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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed a federal watchdog assailed by former President Donald Trump to the top job battling fraud, waste and abuse at the $1.6 trillion Department of Health and Human Services, which has a portfolio that spans health, social services and even the care of migrant children.
No Republicans objected to confirming Christi A. Grimm, a longtime civil servant to be HHS inspector general. Her division includes some 1,600 auditors, law enforcement agents, and management experts, and is known for its annual health care fraud takedowns. The voice vote came Thursday evening.
Only two years ago, Trump lashed out at Grimm from the White House briefing room after her office released a survey that highlighted the struggles of hospitals in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the well-documented shortage of tests at the time.
“It is wrong,” Trump said nonetheless.
The report was a fact-based product by federal gumshoes, but Trump insinuated it was politically motivated. The former president had a rocky relationship with inspector generals throughout the government and Grimm at that time was the de facto head of the HHS office, which was lacking a Senate-confirmed leader. She started her government career in 1999, serving both Republican and Democratic administrations.
“So, give me the name of the inspector general?” Trump asked a reporter at the briefing.
When told that Grimm had served in the Obama administration, Trump responded: “Thank you for telling me that ... there’s a typical fake news deal.”
Though inspectors general are presidential appointees, they can serve extended terms under presidents of both parties. They are expected to be nonpartisan independent investigators, shedding light on deficiencies in their agencies.
At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee last fall, Grimm, who is 46, described herself as a “career public servant who rose through the ranks.”
She added a full-throated endorsement of the mission that inspectors general carry out.
“They root out fraud, waste, and abuse and help make programs more efficient and effective. It is critical to have inspectors general who understand the value of objective and independent oversight,” she said. “A strong inspector general makes a stronger department and a stronger, more trusted federal government.”
The HHS inspector general's office specializes in health care fraud, which long ago replaced defense contract fraud as the main attraction for criminals seeking to siphon away taxpayer dollars.
During the Trump administration, the office also produced unflinching reports on the consequences of Trump's "zero tolerance" policy separating migrant children from their parents at the U.S. border with Mexico. One such report documented that children who were separated from their families tended to suffer more emotional trauma than migrant children who remained with their parents.
In the Obama administration, the HHS inspector general dissected the flawed launch of the government's HealthCare.gov website for health insurance.
Congress wants Grimm's office to devote its attention to COVID-19 fraud, which proliferated as the government pumped out hundreds of billions of dollars to keep the health care system afloat in 2020 when the virus arrived and there were as yet no vaccines or treatments available. | https://www.journal-news.com/nation-world/senate-confirms-health-care-watchdog-assailed-by-trump/LKZU7RPXARCOFBZY3NAAPZK3MI/ | 2022-02-18T18:09:21 | en | 0.968125 |
The FBI, which had infiltrated the group, arrested the six in October 2020.
The alleged conspiracy occurred at a time when critics were enraged over Whitmer's restrictive policies and stay-home orders during the early stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic, even protesting at the state Capitol while carrying semiautomatic weapons.
Defense lawyers insist the men were entrapped and were not inclined to target Whitmer without that influence.
They were “groomed” by informants and undercover agents, “like music producers seeking out young, talented, musicians that can be combined into a money-making act," Fox's attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said in a court filing Thursday.
But the two men who pleaded guilty, Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin, said they will tell jurors that no arms were twisted.
The judge asked if Whitmer, as the alleged victim, planned to attend the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said it was doubtful but that he would inform the court.
Messages left by The Associated Press with Whitmer's office seeking her plans for the trial were not immediately returned.
When arrests were made, Whitmer pinned some blame on then-President Donald Trump, saying his refusal to denounce far-right groups had inspired extremists across the country. Trump had earlier urged supporters to "LIBERATE" Michigan and two other states led by Democratic governors from stay-home orders.
___
White reported from Detroit. Anna Liz Nichols is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Caption FILE - This file booking photo provided by the Delaware Department of Justice shows Barry Croft. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - This file booking photo provided by the Delaware Department of Justice shows Barry Croft. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE- In a photo provided by the Kent County Sheriff, Brandon Caserta is shown in a booking photo. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE- In a photo provided by the Kent County Sheriff, Brandon Caserta is shown in a booking photo. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - In a photo provided by the Kent County Sheriff, Daniel Harris is shown in a booking photo. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - In a photo provided by the Kent County Sheriff, Daniel Harris is shown in a booking photo. A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists angry over her policies to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a judge said Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. U.S. District Robert Jonker held a final housekeeping hearing ahead of the March 8 trial in federal court in Grand Rapids. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited | https://www.journal-news.com/nation-world/spring-break-could-affect-jury-pool-in-whitmer-kidnap-trial/AEIDZXVI2NHXLHZFOMSHXVI4YY/ | 2022-02-18T18:09:27 | en | 0.956403 |
Speaking before the sentence was imposed, the tearful mother said she could never forgive Potter and would only refer to her as “the defendant” because Potter only referred to her 20-year-old son as “the driver” at trial.
“She never once said his name. And for that I’ll never be able to forgive you. And I’ll never be able to forgive you for what you’ve stolen from us,” Wright said.
“A police officer who was supposed to serve and protect so much took so much away from us ... My life and my world will never ever be the same again,” she said, adding later: “Daunte Demetrius Wright, I will continue to fight in your name until driving while Black is no longer a death sentence.”
Wright was killed after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. The shooting, which came in the midst of Derek Chauvin's trial on murder charges in George Floyd's killing, sparked several days of demonstrations outside the Brooklyn Center police station marked by tear gas and clashes between protesters and police.
Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing. She'll be sentenced only on the most serious charge of first-degree manslaughter, which carries a presumptive penalty of just over seven years in prison.
Wright family attorney Ben Crump said they don’t understand why such consideration was given to a white officer in the killing of a young Black man when a Black officer, Mohamed Noor, got a longer sentence for the killing of a white woman, Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
“What we see today is the legal system in Black and white.”
But the judge said the cases are not the same as other high-profile killings by police.
“This is not a cop found guilty of murder for using his knee to pin down a person for 9 1/2 minutes as he gasped for air. This is not a cop found guilty of manslaughter for intentionally drawing his firearm and shooting across his partner and killing an unarmed woman who approached approached his squad," Chu said. “This is a cop who made a tragic mistake."
For someone with no criminal history, such as Potter, the state guidelines on first-degree manslaughter range from slightly more than six years to about 8 1/2 years in prison, with the presumptive sentence being just over seven years.
Prosecutors said the presumptive sentence was proper, but defense attorneys asked for a sentence below the guidelines, including a sentence of probation only.
“His life mattered, and that life was taken,” Prosecutor Matt Frank said before sentencing. “His name is Daunte Wright. We have to say his name. He was not just a driver. He was a living human being. A life.”
Defense attorney Paul Engh told the judge that Wright's death was "beyond tragic for everybody involved." But, he added: “This was an unintentional crime. It was an accident. It was a mistake.”
He also said Potter would be willing to meet with Wright’s family and to speak to police officers about Taser mixups.
Engh held up a box displaying what he said were among “thousands” of letters and cards of support for Potter.
“People took the time to write her," Engh said. "This is unheard of for a defendant. I dare say no one in this room has ever seen anything like this.”
Evidence at Potter’s trial showed officers learned he had an outstanding warrant for a weapons possession charge and they tried to arrest him when he pulled away. Video showed Potter shouted several times that she was going to use her Taser on Wright, but she had her gun in her hand and fired one shot into his chest.
Chu said Potter will serve two-thirds of her sentence, or 16 months in prison, with the rest on parole. She has earned credit for 58 days.
Potter has been at the state’s women’s prison in Shakopee since the guilty verdict. Her attorney said Friday that her mental and physical health has declined because she is isolated for her safety.
Wright’s father and siblings also addressed the court to speak of their loss.
The mother of Wright's son, Chyna Whitaker, said Friday that Wright would never have a chance to play ball with his son, or see him go to school.
“My son shouldn’t have to wear a ‘rest in peace’ shirt of his dad,” Whitaker said.
___
The story been corrected to show Potter faces sentencing for first-degree manslaughter, not first-degree murder.
___
Webber contributed from Fenton, Michigan.
___
Find the AP's full coverage of the Daunte Wright case: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-daunte-wright
Caption In this screen grab from video, Katie Wright, mother of Daunte Wright, wipes away a tear as she speaks during the sentencing hearing of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter Feb. 18, 2022 at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Potter, who said she confused her Taser and her handgun before shooting Wright during a traffic stop, was convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter in Wright. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption In this screen grab from video, Katie Wright, mother of Daunte Wright, wipes away a tear as she speaks during the sentencing hearing of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter Feb. 18, 2022 at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Potter, who said she confused her Taser and her handgun before shooting Wright during a traffic stop, was convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter in Wright. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - This photo provided by Ben Crump Law, PLLC., shows Daunte Wright and his son, Daunte Jr., at his first birthday party. Kim Potter, the former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she killed Daunte Wright, is expected to be sentenced on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Potter was convicted in December of both first-degree and second-degree manslaughter. (Ben Crump Law, PLLC. via AP, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - This photo provided by Ben Crump Law, PLLC., shows Daunte Wright and his son, Daunte Jr., at his first birthday party. Kim Potter, the former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she killed Daunte Wright, is expected to be sentenced on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Potter was convicted in December of both first-degree and second-degree manslaughter. (Ben Crump Law, PLLC. via AP, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption In this screen grab from video, Aubrey Wright, father of Daunte Wright, wipes away a tear as she speaks during the sentencing hearing of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter Feb. 18, 2022 at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Potter, who said she confused her Taser and her handgun before shooting Wright during a traffic stop, was convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter in Wright. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption In this screen grab from video, Aubrey Wright, father of Daunte Wright, wipes away a tear as she speaks during the sentencing hearing of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter Feb. 18, 2022 at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Potter, who said she confused her Taser and her handgun before shooting Wright during a traffic stop, was convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter in Wright. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption A demonstrator carries a Black Lives Matter sign in front of a group of demonstrators calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole NerI)
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption A demonstrator carries a Black Lives Matter sign in front of a group of demonstrators calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole NerI)
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption A group of demonstrators stand outside of Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption A group of demonstrators stand outside of Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption FILE - In this screen grab from video, former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter center, with defense attorney Earl Gray, left, and Paul Engh sit at the defense table after the verdict is read December, 23, 2021 in Potter's trial for the April 11, 2021, death of Daunte Wright, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Prosecutors appear to have backed away from their pursuit of a longer-than-usual sentence for Potter. In a filing this week ahead of her Friday Feb. 18, 2022, sentencing, they argued for the presumptive sentence of a little over seven years for her first-degree manslaughter conviction. (Court TV, via AP, Pool File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - In this screen grab from video, former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter center, with defense attorney Earl Gray, left, and Paul Engh sit at the defense table after the verdict is read December, 23, 2021 in Potter's trial for the April 11, 2021, death of Daunte Wright, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Prosecutors appear to have backed away from their pursuit of a longer-than-usual sentence for Potter. In a filing this week ahead of her Friday Feb. 18, 2022, sentencing, they argued for the presumptive sentence of a little over seven years for her first-degree manslaughter conviction. (Court TV, via AP, Pool File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - In this screen grab from video, former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter center, with defense attorney Earl Gray, left, and Paul Engh talk after the verdict is read December, 23, 2021 in Potter's trial for the April 11, 2021, death of Daunte Wright, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Prosecutors appear to have backed away from their pursuit of a longer-than-usual sentence for Potter. In a filing this week ahead of her Friday Feb. 18, 2022, sentencing, they argued for the presumptive sentence of a little over seven years for her first-degree manslaughter conviction. (Court TV, via AP, Pool File)
Credit: Uncredited
Caption FILE - In this screen grab from video, former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter center, with defense attorney Earl Gray, left, and Paul Engh talk after the verdict is read December, 23, 2021 in Potter's trial for the April 11, 2021, death of Daunte Wright, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Prosecutors appear to have backed away from their pursuit of a longer-than-usual sentence for Potter. In a filing this week ahead of her Friday Feb. 18, 2022, sentencing, they argued for the presumptive sentence of a little over seven years for her first-degree manslaughter conviction. (Court TV, via AP, Pool File)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
Caption Friends of Daunte Wright walk into court in front of demonstrators calling for justice for Daunte Wright on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption Friends of Daunte Wright walk into court in front of demonstrators calling for justice for Daunte Wright on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption Demonstrators hold Justice for Daunte Wright signs Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption Demonstrators hold Justice for Daunte Wright signs Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Former suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption Nae Totushek writes on a I Stand With Kim Potter sign Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. . (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption Nae Totushek writes on a I Stand With Kim Potter sign Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. . (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption A group of demonstrators stand outside of Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Caption A group of demonstrators stand outside of Hennepin County Government Center calling for Kim Potter's release on probation on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 in Minneapolis. Potter was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a Black motorist. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri )
Credit: Nicole Neri
Credit: Nicole Neri | https://www.journal-news.com/nation-world/wrights-mom-justice-system-murdered-son-all-over-again/RQ6UU5H7PJDG5G6D34I2BNRA3E/ | 2022-02-18T18:09:33 | en | 0.961285 |
CLEVELAND (AP) _ These Ohio lotteries were drawn Friday:
Estimated jackpot: $64 million
3-8-1
(three, eight, one)
4-2-8-4
(four, two, eight, four)
4-3-5-0-6
(four, three, five, zero, six)
Estimated jackpot: $31 million
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CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
3-8-1
(three, eight, one)
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Forrie Smith, a star on the hit Paramount Network show "Yellowstone," says he will not be attending the upcoming Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) Awards in Los Angeles because he will not comply with the production's vaccine mandate.
Smith originally made the announcement on his official Instagram page, but later deleted the video. However, the video has been shared widely on other social media platforms.
In the video, Smith apologized to fans for not attending the awards show.
"I mean no offense to anyone," Smith said. "I'm not vaccinated and it's a requirement to be vaccinated to be at the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony."
Smith later added that he "won't get vacciated" against COVID-19. He also claimed that he's avoided vaccinations for most of his life.
"I haven't been vaccinated since I was a little kid. I don't vaccinate my dogs, I don't vaccinate my horses," Smith said. "I've never had a flu shot. I never will. I believe they compromise your immunities."
Vaccines, in fact, strengthen a body's immune system by imitating an infection, which produces antibodies that fight off disease.
Smith added that he wished he could attend the show.
"I sure was looking forward to walking down the red carpet with my big black American hat and my Justin Boots, representing my culture and heritage, but I'm not going to be able to do that," he said.
Smith, who plays ranch hand Lloyd Pierce, has appeared in 37 of "Yellowstone's" 40 episodes.
According to Variety, Smith and the rest of the "Yellowstone" cast were nominated for "outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series."
The SAG Awards will take place on Feb. 27 in Los Angeles. | https://www.wsfltv.com/entertainment/yellowstone-actor-forrie-smith-says-he-wont-attend-sag-awards-due-to-covid-19-vaccine-mandate | 2022-02-18T18:09:48 | en | 0.98302 |
CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Friday afternoon's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 5 Midday" game were:
4-3-5-0-6
(four, three, five, zero, six)
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed his father's footsteps into Congress, has died after a battle with kidney cancer.
He was 59.
Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post Friday that Hagedorn "passed away peacefully" Thursday night.
"Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of southern Minnesota," Carnahan said. "Every moment of every day he lived his dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband; and it showed in how he voted, led and fought for our country.
Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in February 2019, shortly after he began his first term, and just a couple of months after he married Carnahan, then state chairwoman for the Minnesota Republican Party.
He underwent immunotherapy at the Mayo Clinic.
The treatment knocked back his cancer enough that doctors felt safe taking out his affected kidney in 2020, which he said removed an estimated 99% of the cancer in his body.
But he announced in July 2021 that his cancer had returned.
According to the Associated Press, Gov. Tim Walz, under state law, must call a special election to fill the vacancy.
"Jim lived a legacy of service to our state and our country. Please join us in praying for Jim and his loved ones in this time of sorrow," Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann said in a statement. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national-politics/minnesota-rep-jim-hagedorn-dies-at-59-after-cancer-battle | 2022-02-18T18:09:54 | en | 0.99113 |
What started last summer with the enthusiastic unveiling of a plan for a 12-team College Football Playoff has come to a halt with the winter news that expansion will not happen until at least 2026.
The CFP is set to remain a four-team format through the 2025 season after the administrators who manage the postseason failed to agree on a plan to expand before the current contracts run out.
“I’m disappointed we couldn’t get something in place,” American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco told The Associated Press on Friday. “Time was running out. The disappointment also stems from the fact that I think we will eventually get there and I think 12-team is still the most likely scenario.”
The CFP management committee, comprised of 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, met by video conference earlier this week.
Aresco, who released a letter Monday detailing the obstacles to expansion, said the purpose of the call was to determine if anyone’s position had changed.
“Positions hadn’t changed. So at that point, I guess the implications were clear,” he said.
Unable to break an impasse, the commissioners decided to abandon efforts to implement a 12-team format for the 2024 season and recommended staying with the current model to the presidents who oversee the playoff.
The Board of Managers accepted the recommendation Thursday and directed the commissioners to continue discussions on a new format to go into effect for the 2026 season.
“Even though the outcome did not lead to a recommendation for an early expansion before the end of the current 12-year contract, the discussions have been helpful and informative,” CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock said in statement Friday. “I am sure they will serve as a useful guide for the Board of Managers and for the Management Committee as we determine what the playoff will look like beginning in the 2026-2027 season.”
The decision to shelve early expansion comes as no surprise. The commissioners left their last in-person meetings in early January gridlocked and unable to produce the unanimous consensus needed to move forward with a 12-team proposal they had been haggling over since June.
The presidents did not fully close the door on early expansion after that meeting, but hope for an agreement was clearly fading.
A few days after the meetings in Indianapolis, Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips took the strongest public stance yet against early expansion, saying a new CFP format should not be a priority with so much uncertainty throughout college sports.
On Friday, the commissioners finally signaled they have given up on on trying to implement expansion for the final two years of the CFP’s 12-year deal with ESPN — a failure that will cost the conferences an estimated $450 million in additional revenue.
Now they will focus their attention on building a new model for beyond the 2026 season when there are no agreements in place.
The road to expansion appeared to be much smoother eight months ago, when the CFP publicly unveiled the 12-team plan. Even with details still be worked out, there was hope agreement could be reached by the fall and a new format could be in place by the 2024 season.
About a month later, it was revealed the Southeastern Conference was in talks with Texas and Oklahoma to leave the Big 12 and join the powerhouse league that has produced 12 of the last 17 national champions.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had been part of the four-person subcommittee that worked on the 12-team proposal for more than two years. The plan called for the field to be comprised of the six highest ranked conference champions in FBS and six at-large teams determined by selection committee rankings.
Relatively new commissioners in the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC, already leery of a process that started before they were involved with the CFP, became even more disillusioned after the SEC’s expansion plan became public.
Since then the process has stalled, despite more than half a dozen in-person meetings with the commissioners. All agree the playoff should expand, but they disagree on how and when.
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren has said he favors automatic bids for the champions of the Power Five leagues, instead of the six best champs regardless of conference. The commissioners of the non-Power Five conferences, the so-called Group of Five, are against that — with Aresco the most vocal opponent.
Phillips continued to push for a smaller expansion to eight, if any at all.
Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff said his conference, which has only placed a team in two of eight playoffs, supports any number of formats involving eight or 12 teams. But he was asking for the Rose Bowl to retain its traditional New Year’s Day time slot in a new format and the most of the others were not on board.
Meanwhile, the majority of the group remained steadfast in support of the initial 12-team proposal crafted by Sankey, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson and Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick.
Sankey has said the SEC already made a concession by agreeing to expand from a playoff format in which the conference has never failed to place at least one team. But he acknowledged that allowing more teams to participate could boost interest in the sport nationally.
Sankey made clear: The choices for the remainder of the current agreement were 12 teams or four.
Despite the potential benefits to expanding early, four it is.
About the Author | https://www.journal-news.com/sports/college-football-playoff-to-remain-4-teams-through-25-after-expansion-talks-fail/RDUCBYUP6VFCVMRT5JQNS65IRU/ | 2022-02-18T18:09:58 | en | 0.972993 |
FIDALGO ISLAND, WA — Hope is a rare term to be applied to the environment these days, but looking off into the horizon, the people who know this land best see a beautiful future in store for coastal communities both here and beyond.
Alana Quintasket and Joe Williams are members of the Swinomish tribe, whose traditions are deeply rooted in coastal life.
Digging for clams and other shellfish is a big part of their identity, as it has been for centuries, but what’s happening on their lands in western Washington is a reflection of what’s happening up, down and across coast lines nationwide.
"Our biologists, our shellfish team have been kind of documenting throughout the Puget Sound. They're noticing a definite decline in that population," said Williams.
The ocean absorbs 30% of the CO2 in the atmosphere. According to the National Ocean and Atmopheric Administration, the excess carbon in the atmosphere has not only led to warmer seas but it changes the ocean’s PH balance, making the water more acidic.
Coastal areas in the country have seen shellfish population drops as large as 85%. Nationally, if nothing changes its predicted that by the end of the century, shellfish populations nationwide will continue to drop by almost half.
"We're under apocalyptic circumstances, where it is a climate crisis and lives are at stake. As indigenous people and indigenous beings of the land, it's our responsibility to do what we can to restore the practices that have been left for us," said Quintasket.
In the face of a crisis, the Swinomish have a plan to restore the shellfish population: build the very clam gardens their ancestors did centuries ago.
In a few weeks, the Swinomish will be building a clam garden, a tough of rocks meant to be the ideal environment for clam and shellfish growth, on a section of coastline. This ancient practice can increase shellfish growth by 400%.
"It's really expanding the area where clams can grow," said Courtney Grenier, a marine ecologist with the Swinomish Tribal Community.
She says while the numbers don’t lie, scientists are still trying to figure out why the clam gardens are so successful.
"It doesn’t have to be confirmed by Western science to acknowledge there has been this technology that has been used and can still be implemented in a way that’s still in harmony with nature," she said.
The Swinomish are not only looking at this as an opportunity to combat climate change, but by making this a community project, they hope to physically reconnect generations after recent history and past tragedies have taken so much.
"Not only are we trying to get through this pandemic to make it an endemic, but we're also thinking of the fear for the climate, and for us to have something to be excited about is just something good for our people," said Quintasket.
As the project is set into motion, the Swinomish hope other coastal communities are listening and watching to see what native practices are already out there that we can use in our collective fight for our environment.
"There are plenty of teachings to help us get through this, this climate change, we just have to pay attention and be at one with our nature," said Williams. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national-politics/the-race/native-tribe-works-to-fight-climate-change-with-native-knowledge | 2022-02-18T18:10:00 | en | 0.973162 |
FORT COLLINS, CO — On a chilly winter morning, Jim Howell lets me tag along on his morning chores.
In doing so, he’s letting me in on a little secret. His cows are fighting climate change with the two things they do best: walking and eating.
"My career over the last 30 years has convinced me for sure that all of this is doable. We can manage cattle. That enhances the biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem out here," he said.
Working with this herd is his hobby. His day job is consulting ranchers across the globe about how grazing cows in a specific way. Essentially smaller sections of land for shorter periods of time can help vegetation grow, have nutrients pushed into the ground by way of hooves, and can maximize one of the greatest carbon absorbers in nature: soil
"Doing that with cattle is kind of the surrogate for the wild animals that would have been here under a natural context," he said.
Howell's secret is really no secret at all. It’s the core of the research that goes on at Colorado State University’s Soil Carbon Solutions Center.
"These types of practices can enhance soil health and help build soil carbon," said Megan Machmuller, a research scientist at CSU.
Conventional agriculture and grazing has drifted far away from how the environment evolved to thrive and has severely lowered the carbon-absorbing power of soil. The students and staff here are researching best practices on how to reverse the damage done and revive landscapes.
"We have the opportunity to actually reverse our action and start doing regenerative practices, both in croplands and grasslands so that we can put back most of the carbon that we have lost," said Francesca Cotrufo, professor of soil ecology.
These soil samples contain carbon as well as tiny ecosystems and the work being done here measures how effective land management increases the health of the soil, which in turn, means improves the health of the environment and crops.
"Regenerative means bringing an ecological mindset into agriculture and managing those ecosystems in a way that all the components can work interactively with positive scenarios and so there is a win-win-win, wherever you see it," said Cotrufo.
From the lab to the field, researchers share what they learn with farmers and ranchers across the country.
"It gives me hope we understand the great potential for soils to serve as a climate mitigation strategy," said Machmuller.
As Howell does his part, learning from researchers and sharing knowledge, he knows that the more these practices go into play in fields across America, the better off everything – the cows, the plants, us – will be.
"We have this huge legacy load of CO2 in the atmosphere that we need to draw down off. Also, by far the most impactful way we're going to do that is by how we manage our topsoil, and that's a function of how we manage our grass plant, and how we manage our grass plant is a function of how we manage our animals," he said. "So, it's all tied together and it's definitely a part of the solution." | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national-politics/the-race/researchers-and-ranchers-working-together-to-fight-climate-change | 2022-02-18T18:10:06 | en | 0.966032 |
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — A plastic surgeon in Colorado has been arrested in connection to the death of one of his patients.
On Aug. 1, 2019, Emmalyn Nguyen, who was 18 at the time, underwent breast augmentation surgery at Colorado Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery in Greenwood Village.
After she was administered anesthesia, she went into cardiac arrest, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.
She fell into a coma and died 14 months later.
Following a criminal investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Dr. Geoffrey Kim, 52.
He turned himself in to authorities Wednesday while accompanied by his attorney.
Kim faces two felony criminal charges: first-degree aggravated assault and criminally negligent homicide.
He was booked and released after posting bond.
According to a lawsuit filed by Nguyen's family, she was left unattended for about 15 minutes after Rex Meeker, the nurse anesthetist, administered the anesthesia.
The lawsuit states that standard care for anesthesia requires a qualified staff member's ongoing presence to monitor vital signs.
"She was found by a different nurse in cardiac arrest," David Woodruff, attorney for the family, told Denver7 in October 2020.
The suit details that Nguyen's "lips and face were blue" when she was found.
It adds that she went into cardiac arrest twice and was resuscitated both times.
She was also given reversal medication.
"Unfortunately, he [Dr. Kim] then directed staff, it looks like, to not call 911 for close to six hours," Woodruff said.
