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A senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and ally of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, was shot by a gunman on Sunday as he was leaving a constituency meeting in Punjab province. Iqbal is currently recovering in hospital from a bullet wound, with Minister of state for interior affairs Talal Chaudhry stating that he is stable and in “high spirits”. The assassination attempt was condemned by leaders from Pakistan's main opposition parties, although a prominent official from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party suggested that Sharif's large rallies protesting his removal by the Supreme Court last July may have created the backdrop for the attack. "We strongly denounce it. However, Nawaz's unfounded accusations against his rivals are negatively impacting the political atmosphere and stirring up tension and anger," stated Naeem ul Haq, the chief of staff for former cricket star Khan. "Therefore, if Nawaz Sharif continues to spread negativity, such incidents will persist." Last July, Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Sharif as prime minister due to a minor instance of undisclosed income, and he is currently facing trial in an anti-corruption court, despite his party still having majority control in parliament. Sharif has criticized the court's decision as a plot orchestrated by his opponent Khan, frequently rallying his supporters to express his grievances. Sharif has depicted Khan as a tool of the influential military establishment, which has a history of interference in Pakistani politics. Khan refutes allegations of collaborating with the army, while the military denies involvement in political matters. The recent attack on Sunday has increased concerns leading up to the upcoming election in late July. Initial reports indicate the attacker may have ties to a new Islamist political party that advocates for the death penalty for blasphemy and strict sharia law. The Islamists have denied any connection to the attacker, according to a local administrator's report seen by Reuters. "We do not have weapons. Our fight is nonviolent. Those who are plotting against Tehreek-e-Labaik will not prevail." Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the party, spoke out against the attack on Iqbal, stating that Labaik is engaged in a peaceful struggle to establish the Prophet's religion. According to police, Iqbal was shot in the right arm, with the bullet then entering his groin. The suspected shooter, identified as 21-year-old Abid Hussain, has not had a motive officially declared by authorities. Minister of state Chaudhry stated that there is a history of religious radicalism in the background of the individual responsible for the attack, and that others have also been arrested as police investigate groups that may have influenced the attack. He emphasized that radicalism is not just an individual issue, but a social problem that is perpetuated by others. The Labaik movement originated from a protest in support of Mumtaz Qadri, who assassinated the governor of Punjab in 2011 for advocating to relax Pakistan's blasphemy laws. The movement caused significant disruptions, including shutting down the country's capital for three weeks over changes to electoral laws that it deemed blasphemous. The recent assassination attempt on Iqbal has raised concerns about potential violence by Islamists leading up to the next election, similar to past instances such as the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007. | 5 |
Incoming travellers to Kuwait must quarantine at home for 10 days unless they provide a negative PCR test for the coronavirus within 72 hours of their arrival. | 5 |
Even though vaccines are highly effective in protecting against COVID-19, recent news of breakthrough infections and updated guidelines on mask-wearing for vaccinated individuals have caused confusion and concern. While studies have shown that vaccinated people can still get infected with high levels of the virus, these cases are rare compared to the unvaccinated population. It is essential to remember that being vaccinated is the most crucial step in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. Although vaccinated individuals have more freedom, it is important to recognize that the situation is not the same as it was before the pandemic. While vaccines provide strong protection, they do not offer complete immunity, so it is still necessary to be cautious, especially with the Delta variant circulating. Erin Bromage, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, compares vaccine antibodies to a sea wall that protects a town from a storm surge. While the wall usually withstands the pounding waves, a strong hurricane, like the Delta variant, can sometimes break through. Delta is more infectious and poses a greater challenge to vaccinated immune systems. Vaccinations offer additional protection, but may not always hold up against a significant threat, such as being near an unvaccinated person with a high viral load. Fortunately, the current vaccines in the United States are highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Over 97 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations involve individuals who have not been vaccinated. Recent data from Singapore indicates that vaccinated individuals who are hospitalized with delta breakthrough infections are less likely to require supplemental oxygen and clear the virus faster than unvaccinated patients. Breakthrough infections are rare, although they receive widespread media coverage. While the CDC no longer tracks all breakthrough cases, approximately half of states provide some data on such occurrences. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently conducted an analysis of state-reported data and discovered that breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are uncommon occurrences among individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the Kaiser analysis, the rate of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated individuals is less than 1 percent in all reporting states, with percentages ranging from 0.01% in Connecticut to 0.29% in Alaska. However, many breakthrough infections likely go unreported because those infected may not show symptoms or have mild symptoms that resolve before they consider getting tested. Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, stated that while breakthrough infections are rare, the true rarity of these occurrences is unknown without a population-based sample. It is uncertain whether many individuals with a mild scratchy throat for a few days have actually had breakthrough cases, but it is not a failure of the vaccine. Estimates suggest that the vaccine campaign has prevented 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. The risk of a breakthrough infection increases when individuals are exposed to the Delta variant in crowded events, such as the July 4 celebration in Provincetown, Massachusetts, or the packed Lollapalooza concert in Chicago. The more people one comes into contact with, the higher the risk, depending on the local risk climate. In the near future, there may be a surge in Lollapalooza outbreaks due to large crowds, which is conducive to the spread of the delta variant. The CDC has a color-coded map indicating COVID-19 outbreaks in the US, with blue and yellow zones representing low infection levels and orange and red zones indicating areas with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people in the past week. The agency recommends wearing masks in orange and red zones, which currently includes about 80 percent of US counties. Infection rates in the Northeast and Upper Midwest are still relatively low, whereas there have been significant spikes in cases in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida due to the delta variant. The issue with relying on a map for case counts is that the numbers are changing quickly and may increase in your local area before the map is updated. Even if you believe you are in a highly vaccinated community with low case counts, it is important to also consider the situation in nearby communities as people and viruses move across state and county lines frequently. Experts generally agree that wearing a mask outdoors is not necessary if you are not in a crowd and are at least 6 feet away from individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. However, attending a crowded outdoor event is still considered risky, and if you do choose to go, it is recommended to wear a mask. J Alex Huffman, an aerosol scientist and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver, recommends wearing a mask indoors when around people whose vaccination status is unknown, especially if you will be in close proximity to them for an extended period of time. Despite being fully vaccinated, Huffman still wears an N95 mask in indoor public spaces for added protection. For the best protection, it is advised to use a high-quality medical mask like an N95, KN95, or KF94, with a preference for authentic products. If a medical mask is not available, double masking with a surgical mask under a cloth mask can still provide strong protection. Wearing a mask with an exhale valve is not recommended as it can allow viral particles to escape, and counterfeit masks may have faulty valves that let germs in. It is advisable to choose your mask based on the situation – a cloth mask may suffice for a brief visit to a deserted store in a highly vaccinated area, but a higher-quality mask is more appropriate for air travel or crowded grocery stores, especially in areas with low vaccination rates and high case counts. Masks with straps or ties around the back of the head provide a tighter seal than those with ear loops. Huffman stated that in order to combat the delta variant, it is important to enhance previous mitigation efforts, including the use of masks. He strongly advises people to switch to masks with high filter quality that fit tightly to the face. The most important factor, according to him, is to ensure the mask is sealed well all around the edges, including over the nose bridge, by the cheeks, and under the chin. Therefore, a tightly fitting mask is more effective than a loose-fitting one. Vaccinated individuals have a very low risk of contracting the virus when they are with other vaccinated friends and family members without masks, according to Huffman. While wearing a mask may not be necessary in indoor settings with a small group of vaccinated individuals, certain situations may warrant extra precautions. While it is uncommon for a vaccinated person to transmit the virus to another vaccinated person, it is still theoretically possible. A vaccinated individual who frequents crowded places or travels to COVID hotspots poses a greater risk compared to someone who avoids large gatherings and primarily interacts with other vaccinated individuals. With the delta variant becoming more widespread, Bitton recommends prioritizing outdoor gatherings, especially for families with unvaccinated individuals or those at higher risk. Moving your event to a backyard or patio and reducing indoor time can decrease the chances of exposure. Opting for smaller gatherings with vaccinated friends is safer than attending large parties, even if everyone claims to be vaccinated. When indoors, opening windows can help with ventilation. For those at a very high risk, such as older individuals or those with weakened immune systems, it may be appropriate to request testing for even vaccinated individuals before a visit. A straightforward and quick home test can be provided to guests to ensure that everyone is free of COVID-19. Whether or not you can still dine at restaurants depends on various factors such as local conditions, your comfort level with risk, and the health status of those around you. The risk is lowest in areas with high vaccination rates and minimal case numbers. For example, dining at a restaurant in Vermont, where two-thirds of the population is vaccinated, is less risky than dining indoors in Alabama or Mississippi, where only one-third of residents are vaccinated. Parents of unvaccinated children and individuals with compromised immune systems, who may receive less protection from vaccines according to studies, may consider ordering takeout or dining outdoors for additional safety measures. Is it safe to travel? Should I avoid peanuts and water and continue wearing my mask? While airplanes are generally well ventilated and not a significant source of outbreaks, it is still advisable to take precautions. The risk of being exposed to an infected person may be higher in airport terminals, airport restaurants and bars, or while going through security. On airplanes, the air is circulated every two to three minutes which is more frequent than in grocery stores and other indoor spaces. Passengers are allowed to remove masks to eat or drink, but ventilation systems keep airflow contained to a few rows to prevent spreading throughout the cabin. Infected passengers pose the most risk to those sitting nearby. Experts recommend using high-quality medical masks like N95 or KF94 when flying. If you do not possess a mask, it is recommended to wear two. While the risk is low for vaccinated individuals to briefly remove their mask to eat or drink during a flight, it is better to keep it on as much as possible. The CDC advises unvaccinated individuals, including children, to avoid flying. Bromage shared that he recently flew and removed his mask briefly to drink, but kept it on for the majority of the flight. He expressed that he would feel more at ease removing his mask to eat if he knew his neighboring passengers were vaccinated. He