant to demonstrate India’s capacity as a “space power” alongside the U.S., Russia and China. He ordered the launch weeks before national elections.
The defunct Russian satellite Cosmos 1408 was orbiting about 40 miles (65 kilometers) higher when it was destroyed in November by a missile fired from northern Russia.
Brian Weeden, director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation, called the Biden administration's move a significant one that puts pressure on China and Russia to take similar action.
“They have made a lot of diplomatic noise the last decade about preventing a space arms race, while also testing their own (anti-satellite) weapons and creating orbital debris,” Weeden said of Russia and China. | https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/White-House-commits-to-barring-anti-satellite-17089255.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:07 | en | 0.950915 |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Evening" game were:
0-6-6-7, FIREBALL: 1
(zero, six, six, seven; FIREBALL: one)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Texas Lottery's "Daily 4 Evening" game were:
0-6-6-7, FIREBALL: 1
(zero, six, six, seven; FIREBALL: one) | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-Evening-game-17089194.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:09 | en | 0.8398 |
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Delta Energy Solutions
With research and development, sales and manufacturing locations all over the world, Delta Energy Systems has become a global leader in the power and thermal management solutions industry. The company develops,...
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Visit Partner Website | https://energydigital.com/company/delta-energy-solutions-10 | 2022-04-19T00:19:09 | en | 0.87512 |
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A jury convicted a woman of three counts of first-degree murder and arson Monday for setting a fire that killed her boyfriend’s mother and two grandsons.
The Ingham County jury needed just 80 minutes to return the convictions against Abbieana Williams in the Sept. 3, 2020, fire, the Lansing State Journal reported.
She was charged in the deaths of 53-year-old Melissa Westen, 8-year-old Aston Griffin and 4-year-old Jesse Kline IV.
“And for what? Because she was jealous and revengeful because she thought her boyfriend was cheating on her,” John Dewane, Ingham County’s deputy chief assistant prosecutor, said during closing arguments in Williams' trial.
Because she was convicted of first-degree murder, Williams will be sentenced to a life in prison without parole.
All three victims died from smoke inhalation, said Michael Markey, a medical examiner at Sparrow Hospital.
Mariah Westen, the boys’ mother, said “justice was served.”
“She will be getting what she deserves for killing my boys and my mother,” Mariah Westen said said. | https://www.theheraldreview.com/news/article/Woman-guilty-of-murder-arson-in-Lansing-fire-17089172.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:13 | en | 0.96722 |
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Daily 4" game were:
0-4-7-2
(zero, four, seven, two)
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Daily 4" game were:
0-4-7-2
(zero, four, seven, two) | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Daily-4-game-17089250.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:15 | en | 0.89376 |
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Delta Group clients have unique challenges that need to be solved safely, quickly and at a price that represents value for money. Delta Group excels at creating innovative solutions that safely accelerate proje...
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers signed defensive lineman Kemoko Turay to a one-year deal on Monday.
Turay was originally drafted by Indianapolis in the second round in 2018 and spent the past four seasons with the Colts.
Turay played 13 games last season and finished with nine tackles, a career-high 5 1/2 sacks and the first fumble recovery of his career.
Turay has played 38 career games with 33 tackles, 12.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://www.theheraldreview.com/sports/article/49ers-sign-DL-Kemoko-Turay-17089174.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:20 | en | 0.977874 |
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Fantasy 5 Double Play" game were:
03-13-14-27-33
(three, thirteen, fourteen, twenty-seven, thirty-three)
DETROIT (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday evening's drawing of the Michigan Lottery's "Fantasy 5 Double Play" game were:
03-13-14-27-33
(three, thirteen, fourteen, twenty-seven, thirty-three) | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Fantasy-5-Double-Play-17089249.php | 2022-04-19T00:19:22 | en | 0.887094 |
Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific
Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands.
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