"You just don't see mistakes like this that are this egregious, not in 20 years of practice."
Nguyen was eventually rushed to Littleton Adventist Hospital, where doctors determined she had a severe anoxic brain injury due to the prolonged cardiac arrest, the lawsuit detailed.
“We opened this criminal case in August 2019. The investigation has taken more than two years to complete and involved dozens of interviews and search warrants. Our hope is that this will be the beginning of bringing justice and a sense of closure to Emmalyn’s family,“ said Travis Stewart, Captain of Investigations with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.
Meeker is facing a manslaughter charge in connection to the case, the sheriff's office said.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest, but he is not yet in custody.
This story was first reported by Sydney Isenberg at KMGH in Denver. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/colorado-plastic-surgeon-arrested-charged-for-death-of-19-year-old-patient | 2022-02-18T18:10:12 | en | 0.986389 |
India beat West Indies by 8 runs in second T20 to take unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series.
India beat West Indies by 8 runs in second T20 to take unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series.
(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/Newsalert/1928264-india-beat-west-indies-by-8-runs-in-second-t20-to-take-unassailable-2-0-lead-in-three-match-series | 2022-02-18T18:10:16 | en | 0.951281 |
The BA.2 virus is a subvariant of omicron, but new evidence suggests the two are different in some aspects.
Lab experiments from Japan show that BA.2 spreads faster than omicron.
It may also cause more severe disease and is more resistant to some treatments because BA.2 is able copy itself in cells more quickly than other variants.
The study prepublished this week showed the variant can resist sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody used against omicron.
The treatment is specifically for patients who have a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 and are at high risk of hospitalization, the World Health Organization states on its website.
Researchers in Japan found that BA.2 has dozens of gene changes that make it different from the original omicron variant.
Because of this, they said BA.2 should not be considered an omicron subvariant and it should be closely monitored.
The variant has recently spread rapidly in some countries, including Denmark, the Philippines and South Africa.
It has become a dominant strain in several Asian countries.
The CDC estimates that about 4% of adults in the U.S. have BA.2 infections. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/coronavirus/new-study-shows-differences-between-ba-2-variant-and-omicron | 2022-02-18T18:10:18 | en | 0.955901 |
Rajnish Seth appointed as new Maharashtra DGP
Rajnish Seth has been appointed as the new Director-General of Police of Maharashtra on Friday.
- Country:
- India
Rajnish Seth has been appointed as the new Director-General of Police of Maharashtra on Friday. Seth has replaced Sanjay Pandey who held the additional charge of the Maharashtra DGP post.
Seth, a 1988-batch IPS officer is currently serving as the Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Rajnish Seth's appointment came after the Bombay High Court rapped the Maharashtra government earlier this month for favoring acting DGP Sanjay Pandey out of the way. The court had directed the state government to appoint the new DGP by February 21. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/arts/1928205-rajnish-seth-appointed-as-new-maharashtra-dgp | 2022-02-18T18:10:23 | en | 0.980414 |
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Blizzard-like conditions that swept through Illinois on Thursday resulted in the shutdown of Interstate 39 after a 100 car pileup.
According to the Illinois State Police, the interstate would be closed through Friday as they work to clean up the massive crash and retrieve those that had slid off the icy roadway on Thursday.
The Associated Press reported that crews were untangling the nine-passenger vehicles and 19 commercial vehicles.
Officials said they had not received reports of anyone being injured.
Those who were stranded were able to be taken to warming centers, state police said, the AP reported.
The storm, which recorded 40 mph wind gusts, caused other problems throughout the state.
The AP reported that more than 500 flights were canceled at both Chicago international airports after more than 4 inches of snow dropped. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/snowstorm-causes-massive-100-car-pileup-on-illinois-interstate | 2022-02-18T18:10:25 | en | 0.988232 |
Storm Eunice in the United Kingdom and Ireland has already proved to be deadly.
Reuters reports at least one man was killed in Ireland, after being hit by a tree.
At least three others have been sent to the hospital after being hit by debris.
Winds reached 122 miles per hour, the fastest on record in England, according to the UK Met Office.
Tens of thousands of people across the UK and Ireland were without power Friday.
The high winds have led to downed rooftops and trees, crushed cars and more than 400 canceled flights.
Trains were delayed and canceled, not only due to high winds, but also debris blowing onto railway lines.
London’s O2 arena canceled an event scheduled for Friday night after heavy winds ripped off its roof.
The building had to be evacuated and closed.
The prime minister of the UK, Boris Johnson said Thursday the Army was “on standby” to help those affected by the storm.
Storm Eunice comes as the European countries recover from Storm Dudley. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/national/storm-eunice-batters-uk-kills-man-in-ireland | 2022-02-18T18:10:31 | en | 0.984832 |
Equitas Small Finance Bank sets QIP issue price at Rs 53.59 per share
- Country:
- India
Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) on Friday said it has fixed the price for its proposed QIP issue at Rs 53.59 per share.
The bank in October 2021 had said that it will raise up to Rs 1,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) in order to fulfil the regulatory norms regarding minimum public shareholding.
The decision was taken by the merger committee of the board of directors at its meeting held on February 18, 2022, Equitas SFB said in a regulatory filing.
The committee approved the closure of the issue period for the issue today, ie, February 18, 2022. The committee determined and approved the issue price of Rs 53.59 per equity share, which takes into account a discount of 4.98 per cent to the floor price of Rs 56.40 per equity share, it said.
Equitas Holdings Ltd had 81.36 per cent stake in Equitas SFB as of December 31, 2021.
As per RBI guidelines for SFBs, if a promoter holds more than 40 per cent stake in the subsidiary, it should be brought down to 40 per cent within a period of five years from commencements of banking operations. Here, the applicable date is September 4, 2021.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- Equitas SFB | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928186-equitas-small-finance-bank-sets-qip-issue-price-at-rs-5359-per-share | 2022-02-18T18:10:31 | en | 0.961709 |
LISBON, Portugal — A burning car transport ship is drifting near the mid-Atlantic Azores Islands after the huge vessel’s 22 crew members were evacuated due to the blaze.
The Portuguese navy says ships in the area have been warned that the 650-foot-long Felicity Ace is adrift. The ship can carry more than 17,000 metric tons of cargo.
The vehicle transporter was on a transatlantic voyage from Germany to the United States. It was scheduled to arrive in Davisville, R.I., on Wednesday, according to NPR.
Typically, car transport ships carry thousands of vehicles on multiple decks in their hold. The Drive estimates that the Felicity Ace is carrying nearly 4,000 cars, including 1,100 Porsches and nearly 200 Bentleys.
A navy statement said the fire was still burning Thursday, with large clouds of white smoke billowing out. | https://www.wsfltv.com/news/world/fire-forces-crew-to-abandon-cargo-ship-carrying-hundreds-of-luxury-cars | 2022-02-18T18:10:37 | en | 0.971025 |
G20 says global corporate tax deal should go live next year
G20 finance ministers said in a joint statement after a meeting on Friday they were committed to ensuring the new rules will come into effect at global level in 2023. Previous less far-reaching tax agreements took years to be implemented as countries dragged their feet on updating their tax codes.
G20 finance ministers recommitted on Friday to implementing a global overhaul of cross-border corporate tax rules next year in the face of concerns that meeting the deadline could prove difficult.
The deadline is widely considered to be highly ambitious, not least because U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is struggling to pass legislation that would bring U.S. law in line with the global deal. Years of negotiations culminated last October when nearly 140 countries reached a deal on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
The technical details are being hammered out at the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development so countries can bring the new rules on to their law books by next year. G20 finance ministers said in a joint statement after a meeting on Friday they were committed to ensuring the new rules will come into effect at global level in 2023.
Previous less far-reaching tax agreements took years to be implemented as countries dragged their feet on updating their tax codes. "The key question is the implementation of our political agreement. There is no turning back, we need to move on," French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told his counterparts during the meeting.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said: "It is an unquestionably ambitious timetable, but it is also a major and important project for international tax justice." Le Maire invited his G20 counterparts to come to Paris in June to sign the new multilateral legal framework needed to implement the agreement's first pillar, which makes it harder for digital giants to park profits in low-tax countries.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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INSIGHT-Why Biden has eased up on Facebook over COVID misinformation | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928193-g20-says-global-corporate-tax-deal-should-go-live-next-year | 2022-02-18T18:10:38 | en | 0.961451 |
The College Football Playoff is set to remain a four-team format through the 2025 season.
The administrators who manage the postseason failed to agree on a plan to expand before the current contracts run out.
The CFP management committee met by video conference earlier this week. Executive Director Bill Hancock says the committee decided to abandon efforts to implement a new 12-team format for the 2024 season.
They instead recommended staying with the current model to the presidents who oversee the playoff.
The Board of Managers accepted the recommendation and directed the commissioners to continue discussions on a new format to go into effect for the 2026 season.
College football has crowned an annual champion through a four-team playoff since 2014. The four teams are selected by a committee of experts comprised mainly of college administrators.
While most college football fans initially welcomed the CFP, it's since been criticized as being too limited. Throughout its history, CFP participants have largely been limited to schools in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big XII, and, occasionally, the Pac 12 conferences. Critics say that even with an undefeated season, roughly half of Division I college football teams would likely not have a chance to compete for a championship.
2021 marked the first time that a team from outside those "Power 5" conferences qualified for the tournament. Cincinnati was selected as the CFP's fourth seed after an undefeated regular season and a win in the American Athletic Conference championship.
Previously, two teams were selected to play in a national championship game in a computer-based system called the Bowl Championship Series. | https://www.wsfltv.com/sports/college-football-playoff-puts-hold-on-expansion-will-remain-4-team-tournament-through-2025-season | 2022-02-18T18:10:43 | en | 0.976177 |
Notaries working out of taxis, private cars near courts degrading legal profession: HC
The Bombay High Court on Friday said notaries person authorised to perform certain legal formalities working from taxis and private cars parked outside court premises were degrading the legal profession.A division bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and M N Jadhav took note of several instances of malpractices by such notaries.The HC came across discrepancies in the affidavits submitted in a bunch of petitions.It has recently been observed that notaries have started notarizing documents from vehicles parked in a public parking lot instead of an officechamber.
- Country:
- India
The Bombay High Court on Friday said notaries (person authorised to perform certain legal formalities) working from taxis and private cars parked outside court premises were degrading the legal profession.
A division bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and M N Jadhav took note of several instances of malpractices by such notaries.
The HC came across discrepancies in the affidavits submitted in a bunch of petitions.
''It has recently been observed that notaries have started notarizing documents from vehicles parked in a public parking lot instead of an office/chamber. It has also been observed that notaries have been operating from taxis around the vicinity of this court,'' the order said. The bench noted that this practice has degraded the legal profession, causing anguish not only to the judiciary but also lowering the dignity of the profession in the eyes of general public.
The court said that while it was aware that several lawyers had to give away their office premises amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the dignity of the profession needs to be maintained and it cannot be allowed to function from the streets.
''We are also not able to understand how the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and also the appropriate authority have not taken any action till date in regard to the functioning of advocates and notaries from parking areas and streets manned by the civic body,'' it said.
The court said it cannot be disputed the presence of notaries in close proximity of court premises was essential.
''Therefore, it is recommended notaries be provided with a designated place in and around the premises of courts without notaries having to incur the costs towards purchasing, renting an office or chamber,'' the bench said in its order.
The court in its order directed the Department of Legal Affairs to consider certain recommendations to the draft Notaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposed digitization of the records of a notary.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928198-notaries-working-out-of-taxis-private-cars-near-courts-degrading-legal-profession-hc | 2022-02-18T18:10:46 | en | 0.972398 |
After missing out on the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics due to testing positive for COVID-19, American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor was elected to carry the American flag at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee made the announcement on Friday.
Her fellow Team USA teammates voted the four-time Olympian.
"I was so honored to be named the Opening Ceremony flag bearer, but after not being able to carry the flag, it’s even more humbling to lead the United States at the Closing Ceremony,” said Meyers Taylor. “Congratulations to my fellow Team USA athletes on all their success in Beijing – I'm looking forward to carrying the flag with my teammates by my side and closing out these Games.”
Initially, Taylor was chosen to carry the flag at the opening ceremony but was replaced by speed skater Brittany Bowe after testing positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving in Beijing and was placed in isolation. | https://www.wsfltv.com/sports/olympics/bobsledder-meyers-elected-team-usa-olympic-closing-ceremony-flag-bearer | 2022-02-18T18:10:49 | en | 0.970379 |
Canada police begin towing trucks to clear Ottawa protests
Police began towing trucks from central Ottawa on Friday and stepped up arrests of protesters in a bid to end a trucker-led movement that has blockaded Canada's capital for three weeks and embarrassed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
- Country:
- Canada
Police began towing trucks from central Ottawa on Friday and stepped up arrests of protesters in a bid to end a trucker-led movement that has blockaded Canada's capital for three weeks and embarrassed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The protesters have lined heavy trucks outside parliament and Trudeau's office, and Ottawa police, fearing escalation or violence, had sought to disperse them with fines and threats.
But with dozens of trucks still occupying downtown, police on Thursday arrested two of the movement's leaders and charged them with mischief. By Friday, after a night of heavy snow, officers had set up 100 road blocks near the protest site to deny people access and starve it of new supplies, like food and fuel. "You must leave. You must cease further unlawful activity and immediately remove your vehicle and/or property from all unlawful protest sites. Anyone within the unlawful protest site may be arrested," Ottawa Police wrote on Twitter.
At least one 18-wheeler truck was towed on Friday, and police were seen hooking up another for removal, a Reuters photographer said. Live television footage showed police had arrested at least 12 demonstrators. The protesters initially wanted an end to cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers but the blockade gradually turned into an anti-government and anti-Trudeau demonstration. They have vowed to remain peaceful but say they will stand their ground until police physically remove them.
"If they want to arrest me, I'll put my hands out, and they can twist, tie me up like everybody else here. We're going peaceful," said Mark, a protester from Nova Scotia who wouldn't give his last name. Nearby, protesters inside a tent were frying eggs on a portable stove, with no apparent plans to leave. Police, who have deployed hundreds of officers to central Ottawa, say the operation to clear the protest will take days. At least one BearCat, a military-style armored vehicle, was seen in downtown Ottawa.
'STAY AWAY' Trudeau on Monday invoked emergency powers to give his government wider authorities to stop the protests. Legislators had been due to debate those temporary powers on Friday but the House of Commons suspended its session, citing police activity.
"If you are not in the House of Commons precinct, stay away from the downtown core until further notice," a House of Commons notice said. Trudeau sought the special powers after protesters shut down U.S. border crossings including Ontario's Ambassador Bridge to Detroit, a choke point for the region's automakers. The shutdown of the bridge, which was cleared on Sunday, had damaged both countries' economies and posed a major crisis for Trudeau.
As police accelerated work to clear the protesters' last stronghold, at least a dozen tow trucks were seen preparing to remove trucks and other protest vehicles still parked downtown. Many of the tow trucks had all identification marks removed. Before Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, police had said that some tow truck drivers were afraid to cooperate with authorities, fearing they might be the target of retaliation.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp., citing security sources, said authorities had set up a number of temporary detention centers around the city, presumably to hold detained protesters.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Slammed over Hema Malini remark, RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary clarifies | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928215-canada-police-begin-towing-trucks-to-clear-ottawa-protests | 2022-02-18T18:10:54 | en | 0.963281 |
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, making urgent remarks to the United Nations Security Council, challenged Moscow to commit to no invasion.
More than 150,000 Russian troops are estimated to be massed near Ukraine's borders, U.S. officials have said. While Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin claim that some troops have begun to withdraw, Biden told reporters that more Russian forces have moved in, contrary to Moscow's claims.
It remains unclear whether Putin has made a decision to attack his ex-Soviet neighbor.
Russia has denied any plans to invade and reiterated its demands that the U.S. and NATO bar Ukraine from joining the military alliance.
Biden to speak to nation on Ukraine crisis at 4 p.m. ET
The White House has announced President Joe Biden's will speak to the nation at 4 p.m. on the Ukraine crisis.
BREAKING: Pres. Biden tells @CeciliaVega that he thinks Russian leader Vladimir Putin will invade Ukraine “in the next several days.” https://t.co/hHpxQUtZbn pic.twitter.com/2rvlCUIqwU
— ABC News (@ABC) February 17, 2022
It says he will give an update on "continued efforts to pursue deterrence and diplomacy, and Russia's buildup of military troops on the border of Ukraine."
The remarks will follow a phone call Biden is holding with transatlantic leaders, scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Earlier Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed U.S. claims Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine within days and reiterated his demand that the Ukrainian government engage in direct talks with Russia-backed separatists.
Putin warns of 'escalation' in Donbas, urges Ukraine to negotiate with separatists
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Friday that the situation in eastern Ukraine is escalating, amid fears Moscow is seeking a pretext to attack its ex-Soviet neighbour.
"Unfortunately, right now we are seeing, on the contrary, an escalation of the Donbas situation," Putin said at a joint press conference in Moscow on Friday, following a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Putin reiterated Russia's demand that the Ukrainian government engage in direct talks with the Russia-backed separatists in Donbas, a breakaway region of southeastern Ukraine.
"All Kyiv has to do is sit down at the negotiating table with Donbas representatives and agree on the political, military, economic and humanitarian measures to end the conflict," he said. "The sooner it happens the better."
Russia has demanded for years that Kyiv negotiate with the separatists directly, but Ukraine has always refused because it views them as Kremlin puppets and it would legitimize Moscow's false narrative that the ongoing conflict is exclusively a civil war and does not involve Russia.
Putin also stated that the United States and other members of NATO "are not disposed to properly accept" Russia's key demands for security guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO and that the military alliance pull its troops back from Eastern Europe. He said Moscow will not accept talking about the other proposals the U.S. has put forward without discussing these top requests.
"We are prepared to follow a negotiating track, on the condition that all aspects are considered in a package, not separately from Russia's principal proposals, whose implementation is an unconditional priority for us," he told reporters.
Putin also said he "paid no attention" to the reports in Western media of Feb. 16 being the alleged date of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine that U.S. officials had given, calling it a "hoax."
"I honestly just didn't pay attention to it. There are plenty of hoaxes. Constantly reacting to them is more trouble than it's worth," he added. "We do whatever we see fit and will do so further down the road. Of course, we watch what is going on in the world and around us. But we have clear and comprehensible guidelines that correspond with the national interests of the people of Russia and the Russian state."
Meanwhile, Lukashenko insisted that neither Belarus or Russia want a war and blamed the current tensions on the West. He said the massive joint military exercises currently being held in Belarus with Russia are directed at reinforcing their borders due to "growing military danger," which he claimed was caused in part by Western countries "pumping Ukraine" with weapons.
"With the military danger growing on our borders and Ukraine being pumped with weapons, Belarus and Russia are forced to look for appropriate ways to repel potential attacks," Lukashenko told reporters.
But the Belarusian leader also warned that, for the first time in decades, Europe is on the edge of a conflict that could "draw in almost the entire continent."
"You see that it does not depend even on our neighbors, including Ukraine, anymore. It is also obvious to you who the exacerbation of tensions near our borders depends on," Lukashenko said. "For the first time in decades, we have ended up on the verge of a conflict, which, unfortunately, is capable of drawing in almost the entire continent, like a vortex."
"Today, we're witnessing, in all its glory, irresponsibility and, forgive my frankness, the stupidity of a number of Western politicians," he added, "and the behavior denying logic and reasonable explanations of the leaders of our neighboring states and their downright morbid desire to walk right on the edge."
-- ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva and Patrick Reevell
Blinken: US 'deeply concerned' Russia 'has embarked on' wrong path
The United States is "deeply concerned" that Russia "has embarked on" the wrong path, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Blinken said Russia has deployed "additional forces" near neighboring Ukraine, "including leading edge forces that would be part of any aggression." When asked about the reports of more shelling in eastern Ukraine, Blinken said it's "part of a scenario that is already in play" for Moscow to claim a pretext for invasion.
"Even as we are doing everything we possibly can to make sure that this diplomatic path, that this has to resolved -- differences have to be resolved through dialogue, through diplomacy," Blinken told reporters, "we are deeply concerned that that is not the path that Russia has embarked on and that everything we're seeing, including what you've described in the last 24 to 48 hours, is part of a scenario that is already in play of creating false provocations, of then having to respond to those provocations and then ultimately committing new aggression against Ukraine."
Still, Blinken said he remains "hopeful" that the threat of sanctions and the supply of military aid to regional allies from the U.S. and others "will have an impact."
-- ABC News' Conor Finnegan
Russia-backed separatists announce mass evacuations of civilians
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have declared a mass evacuation of civilians, while accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of preparing to launch a full-scale invasion against the breakaway regions in the coming days.
Ukraine has immediately denied the claim, but the mass evacuation order is worrying as it raises the prospect the separatists may allege a Ukrainian offensive in the coming days that Russia would use as a pretext to attack its ex-Soviet neighbor.
Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk in a breakaway region of southeastern Ukraine known as Donbas, delivered a public address to residents on Friday saying mass, centralized evacuations were now being organized, with women, children and the elderly going first.
Pushilin said the evacuation would be "temporary" and that Russia has agreed to provide evacuation centers in the neighboring Rostov region to house evacuees. The separatists' leader also called on all able-bodied men to take up arms.
"I again appeal to all men able to hold a rifle in their hands, to come to the defense of their land," Pushilin said in a televised address.
The announcement came amid a sharp escalation along the front line between Russia-backed separatist forces and Ukrainian government troops, with Ukraine accusing the separatists of unleashing a major bombardment in the past two days. Heavy firing has been reported since Thursday coming from the separatist areas, while the separatists have accused Ukrainian troops of firing on them.
-- ABC News' Patrick Reevell | https://6abc.com/russia-ukraine-news-putin-biden-speech-today-invade/11577570/ | 2022-02-18T18:10:59 | en | 0.968892 |
Rouble tumbles after Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine announce evacuations
The rouble weakened on Friday, tumbling past 77 to the dollar after Russian-backed separatists announced the sudden surprise evacuation of their breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, spooking already jittery markets. Russia has repeatedly rejected Western assertions that it may be planning to invade neighbouring Ukraine, but its assets have been hammered by fears of a military conflict that would almost certainly trigger sweeping new Western sanctions against Moscow.
The rouble weakened on Friday, tumbling past 77 to the dollar after Russian-backed separatists announced the sudden surprise evacuation of their breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, spooking already jittery markets.
Russia has repeatedly rejected Western assertions that it may be planning to invade neighbouring Ukraine, but its assets have been hammered by fears of a military conflict that would almost certainly trigger sweeping new Western sanctions against Moscow. By 1651 GMT, the rouble was 1.3% weaker against the dollar at 77.29, slipping sharply from a session-high of 75.63 after the self-proclaimed regions of Donetsk and Luhansk announced evacuation plans. The rouble extended losses on reports of a car being blown up in Donetsk.
President Vladimir Putin ordered the emergencies minister to travel to southeast Russia to organise accommodation for residents leaving. Against the euro, the rouble slipped 1.1% to 87.54 .
The Russian currency had traded at 74.26 against the greenback before the latest sell-off started a week ago. "The week ends as it began, awash in uncertainty on the geopolitical and economic fronts, suggesting caution and some bargain-hunting will be at play," BCS Global markets said.
TENSIONS ON THE BORDER Russian markets have been buffeted by tensions over Ukraine, improving on reports of Russian troop withdrawals from near the border, but slumping as Western powers warn of imminent invasion.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday said Russia was preparing a pretext to justify an incursion, but high-level Moscow-Washington talks earmarked for late next week are holding open hopes of a diplomatic solution. Joint military drills between Russia and Belarus, which both share borders with Ukraine, have put the West on edge.
Meeting his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow on Friday, President Vladimir Putin said Russia must enhance its economic sovereignty to counter the threat of sanctions. Fitch Ratings said there had been a marked increase in the risk of severe sanctions that could pressure Russia's sovereign and bank ratings.
U.S. sanctions cutting off Russian state banks from the dollar are the most powerful measure for NATO members, according to Russian executives, bankers, and former senior U.S. sanctions officials. Russian stocks pared gains to slide. The dollar-denominated RTS index fell 4.1% to 1,391.3 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was 3.4% lower at 3,393.3 points, its lowest point since Jan. 27.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Russian defence minister in Belarus ahead of joint drills | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928231-rouble-tumbles-after-russia-backed-rebels-in-eastern-ukraine-announce-evacuations | 2022-02-18T18:11:01 | en | 0.966841 |
Bids invited bids for resolution of Reliance Capital
As part of the resolution process, the RBI-appointed administrator on Friday invited expressions of interest EoIs for sale of debt-ridden Reliance Capital promoted by Anil Ambani Group. The RBI had appointed Nageswara Rao Y as the administrator in relation to the CIRP of the corporate debtor, it said, adding after due consultations with and approval of the Committee of Creditors CoC, bids are invited for submission of resolution plans.
- Country:
- India
As part of the resolution process, the RBI-appointed administrator on Friday invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for sale of debt-ridden Reliance Capital promoted by Anil Ambani Group. The RBI had on November 29 last year superseded the board of Reliance Capital Ltd (RCL) in view of payment defaults and serious governance issues. It subsequently filed an application for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against the company at the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Last date for receipt of EoI is March 11 and the last date for submission of resolution plans is April 20, 2022, Reliance Capital said in regulatory filing. The RBI had appointed Nageswara Rao Y as the administrator in relation to the CIRP of the corporate debtor, it said, adding after due consultations with and approval of the Committee of Creditors (CoC), bids are invited for submission of resolution plans. This is the third large NBFC against which the central bank has initiated bankruptcy proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) recently. The other two were Srei Group NBFCs and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL). In September, Reliance Capital in its annual general meeting (AGM) had informed shareholders that the company's consolidated debt was Rs 40,000 crore.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928240-bids-invited-bids-for-resolution-of-reliance-capital | 2022-02-18T18:11:09 | en | 0.966503 |
India-UAE CEPA will lead to glorious, shared future: EAM Jaishankar
The agreement was signed and exchanged by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri in New Delhi.In an exclusive statement to UAEs official Emirates News Agency WAM, Jaishankar said the signing of the UAE-India CEPA is a milestone event in our bilateral relations.It will open new opportunities in both trade in goods and services, and will lead to enhanced investments, he said.A vision document signed during the virtual summit will provide contours for future growth of our bilateral relationship for a glorious, shared future.