mentioned that he would be more worried if the individual next to him appeared unconcerned about COVID precautions or wore their mask improperly. He suggested keeping the mask on when seated next to strangers, especially talkative ones. Despite being vaccinated, the safety of buses, subways, and trains for vaccinated individuals is still a concern. Most public transportation systems still mandate mask-wearing, which reduces the risk of exposure. However, the longer the ride and the more crowded the vehicle, the higher the risk of viral transmission, even for vaccinated individuals. Many individuals rely on public transportation to commute to work or school, and it is advised to wear a properly fitting medical mask or double mask. When considering whether to use public transit, it is important to take into account local vaccination rates and the trend of case counts. As for hugging and visiting older relatives, vaccinated individuals can generally do so safely without masks. However, parents of unvaccinated children should be more cautious, especially when visiting older relatives. In areas with few COVID-19 cases and high vaccination rates, it is generally considered safe for unvaccinated children from one household to visit vaccinated grandparents. However, as the delta variant spreads and children go back to school, the risk of close contact increases for older or immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to complications from COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated. When families plan to visit a high-risk relative, it is advisable to minimize other exposures by avoiding activities such as dining out or going to the gym in the week leading up to the visit. While the risk of a vaccinated person spreading COVID-19 is low, vaccinated grandparents should also reduce their personal exposure when spending time with unvaccinated children. Aerosol scientist Huffman mentioned that she has not been wearing masks indoors with her elderly parents as she is still cautious about wearing masks in public places. "If my interactions increased my overall risk of exposure, I would strongly consider wearing a mask indoors with vulnerable individuals. Rapid home tests are an additional precaution when visiting grandparents or immune-compromised family members. Taking a test a few days before and on the day of the visit can provide peace of mind. Home tests are a great option for those feeling anxious about the virus right now," Bromage explained. "By testing before gathering, we can ensure everyone is clear and safely enjoy time together." If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the US, it is highly likely that you have the delta variant, according to the CDC. The delta variant has become the dominant strain in the US and many other countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Israel, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK. However, standard COVID tests cannot determine if your infection is specifically caused by the delta variant or another variant of the virus. Health departments may utilize genomic sequencing to determine the prevalence of various variants within a population, but this data is usually not disclosed to individuals. It is important to continue isolating and consulting with medical professionals if experiencing low oxygen levels, difficulty breathing, or any concerning symptoms. | 5 |
Contrary to previous reports, including by The New York Times, it is not Elon Musk's SpaceX that will be responsible for causing a crater on the lunar surface. Instead, the likely culprit is a piece of a rocket launched by China's space agency. Bill Gray, the developer of Project Pluto, recently announced that the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was on a trajectory that could intersect with the moon's path. This rocket had launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in February 2015. Gray had been monitoring this rocket part for years, and in early January, it passed within 6,000 miles of the moon's surface, with the moon's gravity potentially causing it to crash on a subsequent orbit. Observations made by amateur astronomers as the object passed by Earth once again confirmed the expected impact inside Hertzsprung, an ancient crater measuring 315 miles wide. However, a Saturday email from Jon Giorgini, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, altered the narrative. Giorgini oversees Horizons, an online database capable of providing locations and orbits for nearly 1.2 million objects within the solar system, including approximately 200 spacecraft. A Horizons user inquired about the likelihood of the object being part of the DSCOVR rocket, prompting Giorgini to investigate further. He discovered that the orbit did not match the path that DSCOVR had taken, so he reached out to Gray. Gray initially believed he was correct in his assessment. However, he reviewed his old emails to recall when the object was first seen in March 2015, shortly after DSCOVR was launched. Typically, newly spotted objects in the sky are assumed to be asteroids, and this object was no exception. It was labeled as WE0913A. However, it was discovered that instead of orbiting the sun, WE0913A was actually orbiting Earth, indicating it likely originated from Earth. Gray suggested it could be part of the rocket that launched DSCOVR, which was confirmed by additional data showing WE0913A passing the moon two days after the DSCOVR launch. Gray now understands his error in thinking DSCOVR was headed towards the moon for a gravity-assisted swing to its final destination, while Giorgini noted that DSCOVR was actually launched on a direct path that did not involve passing the moon. Gray admitted that he should have reviewed the information before making his January announcement, acknowledging that he had made a mistake. Jon Giorgini pointed out the error, prompting Gray to realize the extent of his error. SpaceX did not provide a comment in response to inquiries regarding the rocket stage WE0913A. It is likely that they have not been monitoring it, as the second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket is typically burned up in the atmosphere. However, in this instance, the rocket needed all of its propellant to successfully deliver DSCOVR to its intended destination. However, the second stage, which was not powered or controlled, was in an orbit that was not likely to pose a threat to any satellites, and it is probable that people did not monitor it. Gray expressed a desire for the individuals responsible for launching these boosters into high orbits to publicly disclose what they are putting up there and where they are going, rather than him having to investigate on his own. Gray then questioned if the unidentified object was not the DSCOVR rocket, what could it be? He looked into other launches from the previous months, particularly those heading towards the moon, but found limited information in that category. The leading candidate was a Long March 3C rocket which launched China's Chang'e-5 T1 spacecraft on Oct. 23, 2014. Following a swing around the moon, the spacecraft returned to Earth, releasing a small return capsule that landed in Mongolia. This was a test in preparation for the Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, where moon rocks and dust were successfully collected and brought back to Earth for study. By running a computer simulation of the orbit of WE0913A backwards in time, it was discovered that it would have had a close lunar flyby on Oct 28, just five days after the Chinese launch. Additionally, orbital data from a cubesat attached to the third stage of the Long March rocket closely matched that of WE0913A according to Gray. "It's a case that could likely result in a conviction if taken to a jury," stated Christophe Demeautis, an amateur astronomer in northeast France, regarding the prediction of an object striking the moon. Recent observations have slightly adjusted the timing and location of the impact, but it is still expected to occur at around 7:26 am Eastern time. The crash will unfortunately be on the far side of the moon, out of view of Earth's telescopes and satellites. The whereabouts of the Falcon 9 part, specifically the DSCOVR second stage, are still being investigated. The most likely explanation is that it entered into orbit around the sun rather than the Earth, meaning it may still be out there and currently out of sight. This scenario has happened before with old rocket pieces returning, as seen in 2020 when a mystery object was found to be part of a rocket launched in 1966 for NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon. | 5 |
Roskosmos has decided to suspend cooperation with European partners on space launches from Kourou and withdraw technical staff from French Guiana in response to EU sanctions. The European Union has downplayed Russia's withdrawal, stating that it will not impact the quality of service for satellite networks Galileo and Copernicus. Galileo provides positioning and timing information for various industries, while Copernicus delivers earth observation data. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has assured that necessary decisions will be made to develop the second generation of these space infrastructures. "We are ready to take decisive action with member states to defend critical infrastructures in the event of an attack, and to further the development of Ariane 6 and VegaC to ensure strategic independence in terms of carrier rockets." | 5 |
A poll revealed that Australian Prime Minister John Howard is facing a significant defeat in the upcoming election, with the possibility of losing his seat in Sydney. The poll showed that Howard was trailing behind former television presenter Maxine McKew by 46 percent to 53 percent when votes were split between the two major parties. McKew, who joined the Labor Party to challenge Howard, was also seen as equally capable of doing a good job for the seat of Bennelong, which has been held by Howard since 1974. The poll was conducted after Australia's central bank raised interest rates to a 10-year high in order to combat inflation caused by strong domestic demand, low unemployment, and rapid global growth. Howard, who won his fourth election in 2004 with the slogan "Keeping interest rates low," has been negatively impacted by the increase in interest rates. The central bank has raised rates five times, impacting Howard's coalition in key suburbs where residents are struggling with high mortgages and a credit binge fueled by low interest rates. Changes in demographics, including a growing Asian community in Howard's own seat, are also affecting his support. Howard's policies, such as requiring new immigrants to adopt Australian values and learn English, have alienated some immigrant families. Despite poll results, it may be difficult to remove Howard from office, according to Senior Labor lawmaker Bob McMullan. "We are approaching the end of the three-year term and there is a willingness for change among the people. However, I believe that their voting preferences are not fixed, but rather flexible," he stated in an interview with Australian television. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed confidence that Prime Minister Howard's experience would give him an advantage, while criticizing opposition leader Kevin Rudd for lacking a clear plan for Australia's future. Downer acknowledged that there is always debate about the incumbent's performance, but maintained a cautious attitude towards being overly optimistic." I am a person who is quite calm and laid-back when it comes to facing the challenges that are in store for me. | 5 |
An Amazon employee greeted me cheerfully last week at the opening of a Whole Foods Market in Washington's Glover Park neighborhood by asking if I wanted to shop using my palm. I quickly linked both hands to my Amazon account and entered the store by hovering my right palm over the turnstile reader. I then spent the next 30 minutes shopping. I purchased a bag of cauliflower florets, grapefruit sparkling water, strawberries, and organic chicken sausages. Cameras and sensors tracked my selections and created a virtual shopping cart in real time. I was able to leave without needing to go through a cashier, as Amazon would later bill my account. Amazon acquired Whole Foods for $13 billion over four years ago. The transformation of the grocery chain into an Amazon-style operation is now fully realized with the renovated Whole Foods store in Glover Park. Amazon had been gradually making changes to over 500 Whole Foods stores in the US and UK, primarily offering discounts and free delivery for Prime members. However, the 21,000-square-foot Whole Foods in Glover Park, along with a prototype store in Los Angeles, represents a significant advancement in Amazon's influence, with the stores nearly entirely operated by tracking and robotic technology. The technology called Just Walk Out uses hundreds of cameras to monitor customers and sensors under each product to track shopping activity. Deep-learning software analyzes this data to improve accuracy in charging customers. This technology is similar to that used in driverless cars, detecting when a product is taken and automatically charging customers as they leave the store. According to Amazon's vice president of physical retail and technology, Dilip Kumar, anyone with an Amazon account, not just Prime members, can now shop at select stores and skip the cash register by having the bill charged directly to their Amazon account. This technology, known as Amazon One, has been tested for over four years at Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores. Other stores, such as a Hudson convenience store at Dallas Love Field Airport and Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, have also adopted this palm-scanning technology. Kumar views these stores as valuable experiments and sees Whole Foods as the next step in Amazon's tech expansion into retail stores. Kumar stated that they identified problem areas for customers and worked diligently to find ways to alleviate the issues. One observation was that customers did not like waiting in checkout lines, leading to the development of the Just Walk Out concept. He chose not to discuss Amazon's potential plans to implement this technology in all Whole Foods stores. According to Karen Weise, a colleague at The New York Times who covers Amazon from Seattle, the company operates with long-term goals, taking the time and resources needed to make significant transformations in labor, retail, and logistics. The Whole Foods in Glover Park has been a vital part of the neighborhood for over 20 years, serving as a cornerstone for residents near Embassy Row and the vice president's Naval Observatory residence. Despite closing four years ago due to a dispute with the landlord and a rat infestation, Amazon announced last year that it would reopen the store as a Just Walk Out pilot project. While the rats have been eliminated, there is still lingering concern among residents in the neighborhood. The newly renovated store has caused a lively local discussion among residents, with some debating the store's "dystopian" atmosphere compared to its impressive technology. Some neighbors recalled the store's previous inviting atmosphere with free samples and blueberry pancakes on weekends. One long-time resident, Alex Levin, believes that the community should embrace the store's changes and utilize the technology to their advantage. He shared an anecdote about trying to outsmart the store's cameras and sensors but was unsuccessful. However, some individuals mentioned that they discovered mistakes in their bills and were unhappy with the change from selling produce by weight to selling it per item, bundle, or box. Some lamented the loss of the traditional checkout line, where they could browse magazines and impulse items. A lot of people were wary of the tracking technology being used, with one person comparing it to George Orwell's "1984" - Allen Hengst, a retired librarian aged 72. Amazon stated that they do not intend to use video or other Whole Foods customer data for advertising or their recommendation system. Customers who do not wish to participate in the new technology can simply enter the store without signing in and pay with cash or a credit card at self-checkout kiosks. As a loyal customer of the Glover Park Whole Foods, I was eager to see the changes, but my excitement waned as I encountered restrictions on taking photos or videos inside the store, along with new features like palm scans and bundled banana packs. I glanced up at the ceiling and saw numerous small black plastic boxes hanging from the rafters. An employee then explained that those were the cameras that would track me during my shopping trip, without any sense of humor. There were workers at the entrance assisting customers with check-in, as well as others stationed at the seafood counter, cheese area, and produce section. Kumar assured that humans would always be employed at the stores, but I couldn't help but wonder for how much longer. Amazon, facing criticism for its treatment of workers, stated that employees' responsibilities could evolve to involve more customer interaction for answering inquiries. The company was showing signs of moving towards a more self-service model. For instance, when I went to a bakery to have my $4.99 Harvest loaf sliced, I was directed to a professional bread slicer for customers. A cautionary label advised to be mindful of the sharp blades and moving parts. Kumar refused to provide information on the accuracy of Just Walk Out, so I decided to test the technology myself. I conducted an experiment by picking up an organic avocado and placing it among nonorganic avocados. I then walked around the store before returning to retrieve the same avocado. If the cameras and sensors were working correctly, Amazon would detect my actions and charge me for the misplaced organic avocado. At the end of my shopping trip, I had the choice of using a self-checkout kiosk or skipping that step altogether. I chose the second option and waved my hand over the exit turnstile. The turnstile opened, and an employee informed me that I would receive my receipt within two to three hours. I left the store feeling uncomfortable, worrying that I might be wrongly accused of shoplifting. I received an email from Amazon in my email inbox an hour later. The email contained a link that directed me to my Amazon account to view details of my shopping experience, which lasted 32 minutes and 26 seconds. The total bill was $34.35, and I was correctly charged for the organic avocado. | 5 |
A former militia leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was released on bail by a Nigerian court on Thursday, in response to demands from armed groups in the Niger Delta who have caused disruptions in oil production and kidnapped foreign workers. Asari, who is facing treason charges, was released as rebel groups in the delta released hostages, announced a ceasefire, and expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the new government under President Umaru Yar'Adua. However, the success of these peace efforts remains uncertain, especially after troops killed eight suspected militants during an attack on an oil well in Bayelsa state. Asari's bail request was based on health reasons, which prosecutors did not oppose, indicating that he is not seeking attention. Justice Peter Olayiwola stated that the accused would be released due to health reasons. However, the judge also imposed restrictions on Asari, prohibiting him from holding political rallies or engaging in any political activities and requiring his movements to be reported to security services. Asari had been denied bail by the Supreme Court last Friday after a lengthy legal process, with the court citing concerns about national security. Prosecutors had previously opposed his release. Activists involved in peace negotiations between the government and delta rebels believed that Thursday's court ruling was a result of a political agreement. Asari has been in custody since September 2005, and his trial has been repeatedly postponed. Despite multiple failed attempts by elders from his Ijaw ethnic group to negotiate his release, the situation shifted when Yar'Adua took office and called for peace in the delta during his inauguration speech on May 29. Following this, influential state governors from the region have advocated for Asari's freedom. Ijaw activists believe that the recent court ruling will aid in calming armed rebels seeking autonomy over oil funds and reparations for environmental damage in the impoverished delta. Ifeanyi Jonjon, the leader of the Ijaw Youth Council, expressed satisfaction with the recent actions taken, stating that it was a step in the right direction. He mentioned that Asari, who has been detained and reportedly mistreated by the State Security Services, could potentially help in reaching out to freedom fighters to promote peace instead of violence. Asari's absence in court did not dampen the enthusiasm of his supporters. Emmanuel Diffa, an Ijaw elder who has been advocating for Asari's release, stated that this development is positive for businesses in the Niger Delta and will help calm the situation. Diffa believes that Asari is crucial in bringing peace to the region. | 5 |
Pakistan completed a full sweep of Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game, winning the second Twenty20 in a thrilling last-ball finish in Harare. Zimbabwe struggled in their chase due to Pakistan's controlled bowling, but Tatenda Taibu's aggressive batting in the final over gave them hope. Taibu hit a six off the first ball, followed by two runs off each of the next four deliveries. With six runs needed off the last ball, Sohail Khan bowled a wide, low full toss outside off stump to secure the win for Pakistan. Taibu, who had moved to the leg side, was unable to make a shot, resulting in an underwhelming conclusion to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to become too challenging. Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha started off well, with Sibanda hitting a beautiful straight drive for four. They managed to score boundaries in the first four overs but failed to rotate the strike effectively, causing the required run rate to increase. Chibhabha attempted to free himself when Saeed Ajmal bowled, trying to hit over long on, but was caught by Yasir Shah just outside the circle. Ajmal's first over, in which he took a wicket without conceding any runs, slowed down Zimbabwe's chase until the very end. Sibanda became increasingly frustrated and was eventually caught by Hafeez at point while attempting a big shot. Hafeez's excellent performance with both bat and ball was clear, as he bowled Zhuwao with a straight delivery and took the wickets of Maskadza and Taylor as well. As Zimbabwe's chase fell apart, Coventry resorted to desperate measures, swinging at the first three balls he faced from Junaid Khan. Two of them scored four runs each, while the third player hit the ball onto his own stumps. Elton Chigumbura managed to hit some powerful shots, but struggled against the bowling that was too good for him to hit for boundaries. Despite the pressure in the last over, Pakistan's bowlers remained composed. Taibu had to lead both Prosper Utseya and himself, but Sohail ultimately made the final impact. Zimbabwe showed improvement in their fielding, bowling accurately and taking all the catches to restrict Pakistan to under 150 runs. Taylor was creative in his bowling tactics, starting with a spinner and then bringing in Chibhabha in the third over. Chibhabha took a wicket when Asad Shafiq attempted to hit a length ball for six but was caught by Chigumbura at long-on. Shortly after, Rameez Raja was caught at short fine leg. Kyle Jarvis, who had improved his length from previous matches, got Raja out with a short ball that was pulled late and caught by Ray Price. The hosts added to Pakistan's early troubles when Shoaib Malik was caught behind off Chigumbura after attempting to hit a wide delivery. Hafeez took advantage of the situation and played a crucial innings, especially targeting the spinners. During Hafeez's time at the crease, Umar Akmal was able to play more cautiously, particularly against Chigumbura who bowled a well-controlled spell with slower balls. Eventually, Hafeez was dismissed by Price after attempting a lofted shot towards long-on that fell short of the boundary. Following Hafeez's dismissal, Pakistan struggled to score boundaries and only managed to score 36 runs in the last five overs. Akmal was run out while attempting a second run, falling short of his crease due to a throw from Chigumbura, and Tanvir was bowled by Jarvis. Jarvis performed well under pressure towards the end of the game, effectively utilizing yorkers, a type of delivery that he is honing to near perfection. | 5 |
The unexpected change in protocol impressed Daschle, who was new to the job, as he found it to be gracious. Daschle recalled a conversation with Dole, where he expressed his humility at Dole coming to his office instead of the other way around, considering himself to be the junior member. Dole responded by saying that when he visits Daschle's office, he can always decide when the meeting is over. This exchange exemplified Dole's characteristic wit and directness. It serves as a representation of Dole's approach to Washington, as a Kansas Republican who brought his prairie values and straightforward manner to the capital in 1961. During his 35 years in politics, spanning from his time in the House to the Senate and multiple failed presidential bids, Bob Dole thrived in a Washington environment that favored his skills as a negotiator. While there was certainly partisanship during Dole's tenure, including bitter disputes, there was also a different atmosphere that allowed for bipartisan cooperation. Dole, both as a senator and as the Republican leader, worked across party lines to pass significant legislation, such as bills to save Social Security, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and welfare reform. One of his proudest achievements was collaborating with liberal Democrat George McGovern to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They continued to collaborate on nutrition issues even after leaving the Senate. Senator Patrick Leahy, a friend of Dole, mentioned the strong relationship between George Mitchell and Dole, who would frequently visit each other's offices. Leahy also noted that both men trusted each other and never surprised each other. Additionally, Mitchell and Dole had direct phone lines on their desks for easy communication. The button proved to be useful in November 1994 when the Republicans regained the majority. Mitchell, who did not run for reelection, requested that Dole be informed that he planned to visit his office to congratulate him. Dole responded quickly, insisting that Mitchell should not make the effort and that he would instead go to Mitchell's office, a gesture that was seen as courteous and considerate by Mitchell and his team. According to presidential historian Robert Dallek, Dole operated in a time when bipartisanship was valued, and politicians understood the importance of working with members from different parties. Dallek praised Dole for his skill in working with others, even though he was known for his strong conservative beliefs. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House who is known for bringing about Washington's era of partisan conflict, collaborated closely with Dole to pass tax cuts and defeat President Bill Clinton's universal health care plan. In a recent interview, Gingrich compared Dole to current Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is disliked by Democrats. Gingrich noted similarities between Dole and McConnell, stating that they are both Senate veterans who excel tactically in both preventing and achieving legislative goals. Despite their alliance, Dole did not embrace Gingrich's confrontational approach. In 1995, when Gingrich and House Republicans caused a government shutdown by refusing to pass federal spending bills, Dole expressed his frustration on the Senate floor, declaring that the situation had become ridiculous. Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, were considered a powerful couple in Washington, symbolizing the city's institutions. Dole represented World War II, the Greatest Generation, and a time of dignity and honor. He played a key role in establishing the World War II Memorial on the National Mall and frequently greeted veterans there. "He was essentially a representation of America," stated Dallek, the historian. Dole, who had been a long-serving member of the Senate, decided to leave in 1996 to pursue the presidency during a time of political change in Washington. Gingrich was influential, and Clinton's scandal with Monica Lewinsky added to the increasing partisan divide. When Dole, the Senate's longest-serving Republican leader at the time, went to the chamber to announce his departure, the traditional customs of the Capitol were still observed. Despite knowing he was going to run against Bill Clinton, Democratic senators showed their respect by applauding him after his speech. | 5 |