- Country:
- United Arab Emirates
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and the UAE on Friday marked a milestone in the bilateral ties, which will lead to a glorious, shared future and enhanced investments.
The path-breaking trade agreement was signed during a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan on Friday. The agreement was signed and exchanged by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri in New Delhi.
In an exclusive statement to UAE's official Emirates News Agency WAM, Jaishankar said the signing of the UAE-India CEPA ''is a milestone event in our bilateral relations''.
''It will open new opportunities in both trade in goods and services, and will lead to enhanced investments,'' he said.
''A vision document (signed during the virtual summit) will provide contours for future growth of our bilateral relationship for a glorious, shared future. Overall, the two (CEPA and the vision document) will deepen our strategic partnership,'' Jaishankar said.
The UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and accounts for approximately 40 per cent of its trade with the Arab world, the WAM report said.
In September last year, India and the UAE formally launched negotiations for the trade agreement.
The pact covers areas including goods, services, rules of origin, customs procedures, government procurement, intellectual property rights, and e-commerce.
Under such agreements, two trading partners reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they also liberalise norms to enhance trade in services and boost investments.
Bilateral trade between India and the UAE stood at USD 43.3 billion in 2020-21. Exports were worth USD 16.7 billion and imports aggregated at USD 26.7 billion in 2020-21. The two-way commerce stood at USD 59.11 billion in 2019-20.
The UAE is a gateway to Africa and other parts of the world.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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U.S. Commerce Department adds 33 Chinese parties to unverified list for exports | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928251-india-uae-cepa-will-lead-to-glorious-shared-future-eam-jaishankar | 2022-02-18T18:11:17 | en | 0.944003 |
G20 finance leaders urge care in unwinding pandemic support
- Country:
- Indonesia
Finance leaders of the world's biggest economies called Friday for a cautious and well coordinated approach to navigating recoveries from the pandemic.
Finance ministers and top central bankers of the Group of 20 industrial nations agreed on a need to carefully calibrate moves by the US and other countries to combat inflation by raising interest rates and unwinding other measures to buffer economies from repeated waves of coronavirus outbreaks, said Indonesian central bank Governor Perry Warjiyo.
“We agreed that in order to support the global financial system we need a well coordinated and well considered normalization policy,'' Warjiyo told reporters in an online news conference.
“This is important so that these policies have minimum impact on global financial markets and on developing countries.'' Meetings like the one held Thursday and Friday in Jakarta lay the groundwork for a summit of G-20 leaders later in the year.
As of late Friday evening, the leaders had not yet released their communique. But Indonesian officials indicated that much of what was discussed was carried over from last year's talks: global tax policies, climate financing and funding for improved public health.
In opening the meetings, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged that countries cooperate to support the global recovery and avoid tensions like those in Ukraine.
“The geopolitical situation adds to challenges G-20 countries are facing,'' Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said after the talks wrapped up.
Inflation has pushed prices of food, energy and other vital necessities sharply higher at a time when many countries are still trying to get COVID-19 outbreaks under control. That has financial leaders treading a precarious path between raising costs of borrowing to cool inflation and while trying to avoid derailing nascent economic recoveries.
The US Federal Reserve is pulling back on massive support for markets and businesses, preparing to raise interest rates as soon as next month to cool inflation that jumped to 7.5% in January — the highest rate in 40 years.
Consumer prices rose to a record 5.1% in the 19 countries that use the euro last month and to a nearly 30-year high in the United Kingdom.
Indonesia's central bank has also moved to curb inflation while still trying to repair damage caused by the pandemic.
Officials attended the G-20 meetings both in person and online, given troubles with travel and quarantines due to outbreaks mostly of the omicron variant of coronavirus, that are plaguing many countries.
Host Indonesia is among many countries in Southeast Asia that have endured severe waves of infections, though vaccinations have helped quell the worst of outbreaks.
The world's 10th largest economy, it is located in the fastest growing region — at least before the pandemic swept the world, disrupting business and travel while killing nearly 6 million people.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Panel finds Dutch used excessive violence in Indonesian War of Independence | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928252-g20-finance-leaders-urge-care-in-unwinding-pandemic-support | 2022-02-18T18:11:24 | en | 0.956926 |
SBI, BoB, Union Bank subscribe to shares of IDRCL
In a regulatory filing, countrys largest lender State Bank of India SBI said it has acquired 99,000 shares of India Debt Resolution Company Ltd IDRCL, equivalent to 12.3 per cent stake. Bank of Baroda has subscribed to 99,000 shares of India Debt Resolution Company Ltd IDRCL, the bank said in a separate regulatory filing.
- Country:
- India
Public sector banks SBI, Bank of Baroda and Union Bank on Friday said they have subscribed to 99,000 shares each of the yet to be operational asset reconstruction company IDRCL. In a regulatory filing, country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) said it has acquired 99,000 shares of India Debt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL), equivalent to 12.3 per cent stake. It added that the holding will be brought down to 5 per cent by March 31, 2022. ''Bank of Baroda has subscribed to 99,000 shares of India Debt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL),'' the bank said in a separate regulatory filing. The acquisition is subject to execution of investment agreement, it said. The lender further said its equity stake of 12.30 per cent in IDRCL will be reduced to 9.90 per cent by March 31, 2022. The shares are to be subscribed at Rs 10 apiece. Likewise, Union Bank of India (UBI) said it has subscribed to 99,000 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each in IDRCL towards the bank's initial subscription in the asset reconstruction company. UBI said it will bring down the holding to 10 per cent in due course of time on subscription by other PSBs/FIs. IDRCL is yet to become operational. As an asset management company, it will manage the asset and engage market professionals and turnaround experts for debt resolution. Public sector banks (PSBs) and public financial institutions (FIs) will hold a maximum of 49 per cent stake in IDRCL and the rest will be with private sector banks.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928257-sbi-bob-union-bank-subscribe-to-shares-of-idrcl | 2022-02-18T18:11:32 | en | 0.945289 |
India UAE trade pact to boost trade to USD 100bn in 5 yrs, create lakhs of jobs: Goyal
- Country:
- India
The comprehensive free trade agreement signed between India and the UAE would help the two-way commerce reach the USD 100 billion mark in over five years and create lakhs of jobs in both countries, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.
The agreement, dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is likely to come into force in May and will open doors to about 90 per cent of products of interest to India for export to the UAE ''right from Day one'', the minister told reporters after the signing of the pact.
The commerce and industry minister and the UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri signed the pact during a virtual summit held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries also unveiled a roadmap for the expansion of overall ties.
The agreement will provide significant benefits to Indian and UAE businesses, including enhanced market access and reduced tariffs. It is expected that the CEPA will lead to increase in bilateral trade from the current USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in the next five years In September last year, India and the UAE formally launched negotiations for the trade agreement. The negotiations for the 881-page agreement were concluded in record 88 days in December.
Goyal said this is a comprehensive and ''balanced'' trade agreement.
''It is a pathbreaking new deal that the pharma industry has got for the first time and that will open the doors for our products in the UAE and as you are aware the UAE opens doors to many other countries in the Middle East and the whole African continent being a trading hub,'' Goyal said.
The CEPA would generate 10 lakh jobs in labour-oriented sectors like textiles, handloom, gems and jewellery, leather and footwear and will give a huge boost to exports to the UAE market.
On the pharma sector, Goyal said, the UAE has agreed that made in India medical products, approved by the EU, the UK, Canada or Australia, will get market access and regulatory approval within 90 days of submission of applications.
While the UAE has agreed to eliminate duties on Indian jewellery, India would give duty concessions on gold imports up to 200 tonnes.
About gains for the Indian services sector, he said the agreement has significant access on the services side in a plethora of areas.
''This is one agreement that has many firsts in terms of the speed with which it did, in terms of the range of goods and services that it covers and in terms of opportunities that it provides,'' he added.
''Estimates are that this pact would double bilateral trade in goods and expand our trade in services. Also provide over a million job opportunities for our young boys and girls here,'' the minister said.
Food security in the UAE will be taken care of through assured supply from India through MoU that has been executed in APEDA and DP World as the logistics supplies and Al Dara, which are their equivalent to our FSSAI.
India will also get the advantage of getting raw materials from the UAE at lower prices which will support domestic industry.
''Petroleum products will come in a big way from the UAE. We also expect a number of intermediates to come into India which will support our downstream processing. For example, our plastic industry will get a huge leg up in terms of capability to manufacture, at competitive prices. We hope that will help create millions of jobs in plastic,'' Goyal said.
Talking about advantages for UAE investors, he said both sides are looking to have a mechanism in India to fast track their investments in infrastructure, and in the logistics chain.
''I am aware that they are looking at investments in some high-tech areas in which India is giving significant support through PLI and the support to semiconductors investments,'' he said.
Talking about safeguard mechanisms in the pact, he said the agreement has a permanent safeguard mechanism, besides 40 per cent value addition norm.
The UAE government agency will certify the origin of products. For the steel sector, there is a provision of ''melt and pour'' in the country to be able to get the benefit of this trade agreement.
''So people cannot take it from a third country, do some processing and re-export to India,'' he said.
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that this deal will add 1.7 per cent – or USD 8.9 billion – to UAE's national GDP by 2030 and boost exports by 1.5 per cent.
The pact covers areas including goods, services, rules of origin, customs procedures, government procurement, intellectual property rights, and e-commerce.
Under such agreements, two trading partners reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they also liberalise norms to enhance trade in services and boost investments.
Bilateral trade between India and the UAE stood at USD 43.3 billion in 2020-21. Exports were worth USD 16.7 billion and imports aggregated at USD 26.7 billion in 2020-21. The two-way commerce stood at USD 59.11 billion in 2019-20.
The UAE is a gateway to Africa and other parts of the world.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Omicron sub-variant BA.2 harder to identify, found in 5 African nations -WHO | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928258-india-uae-trade-pact-to-boost-trade-to-usd-100bn-in-5-yrs-create-lakhs-of-jobs-goyal | 2022-02-18T18:11:40 | en | 0.95721 |
European stocks end the week lower as Russia-Ukraine conflict weighs
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.8% and dropped 1.9% for the week with travel and banking shares the top weekly losers. However, news of U.S. Secretary of State agreeing to a meeting next week with Russia's foreign minister, raised hopes of a diplomatic solution and helped limit losses somewhat.
European shares ended lower on Friday and dropped nearly 2% this week with travel and banking shares leading the declines over caution around rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine ahead of the weekend.
Caution overtook markets across the globe as Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said they planned to evacuate their breakaway region's residents to Russia, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use to justify an invasion of Ukraine. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.8% and dropped 1.9% for the week with travel and banking shares the top weekly losers.
However, news of U.S. Secretary of State agreeing to a meeting next week with Russia's foreign minister, raised hopes of a diplomatic solution and helped limit losses somewhat. "There is a higher probability either of a diplomatic solution or some kind of an incursion but fairly contained," said Hani Redha, multi-asset manager at PineBridge Investments.
Banking shares have come under pressure this week as rising conflict fears pushed investors towards safer assets, driving short term European yields lower, which have fallen 12 bps this week. Markets have gyrated this week following news of shelling in eastern Ukraine and warnings from Western leaders that an invasion could happen at any time, even though Moscow has denied it.
While earnings continued to be largely supportive, investors also feared aggressive monetary policy tightening measures from the U.S. Federal Reserve and other major central banks to combat surging inflation. "Since late last year, we began to reduce risk because we saw a lot of policy withdrawal challenges that markets will have to go through," said Redha.
Allianz fell 3.8% and was the top drag on the STOXX 600 after it announced big bonus cuts for its CEO and board, and a settlement with a "vast majority" of investors, as it braces for the outcome of U.S. regulatory investigations into a multibillion-dollar trading debacle at its funds arm. Meanwhile, Finnish drug manufacturer Orion jumped 22.2% to the top of STOXX 600 following positive trial results for its prostate cancer treatment.
Luxury group Hermes fell 4.1% after its fourth-quarter sales grew a touch below market expectations and self-imposed production caps meant the group could not keep up with demand for its handbags. Power utility EDF slipped 2.4% after announcing a rights issue, which it said will raise an approximate total of 2.5 billion euros ($2.84 billion). ($1 = 0.8794 euros)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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EXCLUSIVE-World Bank proposal would shift $600 mln from Afghan trust - source
The World Bank's management has signed off on a proposal that would repurpose $600 million of the just over $1 billion left in a frozen trust fund to benefit Afghan education, families and communities, a source familiar with the plan said.
The World Bank's management has signed off on a proposal that would repurpose $600 million of the just over $1 billion left in a frozen trust fund to benefit Afghan education, families and communities, a source familiar with the plan said. The board of the World Bank is due to discuss the proposal on March 1, with a final decision on disbursement of the funds left up to the donors of Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which is administered by the bank, the source said.
The funds would be disbursed by various United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organization, amid escalating concerns about the collapsing Afghan economy, the source said. Donors to the trust fund in December approved the transfer of $280 million from the trust to the World Food Program and UNICEF to support nutrition and health in Afghanistan.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the U.N. Security Council last month to free up the remaining $1.2 billion in the fund to help Afghanistan’s people survive the winter. The fresh funds will help support food security, health and education programs in Afghanistan as it sinks into a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. The crisis accelerated in August when the Taliban overran the country as the Western-backed government collapsed and the last U.S. and allied troops withdrew.
The United States and other donors cut off the financial aid that had kept Afghanistan running during 20 years of war after the Taliban takeover. The United Nations is warning that nearly 23 million people – about 55% of the population – are facing extreme levels of hunger, with nearly 9 million at risk of famine as winter takes hold in the impoverished country.
The United States last week announced plans to free up half of the $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on U.S. soil to help the Afghan people while holding the rest to possibly satisfy terrorism-related lawsuits against the Taliban, the White House said on Friday.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928288-exclusive-world-bank-proposal-would-shift-600-mln-from-afghan-trust---source | 2022-02-18T18:11:56 | en | 0.953199 |
Three trapped, 8 missing after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry
Eight passengers were missing after a blaze engulfed a ferry sailing from Greece to Italy early on Friday and fire fighters were still battling to rescue people trapped on the ship, authorities said. A total of 240 passengers and 51 crew were onboard the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia when the fire broke out, and rescue vessels had taken most of them to the island of Corfu where ambulances were waiting.
- Country:
- Greece
Eight passengers were missing after a blaze engulfed a ferry sailing from Greece to Italy early on Friday and fire fighters were still battling to rescue people trapped on the ship, authorities said.
A total of 240 passengers and 51 crew were onboard the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia when the fire broke out, and rescue vessels had taken most of them to the island of Corfu where ambulances were waiting. The Greek fire brigade said two men trapped in the ship's garage had been rescued. Fire fighters were trying to reach another three.
Grimaldi Lines, the owner of the vessel, said eight passengers were missing. Aerial footage released by the coastguard showed rows of burnt trucks on the blackened deck after flames swept through the 183-metre (600-foot) ferry that had been making a nine-hour journey through the night.
"The worst thing is the cars in the garage are glued next to each other, there is no escape route," one Greek truck driver, who did not give his name, said after arriving on Corfu. The cause of the blaze was still being investigated, Greek authorities said.
At least 10 people had been taking to a Corfu hospital, most with breathing problems, a Greek health ministry official told state television, and there were no immediate reports of severe injuries. Earlier on Friday, passengers huddled in yellow blankets on an Italian rescue vessel as huge plumes of smoke poured out of the ferry, one video showed. The words "May Day" were repeatedly blasting from the speakers, in the footage uploaded on Greek news website Proto Thema.
The ferry sailed from Igoumenitsa, the largest port in western Greece, and was headed to the Italian port of Brindisi. It carried 153 vehicles, many of them trucks, Grimaldi Lines said. The fire broke out when the ship was near Corfu in the Ionian Sea. Hours after the alarm was raised, the vessel was still ablaze, drifting in Albanian waters, Grimaldi Lines said.
"At around 3.30-4.00 a.m. I smelled smoke," Rumen Metodiev, a Bulgarian truck driver, told Bulgaria's BNT channel. "The trucks and the documents, everything burned. There was no chance to put out the fire," he said. Bulgaria's foreign ministry said 127 of its citizens were on board.
Grimaldi Lines spokesman Paul Kyprianou told Reuters that there were indications the fire started in one of its holds. The company was making every effort to help the passengers - most of them from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - get home, he added. "The flames were incredibly high, we were a few miles away from the ferry when it happened," Colonello Felice Lodovico Simone Cicchetti from Italy's financial police, who took part in the rescue operation, said.
"The fire was so big and fast that in a matter of five minutes it became unmanageable for the people aboard." In 2014, 10 people were killed when the car ferry Norman Atlantic carrying 466 passengers and crew caught fire while sailing from Greece to Italy. (Additional reporting by Angeliki Koutantou, Renee Maltezou and Lefteris Papadimas in ATHENS, Giulia Segreti in ROME and Tsvetelia Tsolova in SOFIA, Writing by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Alison Williams and Raissa Kasolowsky)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1928291-three-trapped-8-missing-after-flames-engulf-greece-italy-ferry | 2022-02-18T18:12:04 | en | 0.986876 |
EXCLUSIVE-World Bank proposal would shift $600 mln from Afghan trust - source
- Country:
- United States
The World Bank's management has signed off on a proposal that would repurpose $600 million of the just over $1 billion in funds left in a frozen trust to benefit Afghan education, families and communities, a source familiar with the plan said.
The World Bank's board is due to discuss the proposal on March 1, with a final decision on disbursement of the funds left up to the donors of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, the source said.
(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/education/1928230-exclusive-world-bank-proposal-would-shift-600-mln-from-afghan-trust---source | 2022-02-18T18:12:11 | en | 0.932986 |
Uniforms not must when Goa schools reopen on Feb 21; exams only offline
- Country:
- India
School uniforms will not be mandatory and concession in timings may be given to students in initial days when physical classes resume for grades 1 to 12 in Goa from February 21 after coronavirus-induced break, the state government said on Friday.
In a circular, Director of Education Bhushan Savaikar, said timing concession, if required, may be given to students in initial days.
The circular said exams should be held in offline mode only and school uniforms should not be insisted upon by authorities.
The Education Department has ordered the reopening of all schools, including pre-primary ones, from Monday (Feb 21).
Savaikar said the decision to reopen the schools has been taken in view of a downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the state.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- The Education Department | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1928239-uniforms-not-must-when-goa-schools-reopen-on-feb-21-exams-only-offline | 2022-02-18T18:12:18 | en | 0.956038 |
DU's SOL approaches police against protesting students
The DUs School of Open Learning SOL Prinicpal has filed a police complaint alleging some agitating students entered the building and misbehaved with female security guards and manhandled the staff, police on Friday said.The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan KYS, on the other hand, accused authorities of attacking students and fracturing one of the students arm.
- Country:
- India
The DU's School of Open Learning (SOL) Prinicpal has filed a police complaint alleging some agitating students entered the building and misbehaved with female security guards and manhandled the staff, police on Friday said.
The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), on the other hand, accused authorities of attacking students and fracturing one of the students' arm. A senior police officer said they received complaints from both the parties and further investigation is underway. Uma Shankar Pandey, the Principal, alleged that some students held a demonstration under the banner of KYS at 11 am in front of SOL building at main gate number 1. He said the students blocked the road causing disturbance to the entire traffic, as well as students support services of SOL.
''During the agitation, some agitators entered the SOL building and misbehaved with female security guards and manhandled with the staff of SOL. "When they were stopped by the police personnel, they threatened the SOL staff and provoked other agitators to enter the premises of SOL building to disturb the public-dealing," he alleged in the complaint. The complaint said the agitators climbed the top of the main gate and shouted slogans against the college authority. Since the agitators were not peaceful in their demonstration, stern action may please be taken against these agitators so that in future public dealing may not be hampered, the complaint added. The KYS, in its turn, alleged that two protesters were attacked by the SOL administration. "A delegation of two protestors went inside the SOL building on Friday to submit their memorandum to the SOL administration regarding various issues being faced by the students. ''The SOL administration confined them in the building by locking the gates," it said. "A group of about 20 SOL officials and the administration's henchmen confined the students, abused them, and violently attacked the students in the office of the acting principal Uma Shankar Pandey in his presence as well as that of a police constable who accompanied the delegation,'' it said. The group alleged that one of the protesters broke his arm and had to be treated at Hindu Rao hospital.
Abha Dev Habib, the Secretary of Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF), condemned the attack on students and said that the peaceful protests and demands of students cannot be handled in this manner.
"The fact that students were violently attacked in the principal's office with the direct involvement of SOL officials is extremely unfortunate. DTF condemns this criminal attack on students in no uncertain terms. "Peaceful protests and demands of students cannot be handled in this manner," said Habib and demanded an enquiry into the matter. PTI NIT SLB NIT VN VN
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1928241-dus-sol-approaches-police-against-protesting-students | 2022-02-18T18:12:26 | en | 0.971559 |
Delhi L-G suggests Indraprastha University to seek course accreditation from foreign institutes
- Country:
- India
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday suggested the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University seek accreditation of its courses from reputed foreign universities to enhance the employability of the students.
The LG chaired the 11th meeting of the Court of the university along with the vice-chancellor and other members of the body. ''Advised the University authorities to seek international accreditation of its courses from reputed institutions and universities abroad to enhance the employability options for the students and to capitalize our demographic dividend across the globe,'' he said in a tweet.
The Court considered and approved the Annual Report for the year 2020-21 and also deliberated upon the audit report of the CAG for the year 2018-19.
The LG complimented the management, faculty and students of the university on their achievements and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- Indraprastha University | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1928259-delhi-l-g-suggests-indraprastha-university-to-seek-course-accreditation-from-foreign-institutes | 2022-02-18T18:12:34 | en | 0.936949 |
Arunachal governor asks NERIST students to contribute to society
- Country:
- India
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr. B D Mishra Friday called upon students of North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) who have completed their course to work for the upliftment of society.
Presiding over the eighth convocation of the Deemed University at Nirjuli near here, the governor said that society enabled them to be qualified academic degree holders. "Now it is time for you all to pay back to society," Mishra said. Reminding the students of their fundamental duties as enshrined in the Constitution, Mishra advised them to make sacrifices for society and the nation. He asked them to be honest with themselves, work hard, and stay focused.
The governor also asked the faculty members of the institution to promote the teaching-learning process beyond classroom schedules and become friends, philosophers, and guides for their students.
Congratulating those who were awarded degrees and gold medals, Mishra said, with the academic excellence they have brought laurels for themselves, their families, teachers, institution, and the state.
He advised them to set their goals, work hard, take an active part in games, extracurricular activities, be self-motivated and mission-oriented.
"NERIST is a very important technical institution of the northeastern region, and the benchmark it attains must be a technical touchtone for the future progress of the region. Excellent administrative management, good teaching, quality education, hi-tech research, and concept papers must be hallmarks of the institution," he added.
He advised the institute to concentrate on the local needs-oriented study programmes, such as all-weather roads, designing suitable drainage systems, earthquake resistance houses and buildings, technical expertise in arresting erosions, especially on the slopes near roadsides, multi-cropping methods, zero water wastage irrigation, and water harvesting.
Mishra also emphasised that the institute management should maintain transparency, accountability, probity, promptness, equal dispensation, when and where needed.
Seventy-three students received gold medals in different disciplines. Ninety-seven candidates received Ph.D. degrees, and 468 candidates received M Tech, M Sc, and MBA degrees on the occasion.
A total of 649 students received their B Tech, BSc degrees, five students received diplomas, and 512 students got certificates in engineering trades for the 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 academic years.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/1928276-arunachal-governor-asks-nerist-students-to-contribute-to-society | 2022-02-18T18:12:41 | en | 0.964632 |
Renaissance meets grunge, ski inspires as London Fashion Week kicks off
Aksu was among the first to present his latest autumn/winter 2022 creations, looking to 14th century poet Christine de Pizan for inspiration for his dreamy feminine dresses and sharp tailored jackets. Models wore an array of floaty frocks in dusty pinks, cream and different shades of blue.
Turkish designer Bora Aksu mixed Renaissance and grunge for his latest womenswear collection on Friday while Poster Girl looked to the ski slopes, as Fashion Week kicked off in London. Aksu was among the first to present his latest autumn/winter 2022 creations, looking to 14th century poet Christine de Pizan for inspiration for his dreamy feminine dresses and sharp tailored jackets.
Models wore an array of floaty frocks in dusty pinks, cream and different shades of blue. The dresses in taffeta and tulle were frilled, ruffled, layered, decorated with contrasting black ribbons or with puffy sleeves. They were paired with pink grunge-style boots and sometimes berets. "This feels like different centuries meet together," Aksu told Reuters. "There's those references from early Renaissance and then there's lots of the '90s vibe with the makeup and grunge moment and the boots and everything."
Poster Girl, whose clothes have been worn by Kylie Jenner and Dua Lipa, held its debut London Fashion Week runway show. Models wore ski-inspired hooded bodysuits in hot pink, furry and puffy jackets, and shiny dresses. Designers Francesca Capper and Natasha Somerville presented their take on snow boots, slit trousers at the ankles, and added their brand's signature front cuts to tops. Their colour palette include green, orange and purple.
London Fashion Week, which runs until Feb. 22, began as an Atlantic storm battered Britain, with the city and other parts of the country suffering significant disruption. Like its predecessor in New York, the London event, known for showcasing emerging talent, is a mix of physical shows, presentations, and get-togethers, as well as digital releases.
"We'll continue to see that hybrid mix because the designers have really leaned into the digital film as a mode of not only creativity but showcasing their collections," British Fashion Council Chief Executive Caroline Rush told Reuters. "It has changed the shape of fashion weeks going forward."
Demand for luxury goods has soared after lockdowns as customers splurge on high-end goods, although inflation is casting a shadow. In Britain, consumer prices rose at the fastest annual pace in nearly 30 years last month. "(There's) a little bit of caution... now we're looking at the rising cost of living but there is a demand for fashion," Rush said.
"As we're back out, we go to the theatre, we're going to dinners again. People are refreshing their wardrobes and I think there's a real appetite for the fashion industry."
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- London
- Atlantic
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- Britain
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- Kylie Jenner
- New York
- Renaissance
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Ram Charan pens a heartfelt birthday wish for his mother
On the occasion of his mother's birthday, actor Ram Charan penned a heartfelt birthday wish for her.