Numerous architects are upset about the decision to tear down the red building, which enhanced the street's appeal alongside a park. A heritage activist is calling for the preservation of the building due to its historical importance. On Wednesday, a contractor named Shakil began demolishing parts of the building's roof, stating that he had won the job through a tender eight months prior and planned to complete the demolition in four days. When asked for his thoughts, the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Expansion, Md Golam Maruf, explained to bdnews24.com that the decision to demolish the building was made by the government. He declined to provide further details, stating that the building was no longer under his department's jurisdiction, despite its historical significance in agricultural research. Maruf suggested contacting the Cotton Development Board (CDB), the current owner of the building, for more information. However, when reached by phone, CDB Executive Director Md Farid Uddin was in a meeting and requested to be called back in an hour. Subsequently, he did not respond to any further calls from bdnews24.com. Taimur Islam, who serves as the Chief Executive of Urban Study Group in Dhaka City, is speaking out against the recent demolition of buildings. He believes that there are over 2,500 unlisted buildings at risk of being demolished, with only around 100 currently preserved. Islam argues that more of these buildings should be protected to conserve the city's rich architectural heritage. Taimur stated that the building holds significance due to its historical and architectural importance. He mentioned that a Famine Commission was established following a famine in Odisha during the 18th century, leading to the construction of buildings in Dhaka's Farmgate area to promote agricultural growth. The buildings were further expanded when Bengal was partitioned in 1905. Taimur also highlighted the architectural value of the building. Taimur expressed that the buildings from the colonial period, such as the courts and DC council buildings, are similar to the current architecture. He also emphasized the significance of agriculture in Bangladesh, stating that erasing our agricultural history is a mistake. Taimur believes that the entire area should have been preserved as it is connected to an important part of our history. It observed the advancements in technology in our agricultural sector. There were seven to eight buildings like it that should have been protected in accordance with the UNESCO Convention. When demolition work began on the building, a group of architects hurried to the site, including Qazi Muhammad Arif, the General Secretary of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), who expressed a desire for the preservation of the building due to its historical importance. There are numerous buildings like this throughout the country, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them. As professionals, we believe that the buildings with historical significance should be maintained. Regarding the building in Khamarbarhi, Arif mentioned that there are plans to construct a tall office building there, but there should be efforts made to conserve the existing old buildings. Currently, it appears that the situation is irreversible. The Vice-President of the institute, Jalal Ahmed, stated to bdnews24.com that he was unaware of any plans for the building. He expressed concern that the demolition had progressed too far, as the building did not seem to be in such poor condition as to require tearing down. Associate Professor Shehzad Zahir of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology mentioned that scientific research has played a significant role in advancing Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He explained that the laboratory was where agricultural research in Bangladesh began and was a crucial contributor to the country's agricultural development. Therefore, he insisted that the demolition should cease immediately and efforts should be made to protect and preserve the building, given its historical significance from the late colonial period. The attractive shedding devices in front of the windows have connected our local architecture to that of Europe, according to BRAC University's Assistant Professor architect Sajid-Bin-Doza. He also noted that the building is well-suited for Bangladesh's tropical climate. Professor Doza expressed disappointment and regret that there is no proper design of the building, indicating a lack of respect for preserving traditional architectural elements. The speaker suggested that the authorities should have taken some photos of the building before it was damaged so that future generations could see it. However, he mentioned that preserving the building now would be expensive due to the damage caused by a hammer. | 5 |
Law minister Shafique Ahmed has raised doubts about the capacity of local institutions to effectively govern the development of their constituencies. However, during a seminar on Thursday, other speakers, including members of parliament, politicians, and economists, expressed support for a strong local government and proposed the creation of a local government commission. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad and co-chair of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, anticipated that the ruling Awami League would establish such a commission as promised during the election. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Communist Party, criticized the local government ministry for allegedly maintaining control over local governments in an unconstitutional manner. The constitution requires the government to guarantee five levels of public representation, but currently only two are operational - at the Upazila and union levels. Local representatives argue that these elected bodies cannot operate independently due to the influence of their corresponding MPs. Abdul Majid, who is the president of a group of Upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen, stated that the Upazila councils are not functioning properly because they are controlled by the MPs. He mentioned at a meeting that the Upazila chairman simply follows the instructions of the MP in that area. Meher Afroz Chumki, a Member of Parliament from Gazipur, emphasized the need for a shift in mindset. She advocated for greater empowerment of local government, attributing obstacles to sincere government efforts to bureaucratic red tape. Chumki suggested that if local governments were given more authority, they would be better equipped to shoulder responsibility, but noted that closed mindsets were hindering progress. Hasanul Haq Inu, President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and also an MP, stressed the importance of clearly defining the roles of local and central government to delineate their respective areas of responsibility. He observed that discrimination against local representatives was to be expected in a system with clear dualism. He emphasized the importance of public representatives in development plans, stating that development initiatives should be centered around local government. Shafique Ahmed, concluding the discussion, expressed agreement with the other speakers and expressed support for decentralization. The technocrat minister emphasized the need to assess whether local agencies are capable of handling their responsibilities. The seminar was conducted by the Governance Advocacy Forum and led by Kholiquzzaman Ahmad. More than 400 chairmen and vice-chairmen held a hunger strike at Muktangan in the capital on Jan 22, presenting a ten-point demand for empowerment. Their demands included the repeal of a law requiring the corresponding MP to be appointed as advisor to the Upazila council. The charter also called for 70 percent budget allocation and separate budgets for local government, as well as giving chairmen the authority to assess all government employees under the council. Local leaders also requested control of 13 offices under 10 ministries in accordance with the Upazila Parishad Act, allowing local government organizations to create their own annual and five-year plans, revamping district councils, establishing a local government commission, and implementing an integrated law for local government organizations. The strike was postponed to March 28 after receiving a guarantee from MPs Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu that the demands would be met. | 5 |
Bruce Springsteen, who voiced a television advertisement for Biden during the campaign, announced Time magazine's decision at the conclusion of an hour-long special on NBC. Biden, 78, the former vice president under President Barack Obama, and Harris, 56, a US senator from California and the first Black woman and Indian American elected to the vice presidency, will be featured together on the magazine's cover on Dec 21. They were chosen over frontline health care workers, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the racial justice movement, and President Donald Trump. Time revealed the four finalists on the "Today" show. Edward Felsenthal, Time's editor-in-chief and CEO, mentioned the magazine's historical connection to the presidency. Felsenthal pointed out that it was the first instance in which the magazine had selected the vice president as a person of the year. He emphasized that the title of person of the year is not only a reflection of the past year, but also a prediction of the future. He expressed the belief that the next four years will be a critical test for both the vice president and the nation as a whole, to determine if they can fulfill their promise of unity. In a pre-recorded segment of the show, Biden stated that had Trump been reelected, it would have had long-lasting effects on the American identity. He described the recent election as a pivotal moment. Harris, who originally ran for president, acknowledged the challenges and expectations that she and Biden would be facing. “We are currently facing multiple crises that have come together at this moment,” she stated. Despite the struggle of weekly print magazines to stay relevant in the media industry, Time magazine continues to generate excitement over their annual Man of the Year distinction. This tradition dates back to 1927, when aviator Charles Lindbergh was named the first Man of the Year by Time. Over the years, Time has honored presidents, peacemakers, astronauts, popes, Queen Elizabeth II, American women, and the Earth itself. However, some of the individuals selected have been controversial; Time chose Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Josef Stalin in 1939, with Stalin receiving the distinction again in 1942. Time's selection process is not based on popularity, but rather on the individual or group that has had the most impact on the news and society, whether positive or negative. In 2019, Greta Thunberg was chosen as Time's person of the year, beating out other notable figures such as Nancy Pelosi, Trump, the Ukraine whistleblower, and the Hong Kong protesters. Trump expressed his displeasure with Thunberg's selection on Twitter, calling it "ridiculous." In 2018, Time magazine selected a group of journalists, including the murdered Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, as its person of the year to highlight the dangers faced by independent journalists amidst widespread disinformation. Other journalists recognized included the staff of The Capital Gazette newspapers in Maryland, where five people were killed in a shooting in June 2018. The previous year, Time had chosen the "silence breakers," women who sparked the Me Too movement by coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault against powerful men. In 2017, before the magazine announced its pick, President Trump claimed on Twitter that he had been informed he would likely be chosen again but said he declined the recognition. Time quickly issued a statement contradicting the president's claim. Despite his surprising victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, Trump was named Time's person of the year for that year. Unlike Trump, the last three presidents (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama) who were re-elected, were each named Time's person of the year twice during their time in office. Nine presidents have been chosen more than once by Time, with President Dwight D Eisenhower being the first in 1944 for his leadership during World War II, and President Franklin D Roosevelt holding the record for being named person of the year three times. The New York Times Company circa 2020. | 5 |