- Country:
- India
On the occasion of his mother's birthday, actor Ram Charan penned a heartfelt birthday wish for her. Taking to Instagram, Ram Charan shared an adorable photo with his mother and father Chiranjeevi.
''No one knows me like you do!! Happy birthday maa," he captioned the post. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ram Charan is currently shooting for 'RC 15,' directed by Shankar. In the film, he plays the role of an IAS officer. He will also be seen sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt in 'RRR'. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Advertisement | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928232-ram-charan-pens-a-heartfelt-birthday-wish-for-his-mother | 2022-02-18T18:12:57 | en | 0.963739 |
Kanye West announces 'Donda 2' will be available only on his Stem Player device
Kanye West has announced that his new album 'Donda 2' will only be available on his Stem Player and not "on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube."
- Country:
- United States
Kanye West has announced that his new album 'Donda 2' will only be available on his Stem Player and not "on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube." As per People Magazine, fans of Kanye West who want to listen to his upcoming album 'Donda 2' will have to do so on his own Stem Player.
The 44-year-old rapper revealed the news on Instagram, posting alongside a song snippet that "Donda 2 will only be available on my own platform, the Stem Player. Not on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube." "Today artists get just 12 per cent of the money the industry makes," he claimed. "It's time to free music from this oppressive system. It's time to take control and build our own. Go to stemplayer.com now to order."
The USD 200 device "ships with Donda" and allows the user to "customize any song," according to the website. "You can download new music from stemplayer.com. You can play 4 different elements of the track: vocals, drums, bass and music. It also has a MP3 player available," West wrote in another post.
In a follow-up post, West shared what appeared to be the album's track listing, while in another, he urged his followers to "go to stemplayer.com to be a part of the revolution." "I feel that same feeling like when I first moved to New York to make it in Music," he said in the latter post on Instagram. "I ain't know what was gonna happen but I knew had to move. After 10 albums after being under 10 contracts. I turned down a hundred million dollar Apple deal. No one can pay me to be disrespected."
West said he and the Stem Player team "set our own price for our art," adding, "Tech companies made music practically free so if you don't do merch sneakers and tours you don't eat. JAY-Z made Tidal and fake media attacked him." "Well in the words of my big brother. Come and get me," he continued. "I'm willing to die standing cause I ain't living on my knees no more. God please cover me. I run this company 100 per cent I don't have to ask for permission."
West's news about his album comes as he recently said he is working on taking "accountability" following a series of Instagram posts he made about estranged wife Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Pete Davidson. The rapper wiped his account on Tuesday afternoon and shared a new photo following an influx of posts over the weekend that included screenshots of texts he'd received from both Kardashian, 41, and Davidson, 28, and memes that he captioned with harassing messages.
West posted a picture of himself standing solo on a platform surrounded by clouds, said he was "working on" his communication skills and referenced multiple posts which he said "came off as harassing" his ex, with whom he shares children North, 8, Saint, 6, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. "I've learned that using all caps makes people feel like I'm screaming at them. I'm working on my communication," he wrote. "I can benefit from a team of creative professionals, organizers, mobilizers and community leaders. Thank everybody for supporting me."
Two hours later, however, West was back with another since-deleted post. He shared an image of a roadside billboard stating, "Stop telling fathers they should have fought harder to see their children and start asking mothers why he had to fight at all." The 22-time Grammy winner has expressed interest in reconciling with Kardashian, who filed for divorce in February 2021 after nearly seven years of marriage.
West's Instagram cleanse came just one day after a rep for actress Julia Fox confirmed that she and the rapper, who had been dating since New Year's Eve, are no longer together. 'Donda 2' drops on February 22, 2022. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928267-kanye-west-announces-donda-2-will-be-available-only-on-his-stem-player-device | 2022-02-18T18:13:05 | en | 0.981807 |
Sumeet Vyas, Arjun Mathur open up about their roles in 'Jugaadistan'
Ahead of the release of the web series 'Jugaadistan', actors including Sumeet Vyas, Arjun Mathur, and Ahsaas Channa opened up about their characters.
- Country:
- India
Ahead of the release of the web series 'Jugaadistan', actors including Sumeet Vyas, Arjun Mathur, and Ahsaas Channa opened up about their characters. "This show is unlike any other campus dramas that you have witnessed so far. There are multiple storylines running parallelly and my character's one-point agenda is to win student elections irrespective of whatever it takes. In fact, he is also unintentionally comic in his attempt to appeal to students across the board. It was one of the most memorable characters that I got a chance to essay on screen," Sumeet said.
Helmed by Akarsh Khurana, 'Jugaadistan' will take the audience through the dusty by-lanes of campus, where college politicians, professors will be seen making students go weak in their knees and young people navigating their own moralities. In the upcoming project, Arjun will be seen essaying the role of a senior journalist investigating a crime.
He shared, "One of the most important subjects that the show tackles is about journalists seeking the truth and not being cowed down by fear of mightier forces at play. I was instantly drawn into the world of the show because telling the truth like it takes courage, conviction, and grit. That's what my character exemplifies." The show will feature Ahsaas as a student journalist.
Talking about her role, she explained, "I have been a part of campus dramas earlier, but Jugaadistan delves into areas which have remained untapped so far. My character wants to break a big story on campus, and she is even willing to bend rules to achieve what she sets out to. Shooting for the show was a learning experience because Akarsh and Adhaar Khurana, the directors, had a sound understanding of the milieu and the students. Being part of an ensemble cast gave me even more impetus to deliver my best." 'Jugaadistan' will be out on Lionsgate Play on March 4. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928268-sumeet-vyas-arjun-mathur-open-up-about-their-roles-in-jugaadistan | 2022-02-18T18:13:12 | en | 0.968268 |
'Dream come true for me', says Prabhas as he completes first shot of Project K with Big B
South superstar Prabhas on Friday shared that he has completed the first shot of Nag Ashwin's next project, tentatively titled 'Project K' with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
- Country:
- India
South superstar Prabhas on Friday shared that he has completed the first shot of Nag Ashwin's next project, tentatively titled 'Project K' with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Taking to his Instagram handle, the 42-year-old actor shared an iconic picture of Big B sitting like a boss.
"This is a dream come true for me. Completed the first shot of #ProjectK today with the legendary @amitabhbachchan Sir!" he captioned the post. For the unversed, Prabhas recently completed filming for the first schedule of 'Project K' with Deepika Padukone in Hyderabad.
For the unversed, the upcoming movie is a mega canvas, pan India project that's been in the news ever since its announcement. The multi-lingual sci-fi genre project whose massive set is constructed at Ramoji Filmcity is touted to be one of the most expensive Indian films of all time. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928269-dream-come-true-for-me-says-prabhas-as-he-completes-first-shot-of-project-k-with-big-b | 2022-02-18T18:13:20 | en | 0.944725 |
Kris Jenner wants 12th grandchild from Kendall Jenner
On a recent appearance on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', Kris Jenner shared she is placing her bets on Kendall Jenner to give her 12th grandchild.
- Country:
- United States
On a recent appearance on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', Kris Jenner shared she is placing her bets on Kendall Jenner to give her 12th grandchild. As per People Magazine, Kris, 66, gushes over her 11th grandchild whom daughter Kylie Jenner welcomed earlier month. When host Ellen DeGeneres asks which of her children she thinks will give her a 12th grandchild, Kris admits she'd love to see Kendall become a mom.
"Well, I think it would be nice if it was Kendall, right? She's the only one who hasn't had a baby," she said. "I think she would eventually love to have a baby." Kris is already grandmother to Wolf, 2 weeks, Psalm, 2, True, 3, Chicago, 4, Stormi 4, Dream, 5, Saint, 6, Reign, 7, North, 8, Penelope, 9, and Mason, 12.
Despite Kris' excitement, Kendall hasn't revealed plans to have a baby anytime soon. Back in 2020 during a family vacation to Palm Springs, California, Kendall joked about not having kids, unlike her famous sisters -- Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Kylie.
In an Instagram video, the model panned the camera to show her sisters running around with their kids in the pool as she smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Still no kids," she wrote.
That's not the first time she poked fun at herself for being the only Kardashian-Jenner sibling without a child. In March 2018, Kendall made it clear that she was drawing the line at being an aunt for the time being. "I have moments when I'm like, 'Do I have baby fever? Do I want a baby right now?' But I don't, I don't," she said on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'. "I'm good. I can wait for a little while longer."
"But it's awesome because I have all these little babies to play with, so I can play with them and then just give them back," Kendall joked. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928274-kris-jenner-wants-12th-grandchild-from-kendall-jenner | 2022-02-18T18:13:27 | en | 0.976076 |
An English lecturer of a private pre-university college in Karnataka resigned after she was asked by the college management not to wear her hijab while taking classes.
Chandini, an English lecturer at the Jain PU college in Tumakuru district for the past three years, tendered her resignation. In her resignation letter, she wrote, “Right to religion is a constitutional right which no one should be denied.”
She told The Indian Express, “I have been working with this institution for three years. They have never asked me to remove my hijab and I carried on with my work as usual. When they asked, it was a matter of self-respect to me and I just resigned without creating any hue and cry. I don’t want to drag this issue too.”
In her resignation letter, Chandini wrote, “Right to religion is a constitutional right which no one should be denied.”https://t.co/ViA7m9WfVb pic.twitter.com/sW73VQa2n2
— Express Bengaluru (@IEBengaluru) February 18, 2022
The Karnataka High Court in its interim-order had stated, “We make it clear that this order is confined to such of the institutions wherein the College Development Committees have prescribed the student dress code/uniform.” It is not applicable for school and college faculty.
A bench of the HC is currently hearing a batch of petitions challenging the hijab ban in educational institutions in the state.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-english-lecturer-resigns-college-not-wear-hijab-classes-7780370/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:29 | en | 0.97154 |
Of love & desire
WHAT: Cross Desire, a play by the Actors’ Studio of Gumphan Theatre Society, Chandigarh, looks closely at the conflicts of love and intimacy in man-woman relationships. The one-hour production in Hindi and English has been directed by Dr Chandrashekhar Prasad. “There are multiple narratives of love and intimacy, with many in today’s time believing that love and intimacy are separate matters, for intimacy can exist without love and an individual has the right to choose what is best for him or her. Cross Desire attempts to look at the varied dimensions of this subject,” explains Prasad.
WHERE: Mini Auditorium, Tagore Theatre
WHEN: February 19, 6pm
Different Strokes
WHAT: The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi gives various scholarships every year to art students and upcoming artists. This week it is showcasing the works of the 11 scholarship winners of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Sculptures, paintings, photographs, installations and graphics in various mediums will be on display.
WHERE: Galleries of Government Museum, Sector 10
WHEN: From February 19 to February 23, 11 am to 7 pm.
Festival of Sikh-centric films
WHAT: SIKHlens will bring the best of Sikh–centric films, art, artists, authors, performances and cultural exchange curated all the way from California to Chandigarh. Now in its third year, it provides an outlet for Sikh heritage and culture by raising awareness about work that is Sikh-centric, showcasing talent and instilling pride in the community. The one-day festival will have 24 films produced in 11 countries – India, the US, the UK, Pakistan, Singapore, France, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada, Australia and Nepal—and include a display of collections of coins and artifacts by Parminder Singh. Sardar Fauja Singh will be honored. A number of books will be released including ‘Jewels from Sikh Wisdom…A Journey of Discovery by Harinder Singh. Special performances include The Musical Eyes by a visually impaired band and a special recital by veteran Punjabi singer Dolly Guleria and her daughter Sunaini Sharma. There will also be a display by bodybuilders, including by 78-year-old Tripat Singh. The SIKHlens Calendar of 2022 will also be on display.
WHERE: Tagore Theatre
WHEN: February 20, 2022, 10 am to 9 pm
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chandigarh-cultural-events-film-festival-7780448/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:35 | en | 0.944369 |
Kareena Kapoor Khan shoots for promo of upcoming fiction drama 'Spy Bahu'
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan is all set to turn the narrator for Spy Bahu's' latest promo.
- Country:
- India
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan is all set to turn the narrator for Spy Bahu's' latest promo. In the promo's video, Kareena will be seen introducing the characters of Colors' show- Sejal (played by Sana Sayyad) and Yohan (played by Sehban Azim).
Sharing her thoughts on the show, Kareena said, "I am a big admirer of love stories, who isn't? Some are delightful and heartwarming while some are edgy and mysterious. The new show Spy Bahu is one such fascinating love story of a spy, Sejal and a suspected terrorist, Yohan that has left me captivated. The audience is going to love their chemistry and enjoy this power-packed show." Meanwhile, on the film front, Kareena will be seen sharing screen space with Aamir Khan in 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928285-kareena-kapoor-khan-shoots-for-promo-of-upcoming-fiction-drama-spy-bahu | 2022-02-18T18:13:35 | en | 0.93596 |
Tamil Nadu recorded 1,146 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths on Friday, taking the statewide count to 34,42,929 and the toll to 37,970. With 4,229 discharges in the past 24 hours, the total active cases stood at 20,681. As many as 81,145 samples were tested. The state now has about 334 Covid-19 testing facilities.
A total of 34 out of 38 districts in the state saw new infections below 50 on Friday. As many as 13 districts recorded positive cases in single digit. Chennai (262), Coimbatore (188), Chengalpattu (102) and Erode (64) contributed to the maximum cases.
Including 708 persons getting discharged on Friday, Chennai’s cumulative recoveries increased to 7,35,613 while with one death reported in the past 24 hours, the toll increased to 9,053. So far, 7,48,349 people have tested positive in Chennai. The active cases stood at 3,683.
Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Puducherry logged 50 new cases on Friday pushing the overall tally to 1,65,534. A total of 1,884 samples were tested and the positivity rate remained at 2.65 per cent. While Puducherry accounted for 27 new cases, Karikal, Yanam and Mahe recorded 11, 9, and 3 new cases respectively. With zero causalities, the death toll remained at 1,959. Of the 586 active cases, 554 remain in home isolation and 32 are undergoing treatment in hospital.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-new-covid-cases-deaths-7780424/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:41 | en | 0.943596 |
Jake Gyllenhaal opens up about relationship with Jeanne Cadieu
Jake Gyllenhaal has opened up about his fairly private relationship with Jeanne Cadieu.
- Country:
- United States
Jake Gyllenhaal has opened up about his fairly private relationship with Jeanne Cadieu. E! News obtained quotes of Jake's new interview for Esquire, in which he offered a rare insight into his relationship with Jeanne Cadieu.
"In a lot of ways, we're family," the 'Nightcrawler' actor, 41, told the magazine of the 25-year-old model. "I'm in a relationship that is full of love and support. I feel so at ease." It's a sensation he's become all too familiar with, the pair having been linked since 2018. And while they've been spotted on a few public outings over the years, they've tried to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, only making their red carpet debut as a couple last September.
During his interview, Jake talked about how they stayed at his godmother Jamie Lee Curtis' Los Angeles guesthouse during the first few months of the pandemic lockdown, how they celebrated Hanukkah last year with his mom Naomi Foner, sister Maggie Gyllenhaal, brother-in-law Peter Sarsgaard and nieces Ramona and Gloria and how they watched cuts of Maggie's directorial debut 'The Lost Daughter' and gave their input. And while he's busy with his own work, he's trying to put his loved ones before all else.
"It's my family, my friends, and the people I love who take priority," he continued, "and not, I hate to say it, the career. And maybe that's me saying they didn't always." It's a sentiment he previously shared on an October episode of The Howard Stern Show. When asked if he thought he could one day be a "successful husband and father" versus just be married to his career, the Donnie Darko alum didn't have to think twice.
"That's all I want is to be a good husband and a father...That really is what I want," Jake replied. "And now that I have fulfilled a lot of things in my career that I feel comfortable with, I can safely say that. I don't know if I could have said that before." The Oscar-nominated star also broke his silence on the extended version of Taylor Swift's song 'All Too Well', which was released in November. And though Taylor has a policy of never confirming song subjects, her breakup ballad about autumn leaves and getting lost upstate is largely believed to be about her 2010 romance with Jake.
Still, he insisted when the song was brought up, "It has nothing to do with me. It's about her relationship with her fans. It is her expression. Artists tap into personal experiences for inspiration, and I don't begrudge anyone that." And while he's aware there's a public interest in his life, he tries not to let it influence him.
"My life is wonderful. I have a relationship that is truly wonderful, and I have a family I love so much," Jake said while reflecting on his journey. "And this whole period of time has made me realize that." (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928303-jake-gyllenhaal-opens-up-about-relationship-with-jeanne-cadieu | 2022-02-18T18:13:43 | en | 0.990136 |
The 34 new air conditioned suburban trains introduced on the main line of Central Railway from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan, are all set to start operation from Saturday, even though the existing air conditioned train services continue to receive poor passenger response, even during peak travel hours.
On an average the daily ridership on the central railway AC trains is as low as 2,500 – 3,000 is much lower than the western railway AC services with approximately 7,500-10,000 ridership.
Commuters say that the high fare and the poor frequency of these locals is the reason behind low ridership.
Railways is expecting improvement in ridership by increasing the frequency, however, commuters claim that unless the fares are reduced low turnouts will continue.
“There is a need to decrease the fare of AC services as it’s higher than the first class and the common man cannot afford it,” said Rajesh Ghanghav, a member of the Railway passenger association.
Another passenger said not only the daily tickets but even the monthly pass fare is also very high for ac train services.
As per the fare structure, while the first class ticket of CSMT to Kalyan is Rs 165, the AC ticket on the same stretch is Rs 210. Similarly, the monthly pass on the same stretch for first class costs Rs 1,105, but for the AC the same pass costs Rs 2,135 which is almost double. A railway official said the Railway board is likely to decide on the issue of high fares soon.
After the addition of these 34 trains, the total number of AC train services will increase to 44 from 10 services daily and the frequency of the trains are also likely to increase.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ac-trains-poor-passenger-response-mumbai-kalyan-indian-railways-7780483/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:47 | en | 0.975895 |
Sir Paul McCartney announces dates for 2022 'Got Back' tour
Pop icon Sir Paul McCartney has announced dates for his 2022 'Got Back' arena/stadium tour on Friday.
- Country:
- United States
Pop icon Sir Paul McCartney has announced dates for his 2022 'Got Back' arena/stadium tour on Friday. As per Billboard, the tour is slated to kick off on April 28 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, his first-ever show in that city.
The 13-city, the 14-date outing will also find the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer playing East Rutherford, New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for the first time since 2016. "I said at the end of the last tour that I'd see you next time. I said I was going to get back to you. Well, I got back!," the 79-year-old artist said in a statement obtained by Billboard.
The tour will also mark some other firsts and landmarks for Macca, who will make his live debut in three cities -- Hollywood (FL), Knoxville (TN) and Winston-Salem (NC) -- as well as his first gigs in Fort Worth, Texas and Baltimore, Maryland since 1976 with Wings and 1964 with the Beatles, respectively; he will also play in Oakland for the first time in 20 years. McCartney's tour website also gives some clues about what to expect of the tour, noting, "With songs like 'Hey Jude,' 'Live and Let Die,' 'Band on the Run,' 'Let It Be' and so many more, the Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show: hours of the greatest moments from the last 60 years of music -- dozens of songs from Paul's solo, Wings and of course Beatles catalogues that have formed the soundtracks of our lives."
Here is the full Got Back tour itinerary: Thursday, April 28: Spokane, WA (Spokane Arena)Monday, May 2: Seattle (Climate Pledge Arena)Tuesday, May 3: Seattle (Climate Pledge Arena)Friday, May 6: Oakland, CA (Oakland Arena)Friday, May 13: Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)Tuesday, May 17: Fort Worth, TX (Dickies Arena)Saturday, May 21: Winston-Salem, NC (Truist Field)Wednesday, May 25: Hollywood, FL: (Hard Rock Live)Saturday, May 28: Orlando (Camping World Stadium)Tuesday, May 31: Knoxville, TN (Thompson-Boling Arena)Saturday, June 4: Syracuse, NY (Carrier Dome)Tuesday, June 7: Boston (Fenway Park)Sunday, June 12: Baltimore (Oriole Park)Thursday, June 16: East Rutherford, NJ (MetLife Stadium)
For the unversed, the 'Got Back' dates are McCartney's first run of live shows since his 39-date, 12-country Freshen Up tour wrapped up in July 2019. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/1928308-sir-paul-mccartney-announces-dates-for-2022-got-back-tour | 2022-02-18T18:13:50 | en | 0.955032 |
Observing that “the legal profession cannot be allowed to function from the streets”, the Bombay High Court on Friday directed its registry to send the copy of a report prepared by the lawyers, proposing reforms to the Notaries Act to the Department of Legal Affairs of the Central Government. The 70-year-old Act came into force in 1952.
A division bench of Justice S J Kathawalla and Justice M N Jadhav observed that notaries have started notarising documents from vehicles parked in a public parking lot instead of an officer or a chamber and such notaries are operating from public taxis around the vicinity of the High Court, which shows the “extent the legal profession has degraded causing anguish not only to the judiciary but also lowering the dignity of the profession in the eyes of general public/common man.”
According to the HC directions, Amicus Curiae Nausher Kohli, who was assisting the court, along with advocate Akash Agarwal submitted a report proposing the suggestions to the Draft Notaries Amendment Bill, 2021.
The suggestions include extensive use of technology while notarising documents, mandatory issuance of a receipt by notaries for fees charges, implementing practices under the Remote Online Notarisation, increase in fees for notary charges and the implementation of a model code of conduct for notaries etc.
The report suggested that additional responsibilities must be cast on notaries to ensure safekeeping and protection of the sensitive and confidential data of their clients with which they are entrusted with.
Last week, the HC had summoned a man — operating out of cars near the court to notarise documents — to appear before it after the court found defects in documents filed before it through the lawyer.
The court had said that it had been brought to its notice that a notary had stationed three to four cars near the High Court to carry out notarisation of documents required before filing in the court.
The HC said that it was informed that the said person sits in one vehicle while his clerks sit in other vehicles posing as a notary and therefore summoned him to appear before it.
On Friday, while passing an order in a clutch of petitions, the bench said it was informed that many advocates, who are notaries have surrendered their office premises that they were using as licensees due to the pandemic and are carrying on their job by operating from private vehicles and taxis.
“In any event, though we have full sympathy for the advocates, who do not have their offices of their own to function from, we do believe that the dignity of the profession needs to be maintained and the legal profession cannot be allowed to function from the streets,” the bench noted.
“We are also not able to understand how the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and also the appropriate authority has not taken any action till date in regard to the above-mentioned functioning of advocates and notaries from parking areas and streets manned by the MCGM,” the bench said and directed the government to consider the court’s order and the report submitted by the advocates while enacting the reforms.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-asks-centre-consider-report-suggesting-reforms-notaries-act-7780464/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:53 | en | 0.975375 |
GMDC gets green nod for deep mining of Tadkeshwar lignite block
During the year 2021-22, lignite production at Bhavnagar mines achieved was 12.86 lakh MT, an increase of 7.92 lakh MT, as against 4.94 Lakh MT in 2020-21, Singh added.Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation is one of the leading mining players in India.
- Country:
- India
Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), a leading mining public sector enterprise and the largest lignite seller in the country, on Friday said it has received the approval from the environment ministry to mine the Tadkeshwar lignite block in Gujarat up to the depth of 135 meters.
The company had earlier received approval to mine the lignite block up to the depth of 94 meters.
''GMDC...has received an amendment to its environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest to mine up to a depth of 135 meters from its earlier approved depth of 94 meters at the Tadkeshwar Lignite Mines,'' the company said in a statement.
The lignite mines in Tadkeshwar is strategically located in Surat, a large industrial belt.
''We have mined 0.68 mn MT of lignite from the Tadkeshwar mines in 9MFY22 against 0.53 mn MT in 9MFY21. This is indeed a good development and will help us cater to the constantly increasing demand-supply gap and the energy requirements in the state and across the country,'' GMDC Managing Director Roopwant Singh said.
''For FY21-22, we had a production target of 86.63 lakh MT and we have achieved 65.64 lakh MT till 23/1/2022. During the year 2021-22, lignite production at Bhavnagar mines achieved was 12.86 lakh MT, an increase of 7.92 lakh MT, as against 4.94 Lakh MT in 2020-21,'' Singh added.
Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation is one of the leading mining players in India. It is a state public undertaking of the Government of Gujarat. It has five operational lignite mines located in Kutch, south Gujarat, and Bhavnagar region.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Gujarat to cover 40,800 children, 9k pregnant women in Mission Indradhanush 4.0 | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928202-gmdc-gets-green-nod-for-deep-mining-of-tadkeshwar-lignite-block | 2022-02-18T18:13:58 | en | 0.9494 |
Shweta Bachchan on Friday shared a lovely click with mother Jaya Bachchan and yesteryear actor Tina Ambani. The photo seems to be from the mehendi ceremony of Tina and Anil Ambani’s son Anmol Ambani and Krisha Shah. The couple is set to tie the knot soon.
In an adorable note, Shweta captioned the image, “Ft my Mamacitas” which translates as “little mother” or “attractive mother”. It isn’t unknown that the Bachchans hold a close bond with the Ambanis and Shweta’s photo only depicts that closeness.
View this post on Instagram
Shweta’s daughter Navya Naveli Nanda sent heart emojis along with “Meeeeeendi’ in the comments section. Bhavana Pandey also sent her love. Though Jaya rarely makes appearances in photographs from Bollywood parties and get-togethers, her daughter Shweta manages to capture her in some of her Instagram uploads. Despite keeping a low profile, Jaya regularly gets mentioned by husband Amitabh Bachchan at several occasions.
In an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 13, Neena Gupta had quizzed Amitabh about whether he lies to wife Jaya. Cheekily, Amitabh replied, “Humara aisa hai ke prati din humko jhoot bolna padhta hai (I have to lie every day).” Neena, who had come on the particular episode with Gajraj Rao, burst out laughing.
In another episode of KBC 13, Amitabh spoke about Jaya Bachchan’s fondness for bargaining during Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah special episode. The superstar said, “Kaunsi aisi mahila hai jo bargaining nahi karti hai (Is there such a woman who does not bargain)?”
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/shweta-bachchan-shares-adorable-click-with-mamacitas-jaya-bachchan-tina-ambani-navya-naveli-nanda-7780355/ | 2022-02-18T18:13:59 | en | 0.946917 |
Vikrant Massey tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Sheetal Thakur on Friday. The wedding was a close-knit and traditional affair that took place in Mumbai.
Vikrant and Sheetal’s wedding ceremony saw family members and close friends in attendance. Several pictures from the wedding have emerged online.