The upcoming project, "Overheated Symphony", is set to be a groundbreaking mobile phone film directed by women from around the world. It is part of the Birds Eye View film festival in London, featuring the work of female filmmakers. Participants are encouraged to create a short film between 40 seconds and four minutes in length on their mobile phones, with no limitations on content, to be compiled by a London-based director. This project aims to showcase a diverse range of women's voices on the global issue of global warming. The project's website invites women to share their hot weather experiences through mobile phone contributions, with the final edit to be created by British film director Sarah Turner. Turner drew inspiration from a 1927 film by German filmmaker Walter Ruttmann called "Berlin - Symphony of a Great City", which used a montage of still pictures to document city life. Similar to that work, Overheated Symphony will be abstract and allow contributors to engage in a dialogue of ideas with women from around the world. Turner believes that women's themes and issues will be a significant part of the final piece due to the films being made by women. Turner is collecting the mobile films before the March 2 deadline and will create a live edit of the symphony to be shown on March 9 at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts. Rachel Millward, director of the Birds Eye View festival, believes the film is focused on new technology and the theme of women and intense emotions. She stated that the direction in which film and media are heading is focused on interactivity and multi-platform projects. Their goal was to create a project that aligns with this trend, as well as incorporating a playful element that encourages participation from everyone. The project involves gathering female voices from around the world to create a film, challenging the notion that women are not technologically savvy. Contributors are invited to share their cinematic work on the festival's YouTube channel for editing. Although the final outcome is uncertain, Millward believes it will exceed expectations. She mentions that the film's unpredictability is its greatest aspect. It has the potential to touch on topics such as climate change and passion, among others, making it a multifaceted experience. | 5 |
Rival Premier League managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger united in support of Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley, who both recently resigned from their managerial positions on points of principle. Keegan left Newcastle due to interference from directors, while Curbishley departed West Ham citing board undermining over transfers. Ferguson praised their actions, stating that they resigned because they were no longer in control of their teams. It is not okay for a manager to have no control and be held responsible for the success or failure of a team based on the whims of a chairman. Both Wenger and Ferguson, the longest-serving managers in the Premier League, believe that the manager is the most important person at the club. Ferguson emphasized the challenges faced by managers in today's era with young and wealthy chairmen, noting the need for success and the changing responsibilities compared to when he and Arsene Wenger started. He acknowledged the financial constraints but also expressed support for managers who walk away due to unforeseen changes mid-season. The discussion also touched on the influx of overseas investment in the Premier League, exemplified by the Abu Dhabi United Group's acquisition of Manchester City and their plans to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas in the transfer window. Wenger expressed his belief that a significant investment could disrupt the league. He noted that in the past, fans aspired to own their favorite club, but now new owners may have different motivations such as financial gain or seeking glory. Having more money in the League is beneficial, but an excessive amount can lead to inflationary pressure which can destabilize other clubs and put a strain on their resources. Despite being rivals, the two men shared smiles and jokes, with Wenger noting a better understanding and mutual respect. Ferguson mentioned that they have shared wine and meals at coaching conferences in Geneva, highlighting the respect between them. We both have excellent teams and have experienced intense competition in the past ten years. | 5 |
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In order to find an answer, all aspects of Venus must be thoroughly examined, including the changes in its appearance over time. While Earth has plate tectonics that shape its surface with diverse features like volcanoes and mountain ranges, Venus does not have this process. However, a recent study suggests that Venus may have a unique variation of plate tectonics, where blocks of its surface have shifted and twisted, altering their surroundings. These dancing blocks, which are thin and flat slices of rock known as campi (Latin for “fields”), can range in size from as small as Ireland to as large as Alaska. They were discovered using data from NASA’s Magellan orbiter mission, which was the agency’s final mission to Venus. In the early 1990s, radar technology was used to penetrate the planet’s thick atmosphere and create a detailed map of its entire surface. Upon revisiting these maps, scientists identified 58 campi spread out across the planet’s lowlands that are covered in lava. These campi are surrounded by lines of small mountain ranges and grooves, which have been altered and marked by the passage of time. According to Paul Byrne, a planetary scientist at North Carolina State University and the lead author of the study, the campi on Venus were likely created by being dragged around by the flowing mantle below, similar to pack ice. This movement would have caused the ground to either crumple up and form mountains if moving towards immobile land, or stretch and create grooves if moving away. The campi moving side-to-side would have left strain marks and etchings along the boundaries. The fact that this deformation occurred in the lowlands of Venus is significant. The lava covering these landscapes is estimated to be between 750 and 150 million years old, making them some of the youngest on the planet. This suggests that the tectonic activity that formed these features occurred relatively recently in the history of the solar system. NASA's VERITAS and Europe's EnVision missions will investigate whether this tectonic activity is still ongoing. Using advanced radar systems, these orbiters will provide high-resolution images of the landscapes, allowing scientists to determine if any movement has occurred since the time of Magellan. If evidence shows that Venus is tectonically active, it would support the idea that Venus was once capable of plate tectonics due to the presence of a large amount of water. Plate tectonics help regulate the climate by moving carbon, preventing extreme global warming. However, catastrophic events like volcanic eruptions may have caused Venus to become a dry, inhospitable planet with inactive plate tectonics. Therefore, the planet's surface has been relatively stable for billions of years, but recent research suggests that there may have been more movement than previously thought. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding Venus's tectonic activity. Countless Earth- and Venus-size planets exist in the universe, and their tectonic activity will play a role in shaping their destinies. However, according to O'Rourke, it is essential to understand Earth and Venus in order to comprehend any rocky world in the solar system or beyond. Venus, with its many unexpected characteristics, presents a challenge to this task. | 5 |
Due to a geomagnetic storm caused by a recent solar outburst, 40 out of 49 newly launched Starlink satellites have been disabled and are now falling back into Earth's atmosphere to be burned up. This event emphasizes the risks that many companies face when launching thousands of small satellites into orbit for internet service from space. There is a possibility that future solar outbursts could also disrupt these newly deployed satellites. The sun operates on an 11-year cycle, fluctuating between active and calm periods. Currently, the sun is increasing towards its peak, which is predicted to occur around 2025. This recent solar event was considered moderate compared to previous occurrences. Hugh Lewis, a space debris expert at the University of Southampton, believes that a more extreme event is likely to happen during the next solar cycle. If a mild solar flare can damage 40 Starlink satellites, a stronger solar event could cause even more harm to SpaceX and other company's megaconstellations. SpaceX has announced the potential loss of up to 40 satellites in a blog post. The company stated that following the launch, the satellites were released into their planned orbit, approximately 130 miles above Earth. This specific altitude was chosen partly to prevent potential collisions with other satellites in the future. If the satellites experience issues after being deployed at this altitude and are unable to move to more secure orbits, they will quickly be reclaimed by the atmosphere, which is considered a safety measure. However, before the launch of these satellites on Jan 29, a powerful eruption from the sun called a coronal mass ejection was detected, which arrived at Earth around Feb 2 and caused a geomagnetic storm in Earth's magnetic field. The intense storm added energy to particles in Earth's atmosphere, causing it to expand and increase in density. This increased drag on objects moving through the atmosphere, such as satellites, causing their orbits to shrink and bringing them closer to the lower atmosphere where they burn up. SpaceX reported that during a recent Starlink deployment, the storm caused atmospheric drag to increase by up to 50%, leading to the loss of 40 out of 49 satellites. Currently, there are 1,915 Starlink satellites orbiting in space, and losing up to 40 of them is not a major concern for SpaceX, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. However, Lewis estimates that the loss of these satellites could potentially cost up to $100 million, including the launch expenses. The risks of solar outbursts and geomagnetic storms affecting objects in low-Earth orbit are well-documented, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration categorizing geomagnetic storms on a scale from minor to extreme. The recent "moderate" storm could cause changes in atmospheric drag that may impact satellite orbits. Given these risks, it raises the question of whether SpaceX considered these hazards during the deployment of Starlink satellites. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina in Canada, expressed her surprise and confusion at the situation, while McDowell also found it unexpected. A SpaceX media representative mentioned that the team is busy and unable to answer questions. The satellites entering the atmosphere quickly instead of lingering in low-Earth orbit is seen as a positive development and does not pose a threat to people on the ground. Lewis stated that the system performed as expected in terms of safety, with the satellites de-orbiting without putting anything else at risk. Satellites at higher altitudes are generally safe from atmospheric expansion hazards, but those at lower altitudes remain vulnerable. This raises concerns about SpaceX's ability to continue deploying spacecraft at low altitudes. With the sun becoming more active and releasing more extreme ultraviolet radiation, the atmosphere will expand significantly, leading to an expected increase in atmospheric density by one or two orders of magnitude. The recent incident involving the destruction of Starlink satellites represents a significant change compared to previous events. Many astronomers have criticized satellite constellations like Starlink for potentially interfering with telescope research on Earth. Some view this incident as indicative of SpaceX's approach to problems in low-Earth orbit - fixing issues as they arise rather than taking preventative measures. The destruction of these satellites serves as a tough lesson for SpaceX, according to Lewis. Lawler stated that it is up to them to decide what happens next, and he expressed hope that this will make them see things more clearly. | 5 |