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Speculations about Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur’s marriage have been doing the rounds for a while now. Recently, several fan pages posted photos and videos of the two from their haldi ceremony. As per reports, Vikrant and Sheetal registered their marriage earlier this week.
Vikrant was to wed Sheetal in 2020. But the marriage got delayed due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.
View this post on Instagram
Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur met on the sets of ALTBalaji’s web show Broken But Beautiful. They started dating and got engaged in a private roka ceremony in November 2019.
On the work front, Vikrant Massey will soon be seen in Love Hostel on ZEE5. He also has Mumbaikar in the pipeline.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vikrant-massey-ties-the-knot-with-sheetal-thakur-see-photos-7779958/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:05 | en | 0.961522 |
Rajasthan woman rescued 6 days after gang-rape dies, say police
- Country:
- India
A 35-year-old woman who was rescued in an unconscious state six days after allegedly being gang-raped and left at an isolated place in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan has died, police said on Friday.
She died on Thursday evening, but her family members did not accept her body as they demanded financial compensation and a detailed investigation into the matter, officials said.
A man has already been arrested and a minor detained but the family members suspect more people may be involved, Additional Superintendent of Police Vimal Singh said.
Nagaur Superintendent of Police Ram Moorty Joshi said the woman was on ventilator support in SMS hospital in Jaipur and died on Thursday evening.
The body is at the hospital mortuary.
The woman had gone missing on February 4 and her family filed a complaint two days later.
She was allegedly gang-raped and left near a dry pond after being strangulated on the night of February 4. On February 10, she was found in an injured state just 3 km from her village.
According to the police, the accused had strangulated the woman and she fell unconscious. They took her to be dead and dumped her near the pond in Deedwana, a police official said.
While lodging a missing complaint, her family members had named a suspect, Suresh Meghwal.
When Nagaur Superintendent of Police Ram Moorty Joshi came to know about it, he directed the circle officer to probe the matter following which Meghwal was detained on February 9.
During interrogation, Meghwal revealed that he along with another person raped the woman on February 4 night strangulated her to death, police said.
On his information, the area in Deedwana was searched and the woman was found alive but unconscious on February 10. She was taken to a local hospital from where she was referred to SMS hospital, they said.
Given the inaction by the local police, SHO of Deedwana Narendra Jakhar and head constable Prahlad Singh have been suspended, officials said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Manipuri tradition to remove shoes before entering homes: CM Biren Singh on Rahul Gandhi's remark in Lok Sabha | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928213-rajasthan-woman-rescued-6-days-after-gang-rape-dies-say-police | 2022-02-18T18:14:05 | en | 0.983362 |
One of the most prolific actors in South Korea, Park Shin-hye’s has an astounding global fan-base, that even kept track of her recent wedding with Choi Tae-joon. With numerous successful shows and films under her wing, she has established herself as one of the leading actors in South Korea. For those who have seen her in films and shows like Stay Alive, Doctors and Sisyphus, the teenage drama Heirs almost feels like a gross injustice to her—which ironically is what cemented her position as one of the most promising actors of the Hallyu wave.
The Heirs is one of the shows that spurred on the Korean wave. The show stars Lee Min-ho, who had starred in just another high-school drama a few years before this, Park Shin-hye and Kim Woo-bin. You don’t expect to go wrong with a cast like that, it sounds like a dream come true. You expect that Lee Min-ho’s smouldering looks and Park Shin-hye’s fresh wide-eyed innocence would blend perfectly, and the teenage drama would wring your heart like other K-dramas.
Unfortunately, it was incredibly frustrating to watch Park Shin-hye being tossed around between two men in the show, and it was even more so to know that she played a similar role in Pinocchio, which released a year after Heirs. Both these shows received international fame and cemented Park Shin-hye’s status as one of the most prolific actors in South Korea, but truth be told, she deserved so much more. It’s almost upsetting to watch her constantly wait, cry and sacrifice for a moody lover in her shows.
The Heirs
The Heirs had some engrossing plotlines about torn and dysfunctional families—a woman relegated to just being her husband’s mistress, two warring brothers, marriages of convenience, and the burning problem of inheritance. Park Shin-hye’s character, Cha Eeun-Sang is thrown into the middle of all this, as she falls in love with Lee Min-ho’s Kim Tan. She is the housekeeper’s daughter, and so of course, any relationship with her is frowned upon. Of course, his evil father (who has a change of heart later), doesn’t want her anywhere near his son and is is concocting schemes against her. And so, a majority of Park Shin-hye’s screen-time goes in looking apologetic and miserable about herself, asking for forgiveness from everyone.
What makes matters worse, is his enemy, played by Kim Woo-bin is in love with her too. For a majority of the series, Cha Eun Sang walks with this permanently nervous gait, watching while two men fight over her—literally shove her aside, while exchanging heated words with each other. In fact, in several scenes Kim Tan almost treats her like his badly behaved pet and even uses instructions like, “Go!” as he engages in verbal battles with Kim Woo-bin. There are several fistfights over here, and she remains a terrified spectator, watching while two men decide her fate. It’s astounding at the number of times that Kim Tan drags her off if he finds her in a place that she isn’t supposed to be, and she follows him meekly. What’s more infuriating is, that Kim Tan asks Choi Young to ‘take care’ of her, when he can’t, owing to his own family troubles, as if she’s a hapless woman who needs constant care and attention.
There’s no other way to put it, but Kim Tan literally stalks her at points and coerces her to fall in love with him, sometimes even reading her Facebook messages. For a majority of the series, she has no will of her own and is constantly trying to sacrifice her happiness for everyone—painfully reminiscent of Hindi serial bahus. Kim Woo-bin’ Choi Young is no better, he bullies her mercilessly and then her overt sweetness warms his cold heart.The show believes in the age-old adage ‘the woman will change a man’, and it was almost painful to watch Park Shin-hye, who had already established herself as an actor of mettle in The Heirs. But sorry, your sympathies must lie with Kim Tan and Choi Young, two victims of broken families. Cha Eun-sang’s issues of poverty and absconding sister, are all secondary—if at all, they feature.
Till the last episode, you’d hope that she would have more spine and fire, but no, you’re robbed of that hope as well, as it boils down to a battle over property.
Pinocchio, Memories Of The Alhambra
Shortly after The Heirs, Park Shin-hye starred in Pinocchio, another show that cemented her as the carrier of the Hallyu Wave—and another show that didn’t do justice to her. Ironically, the title of Pinocchio is based on Park Shin-hye’s character In-ha, a girl, who develops violent hiccups whenever she tries to lie. However, the story follows Lee Jong-suk’s revenge quest to oust the anchor who destroyed his life. The anchor’s daughter happens to be In-ha, the girl he has grudgingly fallen in love with. While her character is a tad more outspoken and feisty than Cha Eun Sang, the essence is still the same. You would think that In-ha would have a powerful role to play in the show—but again, she seems like a plot device—as a love interest, who just wants to make her seething boyfriend happy. She sacrifices for him consistently, and is ignored, dismissed and even publicly humiliated by him, till of course he learns her worth and has achieved his revenge.
In 2018, she starred in the sci-fi drama Memories Of The Alhambra, alongside the ever-reliable Hyun Bin. The series focussed on a mysterious augmented reality game that seeps into reality, inspired by stories of the Alhambra palace. The drama is one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable history—-and yet, Park Shin-Hye has hardly a role to play in it, for the majority of the series, except to yearn for a seemingly indifferent man and be at his beck and call.
Injustice has been done to Park Shin-hye over the years in several of her big-budget shows, where she has played just second fiddle to the male lead, who has full ambition and backstory, while she exists to validate his existence. She deserves a lot more.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/park-shin-hye-heirs-lee-min-ho-kim-woo-bin-deserved-better-7777300/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:11 | en | 0.976843 |
Putin tells Russian government to house people leaving Donbass
President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered the Russian government to house and feed people leaving two self-proclaimed east Ukrainian breakaway republics once they arrived in southern Russia. Russian-backed separatists announced the sudden surprise evacuation of their regions earlier on Friday, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use to justify an all-out invasion of its neighbour.
- Country:
- Russian Federation
President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered the Russian government to house and feed people leaving two self-proclaimed east Ukrainian breakaway republics once they arrived in southern Russia.
Russian-backed separatists announced the sudden surprise evacuation of their regions earlier on Friday, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use to justify an all-out invasion of its neighbour. A Kremlin statement said Putin had ordered the minister responsible for dealing with emergency situations to travel to southern Russia to organise accommodation for what the Kremlin called "refugees from Donbass."
"The president...instructed (the minister) to fly urgently to the region to organise work to create the conditions to house people, provide hot meals and everything needed, including medical care," the statement said. Putin had also ordered every person who arrived from Donbass to be given a payment of 10,000 roubles ($129), it added.
The two breakaway areas are located in Ukraine's Donbass region
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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If knowledge is power, knowing the intimate secrets of one’s DNA could be a powerful weapon. That might explain why the world leaders who hastened to Moscow in recent days for diplomatic talks seemed to balk at Russian-administered coronavirus tests.
But this may be a case where imagination is getting a bit ahead of what science is actually capable of.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to let Russia conduct a PCR test — while French officials said President Emmanuel Macron balked at some of the requirements to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading to speculation he didn’t want the Russian swab either.
Neither leader is known for opposition to COVID-19 countermeasures, so speculation arose that they were trying to keep genetic material out of Russia’s hands.
In the high-stakes world of national security and international espionage, global powers are always looking for an edge, and increasingly those new fronts are less tangible than the battlefield. So gene science may one day be a useful addition to the arsenal, intelligence experts say. But scientists say that day might still be a long way away.
Here’s a look at what may be — but probably isn’t — afoot:
HAVE THE LEADERS ACTUALLY ACCUSED RUSSIA OF TRYING TO USE THEIR DNA FOR NEFARIOUS MEANS?
Well, no. But that hasn’t stopped the rampant speculation.
French officials bristled at questions and dismissed any idea that the Russians were trying to secretly get Macron’s DNA.
A French official said Russia’s conditions for Macron to get close to Putin were “not acceptable” and “not compatible” with the French president’s agenda. Hence: the absurdly long marble table that Macron and Scholz shared with the Russian president and which spawned many memes.
German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said he was “reluctant” to comment after the Macron stir. But he told reporters in Berlin that Scholz followed the same procedure Germany applies to foreign dignitaries: They can submit their own PCR tests and, if there’s any doubt, a doctor can come on board the plane to observe the testing.
“The Russian side saw it differently and said: if there’s a test it needs to be a Russian one. And the chancellor decided he wouldn’t be available for that,” said Hebestreit, adding: “But I wouldn’t interpret too much into that.”
WHY WOULD FRANCE AND GERMANY HAVE REASON TO MISTRUST RUSSIA?
Both countries are members of NATO, which also includes the United States and Britain. NATO was formed during the Cold War by Western allies as a bulwark against the Soviet Union.
Russia has expressed concern that NATO is using Ukraine as a pawn to undermine Russia and has cited that as the reason for its military buildup along Ukraine’s borders.
WHAT CAN YOU ACTUALLY LEARN FROM DNA?
DNA is inside every cell in the body and could be extracted from multiple methods — like a nasal swab — even though a coronavirus test swab is after different genetic material: RNA from the virus.
“Those samples have tons of human DNA,” said Kenny Beckman, who directs the University of Minnesota Genomics Center. “You could definitely take that sample, extract the DNA and do whatever kind of full workup you’d want to do on that person.” Your DNA has the instructions that you need to survive and grow. Every person’s DNA is unique. It can be used to find where your ancestors might have come from, whether you have any unknown relatives floating in the ether, and also whether you have certain genetic diseases or genetic abnormalities associated with diseases or medical conditions.
In forensic science, DNA can be used to physically connect someone to a piece of evidence or eliminate someone as a suspect in a crime.
HOW COULD DNA BE USED AGAINST WORLD LEADERS?
“You can use DNA to identify disease risk, so (the world leaders) might be at risk for a disease,” said Howard McLeod, a genetics expert and director of precision medicine at the Florida-based Geriatric Oncology Consortium.
“You could look and see if there could be some ancestry elements that could be exploited.” But in general, he said, the idea of learning more about someone like a world leader through DNA probably “seems a lot more scary than it is in reality.” Beckman said it seemed “farfetched” to think that the information gathered could be politically damaging.
“What are you going to do, say that Macron has a slightly higher risk of blood pressure?” Beckman asked. “But then I don’t spend a lot of time trying to dream up ways to weaponise someone’s genetic information.” George Annas, a bioethicist who has written extensively about the importance of genetic privacy, wants to make one thing clear: “DNA is not magic. It’ll give you some information, but it’s not going to tell you how you can assassinate somebody.” But even without the capability to build an individually targeted bioweapon, the power of suggestion can be enough to compromise world leaders, and Russia has been known to employ kompromat — blackmailing someone by threatening to release embarrassing information about them.
WHY CAN’T PUTIN AND HIS GUESTS JUST WEAR MASKS?
Putin has largely eschewed masks throughout the pandemic — but is otherwise hypervigilant about COVID-19 measures. The 69-year-old appeared to work mostly remotely and was rarely seen in public before he was fully vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine (which still has not been approved by the European Union).
DOES THE UNITED STATES INSIST ON TESTING WORLD LEADERS?
When dignitaries visit U.S. President Joe Biden, they are required to be tested, according to an official. The White House makes itself available as a testing option, but most leaders arrange for their own, which the White House is fine with.
When Biden himself is tested at home and abroad, samples are taken and processed exclusively by the White House Medical Unit.
The U.S. government has allegedly dabbled in collecting the DNA of foreign leaders. Obama-era diplomatic cables revealed by Wikileaks instructed U.S. diplomats in select African countries to collect “fingerprints, facial images, DNA, and iris scans” from “key and emerging” officials, including religious and business leaders.
I AM A NORMAL PERSON WHO GETS COVID TESTS OFTEN. DO I HAVE ANYTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT?
This shouldn’t deter you from testing.
In the U.S., federal law bars medical providers and laboratories from using patient samples for any purpose other than the original test administered. In certain cases, people can consent to make their results available for research, as with health and ancestry services like 23andMe. Use caution with those services, though; even if tests comply with U.S. law, data can still end up in the hands of another country.
Annas says the right to privacy is paramount, no matter who you are: “Even presidents have the right to medical privacy, and they should not have their information disclosed to the public without their consent.”
SO DO WORLD LEADERS REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT?
The consensus is the most that a bad actor could do with DNA is generate scandal — not a presidential clone.
But you never know where your DNA might end up: a few years ago, an anonymous group calling themselves the Earnest Project claimed to have grabbed DNA from a bunch of world leaders who attended the Davos summit.
The group said they would put the samples up for auction as a statement about the perils of surveillance capitalism, but the auction was delayed because of legal concerns and seemingly never rescheduled. The group did not respond to a request for comment made through its website.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-would-world-leaders-balk-at-giving-putin-dna-7780433/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:17 | en | 0.95717 |
In 2008 Ahmedabad serial bombings case, then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi was target: Prosecutor
The Chief Public Prosecutor in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case said on Friday that the plotters had also planned to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and that an accused convicted for the bombings had previously confessed in court.
- Country:
- India
The Chief Public Prosecutor in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case said on Friday that the plotters had also planned to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and that an accused convicted for the bombings had previously confessed in court. "A Special Court pronounced its verdict in the 2008 Ahmedabad Blast case today. In 2010, during the framing of charges, it was said that then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi was the target. An accused confessed it in his statement before the Magistrate," the Chief Public Prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt said.
A special court in Gujarat on Friday pronounced the death sentence to 38 out of 49 convicts in the 2008 bomb blast case. 11 others have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court.
Earlier on February 8, a Gujarat court convicted 49 accused and acquitted 28 others in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blast case. Within a span of 70 minutes as many as 21 bomb blasts had taken place in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008.
The terror attack had led to the death of 56 people who were killed at various places in the city due to the bomb blasts and over 200 people were also injured. The Islamic terror group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, had claimed responsibility for the attacks. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928224-in-2008-ahmedabad-serial-bombings-case-then-gujarat-cm-narendra-modi-was-target-prosecutor | 2022-02-18T18:14:20 | en | 0.980858 |
Days after Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that almost half the lawmakers in Lok Sabha have criminal charges against them, suggesting a decline from “Nehru’s India”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday summoned Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong to convey that the “remarks…were uncalled for”.
Singapore is a key strategic partner, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the country at least five times in his seven years in power, signalling close strategic ties at the highest level. The unusual step of summoning the envoy of such a close partner country is being seen as part of a pattern of sensitivity to external criticism that India has demonstrated in recent years.
This touchiness is, of course, different from India’s traditionally strong protests against statements concerning the territorial integrity of the nation. Thus, it has over the last seven decades, always rebutted forcefully statements made on Jammu and Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh by countries such as Pakistan or China. Recently, India has issued strongly-worded rebuttals to statements by Nepal on the issue of Kalapani.
India has also routinely rejected allegations or commentary from Pakistan and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the situation of minorities, asking them to stay away from India’s internal affairs. When Turkey and Iran have occasionally made similar comments, New Delhi has pushed back strongly.
But of late, the government has reacted — often with seemingly disproportionate intensity — to statements made by leaders of partner countries with whom India speaks of “shared values”. It has also chosen to respond to statements by lawmakers from these countries — made in their parliaments or outside — and to comments posted by private individuals on social media.
Many diplomats, however, feel that India’s reactions represent muscle-flexing that is essential to projecting power at the international stage — an assertion of identity, and a signal that no criticism would be taken lying down.
TRUDEAU, DEC 2020: After Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke in support of farmers protesting the three farm laws, India criticised his “ill-informed comments” on the “internal affairs of a democratic country”.
Speaking on Gurpurab, Trudeau had said to Canadian-Sikh leaders: “I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends… Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue. We’ve reached out through multiple means to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns. This is a moment for all of us to pull together.”
In response, the then MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said without naming Trudeau: “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.”
India also summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and said that if such “unacceptable interference” in India’s internal affairs continued, it would have a “seriously damaging” impact on bilateral ties.
The India-Canada relationship has seen some hiccups as the Canadian political leadership has tried to woo the numerically and socially important Sikh diaspora. The government was frosty during Trudeau’s trip to India in February 2018, as Canada’s ruling party was seen as supporting some pro-Khalistan elements in that country.
RIHANNA AND GRETA, FEB 2021: After pop star Rihanna and teenage environment activist Greta Thunberg spoke on the farmer protests and the violence on January 26, the MEA issued a long statement, complete with hashtags “#IndiaAgainstPropaganda” and “#IndiaTogether”.
The MEA had said, “The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had tweeted, “Motivated campaigns targeting India will never succeed. We have the self confidence today to hold our own. This India will push back,” using the #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda hashtags.
The Indian government ultimately withdrew the farm laws.
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UK ENVOY, MAR 2021: Besides Trudeau, Rihanna, and Greta, at least a dozen MPs from the UK, Australia, and Canada, and a US Republican leader also voiced support for the farmers. There are sizable Sikh populations in Canada, the UK, and Australia, which have a strong influence on the political system at some places.
After the issue figured in Britain’s Parliament, India summoned British High Commissioner Alex Ellis to lodge a protest against what it said was an “unwarranted and tendentious” debate in the House. The debate, which was held in response to a public petition that garnered more than 115,000 signatures, saw lawmakers across parties criticising the Indian government’s handling of the farmers’ protest, accompanied by calls to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to raise their concerns with New Delhi. Most MPs acknowledged that the agriculture reforms were India’s domestic matter, but noted their constituents, who had strong links with India’s farm sector, were upset.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla served a demarche on Ellis saying the Parliament debate “represented a gross interference in the politics of another democratic country”, and advised that “British MPs should refrain from practising vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy”.
The Indian mission in London had earlier complained that “rather than a balanced debate, false assertions – without substantiation or facts – were made” by the British MPs.
SOUTH KOREA ENVOY, FEB 2022: On February 7, India summoned the South Korean ambassador and conveyed its “strong displeasure” over an “unacceptable” social media post by Hyundai Pakistan supporting Pakistan’s Kashmir Solidarity Day. “It was highlighted that this matter concerned India’s territorial integrity on which there could be no compromise,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong rang Jaishankar, and while they discussed several issues, Chung also conveyed that his country regretted the offence caused to the people and government of India.
Similar tweets were posted by Pakistan affiliates of Kia motors, KFC, Suzuki, and other multinationals. It is not known whether India protested to some other countries as well.
UNDER EARLIER GOVTS: In December 2013, the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had responded with considerable outrage to the treatment meted out to diplomat Devyani Khobragade by American law enforcement authorities. India summoned US diplomats and went after some diplomatic privileges, pulling bilateral diplomatic ties to a low.
Long before that, Indira Gandhi would routinely blame the “foreign hand” for India’s domestic challenges.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-response-foreign-criticism-claimed-assertion-perceived-touchiness-7780444/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:23 | en | 0.962219 |
G20 finance leaders dilute geopolitical risks reference in communique
G20 finance leaders on Friday watered down language on global economic risks caused by geopolitical tensions, removing a reference to "current" tensions in their final communique issued after a contentious meeting following objections by Russia.
Their statement instead said: "We will also continue to monitor major global risks, including from geopolitical tensions that are arising, and macroeconomic and financial vulnerabilities."
The change from an earlier draft seen by Reuters dilutes inferences that the described tensions could be directly attributed to the threat that Russia could invade neighboring Ukraine any day, a situation roiling global financial markets.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928227-g20-finance-leaders-dilute-geopolitical-risks-reference-in-communique | 2022-02-18T18:14:28 | en | 0.943684 |
At a time when Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is trying to bring together various regional parties to form an anti-BJP alliance, the BJP-led Centre seems to be going out of its way to “appease” his counterpart in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently told Parliament that the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 was done hastily without proper consultation. While the PM’s statement pleased the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh, it upset the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and other parties in Telangana.
On 17 February, when the TRS released full-page front page advertisements in newspapers to mark CM KC Rao’s birthday, the Union ministry of road transport and highways issued a full-page ad regarding its various national highway projects in Andhra Pradesh involving a total investment of Rs 21,559 crore.
Flanked by CM Reddy, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was then visiting Vijayawada, described Andhra Pradesh as a “progressive state with a good potential for development”. Conceding the CM’s request apparently on the spot, he approved the Eastern Bypass to Vijayawada besides sanctioning 30 roads-over-bridges (RoBs) for the city reeling under traffic jams.
On the other hand, CM KCR has been spewing venom against the Modi dispensation for “giving a cold shoulder” to Telangana and not providing funds for irrigation and infrastructure projects to the state in the Union Budget. Telangana has been urging the Centre to grant national project status to the Rs 1 lakh crore-Kaleshwaram project, but to no avail.
After KCR upped the ante against the BJP following the TRS’s defeat in the Huzurabad bypoll last November, Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narasimha Rao put a question about the central funds given to Andhra Pradesh. In her reply, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the House that the Centre had given a financial assistance of Rs 36,029 crore to the state during 2019-2021. She said Andhra also received grants-in-aid from the Centre to the tune of Rs 26,587 crore as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission for 2020-21 and 2021-22. A month later, Jagan Mohan Reddy met PM Modi with a fresh wish list.
During his 17 February visit, Gadkari inaugurated 21 completed projects and laid foundation stone for 30 new projects, besides inaugurating the Western Bypass Flyover 2 in Vijayawada.
“The Union minister laid emphasis on development of infrastructure and improved road connectivity for the growth of industry and agriculture besides extending all help from the Centre in the development process,” CM Reddy said. Gadkari said the CM had requested the Centre in August 2019 for the Western Bypass Flyover 2, which was immediately cleared. “Even the Kanaka Durga Temple Flyover was completed with the help from the Centre after YSRCP came to power,” he added.
Stressing that the expansion and development of highways has been the Centre’s priority, Gadkari lauded Jagan Mohan Reddy for allocating Rs 10,600 crore for the state highways. He said that Rs 6,400 crore was allocated for connecting the district headquarters to mandals through two-lane highways, Rs 2,300 crore for their repair and maintenance, and Rs 1,700 crore for the pending works.
The Union Minister was all praise for the Andhra CM, calling him a “young and dynamic leader who is taking the state forward”. He said the development of the state’s two main ports would boost employment generation, revenue and connectivity for which, he added, the Centre would extend all help to the state.
Gadkari also assured CM Reddy that by 2024 the Centre would spend 3 lakh crore for development of roads in the state. Of the 23 greenfield express highway projects the ministry has taken up, 6 are in Andhra Pradesh, which include Raipur-Visakhapatnam to be completed by 2024; Nagpur to Vijayawada highway to be completed by 2025; and Chittoor-Tanjavur highway and Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Bangalore Chennai highway, all of which would be completed by 2025.
Gadkari also said the Centre would like to see the Polavaram project completed soon as it would benefit farmers.
In another outreach, on February 18, the Centre sent NTPC CMD Gurudeep Singh to meet CM Reddy and “discuss possibilities for collaborating with the AP government for renewable energy, pumped storage, and efficiency in power sector etc.”
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-pulse/kcr-seeking-anti-bjp-front-centre-steps-up-jagan-outreach-7780466/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:29 | en | 0.964096 |
In an ode to the energy of New York City nightlife, Michael Kors held his first live nighttime runway show, giving celebrity guests and fashion luminaries alike an excuse to dress up for a night on the town.
Kors brought the sparkle in celebration of his Fall/Winter 2022 collection Tuesday night at live music venue Terminal 5. As models strutted down the catwalk in glittering gowns, neon-hued knits and statement outerwear, Grammy-winning artist Miguel performed songs from Prince including Raspberry Beret and I Would Die 4 You.
After the past two years of the pandemic, Kors said he wanted to give his New York Fashion Week audience a live performance. And he certainly brought the glitz.
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“In this collection, there is not a tracksuit, flip flop or sneaker,” Kors said in an interview before the show. “This is really all about being polished, feeling glamorous and hitting the streets.”
Many of the celebrities in attendance wore black, the designer’s color of choice. In the front row, Brooke Shields chatted with Elle magazine editor and “Project Runway” judge Nina Garcia, while Blake Lively greeted New York Mayor Eric Adams.
TikTok star Addison Rae and “Riverdale” actor Camila Mendes said they both wore black to celebrate the theme of New York nightlife.