There is growing speculation that Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard may be removed from her position by her party before the end of the year. Senior ministers have come out in support of Gillard following a difficult start to 2012. Defense Minister Stephen Smith and other cabinet ministers have expressed their backing for Gillard, despite media reports suggesting she may face a leadership challenge from Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd. Political analysts now believe it is unlikely that Gillard will lead the party in the next election, scheduled for the second half of 2013, with a potential move against her expected later in the year. Monash University political analyst Nick Economou stated that some MPs are beginning to worry and believe that Gillard may not lead the Labor Party in the next election. The initial major opinion polls for 2012 revealed that government backing was stuck at historically low levels. Online bookmakers Sportsbet announced on Friday that the odds of Rudd reclaiming his position as leader before the year ends had decreased to $1.20 for a $1.00 bet. Smith, speaking from Brussels on Australian television, expressed his strong support for the Prime Minister, commending her performance in challenging circumstances. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, and Regional Affairs Minister Simon Crean have all urged an end to party discord, with Crean stating that Rudd does not work well within a team. Despite being perceived as a lone operator by his Labor colleagues, Rudd maintains popularity among voters, even after being ousted as prime minister due to difficulties in passing reforms. The government faces a dilemma as Prime Minister Gillard relies on support from two independents and the Greens, and any change in leadership could potentially lead to a change of government or an early election. A leadership spill could result in the conservative opposition scrapping a new mining tax and carbon tax set to begin on July 1. Despite rumors, Gillard remains focused on delivering good policy and dismisses media chatter, stating she is focused on her job. Gillard ended 2011 with a strengthened position after gaining support from a disaffected opposition lawmaker who became parliamentary speaker. She has had a difficult start to 2012, losing support from one independent and a staffer due to broken promises and controversial actions. This has left the government with a slim majority in parliament and facing scrutiny over a police investigation. Despite economic challenges, there may be some relief if interest rates are cut as expected. There has been a shift in support away from Gillard, although many Labor lawmakers still have negative feelings towards Rudd. Tingle wrote on Friday that the situation has changed unfavorably for Julia Gillard with a quiet but noticeable threat. Economou mentioned that any action against Gillard would probably not happen until July, coinciding with the implementation of the carbon tax and mining tax. This timeline would give Labor the opportunity to present its budget in May and focus on campaigning for the Queensland state election on March 24, where polls indicate Labor is likely to lose power. Economou warned that the period after the carbon tax is introduced will be crucial, and if there is no improvement by then, Gillard may be forced to step down. | 5 |
Oscar voters highly appreciate a good drama, but at the Toronto International Film Festival, dramas were less prominent on screen and more of an issue behind the scenes. The festival, known as a significant step towards movie awards, opened with the film "Creation" seeking a US distributor. Many films at the festival lacked distribution, including notable titles such as "Chloe" and "Dorian Gray." Due to audience preferences for escapism and comedies during the recession, distributors are focusing on those genres, leaving serious dramas struggling to secure distribution. According to industry insiders, enthusiasts of quality dramas still exist and the genre itself is not dead. They believe that the problem lies more in marketing and cost rather than creative content. Despite this, creating successful films like "No Country for Old Men" from 2007, which won an Oscar for best film, is challenging. Director Jon Amiel, known for "Creation" which depicts Charles Darwin's struggles with evolution in the 1850s, referred to "drama" as the new undesirable term in Hollywood. He mentioned that even indie distributors are not interested in purchasing movies about deceased, bald Englishmen. Many American films are not being seen by American audiences, as evidenced by the declining box office numbers. Two successful films in the art house market this summer were "The Hurt Locker," which earned $12 million, and "(500) Days of Summer," which earned roughly $29 million. According to entertainment attorney Steven Beer, dramas are considered risky in today's market due to a conservative attitude. Despite challenges in the industry, experts believe that dramas can still attract audiences and generate profits. The key lies in creating a suitable production and marketing strategy that aligns with the current state of the movie industry. Effective marketing often involves grassroots campaigns that cater to specific demographics, such as fans of science and period pieces for films like "Creation." Additionally, production costs need to be reduced to accommodate the decreasing box office revenue and DVD sales, which have been impacted by competition from other forms of entertainment. Despite the difficulties, dramas have always been and will continue to be a challenging but potentially rewarding genre in the film industry. Tom Ortenberg, president of theatrical films at The Weinstein Co., stated that in a challenging economic climate, there is a need for models to change. David Poland, an industry watcher at MovieCityNews.com, pointed out that the decrease in DVD sales has made distributors hesitant to support expensive dramas. Despite this, there is still a demand for the genre. Distributors are now more selective when considering dramas, making it difficult for another breakout film like "Slumdog" at Toronto 2009. Tom Bernard, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, noted that buyers at Toronto are now more cautious than in the past. | 5 |
Mohsin passed away during treatment at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital at 9:30am on Monday, as confirmed by Selina Haque, additional secretary to the defence ministry. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sorrow at Mohsin's death and extended her condolences to his family. Mohsin had been admitted to CMH on Jun 2 after testing positive for the coronavirus and was later moved to intensive care where he received plasma therapy as his condition worsened. He was the younger brother of former principal secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and was promoted to senior secretary on Jun 14 while still in the hospital. Mohsin, born in Cumilla in 1963, earned an MSc in Soil Science from Dhaka University and a MA in Governance Studies from Northern University in Dhaka. He was a member of the 1985 BCS batch and held various positions in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Prime Minister's Office. Prior to his time at the defence ministry, he served as secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. | 5 |
There were a total of 19 fatalities across multiple states due to the storm. It was the third largest snowfall accumulation in New York City history with 25.1 inches, and also one of the biggest storms in Washington. Thirteen people died in weather-related car accidents in various states, while one person died in Maryland and three in New York City while shoveling snow. Officials in Virginia reported that two individuals died from hypothermia. The storm, which dumped nearly two feet of snow on the Washington area overnight, unexpectedly gained strength as it moved northward towards the New York metropolitan area, where approximately 20 million people reside. The storm was forecasted to continue through the night, with snow accumulations expected to reach between 24 and 28 inches in New York City, northern New Jersey, and western Long Island, accompanied by winds gusting up to 45 mph. The statue of Pierre Charles L'Enfant in Washington was covered in snow during the winter storm on January 23, 2016. Visibility was predicted to be very low, around one-quarter of a mile or less. During a winter storm in Washington on January 23, 2016, the statue of Pierre Charles L'Enfant was covered in snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency, along with 10 other state governors, and implemented a travel ban on roads in the New York City area and Long Island. The ban was in effect from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning, with bridges and tunnels from New Jersey reopening at 7am. Subways, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North trains stopped running at 4pm due to heavy snowfall, making it difficult for ploughs to clear the roads and railways. The impact of the travel ban on New York's financial services industry over the weekend was considered minimal, and the effect of the heavy snow on Wall Street's reopening on Monday was uncertain. On Broadway, the effect was quickly felt as theaters followed the mayor's recommendation to cancel Saturday performances. The typically busy city of 8.5 million people fell silent, with residents and tourists exploring Manhattan and Central Park covered in snow. Some people skied, others built snowmen, and some engaged in friendly snowball fights. The Washington Monument grounds are snowy during a winter storm in Washington on January 23, 2016, leading to the suspension of public transportation by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated at a press conference that while the snow is expected to stop late tonight or early tomorrow morning, the situation remains dangerous. We anticipate that strong winds will persist in the region, leading to poor conditions and visibility. FlightAware.com reported that more than 5,100 flights were canceled on Saturday and over 3,300 on Sunday. United Airlines announced that it would not be operating at Washington-area airports over the weekend, with plans to gradually resume service on Monday. Limited operations are expected to start on Sunday afternoon at Newark, New Jersey, and other New York area airports. The blizzard first hit Washington before moving on to the New York City area, leaving snow outside the White House and covering the city's famous monuments. "We have yet to make snow angels, but we are excited to do so in front of the White House," expressed 38-year-old Robert Bella Hernandez. "We plan on walking around to see the snow-covered landmarks in DC. If it gets too dangerous, we may go back inside for a bit." The highest recorded snowfall in Washington was 28 inches in 1922, with the most recent significant snowfall being 17.8 inches in 2010. The East Coast experienced high winds, with speeds reaching up to 70 mph in Wallops Island, Virginia, causing coastal flooding. National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Gallina reported that the tides were higher than during Hurricane Sandy. In Washington, a man was seen walking near the Washington Monument during a winter storm on January 23, 2016, as reported by Reuters. The storm also affected Baltimore and Philadelphia, with a significant number of customers in North Carolina and New Jersey losing power. The high tides caused by the storm broke records in Cape May, New Jersey, and Lewes, Delaware, surpassing those seen during Superstorm Sandy three years prior. Some evacuations were necessary along the New Jersey Shore, where residents had to leave their homes during the destructive storm in 2012. Linda Gilmore, the public information officer for the county, reported that the barrier islands close to Atlantic City were facing notable tidal flooding. The storm originated from the Gulf Coast and brought snow to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky on Friday. Meteorologists explained that the storm was created when warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean combined with cold air, resulting in a large winter system along the coast. | 5 |