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The show kicked off with models wearing neutral tones — a camel wool coat, a chocolate cashmere pullover, a white cashmere bodysuit — before switching it up with a silver trench, a fuchsia cashmere sweater scarf and yellow minidress. Models shimmered from their dresses to their shoes. The menswear designs didn’t leave out the flair either with model Alton Mason sporting a shearling scarf reminiscent of a Harry Styles feather boa look.
Celebrities were not only in the audience but on the runway: Bella and Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk and Emily Ratajkowski all walked in the show. Bella Hadid, a familiar face of the brand’s recent campaigns, sashayed down the runway in a black stretch cutout gown with sequins.
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Since the start of the pandemic, New York City has been on a rollercoaster, with restaurants and nightlife opening and closing, Kors noted. He said many New Yorkers had to choose comfort over self-expression.
“We think about comfort because we are pragmatic, but I think that people sacrificed the joy of expression and the joy of feeling confident,” the designer said. “At a certain point you really lose your identity, so I think this has regenerated and rejuvenated people’s sort of joy in getting dressed.”
“So, it’s really I think an exciting moment to see this sleeping beauty awake,” he added.
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- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/michael-kors-toasts-new-york-nightlife-in-latest-collection-fashion-week-7779914/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:35 | en | 0.936143 |
Afghanistan's Taliban detain Brits, American; reason unclear
It was not clear how many were detained together.Speaking to The AP by phone from her home in London, Syed, an Afghan, said her husband was in Afghanistan investigating business opportunities, including investment in lithium mining.
- Country:
- Pakistan
Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have detained several British citizens and an American, including a former freelance television journalist who has been coming to Afghanistan for more than 40 years, both governments and a family member say.
A statement from the British government this week said there are a number of British nationals currently in Taliban custody. While the government refused to release their identities, Hassina Syed, the wife of Peter Jouvenal, a former freelance cameraman turned businessman, told The Associated Press, her husband was taken on Dec 13.
And US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's “State of the Union” on Sunday that Washington was “actively working” to get the American released from Taliban custody. He refused to say more, citing the “sensitivity of it”.
The American detainee and at least four other British nationals in custody remain publicly unidentified. It was not clear how many were detained together.
Speaking to The AP by phone from her home in London, Syed, an Afghan, said her husband was in Afghanistan investigating business opportunities, including investment in lithium mining. Afghanistan is rich in lithium, a key component of energy-storage batteries. He was travelling alone and not associated with the other detainees, she said.
Jouvenal had worked as a freelance cameraman during the 1980s Soviet invasion in Afghanistan and followed the country through its many wars. He married Syed and they have three daughters.
Jouvenal, who speaks both Pashto and Dari, Afghanistan's two official languages, had held several meetings with the Taliban's mining ministry before being detained in December, Syed said, including with the minister.
No charges have been filed and until his detention, Syed said, Jouvenal had been careful to stay in regular contact with the Taliban authorities to ensure that they were aware of his activities and movements.
In the mid 2000s, Jouvenal owed and operated the Gandamak Restaurant and guest house in the Afghan capital, which had become well known among the many journalists who traveled to Afghanistan during the US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban government in 2001.
The Taliban did not respond to requests for comment on the foreign nationals and on Jouvenal in particular.
In a statement, the British foreign office said the detention of British nationals is being discussed with the Taliban.
“UK officials have raised their detention with the Taliban at every opportunity, including when a delegation travelled to Kabul last week,” the British foreign office said in a statement earlier this week.
There's been no explanation for the detentions.
Syed said her husband was alone and was not travelling with the other men who have been detained.
According to people with direct knowledge of the men currently being held in Taliban custody, at least two of the detainees were apparently in Afghanistan to secretly evacuate Afghan nationals. The people with direct knowledge spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
The Taliban have made it clear that Afghans without proper documents would not be allowed to leave the country.
Syed said she feared her husband may have gotten caught up in a Taliban investigation into attempts to secretly transfer Afghan nationals out of the country.
But Syed said she, too, was planning to return to Afghanistan after her husband's initial trip looking for partners in mining ventures. Together they planned to establish joint ventures.
In the telephone interview, Syed expressed fear for her husband's welfare but also frustration with the Taliban administration.
“They say they want foreign and Afghan businesspeople to come to Afghanistan, to invest in Afghanistan, but why will anyone want to invest if they cannot be certain of their safety?'' she asked.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Taliban arrest two more women activists in Kabul | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928228-afghanistans-taliban-detain-brits-american-reason-unclear | 2022-02-18T18:14:36 | en | 0.98125 |
he Tripura Bar Association (TBA) polls were deferred by the Bar Council of Tripura on Thursday after a group of lawyers raised complaints over the voters list and alleged the polls were being conducted on the basis of an unverified draft roll.
In an order issued Thursday evening, Bar Council of Tripura advocate Ratan Dutta said the Bar Association authorities were asked to make necessary addition, alteration or correction of the draft voters list issued from the Council.
A proposed final voters list would have to be transmitted to the Bar Council of Tripura (BCT) for approval and final publication within 15 days. The BCT would then publish the final voters list within 15 days from the receipt of the corrected voters list. In the meantime, the polls were deferred to resolve anomalies and irregularities flagged by a section of the lawyers.
The Tripura Bar Association was also instructed not to hold any elections till a final voters list is published by the Bar Council.
Speaking to reporters, Returning Officer for the Tripura Bar Association polls Adv Sandip Dutta Chowdhury said the polls were deferred by the Bar Council amidst progress of scrutiny of nomination papers submitted for the poll process. “Scrutiny was supposed to be held tomorrow, then withdrawal (would be allowed). The poll process was halted before that. We have announced that the matter (polls) were deferred and no further proceeding will continue now,” he said.
He also said the revised schedule for the polls would be announced after 15 days for making corrections, additions or changes in the voters list by TBA authorities and another 15 days scheduled for publication for the final voters list from the Bar Council of Tripura. The whole process might take around one-and-a-half months, if all procedures are conducted at the earliest, Chowdhury said.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Advocate Sibasree Choudhury, one of the lawyers who complained against the conduct of the poll process, said many more lawyers apart from those who lodged their complaint disagreed with the way the Bar Association polls were being held. However, she reserved further comments on the subject and said counsels who objected to the manner of conducting the poll process would give their reactions after observing the steps taken and discussing among themselves.
The Tripura Bar Association, one of the largest Bar associations of the state, saw its last election in 2020, where a panel called Sangbidhan Bachao Mancha which fought the polls over the issue of saving the Constitution, emerged victorious. No further elections were held in the lawyers body since then due to COVID pandemic.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/tripura-bar-association-elections-deferred-after-bar-council-of-tripuras-intervention-7780452/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:41 | en | 0.980493 |
100 districts in the country become 'Har Ghar Jal' under Jal Jeevan Mission
Jal Jeevan Mission achieved another milestone of providing tap water to every home of 100 districts in the country, today after providing tap water supply to more than 9 crore homes on February 16, informed the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Friday.
- Country:
- India
Jal Jeevan Mission achieved another milestone of providing tap water to every home of 100 districts in the country, today after providing tap water supply to more than 9 crore homes on February 16, informed the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Friday. As per the ministry, Chamba, an Aspirational District of Himachal Pradesh has become the 100th 'Har Ghar Jal' District.
Chamba is the fifth aspirational district to become 'Har Ghar Jal'. The other four Har Ghar Jal Aspirational districts are: Bhadradri Kothgudem, Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, Komram Bheem Asifabad (all in Telangana) and Mewat in Haryana, said the ministry. According to the ministry, in a paradigm shift from earlier water supply programmes, Jal Jeevan Mission focuses on water service delivery and not just building water supply infrastructure. The motto of the Jal Jeevan Mission is 'no one is left out', thus ensuring every household irrespective of its socio-economic status, gets tap water supply, it stated.
Jal Jeevan Mission strives for the freedom of mothers and sisters from centuries-old drudgery of fetching water for households and improving their health, education and socio-economic condition. The Mission is bringing 'ease of living and adding pride and dignity to rural families. To ensure the health and well-being of children by providing clean tap water in schools and Anganwadi centres in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 100-days campaign, which was launched by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on October 2, 2020.
In a short span of 16 months, 8.47 lakh schools (82 per cent) and 8.67 lakh (78 per cent) Anganwadi centres across the country have been provided with potable tap water supply for drinking and cooking mid-day meals, handwashing and use in toilets. 93 thousand rainwater harvesting facilities and 1.08 lakh greywater reuse structures have been developed in schools across the country. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928237-100-districts-in-the-country-become-har-ghar-jal-under-jal-jeevan-mission | 2022-02-18T18:14:43 | en | 0.940446 |
Bihar’s Sakibul Gani became the first player to score a triple century on his first-class debut against Mizoram on Friday. Gani’s record 341 came off 405 balls, with two sixes and 56 fours. And former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra couldn’t have been prouder of his ward’s knock.
It was during the squad selection camp for CK Nayudu Trophy that Ratra — then Bihar’s U-23 coach — spotted Gani at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna.
“What caught my eye was his fearless strokeplay. He was a class apart among the lot. I immediately checked his scores in the local circuit. He can bat anywhere in the top 6,” Ratra, currently coaching the Assam Ranji team, told The Indian Express.
🚨 RECORD ALERT 🚨
3⃣4⃣1⃣ Runs
4⃣0⃣5⃣ Balls
5⃣6⃣ Fours
2⃣ SixesSakibul Gani, playing for Bihar, created a world record as he became the 1⃣st batter to score a Triple Ton on First Class debut. 👏 🔝 #BIHvCAM #RanjiTrophy @Paytm
A snippet from that landmark knock 🎥 🔽 pic.twitter.com/LXK7F0yA2N
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 18, 2022
Gani delivered on the promise, amassing 685 runs at an average of 57.08, including two centuries, with the highest score of 282. He was the top scorer for the Bihar Under-23 team in the 2018-19 season.
“He could have scored at least 1,000 runs in that season, but he has this tendency to throw away his wickets after scoring a crisp 30 or 40. My only advice for him was to stay at the crease, and you will score runs. But you know, the exuberance of youth,” said Ratra.
“We are still in touch, and I am very happy to see the feat he has achieved. You will hear more of him in the near future,” said Ratra, who played 6 Tests and 12 ODIs for India.
After the breakout season, Gani mustered 694 runs in the 2019-20 CK Nayudu and 498 in the Under-23 One Day Trophy. He earned the call up to the Bihar senior team as well.
On Friday, the 22-year-old, who was unbeaten on 136 overnight, toyed with the Mizoram attack to race to the score of 341. The highest score on first-class debut previously belonged to Madhya Pradesh’s Ajay Rothera – 267 against Hyderabad in 2018.
If Ratra provided Sakibul with the platform to showcase his talent, his elder brother Faisal Gani went against his father’s will and trained him for fifteen years.
“I am a cricketer myself. I played Cooch Behar (Under-19) Trophy with the Bihar Associate team in 2009-10. Thereafter, I captained the East Zone in the Vizzy Trophy, but I quit cricket because it had no future in Bihar,” said the 29-year-old, who runs a sports shop in Motihari. “Even when I stopped playing cricket, I made sure Sakib would not skip a single training session. I had decided that I would send him to Ranchi so that he can play for Jharkhand.”
Sakibul’s father Mohammed Manan Gani is a farmer who was always against his sons taking up cricket.
“We have got small farmland, and our father wanted us to either study or help him in farming. But he had his reasons. After all, when was the last time one heard any Bihar cricketer doing well,” Faisal recollected.
Sakibul, fourth among the four brothers — all of them have played cricket at some level — had an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this season. The right-handed batter was Bihar’s top run-getter, with 231 runs in five matches, including a century and a fifty. His performances caught the eye of the Delhi Capitals, and the IPL franchise called him for the trials held in Mumbai.
“His name was not in the auction, but he was very happy with the way he batted during the trials. It was a great learning curve for him, and it has helped him a lot. After coming back from the trials, I have seen him watch videos of his batting carefully. Now, he is constantly in touch with the team’s video analyst, which is a new phenomenon even for me,” said Faisal, who represents Motihari in the Hayman Trophy, Bihar’s Inter-district tournament.
“We owe this to Ajay Ratra sir. He took a personal interest in him and made a few changes in his batting. Since then, he has scored bucketloads of runs,” he signed off.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/stopped-by-his-father-discovered-by-ajay-ratra-sakibul-gani-hits-triple-ton-on-debut-7780519/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:47 | en | 0.987978 |
U.S., Germany clash over role of nuclear energy in green transition
Germany and the United States clashed on Friday over whether nuclear power should be part of the energy mix as rich countries race to cut emissions to limit the impact of global warming. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry said that cutting emissions fast required some reliance on nuclear energy, adding that without carbon capture technology relying on gas as a stop-gap fuel amounted to ignoring the root cause of the climate crisis.
- Country:
- United States
Germany and the United States clashed on Friday over whether nuclear power should be part of the energy mix as rich countries race to cut emissions to limit the impact of global warming.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry said that cutting emissions fast required some reliance on nuclear energy, adding that without carbon capture technology relying on gas as a stop-gap fuel amounted to ignoring the root cause of the climate crisis. Franziska Brantner, parliamentary state secretary in the Economic Ministry and a member of the ecologist Greens, defended Germany's plan to rely on gas a bridge fuel as it phases out nuclear and coal and expands renewables.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has been putting pressure on Germany to ditch the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that would increase it dependence on Russian gas. It argues that the completed pipeline awaiting regulatory approval would allow the Kremlin to weaponise energy against Europe at a time of rising tensions with the West, which fears a Russia military incursion into Ukraine.
"Gas for instance. Gas can be used as a transitional fuel and it might be more than that for the longer term if somebody comes up with carbon capture storage and utilisation. But we haven't finished that journey yet," said Kerry. "I personally believe that we can't get there as fast as we need to without some component of nuclear in that mix."
He appeared to question the wisdom of Germany's reliance on gas by calling long-term gas infrastructure "stranded assets," without mentioning Nord Stream 2, which runs under the Baltic Sea and bypasses Ukrainian territory. Asked by a moderator if Germany's decision to shut its last nuclear plants this year did not amount to avoiding the most efficient path to a green future, said Brantner, pointing to Kerry: "No. The answer is easy, it's 'no'. And you gave part of the answer. You said nuclear is 'monumentally expensive.' Exactly. We have a much cheaper way we can go, and that's renewables."
Kerry and Brantner also disagreed on whether nuclear power could be transferred to poorer countries to help them cut energy emissions from coal. Kerry said there was promising research in the United States that address the issues of proliferation, nuclear waste and safety linked to nuclear power plants.
Brantner, who Greens party has it roots in the anti-nuclear movement of the 70s and 80s, said Germany would not use tax payer's money to transfer nuclear energy know-how to developing countries given the risk of nuclear proliferation.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- Ukraine
- West
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- Kremlin
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Kerry urges cooperation with Mexico on clean energy as power bill rankles | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928243-us-germany-clash-over-role-of-nuclear-energy-in-green-transition | 2022-02-18T18:14:51 | en | 0.945613 |
Snapchat has announced a new safety feature that will enable users to share their real-time location for 15 minutes or a few hours with friends.
“Since 2017, we’ve given Snapchatters the option to choose to share their location with their friends on the Snap Map when using Snapchat, and today more than 250 million Snapchatters now use the Map to connect with their friends each month,” Snapchat said in a press release.
Snapchat users will now be able to share their location instantly, and only with individual friends. It should be noted that there is no option to send real-time location details to all Snapchat friends at once.
The company said that it is mandatory for both parties to accept each other as friends on Snapchat before they can start using this feature. When using the feature for the first time, a pop-up will appear reminding them that this tool is meant to be used with close friends and family only.
Further, transparent design with reminders in Profiles and Chat will ensure that the users always have a clear understanding of who can see their location. According to Snapchat, limited time sharing and notification-free pausing will “minimize the risk of stalking or undue pressure to constantly share.”
Meanwhile, location-sharing always has been and will continue to be off by default, meaning Snapchat users always have to opt in to share their location with their Snapchat friends. “Location sharing is for Friends only, there is no option for Snapchatters to share their location with whole community. Snapchatters are always in complete control over who they share their whereabouts with–for example they can opt to share with just a small handful of close friends,” the company added.
In other news, Snapchat said that it is taking measures to curb the growing problem of drug menace on its platform. These measures are aimed at curbing the “Fentanyl Epidemic”, which has become a serious issue in the United States. And messaging apps such as Snapchat are an easy way for dealers to connect with teens for the sale of these illicit drugs.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/snapchat-announces-real-time-live-location-sharing-feature-with-friends-7780094/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:53 | en | 0.967901 |
New nurse practitioners, extends hours and services added to Fairfax hospital, clinic
FAIRFAX - Fairfax Community Hospital, managed by Avem Health Partners, announced this week the addition of two new nurse practitioners as well as expanded hours and services at the Fairfax Clinic.
Rachel Veach is serving patients at the hospital while Cassi Smith is assigned to the Fairfax Clinic.
“We are fortunate to have Rachel and Cassi in the Fairfax community,” said Avem's chief medical officer Dr. Rakesh Shrivastava in a news release.
“Rachel has significant experience in tertiary care centers and in smaller hospitals that will benefit our patients at Fairfax Community Hospital. Cassi’s impressive healthcare experience in Tulsa and Ponca City will be a terrific addition to the Fairfax Clinic.
More:We must break down barriers to addiction treatment
"These new hires are passionate about serving rural communities and will be tremendous resources for our nurses, staff and patients.”
Veach joins the Fairfax Community Hospital team with 11 years of hospitalist experience and is board certified in geriatrics and hospital medicine, the release said. She graduated in 2008 from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and her focus is on preventative care while providing a holistic care and palliative approach. She will work alongside longtime, nurse practitioner Scarlett Virden.
Smith previously worked in healthcare services in Tulsa and at an emergency department facility in Ponca City. She is a member of the Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She will join Theresa Flowerette, a well-known community leader and nurse practitioner, who previously worked at the Pawhuska Hospital and other family medical clinics in Bartlesville.
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Fairfax Clinic has also expanded its business hours and services available to residents in and around Osage County. Services include diabetes management, cholesterol screening, hypertension treatment, annual wellness exams, sports physicals, chronic disease management, acute illness treatment, annual well woman exams, well-child checks, in-house laboratory testing, minor laceration repairs and more.
Fairfax Clinic is accepting new patients, and patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment for an annual wellness visit. The cost of annual wellness visits is free for qualifying Medicare patients, the release said.
Clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. To make an appointment, call the clinic at 918-642-8827. | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/news/2022/02/18/fairfax-hospital-clinic-adds-new-nurse-practitioners/6821375001/ | 2022-02-18T18:14:56 | en | 0.960191 |
FTSE 100 records biggest weekly fall in 3 months on high inflation, Ukraine risks
UK's FTSE 100 fell on Friday as weakness in healthcare stocks and simmering Russia-Ukraine tensions offset optimism around better-than-expected January retail sales data, while the benchmark stock index recorded its biggest weekly drop in three months. The blue-chip FTSE 100 ended 0.3% lower with healthcare stocks down 1.2% and oil majors Shell and BP down 0.6% and 1.6%, respectively, tracking weaker crude.
- Country:
- United Kingdom
UK's FTSE 100 fell on Friday as weakness in healthcare stocks and simmering Russia-Ukraine tensions offset optimism around better-than-expected January retail sales data, while the benchmark stock index recorded its biggest weekly drop in three months.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 ended 0.3% lower with healthcare stocks down 1.2% and oil majors Shell and BP down 0.6% and 1.6%, respectively, tracking weaker crude. Western powers warned that Russia's military build-up around Ukraine was continuing and an invasion was possible at any time, while Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said they planned to evacuate residents.
The index recorded its biggest weekly fall since November, after 30-year high inflation numbers released earlier in the week and tensions in Ukraine hit sentiment. "If we see tensions dissipate, then the FTSE will recover and do much better next week because people will start to buy back stocks that they've got rid of now that they feel more confident," said Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell.
British retail sales grew faster than expected in January, recovering about half the losses suffered in December due to the Omicron coronavirus wave. "The data we have had this week collectively looks sufficient to convince the Bank of England that the economy can cope with another interest rate rise being delivered next month," said Stuart Cole, a macroeconomist at Equiti Capital.
Defensive stocks including consumer staples were the top performers as Reckitt Benckiser Group extended gains after posting strong results on Thursday and Diageo and Imperial Brands rose nearly 1% each. GSK fell 0.8% after the drugmaker paused a late-stage trial of its vaccine candidate against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pregnant women.
Taxpayer-backed bank NatWest Group fell 2.4% after warning that rising prices would make it harder to cut overheads.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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British energy bills to jump 54% in blow to cash-strapped consumers | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928249-ftse-100-records-biggest-weekly-fall-in-3-months-on-high-inflation-ukraine-risks | 2022-02-18T18:14:59 | en | 0.955715 |
Former Punjab Health Minister and Congress leader, Balbir Singh Sidhu, held a roadshow on Friday, during which he harped on his ‘personal connect’ with the people of Mohali and also termed himself as the ‘sevadaar’ of people.
On Friday, during the roadshow, Sidhu was joined by All India Congress Committee state in-charge, Harish Chaudhary, for his roadshow.
Sidhu’s roadshow on Friday started from Phase 11 and concluded at Phase 6 after making its way through phases 10, 9, 8, 7, 3B2, 5 and 1.
Underlining his various development works, which he started in Mohali in the past years, Sidhu on Friday rooted for a fourth term in office for the upcoming Assembly polls which is scheduled on February 20.
Claiming a direct connection with the people in Mohali, Sidhu said, “I am not the leader of the Mohali people; I am their ‘sevadaar’. To me serving the people gives immense joy and happiness. For the past many years, including my three terms as MLA, I have been doing this and will keep on doing this,” Sidhu said.
Exhorting the public to support him, Sidhu said, “This time there is a stronger wave than last time for the Congress. A lot of enthusiasm is being shown by the people and Congress is going to form the government in Punjab by securing a landslide victory.”
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/elections/balbir-singh-sidhu-mohali-congress-punjab-election-7780509/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:00 | en | 0.985012 |
'Fun Piano's' night rakes in support for PTI
The Frank Phillips Club was excited to present an over-sized $16,364.30 check to the Paths to Independence (PTI) school on Tuesday.
The donation was the result of the club's "Fun Piano's" fundraising event held last month to support the state's only accredited pre-kindergarten to 12th grade school that serves children and adults with autism.
Cooper & Mill Brewing Company shared its facility, staff and tip jars to help support the event which drew more than 150 people for a night of dueling pianos entertainment.
"It was a really nice turnout, the place was packed," said club board member Luke Palmer. "We sold out (tables) really really quick."
With a fundraising goal of $5,000, the club exceeded its expectations after hiring the Fun Piano's show to entertain. Palmer said the players were go good they asked they to stay longer than their allotted time.
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PTI executive director Clair Bartley and board president Jean Jensen started PTI in 2012, located in the former Will Rogers School building on East Frank Phillips.
The funds will help meet the challenge of PTI's $726,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation that will help support PTI's $5.75 million capital campaign to break ground on a new cafeteria/kitchen facility and other building upgrades including a new entrance, classroom equipment, learning laboratory, playgrounds and more.
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The Frank Phillips Club was founded originally as a men's club in 1938. Today, it is open to men, women and their spouses who work at Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Phillips, Arvest, Truity or the Frank Phillips Foundation. Club night is typically the second Thursday of every month.
Palmer said the club contributes to multiple charities a year and hopes to build on their fundraising success. | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/news/2022/02/18/frank-phillips-club-fun-pianos-night-rakes-support-pti/6821501001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:02 | en | 0.967157 |
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that the government has taken the matter of alleged support to the AAP by banned separatist group Sikh for Justice seriously and asserted that no one will be allowed to play with India’s unity and integrity.
Shah also said it is highly condemnable that to grab power some people go to the extent of joining hands with the separatists and also go to the limits of breaking Punjab and the country. His assurance came in reply to a letter written by Channi claiming that he had received a letter by Sikh for Justice (SFJ) which shows that the group is in constant touch with the AAP.
Channi claimed that in the SFJ letter it was mentioned that it had given its support to AAP in the assembly elections in Punjab in 2017 and similarly in these polls too.
The SFJ has exhorted the electorate to vote for AAP, Channi claimed. Polling for the Punjab assembly elections will be held on February 20. “I want to assure you that no one will be allowed to play with the unity and integrity of the country. The government of India has taken the matter very seriously and I myself will look into the matter deeply,” Shah said.
He said the issue of a political party having relations and getting support from a terrorist and banned organisation is a serious matter with regard to the unity and integrity of the country. Shah said the agenda of such forces is no different from the agenda of country’s enemies.
“This is highly condemnable that to grab power such people go to the extent of joining hands with the separatists and also go to the limits of breaking Punjab and the country,” he said.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. | https://indianexpress.com/elections/will-seriously-look-into-allegations-of-sikh-for-justice-having-relations-with-aap-shah-assures-channi-7780495/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:06 | en | 0.983524 |
Union minister writes to Telangana CM on setting up Global Centre of Traditional Medicine
- Country:
- India
Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy has urged Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to resolve the pending issues for setting up a proposed 'Global Centre of Traditional Medicine' in Hyderabad.
In a letter to Rao, the Union minister said it is his strong belief that the setting up of a Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in Hyderabad will benefit the city and the state.
''Therefore, I request you to resolve the pending issues related to the identification of land and identify a suitable parcel of land so that the Global Centre can be set up at the earliest,'' he said in the letter.
The letter, dated February 16, was released to the media on Friday.
In November 2020, on the occasion of World Ayurveda Day, the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), announced the setting up of the Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India, Reddy said.
The Ministry of AYUSH is considering Hyderabad as the city-based scientific research institutions such as CCMB, DRDO, NIN and IICT would further complement an approach towards holistic integrative medicine, he said.
To this effect, the Telangana government has been communicated for its inputs on the extent of support for setting up of the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in Hyderabad, he recalled, requesting the CM to look into the pending issues.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928253-union-minister-writes-to-telangana-cm-on-setting-up-global-centre-of-traditional-medicine | 2022-02-18T18:15:06 | en | 0.951311 |
STATE-LY HOPES: Bartlesville High swimmers invade Edmond for Class 6A finals
Edmond certainly isn’t heaven.
But, the Edmond Public Schools Aquatic Center will be paradise this weekend for the state’s best Class 6A and 5A swimmers.
The center will be the site of the 2022 OSSAA state championship meets — the opportunity for pool warriors to prove themselves against their elite peers.