The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who has traditionally relied on well-known Beatles stories in interviews. However, in his GQ feature, he appeared unscripted, somewhat indecisive, and less concerned with protecting his image than expected. McCartney even shared a memory of the Beatles' youthful sexual escapades, resulting in a bold New York Post headline. This revelation was both enlightening for readers and fans, and humanizing for McCartney, who has been a celebrity for so long he seems more like a statue. It required McCartney to be open and engage in dialogue for such an in-depth profile. Not all high-profile stories require this level of openness, as seen in the September issue of Vogue featuring Beyoncé on the cover. The article accompanying this text is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words," which is not a typical profile but rather a collection of brief and only occasionally revealing comments on various topics such as motherhood, family, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes the piece in her editor's letter as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, suggesting that this is a positive aspect. While there was a journalist present during the process, the article ultimately seems to erase outside perspectives, as indicated by the "as told to" credit at the end. This may not be concerning for Beyoncé fans, but for those interested in celebrity journalism, which typically adds context and depth to the fame economy through the interaction between interviewer and interviewee, this could be seen as a significant issue. It is not a rare occurrence, especially in pop music, for many well-known performers to avoid the press. Taylor Swift has not granted an in-depth interview to a print publication in at least two years, while Drake has done the same for about a year. Frank Ocean has essentially vanished once again. Instead of providing meaningful communication, these artists either remain silent or share one-sided stories through social media. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is changing the landscape of celebrity press, disrupting the traditional role of in-depth interviews as a tool for both building and maintaining fame. Since the 1960s, celebrities have seen answering questions as a necessary part of their job, a way to explain themselves and their work to the public. This has been evident in iconic moments such as John Lennon discussing the breakup of the Beatles, Tupac Shakur speaking from jail, and Courtney Love's response to Kurt Cobain's death. It used to be enlightening for fans and a source of pride for celebrities, especially when interviews were confrontational. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna thrived in these situations, showing themselves to be thoughtful, unafraid of challenges, and aware of their public image. However, this was when print media had more influence and the internet and TMZ were not as dominant. With celebrities being constantly monitored in real-time, they became more hesitant. This shift alone may not mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism. The pressure on celebrity journalism from higher-ups may not be as significant as the growing threat from below, where a new generation of celebrities, such as YouTube stars and SoundCloud rappers, are sharing their lives on social media in a rapid and unfiltered manner. This generation values all-access hyper-documentation, making traditional celebrity journalism, which emphasizes behind-the-scenes access, less relevant. An example is rapper Lil Xan, who has recently been involved in various online dramas without waiting for traditional media to catch up. At times, social media posts have replaced traditional tell-all interviews for celebrities. For example, Ariana Grande used Instagram to mourn her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, while XXXTentacion responded to sexual assault allegations on his Instagram Story. YouTube star Logan Paul also used his platform to apologize for controversial content. These posts provide one-sided narratives with little scrutiny, making social media a safe space for young celebrities. With the ability to reach a large, targeted audience on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, celebrities no longer rely on traditional media for exposure. This shift has created a challenge for celebrity journalism as the most famous individuals have bypassed it entirely, while newer celebrities deem it irrelevant. As time passes, the middle ground may eventually disappear completely. Additionally, the variety of content being created has expanded, making it challenging for everyday consumers to distinguish between original reporting and aggregated content, as well as content produced by journalistic sources versus brands. This lack of clarity motivates celebrities to move away from traditional media, where they have less control over the final product. With the decline of traditional media, the new media landscape is often seen as a way to correct or divert attention. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle magazine this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. However, when the interview was published online, she responded with a lengthy Instagram post expressing her frustration. She mentioned how difficult it is for her to speak from the heart for over an hour only to have someone else put those thoughts into paid words. As she grows older, she desires for her voice to remain her own. She then went on to list the specific topics she had wanted to discuss in the interview, criticizing the fact that her personal life and church had received more attention. This shift in power dynamics has led to publications, weakened and financially fragile, to resort to finding ways to trade the feeling of control for access to celebrities. This has even resulted in celebrities guest editing special issues of magazines. While Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, she actually took on the role of interviewer in the accompanying article, posing questions to rock muse Pattie Boyd. Rihanna also took a unique approach in 2015 by photographing herself for the cover of The Fader, with the help of a professional photographer. This act served as a commentary on the omnipresent nature of fame and the concept of a cover star capturing their own image. If these methods are not feasible, magazines can opt to have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview instead. In Elle magazine, Jennifer Lawrence interviewed Emma Stone while Blake Lively conducted Gigi Hadid's Harper's Bazaar May cover interview. Katy Perry's March Glamour cover interview was done by Instagram affirmation specialist Cleo Wade. Interview magazine, known for its celebrity conversations, has been recently revived. In the comeback issue, Raf Simons talks with George Condo (with occasional input from a journalist) and Jennifer Jason Leigh converses with Phoebe Cates. The friend involved in the conversation doesn't necessarily have to be a famous person. In the current Rolling Stone feature with the elusive pop star Sia, the writer establishes himself as a close friend of hers. Similarly, New York magazine's recent interview with Soon-Yi Previn, Woody Allen's wife, was conducted by a long-time friend of Allen, sparking criticism on social media. These articles capitalize on the perceived closeness of friendships to provide insight, disregarding the journalistic duty to remain objective. The unspoken agreement in celebrity profiles is that the journalist represents the reader, not the subject. However, in the pursuit of exclusive access, ethical standards are often overlooked. Friendship should not be a requirement before conducting interviews. This approach is unfair to fans, who are deprived of the insights that come from challenging discussions rather than just agreeing with the interviewee. Imagine the valuable conversations that could have taken place with Beyoncé about "Lemonade" or Taylor Swift about "Reputation", benefiting both the curious audience and the interview subjects. Unfortunately, these celebrities have chosen to isolate themselves, missing out on the chance for deeper exploration. It is regrettable that we will never learn about the unasked questions. Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service. | 5 |
Rafiq, a former captain of the England Under-19s and of Pakistani descent, expressed feeling like an outsider at Yorkshire last year and even considered suicide. Hutton, in his resignation letter, criticized the Yorkshire board and senior management for their unwillingness to acknowledge racism and apologize. He acknowledged the club's failure to address serious allegations of racism and apologized to Rafiq. The author expresses regret that they were unable to convince the executive members of the board to understand the seriousness of the situation and to demonstrate care and regret. The England Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended Yorkshire ECB from hosting international or major matches, but Hutton mentioned that the ECB was hesitant to take action when approached. Hutton stated that when made aware of Azeem Rafiq's accusations, they immediately contacted the ECB for assistance and support in conducting a thorough investigation. Hutton was disappointed when the ECB declined to assist, as they believed it was a significant issue for the sport as a whole. It is known that Hutton has consistently voiced frustration with the ECB's reluctance to take action. The CEO of the ECB, Tom Harrison, stated that the ECB was invited to participate in a Yorkshire panel of inquiry, but had to decline as it goes against their role as a regulator. Harrison disagreed with the suggestion that the ECB had refused to assist in the investigation. The ECB had previously stated that it would ensure Yorkshire was held responsible for their actions and would potentially impose penalties. Rafiq and other top Yorkshire officials have been summoned to testify before a parliamentary DCMS panel on November 16th. | 5 |
Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has declared a state of emergency on his team's World Cup campaign before their match against Denmark. Both teams are in desperate need of a victory after losing their opening games. Le Guen was honest about the team's struggles since the loss to Japan. I prefer people to be highly motivated and aware of the state of emergency. There are rumors of in-fighting among Cameroon's players after a defeat, but captain Samuel Eto'o emphasized that this was not the case. He stated at a press conference on Friday that there has never been any in-fighting in the group and there never will be, as long as he has the support of his teammates, coach, and country. Regardless of the players' mindset, it is certain that coach Le Guen will make changes. He stated that without going into specifics, he plans to substitute three players for their upcoming game. He expressed disappointment in their performance, stating they were not up to their usual standard. He intends to start three new players and make some adjustments. He emphasized that as the coach and team selector, he understands his duties and is open to change. When I notice that things are not going well, I make adjustments. In the game against Japan, I attempted to place the players in their usual positions for their clubs, except for Stephane Mbia. If that strategy doesn't prove successful, I make alterations. This statement appeared to be a direct mention of his past choice to position Eto'o on the right side, a position he played for Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho the previous season. Le Guen has faced significant backlash for this decision, including criticism from Eto'o himself, who stated on French TV channel Canal Plus that his preferred position was in the center. Eto'o stated that he was not attempting to sway his coach's decisions and emphasized that he will follow instructions given to him. He mentioned that Paul Le Guen is responsible for making decisions, and as players representing their country, he will play wherever he is asked to. Le Guen also stressed the importance of the players living up to their Indomitable Lions nickname, indicating that he has his own responsibilities in selecting the team and tactics, but the players must also regain a certain spirit. He mentioned the need for the players to rekindle the spirit of Lions and urged them to rediscover it. | 5 |
It is an example of the type of deal that has long been made by certain employees of the Kremlin propaganda machine - individuals who valued the stability of their job and the creative challenge, even if they did not agree with the goals of their workplace. Only this month, following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Likin resigned from his position as the art director for Channel 1, the Russian state television network that plays a significant role in the Kremlin's propaganda efforts. He stated that he was not a politician, but that the invasion meant he was now part of a campaign with a destructive agenda. Likin remarked in a phone interview that in Russia, television is tailored for individuals who are too lazy to seek information from other sources, lacking education or the habit of critical analysis. Putin's actions in Ukraine have prompted some Russians who have long been employed by the government to sever ties with it, indicating a struggle within the Kremlin to maintain full societal support for the war. There have been numerous arrests during protests against the invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands fleeing the country. Putin's climate envoy, Anatoly Chubais, resigned on Wednesday, making him the first senior government official to do so since the invasion began on February 24. Several high-profile resignations have also occurred at Russia's state television channels, which play a crucial role in Putin's control over domestic politics. Marina Ovsyannikova, a Channel 1 staff member, made a bold act of protest by interrupting a live news broadcast to display an anti-war poster. Other resignations, like Likin's, have been more quiet, revealing the unrest within Putin's system and highlighting the significant influence of television in shaping public perception of the war. Zhanna Agalakova, a Channel 1 correspondent who recently resigned, described a sense of clinical depression among some of her colleagues who remain. Many individuals who are thinking are feeling guilt and there is no way out, just asking for forgiveness is not sufficient. Russia's national television networks are all under Kremlin's control, even though their influence has decreased with the popularity of YouTube and social media, they are still the main source of news for the public. According to surveys conducted by the Levada Center, approximately two-thirds of Russians relied on state television for news last year, a decrease from 90% in 2014. Throughout the war, state television channels have portrayed a different view of the conflict compared to what is seen in the West, depicting Russians as the heroes who are bringing liberation to Ukrainian lands from neo-Nazis supported by the West. Photographs of dead civilians and destroyed homes are falsely labeled as fake or blamed on Ukrainians shelling themselves. Reports from Mariupol suggest that local residents believe the Ukrainian military is intentionally targeting residential buildings, while others claim nationalists were instructed to destroy the city before retreating. Polls show that many Russians believe the narrative presented by state television, linking the war to longstanding grievances against the West. Despite some journalists leaving their positions, many have chosen to stay and continue