Bartlesville High will be amply represented — especially on the girls’ side.
Thirteen Lady Bruins will be intermingled in the field, with a representative in every event. A dozen of the Bartlesville girls qualified for individual events. The 13thdot will see relay competition.
On the boys side, the Bruins will enter six swimmers — five in individual events and one as a relay specialist.
TUPATALK:Kudos to a sports program that has continued its chase for excellence
This will be the eighth OSSAA state championship meet for Bartlesville swim coach Chad Englehart. He has guided the program to six state titles — five by the girls (2015-19) and one by the boys (2018).
The Lady Bruins are back in the state championship conversation this season, although the top is crowded with other exceptional teams.
On the boys’ side, a romp to a championship is almost mathematically impossible due to the Bruins’ small number of participants.
But, Englehart is still looking for the Bruins to carve out plenty of glory this weekend.
“We’ll have a difficult time to score a great deal of team points,” Englehart explained. “But, I think we’ll make a lot of noise individually.”
Bruin sophomore water-ripper Griffin Craig is seeded No. 1 in the 100 backstroke and No. 2 in t he 200 individual medley.
Freshman dynamo Luke Olsen is seeded No. 5 in the 50 freestyle and No. 7 in the 100 freestyle.
Other Bruins with top 10 seeding in individual events are sophomore Cody Lay (400 freestyle, No. 10), and junior Jarrett Moore (100 butterfly, No. 9).
Bartlesville also is seeded No. 7 in the 200 medley relay, No. 8 in the 400 freestyle relay and No. 13 in the 200 freestyle relay.
Kale Bottorff will accompany the Bruins as an alternate.
Girls
The Lady Bruins’ hopes are spearheaded by senior Aidan Howze, who is seeded No. 1 in both 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.
Sophomore Lily Talbot, last year’s state meet star for the Lady Bruins, owns the No. 5 seed in the 200 individual medley and No. 7 in the 100 butterfly.
Sophomore Emma Howze has a major chance to contribute as she goes in seeded in the top eight in two events — the 200 freestyle (No. 8) and the 100 freestyle (No. 7).
Senior Amanda LaFrancois earned the No. 5 seed in the 500 freestyle and No. 10 seed in the 200 freestyle.
Senior Morgan Moore is seeded No. 6 in the 100 butterfly; sophomore Julie Vilardo is seeded No. 6 in the 500 freestyle.
READY FOR A STATE-MENT:Bartlesville High swimmers rev up to invade Class 6A state meet
Freshman Addison Williams is seeded No. 10 in the 100 butterfly.
Bartlesville also is seeded No. 3 in the 200 medley relay, No. 3 in the 400 freestyle relay and No. 8 in the 200 freestyle relay.
He’s also bringing Cara Moore as an alternate.
Mindset
“We’ve got a good group going,” Englehart summarized. “They were in pretty good spirits tonight (Wednesday). … The biggest thing for us to get on the block, have a big smile, let it loose and give our best effort.”
The swimmers shouldn’t view the competition as a hotbed of expectations but rather a promising zone of opportunity, he said.
“There’s a difference between being excited and anxious,” Englehart said. “We’re just trying to see that it’s an opportunity.”
As far as coaching at state, “you’ve got a new cast of characters every year,” Englehart said. “There are always new challenges and wrinkles in the game plan. It’s never quite the same but yet it can be very similar.”
Following are the Bartlesville state qualifiers. Their seeding is in parentheses. The relay lineups might be different than from the regional, Englehart said.
GIRLS
• Gabrielle Burke (fr.)
100 breast (17)
• Annabelle Droege (fr.)
200 individual medley (15)
100 fly (15)
• Aidan Howze (sr.)
200 medley relay (3)
200 individual medley (1)
100 breast (1)
400 free relay (3)
• Emma Howze (soph.)
200 medley relay (3)
200 free (8)
100 free (7)
400 free relay (3)
• Amanda LaFrancois (sr.)
200 free (10)
500 free (5)
200 free relay (8)
400 free relay (3)
• Morgan Moore (sr.)
200 medley relay (3)
50 free (11)
100 fly (6)
200 free relay (8)
• Regan Patzkowski (soph.)
200 free (12)
500 free (12)
200 free relay (8)
400 free relay (3)
• Calli Richards (fr.)
200 individual medley (12)
100 breast (19)
• Erin Roper (fr.)
500 free (13)
100 back (17)
• Katie Shoesmith (sr.)
200 medley relay (3)
100 free (21)
200 free relay (8)
• Lily Talbot (soph.)
200 individual medley (5)
100 butterfly (7)
• Julie Vilardo (soph.)
200 free (15)
500 free (6)
• Addison Williams (fr.)
100 fly (10)
100 breast (18)
BOYS
• Griffin Craig (soph.)
200 medley relay (7)
200 individual medley (2)
100 back (1)
400 free relay (8)
• Om Ghonasgi (jr.)
200 medley relay (7)
200 free relay (13)
• Cody Lay (soph.)
200 free (13)
500 free (10)
200 free relay (13)
400 free relay (8)
• Jarrett Moore (jr.)
200 medley relay (7)
200 free (16)
100 fly (9)
200 free relay (13)
• Luke Olsen (fr.)
50 free (5)
100 free (7)
200 free relay (13)
400 free relay (8)
• Ethan Peterson (fr.)
200 medley relay (7)
100 breast (18)
400 free relay (8) | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/sports/local/2022/02/18/bartlesville-hs-swimming-hashigh-headed-state-meet/6824712001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:08 | en | 0.863331 |
DSR SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Hornet hoopster enjoys competition, being part of band of friends
“Go big or go home.”
Copan High senior Correll Record has tried to apply his mom’s encouraging counsel to his pursuits in athletics and his young life.
Record is an explosive football talent and considering playing a spring sport.
But, he shines the brightest on the basketball court — especially through his remarkable talent as a scorer and playmaker.
Record has a 43-point game at Copan to his credit and is a bursting reason why the Hornets have won 12 games so far this season.
“It’s uncanny what he does in a game,” long-time Copan head coach Kevin Foreman said. “We’ll get him in the high post and I’ll tell him to try to get to the rim. He’s going one-on-three and he slithers through these little cracks and gets untouched to the rim.
He also passes to teammates for easy shots. This is stuff you can’t practice on. It’s instinctual.”
TUPATALK:Sports heroes of youth still loom large
Record has honed his natural basketball gifts since taking up the game in second grade in a Bartlesville league.
But, Record doesn’t take his talent for granted — he’s put in too much sweat and time to credit it merely natural gifts and athleticism.
“I feel like I’ve always been a talented scorer,” he said. “But, I would say its due mostly to my dedication to the game. You just can’t wake up and be a scorer. I feel like I’ve worked for it. … I take what they (opposing defenses) give to me and go score or when I hit other people. I draw so much attention it helps to make the other people better.”
“He’s been such a joy to have this year as a player,” Foreman said. “I wish I had more like him. I’ve been blessed to have good players. … Correll is right there with all those good kids I’ve had.”
Beyond the excitement and rewards of competition, Record feels grateful to share the basketball experience with his teammates.
“I enjoy the competition,” he explained. “I like playing against good people. … I love the adrenaline rush. … I like to work every day with a group of friends and the coaching. I really enjoy playing with a good friend in Tyrek (Millien), and with Chandler (Bauman) and Zack (Sharp).”
Record’s favorite memory so far this basketball season has been the stunning upset of Wesleyan Christian School (18-3), 66-63, back on Dec. 14. Record racked up 23 points (second to Millien with 26) and Copan sank 11 three-pointers — including Record’s buzzer-beating halfcourt shot at halftime to put Copan ahead, 34-28.
“We just wanted to get the job done,” Record said about Copan’s mindset going into that game. “We wanted to play good defense against them and we did.”
MoOklahoma Wesleyan weekend:Basketball teams home Saturday; baseball, softball on road; tennis opens
Record also excelled on the football field last fall for Copan.
Despite breaking loose for hundreds of yards on offense, Record’s favorite fall recollection was “when I had three or four forced fumbles,: on the defensive said.
Record is considering to either play baseball or run track this spring.
But, life isn’t quite as smooth as Record’s slicing drives to the bucket, according to Foreman.
“He has two jobs, but he never misses work,” the coach explained. “He never misses practice. He never misses school. He’s trying to help himself. … He’s a special kind of player and a special kind of person.”
The looming question mark in terms of Record’s future is whether he’ll transfer his talents and potential to the college level.
“I’m still thinking about it,” he said. “I have no decisions yet.”
Foreman said he’s communicating with Record about possible college options, but that the school would have to be the right fit for Record’s journey.
As he nears the end of his Copan High days, Record feels special gratitude toward his mother.
“I enjoy every time my mom comes to my games,” he said. “She’s the one that got me started doing what I do.>
He also saluted the impact of sports on his life.
“They make me feel better as a person,” he said. “It makes my happy doing something positive.”
Perhaps no one in Record’s circle of friends and mentors feels sadder than Foreman about his final months at Copan.
“I am going to miss him,” Foreman said. “He’s such a joy to be around. He’s one of the reasons you like to go into coaching and have good kids. … I’ve been blessed to have him as a player.” | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/sports/local/2022/02/18/copan-high-school-basketball-player-correll-record/6824046001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:14 | en | 0.977853 |
Jose Cuervo's parent firm Becle eyes price hikes as tequila demand grows
Mexican distiller Becle , parent company of the Jose Cuervo tequila brand, expects to raise prices in 2022 as both demand and costs rise throughout the year, Chief Executive Officer Juan Domingo Beckmann said in a call with investors on Friday.
Mexican distiller Becle , parent company of the Jose Cuervo tequila brand, expects to raise prices in 2022 as both demand and costs rise throughout the year, Chief Executive Officer Juan Domingo Beckmann said in a call with investors on Friday. "Looking into 2022, we will be seeking to mitigate the cost pressures for the global supply chain situation by way of increasing price across our markets and our portfolio," said Beckmann, whose family owns the company.
Executives said the company, which reported a 72% jump in net profit on Thursday, is expecting "mid-single-digit" growth in sales this year, backed by more investment. The distiller will invest around $250 million in capital expenditures and more advertising in 2022, Chief Financial Officer Fernando Suarez said.
Beckmann added the company will launch several new lines this year, adding to more than 30 brands in the Becle portfolio. Executives predicted growth across various regions, but particularly in the United States.
"The tequila category is the fastest-growing spirit category in the (United States), so we believe that it's feasible that we continue to grow," said Luis Fernando Felix, head of Proximo Spirits Inc, Becle's U.S. subsidiary that manages Jose Cuervo distribution. Shares in Becle were up around 4.6% following the call.
($1 = 20.5075 pesos at end-December)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Macron announces further plans by France and United States to protect environment | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928260-jose-cuervos-parent-firm-becle-eyes-price-hikes-as-tequila-demand-grows | 2022-02-18T18:15:14 | en | 0.948118 |
EAGLE POWER: OKWU basketball teams drop Southwestern; Bostwick gets 250th 'W' with team
Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s men’s basketball team did some serious bench pressing Wednesday night.
The Eagles’ second rotation poured in 53 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead the effort in a 75-66 road win at Southwestern (Kan.) College, in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) action.
With the victory, eight-year Eagle head coach Donnie Bostwick reached his 250th career win at OKWU.
Lense Ramey sprang off the pine to pour in a career-high 28 points — including a phenomenal 8-of-11 shooting from behind the three-point line — to boost the effort.
The OKWU Lady Eagles zapped the Southwestern ladies, 64-39.
Six different Lady Eagles scored seven-or-more points, led by Antonia Porter with 10.
Next up, OKWU plays host Saturday to Sterling (Kan.) in the regular season finales. The Lady Eagles take the court at 2 p.m., followed by the men’s contest at 4 p.m.
Following are summaries of Wednesday’s games.
—-
Women: OKWU 64, Southwestern 39
The Lady Eagles played defense extraordinaire.
Southwestern’s point total stood at 24 points through three quarters.
The Lady Eagle offense, meanwhile, propelled the lead to 30-15 at halftime and 46-24 after three quarters.
Sydnee Schovanec, Brittan Garrett and TyNajah Mitchell each scored eight points for OKWU, followed by Melanie Williams and Zariah Tillman with seven apiece.
Mitchell and Williams also seized five rebounds each.
MaKayla Watkins spooned out three assists and made two steals to help fuel the OKWU attack; ShaRae Frazier tallied four points, four rebounds and two steals.
Grace Hadley coaches the Lady Eagles, who recorded their second-straight win to improve to 15-14 overall and 13-10 in the KCAC.
Southwestern fell to 1-28, 0-23.
—-
Men: OKWU 75, Southwestern 66
Beating Southwestern has not been an automatic feat for Bostwick’s Eagle teams.
In fact Southwestern had won the previous five meetings. Even with Tuesday’s win, Bostwick still has a losing record against Southwestern (seven wins to six).
By comparison, Bostwick’s Eagle program has dominated other KCAC foes — York (Neb.), 17-0; McPherson (Kan.), 14-0; Tabor (Kan.), 9-1; Friends, 16-3; Sterling (Kan.), 9-1; St. Mary (Kan.), 7-1; Kansas Wesleyan, 9-2; and so on.
OKWU improved to 27-2 overall and 21-2 in the KCAC with Wednesday’s win.
In addition to Ramey’s offensive firestorm, Kaleb Stokes added 11 points, including 2 treys and four rebounds.
Taylen Miller, another reserve, amassed nine points and six assists.
Derrick Talton Jr. and Jaden Lietzke led the Eagle starters with eight points apiece. Lietzke hauled down five boards. Valentin Van Putten came up scoreless but seized eight rebounds and handed out two assists.
The Eagle defense stepped up to the task — Southwestern (23-6, 17-6) shot only 39 percent from the field.
Ramey nailed two free throws within a 33-second span late in the game to push the Eagles’ lead to 12 points, 71-59.
Southwestern didn’t recover the rest of the way, getting no closer than six points. | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/sports/local/2022/02/18/okwu-hoops-lady-eagles-win-2nd-straight-kcac-game-eagles-go-21-2/6824397001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:20 | en | 0.931017 |
Centre notifies guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Friday, has notified the guidelines on extended producers responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
- Country:
- India
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Friday, has notified the guidelines on extended producers responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. As per the ministry, the guidelines on extended producer responsibility coupled with the prohibition of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from 1st July 2022, are important steps for reducing pollution caused due to littered plastic waste in the country.
In a tweet message, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav informing about the development stated that guidelines will promote the development of new alternatives to plastics and provide a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging. The guidelines provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote the development of new alternatives to plastics and provide further next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses.
The EPR guidelines will give a boost for formalization and further development of the plastic waste management sector. In a significant first, the guidelines allow for the sale and purchase of surplus extended producer responsibility certificates, thus setting up a market mechanism for plastic waste management.
The implementation of EPR will be done through a customized online platform which will act as the digital backbone of the system. The online platform will allow tracking and monitoring of EPR obligations and will reduce the compliance burden for companies through online registration and filing of annual returns. In order to ensure monitoring on fulfillment of EPR obligations, the guidelines have prescribed a system of verification and audit of enterprises. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928266-centre-notifies-guidelines-on-extended-producers-responsibility-on-plastic-packaging-under-plastic-waste-management-rules-2016 | 2022-02-18T18:15:23 | en | 0.915389 |
Bartlesville-area TV sports
Friday, Feb. 18
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 5 a.m., USA
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 11 a.m., USA
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 1 p.m., NBC
NASCAR: Truck racing qualifying, 2 p.m., FS1
NFL: NFL Live, 3 p.m., ESPN
NASCAR: Dinner 300, Xfinity, 3:30 p.m., FS1
BOXING: Max on Boxing, 4 p.m., ESPN2
NASCAR: Daytona 500 practice, 4:30 p.m., FS1
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 5 p.m., USA
NBA: All-Star Celebrity Game, 6 p.m., ESPN
NASCAR: Truck Racing 250, 6:30 p.m., FS1
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 7 p.m., NBC
NHL: Dallas vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m., BALLY SW
RACING: NHRA, 9 p.m., FS1
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 10:35 p.m., NBC
—-
Saturday, Feb. 19
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 5 a.m., USA
SOCCER: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace, 9 a.m., USA
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: TCU at Baylor, 11 a.m., ESPN2
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 11 a.m., USA
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Illinois at Michigan St., 11 a.m., ESPN
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Texas Tech at Texas, 11:30 a.m., ABC
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Alabama at Kentucky, noon, CBS
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Auburn at Florida, 1 p.m., ESPN
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Kansas St. at Oklahoma St., 1 p.m., ESPNU
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 1:30 p.m., NBC
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Tennessee at Arkansas, 3 p.m., ESPN
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: North Carolina at Va. Tech, 3 p.m., ESPN2
NASCAR: Dinner 300, Xfinity Series, 4 p.m., FS1
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Georgetown at Villanova, 4 p.m., FOX
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Florida State at Duke, 5 p.m., ESPN
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 5 p.m., USA
NCAA GYMNASTICS: Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, 6 p.m., BALLY SW
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Kansas at W. Virginia, 7 p.m., ESPN
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 7 p.m., NBC
NCAA HOOPS: Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest, 8 p.m., BALLY SW
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Oregon at Arizona, 9 p.m., ESPN
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Washington at UCLA, 9 p.m., FS1
NCAA MEN’S HOOPS: Colorado at Stanford, 9 p.m., ESPNU
WINTER OLYMPICS: Beijing Games, 10:35 p.m., NBC | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/sports/local/2022/02/18/televised-athletic-events/6823050001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:26 | en | 0.657796 |
Tunisian president extends state of emergency until end of 2022
- Country:
- Tunisia
President Kais Saied on Friday extended Tunisia's state of emergency until Dec. 31 of this year, the official gazette said.
The North African country has been under a state of emergency since 2015 after an attack in which several presidential guards were killed.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- North African
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Tunisian president dissolves supreme judicial council | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928278-tunisian-president-extends-state-of-emergency-until-end-of-2022 | 2022-02-18T18:15:30 | en | 0.957345 |
QUEST FOR WCS IN STATE TEST: Three Wesleyan Christian swimmers take aim on Class 5A meet
Wesleyan Christian School is the little school with the big bite when it comes to individual sports this school year.
At the Class 2A state cross country meet last autumn, two Lady Mustangs charged into the top 10 (6th and 7th) in a field of runners from much bigger schools.
The WCS boys’ runners came in 12th as a team out of 20 schools — despite a heavy reliance on underclassmen (four freshmen, two sophomores).
Fast forward to WCS’ superb effort in swimming competition — a success that could translate into some Class 5A state meet medals this weekend at the Edmond Public Schools Aquatic Center.
A trio of pool warriors will be representing WCS, each of which could advance to the ‘A’ Finals and contend for a medal.
Freshman Sam Conrad is seeded No. 3 in two boys’ events — the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly.
Freshman Zane Deal is seeded No. 5 in the boys’ 500 freestyle and No. 7 in the boys’ 200 freestyle.
On the girls’ side, freshman Abby Wells is seeded No. 8 in two races — the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly.
WCS swimmers competed this season in Bartlesville High home meets. | https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/sports/local/2022/02/18/wesleyan-christian-sends-pool-warriors-state/6828999001/ | 2022-02-18T18:15:32 | en | 0.940916 |
WRAPUP 7-Rebels evacuate residents from east Ukraine; West says Russia creates pretext for war
Russian-backed separatists packed civilians onto buses out of breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine on Friday, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use as justification for all-out invasion of its neighbour. Warning sirens blared in Donetsk after it and the other self-proclaimed region, Luhansk, announced an evacuation to Russia, with women, children and the elderly going first.
- Country:
- Russian Federation
Russian-backed separatists packed civilians onto buses out of breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine on Friday, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use as justification for all-out invasion of its neighbour.
Warning sirens blared in Donetsk after it and the other self-proclaimed region, Luhansk, announced an evacuation to Russia, with women, children and the elderly going first. Hours later, a Russian UAZ jeep exploded outside the rebel government building in the city of Donetsk, capital of the region by the same name. Reuters journalists saw the vehicle surrounded by shrapnel, a wheel tossed away by the blast.
Most of the several million civilians in the two rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine are Russian speakers, with many already granted citizenship by Moscow. Within hours of the surprise announcement, families assembled at an evacuation point in Donetsk to board buses for Russia. One weeping woman embraced her teenage children.
Irina Lysanova, 22, just back from a trip to Russia, said she was packing to return with her pensioner mother: "Mama is a panicker," she said. "Dad is sending us away." Her father, Konstantin, 62, was not going.
"This is my motherland and the land is ours. I will stay and put out the fires," he said. The evacuation came after the simmering eastern Ukraine conflict zone saw what some sources described as the most intense artillery bombardment for years on Friday.
Ukraine's government and the separatists traded blame. Western countries have said they think the shelling, which began on Thursday and intensified in its second day, is part of a pretext created by Russian President Vladimir Putin's government to justify an invasion of Ukraine.
'MOST SIGNIFICANT MOBILISATION SINCE WW2' With global markets anxious and Europe engulfed in a diplomatic crisis, Russia said this week it had started withdrawing troops from the border near Ukraine.
But the United States said it had instead done the opposite: ramping up the force menacing its neighbour to between 169,000 and 190,000 troops, from 100,000 at the end of January. Western countries fear a conflict on a scale unseen in Europe at least since the Yugoslav and Chechen wars of the 1990s, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and sent millions to flight.
Ukraine is the second biggest country in Europe by area after Russia, and home to 40 million people. "This is the most significant military mobilisation in Europe since the Second World War," U.S. ambassador Michael Carpenter told a meeting at the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Ukraine said Russia was planning staged attacks, including a faked video of a raid on a chemical plant, and falsely accusing it of provocations in the separatist areas. "Ukrainian forces are not planning any offensive operations, and will not use weapons if this might threaten peaceful civilians," the Ukrainian military said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Munich Security Conference that rather than a Russian pullback, "on the contrary, we see additional forces going to the border including leading edge forces that would be part of any aggression." 'SHOOTING EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING'
A diplomatic source with years of direct experience of the conflict described Friday's shelling in east Ukraine as the most intense since major combat there ended with a 2015 ceasefire. "They are shooting - everyone and everything," said the source.
The evacuation piled further pressure on Russia's rouble currency and other assets, with investors unnerved by the prospect of war. The West has threatened tighter economic sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. Putin, whose nation has already been under sanctions since 2014, told a news conference in Moscow that Western countries would probably find a reason to impose more whatever Russia does anyway.
Russia is making a set of security demands, including a promise to bar Ukraine from ever joining the U.S.-European military alliance NATO, which the West says is any country's sovereign right. On Thursday, Russia sent a strongly-worded letter to Washington threatening unspecified "military-technical measures". As Russia shows off its military capacity on several fronts, Putin was to personally supervise exercises of its strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday, though it said these drills were no cause for alarm.
The Kremlin also has tens of thousands of troops staging exercises in Belarus, north of Ukraine. The drills are due to end on Sunday and Moscow has said the troops would go back to Russia at some point after. The Russian-backed leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, met Putin on Friday, suggesting beforehand that the soldiers may remain. "The armed forces will stay as long as needed," he was quoted as saying by the state BelTa news agency.
Putin ordered his emergencies minister to the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border to begin housing evacuees from the separatist regions.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Erdogan says Turkey will not respect Council of Europe | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928280-wrapup-7-rebels-evacuate-residents-from-east-ukraine-west-says-russia-creates-pretext-for-war | 2022-02-18T18:15:37 | en | 0.962897 |
Ahead of Phase 3 UP Assembly polls, potato farmers say falling prices, stray cattle menace, hikes in electricity bills continue to vex
Ahead of the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which will cover majorly cover the state's potato farming belt, potato farmers have raised their pressing issues including falling prices, stray cattle menace and high electricity bills.
- Country:
- India
Ahead of the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which will cover majorly cover the state's potato farming belt, potato farmers have raised their pressing issues including falling prices, stray cattle menace and high electricity bills. The potato farming areas comprise 16 districts in the state. More than 32 segments of the potato farming areas are the part of potato belt of Uttar Pradesh in the 59 assembly seats, that are going to polls in the third phase.
In India, Uttar Pradesh leads in producing potatoes with an average annual production of over 150 lakh tonnes followed by West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. There are altogether more than two dozen varieties of potatoes. However here Pokhraj is the most common and weighted potato.
Among superior quality of potatoes Chipsona sugar-free rules. Chipsona sugar-free potatoes are kept in cold storage for a particular time period to make them sugar-free. This time with the arrival of new cash crops in the market, the rates have started plummeting to a worrying low for the farmers.
According to the monthly report of the horticulture statistics division, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' welfare in June 2020, the average wholesale price of potato per quintal in Uttar Pradesh was Rs 1524.41 and the market arrivals (in tonnes) were 279270.00. Farmers that ANI spoke with from villages namely Dhilawal, said that they are getting Rs 300 to 400 per 'katta' (gunny bag) whose actual cost should be at least Rs 700.
Musaraff Siddiqui, a farmer who owns eight bighas of farming land at Bijadharpur said, "We are not getting the proper price for potatoes. The price should be at least Rs 1,500 to 1,600 per quintal. However, now it's Rs 700 to 800 per quintal. Our demand is that the potato price per katta should be Rs 700." Meanwhile, he expressed satisfaction at the rates of maize.
"The cost of maize per quintal was Rs 1,700 to Rs 1800 which is fine," he said. On an average, a labourer, who picks potatoes gets Rs 300 per day and picks up 15 to 16 kattas.
Another farmer named Kallu aged 55 said, "Electricity bills have increased like anything. We here are worried about the stray cattle that eats away potatoes and wheat. We stay awake even at night to guard our crops." In 2017 Assembly poll, BJP bagged a major 49 seats whereas Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress got eight and one each respectively.
SP Mahan Dal alliance leader Suman Morya, BJP's Sunil Dutta, who is also the sitting MLA, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid's wife Louise Khurshid and Vijay Katiwar from BSP are fighting from Farukkabad Sadar seat. Two phases of the seven phased polling for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly have been completed. The third phase of the elections are scheduled for February 20.
The 16 districts which will go to polls in the third phase of Assembly elections are Jhansi, Kanpur Dehat, Kannauj, Auriyya, Etah, Etawah, Farukkhabad, Firozabad, Hamirpur, Hathras, Jalaun, Kanpur Nagar, Kasganj, Lalitpur, Mahoba and Mainpuri. 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/1928283-ahead-of-phase-3-up-assembly-polls-potato-farmers-say-falling-prices-stray-cattle-menace-hikes-in-electricity-bills-continue-to-vex | 2022-02-18T18:15:45 | en | 0.948596 |
Put behind bars those who try to violate court's interim order whether it is Kesari or Hijab: Pralhad Joshi
Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday urged the Karnataka government to arrest those people who violate the court's interim order "whether it is Kesari or Hijab".
- Country:
- India
Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday urged the Karnataka government to arrest those people who violate the court's interim order "whether it is Kesari or Hijab". Speaking to ANI in Hubli, the Union Minister said, "Put those behind bars who try to violate court interim order- whether it is Kesari or Hijab."
"Some persons with ill-intention not allowing the hijab row to end. Not following the court order is too much and it cannot be tolerated," Joshi added. "The Bommai government tried to pacify the people initially. Now the time is over. If any outsider is found outside the education creating trouble, will be put behind bars," said the minister.
Reacting to Congress' overnight protest inside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, demanding the resignation of Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa over his controversial comment about replacing the national flag with a saffron one, Joshi said, "Staging protest is the only work for the Congress now. Eshwarappa made his stand very clear." "There are several problems and the Opposition has the opportunity in the Session to give constructive suggestions in this regard. But, they are protesting over a non-issue just for their vote bank politics," he added.
Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy, the Karnataka government on Friday submitted before the Karnataka High Court that Hijab is not an essential religious practice of the Muslim faith and preventing it does not violate the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. A bench of the three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi was hearing the various petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in educational institutes in the state.
Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for the Karnataka government, said that the state has taken the stand that Hijab does not come under the essential religious practice of Islam. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928292-put-behind-bars-those-who-try-to-violate-courts-interim-order-whether-it-is-kesari-or-hijab-pralhad-joshi | 2022-02-18T18:15:53 | en | 0.948158 |
Govt approves Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan scheme to continue till March 31, 2026
The government has approved the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for continuation till March 31, 2026, or till further review, whichever is earlier, informed by the Ministry of Education on Friday.
- Country:
- India
The government has approved the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for continuation till March 31, 2026, or till further review, whichever is earlier, informed by the Ministry of Education on Friday. The proposal entails an expenditure of Rs. 12929.16 crore out of which the central share is Rs. 8120.97 crores and the state share is of Rs. 4808.19 crores. It has been envisaged to support around 1600 projects under the new phase of the scheme.
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) is an overarching scheme, operating in mission mode for funding the state government universities and colleges to achieve the aims of equity, access, and excellence. The new phase of RUSA targets to reach out to the unserved, underserved areas; remote/ rural areas; difficult geographies; LWE areas; NER; aspirational districts, tier-2 cities, areas with low GER, etc., and to benefit the most disadvantaged areas and SEDGs.
The new phase of the scheme has been designed to implement some of the recommendations and aims of the New Education Policy, which suggests some key changes to the current higher education system to revamp and re-energize it and thereby deliver quality higher education, with equity and inclusion. Under the new phase of the scheme, state governments will be supported for Gender inclusion, Equity Initiatives, ICT, Enhancing employability through vocationalisation and skill upgradation. States will also be supported for the creation of new Model Degree Colleges.
The state universities will be supported for Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research. Grants will be provided for strengthening both accredited and non-accredited Universities and Colleges for undertaking various activities including teaching-learning in Indian languages. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928301-govt-approves-rashtriya-uchchatar-shiksha-abhiyan-scheme-to-continue-till-march-31-2026 | 2022-02-18T18:16:00 | en | 0.933172 |
Any EU sanctions on Russia should not hit energy -Draghi
- Country:
- Italy
Any eventual sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union should not include energy imports, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Friday.
Draghi told reporters that the European Union was studying various sanctions options if Russia pushes ahead with a feared invasion of Ukraine.
Although Draghi said it was important to avoid sanctions on the energy sector, he added that the government was looking into other possible gas supplies should imports from Russia be hit due to any conflict.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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- Mario Draghi
- Ukraine
- European Union
- Italian
- Draghi
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Erdogan visits Ukraine hoping to play mediator with Russia | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928305-any-eu-sanctions-on-russia-should-not-hit-energy--draghi | 2022-02-18T18:16:08 | en | 0.939476 |
Peru oil spill affected area the size of Paris, Repsol says
The spill of over 10,000 barrels of oil in January is one of the largest environmental disasters to affect Peru and its Pacific coast biodiversity, including environmentally protected islands. While the company says it is close to cleaning up the ocean, it also acknowledged in a press conference on Friday that it will have to monitor environmental conditions for several months ahead, although it downplayed any negative effects.
- Country:
- Peru
An executive of Spain's Repsol SA said on Friday a large oil spill off the coast of Peru's capital Lima affected an area of 106 square kilometers, the size of the French capital Paris or almost twice the size of Manhattan. The spill of over 10,000 barrels of oil in January is one of the largest environmental disasters to affect Peru and its Pacific coast biodiversity, including environmentally protected islands.
While the company says it is close to cleaning up the ocean, it also acknowledged in a press conference on Friday that it will have to monitor environmental conditions for several months ahead, although it downplayed any negative effects. "The models we are seeing indicate that the (environmental) effects should be limited," said Jaime Fernandez-Cuesta, Repsol's CEO in Peru. "This I'm saying with a lot of caution."
The incident took place on Jan. 15 as oil was being discharged onto Repsol's La Pampilla refinery, Peru's largest. Repsol first blamed the eruption of a volcano in Tonga for causing abnormal waves that triggered the spill. Then it said the oil tanker had shifted positions abnormally during the discharge, allegations the tanker company denies.
Prosecutors are also investigating the incident and have banned Fernández-Cuesta and three other executives from leaving Peru for the next 18 months. Fernández-Cuesta told reporters the spill lasted only minutes, although he declined to give a specific timeframe, citing an ongoing investigation.
"The spill lasted minutes, in no case was it a larger amount of time than a few minutes," he said. Repsol has so far paid 1.5 million soles ($405,405) in fines, executives said, a number that could rise. The company has estimated the cleaning up tasks - excluding fines - will cost about $65 million. ($1 = 3.7000 soles)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Peru, short on fuel, okays temporary restart at Repsol refinery after spill | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1928320-peru-oil-spill-affected-area-the-size-of-paris-repsol-says | 2022-02-18T18:16:15 | en | 0.959606 |
Italy reports 53,662 coronavirus cases on Friday, 314 deaths
Italy reported 53,662 COVID-19 related cases on Friday, against 57,890 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of deaths fell to 314 from 320. The total number of intensive care patients fell to 987 from a previous 1,037. Some 510,283 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 538,131, the health ministry said.
- Country:
- Italy
Italy reported 53,662 COVID-19 related cases on Friday, against 57,890 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of deaths fell to 314 from 320. Italy has registered 152,596 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February 2020, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth highest in the world. The country has reported 12.4 million cases to date.
Patients in hospital with COVID-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 13,948 on Friday, down from 14,562 a day earlier. There were 52 new admissions to intensive care units, down from 71 on Thursday. The total number of intensive care patients fell to 987 from a previous 1,037.
Some 510,283 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 538,131, the health ministry said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Brazil registers 59,737 new cases of coronavirus-health ministry | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928197-italy-reports-53662-coronavirus-cases-on-friday-314-deaths | 2022-02-18T18:16:23 | en | 0.95368 |
Gujarat sees 617 COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths; 1,885 recover
- Country:
- India
Gujarat reported 617 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 12,19,699 and toll to 10,874, an official said on Friday.
The discharge of 1,885 persons during this period took the recovery count to 12,02,089, leaving the state with an active tally of 6,736, of which 53 patients are on ventilator support, he said.
A government release said 10.19 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state so far, including 1.78 lakh during the day.
Two new COVID-19 cases in adjoining Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu in the last 24 hours and the discharge of six persons took the tally to 11,407 and recovery count to 11,392.
It has left the Union Territory, which has seen four deaths so far, with 11 active cases, a local official said.
Gujarat COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,19,699 new cases 617, deaths 10,874 discharged 12,02,089 active cases 6,736 and people tested so far - figures not released.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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PKL: Pardeep Kumar shines as Gujarat Giants beat Bengaluru Bulls | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928210-gujarat-sees-617-covid-19-cases-10-deaths-1885-recover | 2022-02-18T18:16:30 | en | 0.923673 |
A mild US flu season is waning, but is it really over?
Kids have driven flus spread in past years, so its quite possible we could see continued increases, Brammer said.Dr. Angela Branche, a University of Rochester infectious diseases specialist, called the flu season unusual.I dont have any flu cases in my practice this week, she said recently.
This winter's mild flu season has faded to a trickle of cases in much of the US, but health officials aren't ready to call it over.
Since the beginning of the year, positive flu test results and doctor's office visits for flu-like illness are down. But second waves of influenza are not unusual, and some experts said it's possible a late winter or spring surge could be coming.
“The question we're asking ourselves now is: Is this it, or is there more to come?'” said Lynnette Brammer of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 cases have been falling, leading to a decline in mask wearing and behaviours that may have been keeping flu down this winter. As people are less cautious, flu or other respiratory viruses can surge, Brammer said.
Indeed, some indicators of flu activity have inched up the last couple of weeks: a count of flu-related hospitalizations and the percent of specimens from patients with respiratory illnesses that test positive for flu. Limited data on who is testing positive for flu suggest about two-thirds are kids and young adults. Kids have driven flu's spread in past years, so ''it's quite possible we could see continued increases,” Brammer said.
Dr. Angela Branche, a University of Rochester infectious diseases specialist, called the flu season unusual.
“I don't have any (flu) cases in my practice this week,” she said recently. Normally, doctors in Rochester would be diagnosing 50 to 100 flu cases a day around this time of year.
It seems like the current flu season is “easing to the finish line,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert. But viruses can be unpredictable.
“As the flu-ologists like to say, 'if you've seen one flu season, you've seen one flu season,''' he said.
Last winter's flu season was virtually non-existent. Experts credit mask wearing, social distancing, school closures and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some doctors were nervous about how things would go this winter, wondering if last year's lull would cause flu immunity to wane. Also, fewer children and adults got flu shots this year, according to preliminary CDC data.
The worry seemed to be legitimized by an early November flu outbreak at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where more than 700 cases were reported. The illnesses were caused by a certain version of flu — called Type A H3N2 — that traditionally leads to more hospitalisations and deaths, particularly among the elderly. Worse, many of the infected kids were vaccinated, and investigators concluded the shots offered low levels of protection.
That strain later became the main cause of flu illnesses across the country. But this season has nevertheless turned out to be tame.
That was a surprise, said Dr. Edward Belongia, a flu expert at the Wisconsin-based Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.
“We have occasionally seen other very mild flu seasons, but not where H3N2 is the dominant strain. That's what really makes it odd,” he said.
The season peaked in December, just as COVID-19 cases surged, driven by the more transmissible omicron variant, Branche observed. Flu cases dropped as more people masked up and took other steps to prevent coronavirus from spreading, she noted.
Even at its height, the flu season was not nearly as bad as some of the pre-pandemic flu seasons driven by H3N2 strains. Experts aren't sure why.
Some wonder whether the coronavirus essentially muscled aside flu and other bugs. Scientists say they don't fully understand the mechanism behind that.
Of course, a highly effective vaccine would help lessen the severity of a flu season. But researchers say the flu strain that's been circulating is a mismatch for this year's vaccine.
The CDC has not yet released estimates of the current vaccine's effectiveness but it is expected to do so next week.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928217-a-mild-us-flu-season-is-waning-but-is-it-really-over | 2022-02-18T18:16:38 | en | 0.976755 |
Made it clear foreign Covid vaccine making firms can do business here, but on India's terms: Min
And a recent study showed how those pockets where the vaccination rate is slow or where it began late were impacted by Covid, he said.Mandaviya also referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
- Country:
- India
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said major foreign pharmaceutical companies manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines were demanding indemnity and sovereign immunity waiver to supply their vaccines in India, but the government made it clear that these firms are welcome to do business here but on ''our terms''.
He was speaking at the launch of a book titled 'A Nation To Protect - Leading India Through The Covid Crisis' and authored by Priyam Gandhi Mody.
On foreign pharma companies wanting to supply vaccines in India, he said, ''From the very beginning, we had clarity that foreign vaccine manufacturing companies are welcome to do business in the country, but it has to be on India's terms,'' the minister asserted. He further said the terms and conditions put forth by such foreign companies strengthened the concept and determination of developing indigenous vaccines and increasing the production.
''India already had the manpower and brand power, the need was to identify the potential. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was determined and kept on encouraging and motivating scientists and companies,'' he stated.
Mandaviya also said that the world is astonished by India's vaccination coverage which has reached almost 175 crore, adding that the third COVID-19 wave is on the decline.
He said there have been fewer deaths during the third wave due to large-scale vaccination, except those who died due to co-morbidities and the elderly. Talking about the criticism faced by the Centre over the vaccination drive, the health minister said opposition leaders like Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had questioned the effectiveness of India-made vaccines and refused to take them after terming them “BJP vaccines”.
A political personality has followers who get influenced by their comments... And a recent study showed how those pockets where the vaccination rate is slow or where it began late were impacted by Covid, he said.
Mandaviya also referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. He said the prime minister had asked them not to indulge in politics and stay committed to ensuring that each and every citizen gets vaccinated.
PTI PLB SRY
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Rijiju takes swipes at Rahul Gandhi's 'two Indias' remark; says he thinks he's 'king of India' | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928286-made-it-clear-foreign-covid-vaccine-making-firms-can-do-business-here-but-on-indias-terms-min | 2022-02-18T18:16:46 | en | 0.97367 |
India's vaccination drive played important role in low severity in third wave, says Dr Randeep Guleria
Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Delhi during an Instagram live session on Friday said that India's vaccination drive has been played important role in low severity during the third wave.
- Country:
- India
By Shalini Bhardwaj Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Delhi during an Instagram live session on Friday said that India's vaccination drive has been played important role in low severity during the third wave.
The Instagram live session was organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Guleria added, "If India is witnessing low severity of the third surge today, then extensive vaccination is one of the main reasons behind it."
Hailing India's vaccination drive, the AIIMS director said, "India's vaccination drive has been a role model for the global community. Right from research, production and distribution to successful administration, India has led the way." He further said, "Every Indian is a COVID-19 warrior. It is the Jan Bhagidari coupled with visionary leadership and, community ownership that has led to the successful management of COVID-19 in India." (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928290-indias-vaccination-drive-played-important-role-in-low-severity-in-third-wave-says-dr-randeep-guleria | 2022-02-18T18:16:54 | en | 0.97083 |
COVID SCIENCE-Antibodies induced by mRNA shots improve for months; blood cells damaged by COVID cause blood vessel problems
But analyses of blood, lymph node tissue and bone marrow from volunteers who received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine showed germinal center reactions induced by the shots lasted at least six months, with antibodies becoming increasingly better at recognizing and attacking the spike protein of the original version of SARS-CoV-2, Ellebedy's team reported on Tuesday in Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04527-1. They did not test the mature antibodies' ability to neutralize variants, but in theory, Ellebedy said, the antibodies should be better able to recognize parts of the spike common to the variants and the original strain.
The following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID-19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that has yet to be certified by peer review. Antibodies improve for months after mRNA vaccine
Antibodies induced by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines keep improving in quality for at least six months while the immune system continues to "train" its antibody-producing B cells, according to a new study. After vaccination, some B cells become short-lived antibody-producing cells, while others join "germinal centers" in lymph nodes - essentially, a training camp where they mature and perfect their skills. "Cells that successfully graduate (from germinal centers) can become long-lived antibody-producing cells that live in our bone marrow or 'memory B cells' that are ready to engage if the person gets infected," explained Ali Ellebedy of Washington University in St. Louis. Animal studies have suggested that so-called germinal center reactions last only weeks. But analyses of blood, lymph node tissue and bone marrow from volunteers who received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine showed germinal center reactions induced by the shots lasted at least six months, with antibodies becoming increasingly better at recognizing and attacking the spike protein of the original version of SARS-CoV-2, Ellebedy's team reported on Tuesday in Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04527-1.
They did not test the mature antibodies' ability to neutralize variants, but in theory, Ellebedy said, the antibodies should be better able to recognize parts of the spike common to the variants and the original strain. More research is needed to know whether this robust germinal center response is unique to mRNA vaccines or if it is also induced by more traditional vaccines. Red blood cells damaged by COVID cause blood-vessel problems
Dysfunctional red blood cells contribute to the blood vessel injuries common in severe COVID-19, according to laboratory studies that also may suggest a way to treat the problem. Many patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are thought to have damage to the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, which can lead to blood clots, organ impairment, and other complications. New findings from the blood of 17 moderately ill COVID-19 patients and 27 healthy volunteers confirm "profound and persistent endothelial dysfunction" as an effect of the coronavirus, researchers reported on Wednesday in JACC: Basic to Translational Science https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.12.003. Compared to the red blood cells in healthy people, those from COVID-19 patients release fewer beneficial nitric oxide molecules and more detrimental inflammation-causing molecules, said Dr. Ali Mahdi of Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. In combination with elevated levels of a certain enzyme, the inflammatory molecules injure the blood-vessel lining, his team found. As a result, the vessel cannot relax properly.
The dysfunction is reversed by drugs that restore normal enzyme levels and limit production of the harmful molecules, Mahdi said. Whether test-tube findings can be replicated in people is not yet clear. The experiment was performed on the original coronavirus, so it is also unclear whether red blood cells are similarly affected in infections caused by variants of SARS-CoV-2. Global project helps low-income countries reuse N95 masks
An international group of physicists, engineers and physicians has designed a cheap, easy-to-construct cabinet with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) bulbs that has allowed health clinics in lower-income countries to decontaminate and reuse over 900,000 protective N95 masks. The prototype was constructed using a metal office storage cabinet lined with household aluminum foil, with UV-C bulbs at the front and back, consortium members reported on Wednesday in NEJM Catalyst https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.21.0439. "You simply load the masks on a rack, put them in the cabinet, shut the doors and turn the device on to apply the right dose of UV-C to inactivate the COVID-19 virus," said Dr. Nicole Starr, a surgery trainee at the University of California, San Francisco who led the effort. The process takes about 10 minutes. Once the group had a workable design, they recruited members of local student chapters of the optics society Optica to build the cabinets, sometimes working with embassies to arrange for shipments of the necessary components. Engineering teams in nine countries and hospitals in 12 countries worked on the project.
"Overall, 21 cabinets were put into use in hospitals, and we estimate that 930,000 N95s were decontaminated for reuse from July 2020 to January 2022," Starr said. Decontamination equipment currently used in U.S. hospitals can cost $80,000 per unit, according to the report. The team estimated that their cabinet can be built for about $500 to $1,500 depending on location and can process nearly 5,000 masks per day at maximum capacity. Click for a Reuters graphic https://tmsnrt.rs/3c7R3Bl on vaccines in development.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Olympics-Beijing Games see 55 COVID-19 cases on Feb 2, highest daily tally | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928295-covid-science-antibodies-induced-by-mrna-shots-improve-for-months-blood-cells-damaged-by-covid-cause-blood-vessel-problems | 2022-02-18T18:17:01 | en | 0.939697 |
Delhi reports 607 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths in last 24 hrs
Delhi reported 607 new COVID cases and four deaths in the last 24 hours.
- Country:
- India
Delhi reported 607 new COVID cases and four deaths in the last 24 hours. According to the health bulletin of the Delhi government, the active number of COVID-19 patients in the city reached 2,775. Meanwhile, 854 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours.
The daily cases count in the last 24 hours slightly dipped as the city reported 739 new COVID cases and five deaths on Thursday. The cumulative number of reported COVID cases in Delhi has gone up to 18,54,774 of which 18,25,904 people have recovered so far, said the official data. The new fatalities pushed the COVID death toll in the national capital to 26,095.
Out of the total active cases in the national capital, 1,860 patients are in home isolation and 294 are admitted to hospitals. Among the total hospitalized COVID patients, 148 are in ICU and 37 on the ventilator. A total of 104 hospitalized COVID patients are on oxygen support (including patients on the ventilator). With 49,928 tests conducted in 24 hours, the positivity rate of COVID cases in Delhi remained 1.22 per cent on Friday. Currently, there are 10,868 containment zones in the city.
During the last 24 hours, 69,379 doses of COVID vaccines were administered, out of which 9,251 beneficiaries got their first dose while 55,787 people received their second dose of the vaccine. As many as 4,341 beneficiaries were vaccinated with precaution dose in the last 24 hours, taking the total beneficiaries of such dose in the national capital to 3,78,087. During the last 24 hours, 29,983 beneficiaries aged 15-17 years got their first dose of the vaccine, taking the total count of beneficiaries in the aforementioned age bracket who have received their first dose to 12,97,258. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/1928310-delhi-reports-607-new-covid-19-cases-four-deaths-in-last-24-hrs | 2022-02-18T18:17:09 | en | 0.948301 |
India-UAE CEPA will be game-changer in economic ties: PM Modi
Terming the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a game-changer in economic ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that deal will help enhance bilateral trade in goods to USD 100 billion and services to USD 15 billion in the next 5 years.
- Country:
- India
Terming the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a game-changer in economic ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that deal will help enhance bilateral trade in goods to USD 100 billion and services to USD 15 billion in the next 5 years. "HH @MohamedBinZayed and I believe that the India-UAE CEPA signed today will be a game-changer in our economic ties. With enhanced market access, bilateral trade in goods should rise to $100 billion and services to $15 billion in the next 5 years," PM Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a Virtual Summit earlier today. Both leaders expressed deep satisfaction with the continuous growth in bilateral relations in all sectors. Prime Minister and the Crown Prince issued a Joint Vision Statement "Advancing the India and UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: New Frontiers, New Milestone".
The Statement establishes a roadmap for a future-oriented partnership between India and UAE and identifies focus areas and outcomes. The shared objective is to promote new trade, investment and innovation dynamic in diverse sectors, including economy, energy, climate action, emerging technologies, skills and education, food security, healthcare and defence and security. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar called this meeting a "landmark Indo-UAE Summit" and said this will take bilateral ties to a new level. "Our relationship has a larger significance, reflected in the Quad with Israel and US," Jaishankar tweeted.
This is the fastest FTA to be negotiated between any two countries in less than 3 months and India's first comprehensive trade agreement in a decade. This will help to unlock new trade routes between Africa and Asia. Through this deal, Indian exporters will gain market access in the UAE but also provide wider access to the much larger Arab and African markets
This will help with substantial net gains for India, particularly in labour-intensive industries - Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, Leather, Footwear, Sports goods, Plastics, Furniture, Agricultural and wood products, Engineering products, Pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and Automobiles The deal is mutually beneficial and boosts bilateral trade (goods) to $100 billion over five years and $15 billion (for services), almost double of pre-pandemic levels.
This agreement will help achieve zero duty from day one of the entry into force of the Agreement, accounting for 90% of India's exports to UAE in value term. Moreover, zero duty within 5 to 10 years on an additional 9% of our trade value for the following products: Electronic Goods, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Articles of Stone, Cement, Ceramics, Machinery. Through this deal, UAE is offering immediate duty elimination on over 80% of its tariff lines corresponding to 90% of India's exports in value terms. It also covers Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Technical Barriers to Trade, Dispute Settlement, Telecom, Customs Procedures, Pharmaceutical, IPR, Digital Trade and Cooperation in other areas.
For the first time in a trade agreement, a separate Annex on Pharmaceuticals has been incorporated to facilitate access of Indian pharmaceutical products. Moreover, India-UAE CEPA is likely to benefit about $26 billion worth of Indian products that are currently subjected to 5% import duty by the UAE.
In Services, UAE has offered 111 sub-sectors to India as compared to 100 sub-sectors by India to UAE. Substantial gains in India's areas of interest include Computer related services, Audio Visual services, Audio visual services, Education services, Health Services, Tourism & Travel related services, professional services (Nursing, engineering, accountancy etc.), & Other Business Services. This agreement will provide a boost to Infrastructure Investment: UAE has committed to making significant investments in India's infrastructure. For SMEs, CEPA will provide a platform for SMEs in both countries to expand internationally by granting them access to new customers, networks, and avenues of collaboration. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/1928188-india-uae-cepa-will-be-game-changer-in-economic-ties-pm-modi | 2022-02-18T18:17:16 | en | 0.935617 |
India, UAE looking at May 1 'Labour Day' to bring CEPA into effect: Piyush Goyal
India and UAE are looking at May 1 'Labour Day' to bring Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) into effect, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told ANI after the singing of CEPA between the two countries.
- Country:
- India
India and UAE are looking at May 1 'Labour Day' to bring Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) into effect, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told ANI after the singing of CEPA between the two countries. India and the United Arab Emirates today signed CEPA that will help bolster the strategic partnership and take bilateral economic and commercial engagement to the next level.
CEPA was signed during a meeting between the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UAE delegation led by Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri and Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a Virtual Summit earlier today. Both leaders expressed deep satisfaction with the continuous growth in bilateral relations in all sectors.
Prime Minister and the Crown Prince issued a Joint Vision Statement "Advancing India and UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: New Frontiers, New Milestone". The Statement establishes a roadmap for a future-oriented partnership between India and UAE and identifies focus areas and outcomes. The shared objective is to promote new trade, investment and innovation dynamics in diverse sectors, including economy, energy, climate action, emerging technologies, skills and education, food security, healthcare and defence and security.
A major highlight of the Virtual Summit was the signing and exchange of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of Economy of UAE, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri in the virtual presence of the two Leaders. The Agreement will provide significant benefits to Indian and UAE businesses, including enhanced market access and reduced tariffs. It is expected that the CEPA will lead to an increase in bilateral trade from the current USD 60 bn to USD 100 bn in the next 5 years.
The two Leaders also released Joint Commemorative Stamp on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India's independence and the 50th year of UAE's foundation. Two MOUs signed between Indian and UAE entities were also announced during the Summit. These are, MOU between APEDA and DP World and Al Dahra on Food Security Corridor Initiative and MOU between India's Gift City and Abu Dhabi Global Market on cooperation in financial projects and services. Two other MOUs - one on cooperation in Climate Action and the other on Education have also been agreed between the two sides. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/1928242-india-uae-looking-at-may-1-labour-day-to-bring-cepa-into-effect-piyush-goyal | 2022-02-18T18:17:24 | en | 0.954129 |
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