promoting Russia's struggle for its existence. Former NTV anchor Liliya Gildeyeva, who quit her job, admitted that she had compromised her values before realizing the extent of her actions once the war began. She stated that when you start to give in to yourself little by little, you may not realize how far you have fallen. The shock of the war has caused a large number of Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, boarding flights to destinations like Turkey and Armenia. While some leaving were journalists and activists escaping potential arrest, many were tech workers and young professionals who no longer saw a future for themselves in Russia. Even some members of Russia's elite have left, with the highest-profile departure being Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, who resigned over the war in Ukraine and left the country. The Kremlin has confirmed that Chubais has resigned. He was viewed as one of the few liberal officials in Putin's government, and his key role in economic reforms in Moscow during the 1990s made him unpopular among many Russians. It remains uncertain whether discontent among some of the elite could have any impact on destabilizing Putin's government. Likin, the former art director of Channel 1, believed that those willing to resign for their principles were a small minority in Russian society. Agalakova, a former correspondent for Channel 1, stated that many of her former colleagues who stayed did not work for a particular idea. "People have obligations to their family, debts to pay, and basic needs to fulfill in order to survive. Those who leave their jobs at state television, especially those who speak out, face an uncertain future. Agalakova, who was a correspondent based in Paris, mentioned that some of her friends stopped talking to her after she resigned. Likin, on the other hand, plans to remain in Russia and continue his career as an architect. He mentioned that he might consider returning to television if there is a shift in its content towards promoting life rather than destroying it. Government-sponsored polls suggest that the majority of Russians support Putin's military actions, although analysts warn that people may not be completely honest in surveys during times of conflict. Agalakova now realizes that years of propaganda on Russian television have paved the way for war, particularly by twisting Russians' memory of their country's sacrifices in World War II to align with the current policies of the Kremlin." Agalakova expressed that the mention of Nazism in Ukraine by the Kremlin triggers immediate reactions from society, but she believes it is a manipulative and deceitful tactic. Due to the spread of propaganda, Russians who are skeptical of television have limited options for reliable news sources. Echo of Moscow radio station and TV Rain independent television channel have been shut down, and access to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram has been blocked by the government. Additionally, journalist Alexander Nevzorov is under criminal investigation for sharing information about the Russian bombing of Mariupol on Instagram. The most recent attempt to instill fear in critics of the war involves a new law that can result in up to 15 years in prison for going against the official narrative of the conflict in Ukraine. According to Denis Volkov from the Levada polling center, the true test of Russian public opinion will come when the economic effects of Western sanctions are felt. Despite this, Volkov believes that the Kremlin's narrative of the situation has been deeply embedded in the minds of television viewers and is unlikely to be changed soon. Many Russians tend to accept news that aligns with the television narrative and dismiss anything that contradicts it, regardless of its truth. | 5 |
Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine was inaugurated as president on Thursday, promising to tackle corruption, poverty, and political instability in order to regain foreign support for the struggling economy. His swearing-in ceremony was subdued, reflecting the contentious election against Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the deep divisions within the country. Despite this, his inauguration marked a comeback from the 2004 Orange Revolution, which had overturned a rigged election in his favor. In his speech to officials, lawmakers, and foreign dignitaries, Yanukovich acknowledged the country's significant challenges, including debt, poverty, corruption, and economic collapse, and expressed confidence in his team's innovative strategy for moving forward. He mentioned the lack of foreign investment in Ukraine, along with its unstable business environment, and emphasized the need to restore political stability, eradicate corruption, and establish clear regulations for the relationship between the government and businesses. These factors are essential for building trust with investors and international financial institutions. Ukraine's economy has suffered due to the global economic downturn, particularly affecting its steel and chemical exports and causing the hryvnia to lose half its value against the dollar in the last 18 months. The country relies on a $16.4 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program, which was paused last year and is expected to resume once stability is restored. The finance ministry announced that an IMF technical mission is scheduled to visit on April 7th. This typically results in a thorough visit from IMF officials, who will then determine whether to resume the program. Yanukovich, a former mechanic supported by wealthy industrialists, had a challenging upbringing in eastern Ukraine and has a criminal record for petty offenses. He is expected to improve relations with Russia, Ukraine's former Soviet ruler, following a period of estrangement during Viktor Yushchenko's pro-Western leadership. Yanukovich has suggested potential compromises with Moscow regarding the Black Sea fleet in Crimea and has proposed a consortium involving Russia to manage Ukraine's gas pipelines. However, he aims to renegotiate a decade-old gas supply agreement negotiated by Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He also mentioned his intention to pursue a well-rounded foreign policy and has made a commitment to strengthening relationships with the European Union. During his speech on Thursday, he emphasized his willingness to maintain positive and beneficial connections with Russia, the EU, and the United States, aiming to achieve the best outcomes for Ukraine. His website later confirmed his upcoming visit to Brussels, scheduled for Monday, as well as his plans to visit Moscow in early March, according to his Regions Party. Yanukovich won the election by defeating Prime Minister Tymoshenko with a 3.5 percentage point lead, although he only garnered the support of one-third of the 37 million eligible voters. The voting results showed a clear divide between Russian-speaking voters in the east and south who supported Yanukovich, and Ukrainian-speaking voters in the west and center who voted for Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko recently gave up her legal challenge to Yanukovich's election, but she still believes he was not rightfully elected. She and most of her parliamentary bloc boycotted the ceremony, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Yanukovich's presidency. Despite Yanukovich's call for a competent executive power, Tymoshenko is refusing to step down as prime minister, leading to ongoing political tension in the short-term. She is working to rally her allies in parliament, while Yanukovich's party is trying to weaken her coalition and form a new one. Creating a coalition involves difficult negotiations and may take a long time. If Yanukovich is unable to form a new coalition, he will have no choice but to hold new parliamentary elections, adding to the ongoing uncertainty. | 5 |
The rebranding of India's technology hub and other cities coincided with Karnataka's 59th formation day. An official stated that the state government had officially announced that Bangalore and 11 other cities in the state would be pronounced and spelled in Kannada starting from November 1, following approval from the central government to rename them in the local language. Bangalore, being the fifth largest city in the country, has gained global recognition over the past decade due to its successful IT industry, talented workforce, pleasant climate, and diverse culture. Other well-known cities like Mysore will now be known as Mysuru, Mangalore as Mangaluru, Belgaum as Belagavi, Bellary as Ballari, Hubli as Hubballi, and Gulbarga as Kalaburgi. The remaining five cities will also undergo name changes. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed pride in being able to officially use Kannada names for these cities and announced plans to rename other cities in the state in the future. Despite the changes, many citizens still use the English versions of the city names in conversation. We have no other option but to follow and adapt to it. The term "Bangalored" was first used by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the lead up to the 2008 presidential election to highlight the impact of Indian software firms taking American tech jobs through outsourcing. Renaming cities and states is not uncommon, as seen in Maharashtra changing Bombay to Mumbai, Madras to Chennai, Calcutta to Kolkata, and others. Karnataka also joined in this trend in 2006 to honor the state's 50th anniversary and respect the sentiments of its people. During the previous BJP administration, the state legislature also approved it. On Monday, the state government will instruct corporations, departments, and institutions to update their nameplates and stationery accordingly. Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee stated that private companies or organizations will not be required to change their registered names if they reference any of the 12 cities. | 5 |
Officials announced that Southern African leaders will convene an emergency meeting in Swaziland's capital Mbabane on Wednesday to address the crisis in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has called on the United Nations to isolate President Robert Mugabe and deploy a peacekeeping force in the country. Despite the U.N. Security Council's recent condemnation of violence against the opposition and declaration that a free and fair presidential election on Friday was not possible, Mugabe remains defiant. The meeting in Mbabane, organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), comes as international pressure mounts on Mugabe to find a solution to Zimbabwe's political and economic challenges. Tanzania, Angola, and Swaziland's leaders will participate in the meeting as part of the SADC's troika organ on politics, defense, and security. The statement mentioned that the current SADC chairman, President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia, and the SADC mediator for Zimbabwe, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, have been invited to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how the SADC and its troika organ on politics, defense, and security can assist Zimbabwe in resolving its current state of conflict. Tsvangirai, who has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare after withdrawing from the election, expressed concern that Zimbabwe would face further challenges if the international community did not intervene. He called for the United Nations to take stronger action, including isolating dictator Mugabe and deploying a force to protect the people. "We do not desire armed conflict, but the citizens of Zimbabwe require global leaders to not only speak out against the situation, but to also consider using military force for moral reasons," stated Tsvangirai. He emphasized that such force would be used for peacekeeping purposes, to protect the people and uphold the democratic process that Zimbabwe longs for. Pressure on Mugabe has been mounting from both within and outside of Africa due to the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, which is largely attributed to the 84-year-old president who has been in power for 28 years. The United States has called on SADC to denounce both the election and Mugabe's government as illegitimate. According to Angola's state-run ANGOP news agency, SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao stated that foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday that there was a "climate of extreme violence" in Zimbabwe and that the government needed to protect the people. The intended run-off election between Mugabe and Tsvangirai was scheduled for Friday. Tsvangirai, who won the first round in March, did not secure an outright victory according to official figures. In March, Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change also won a parallel parliamentary election, marking the first defeat for Mugabe's ZANU-PF party since independence from Britain in 1980. Following Tsvangirai's withdrawal, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and the leader of South Africa's ruling African National Congress both called for the postponement of Friday's election. Zuma, considered one of the most powerful figures in South Africa alongside Mbeki, has urged the United Nations and SADC to intervene urgently in the situation in Zimbabwe, which he believes has spiraled out of control. While Mbeki's approach has been one of "quiet diplomacy" with Mugabe and has resisted using South Africa's economic influence over Zimbabwe, Zuma, who replaced Mbeki as ANC leader, has been more vocal in his criticism of Mugabe. Despite the pressure from the West, Mugabe remains defiant and insists that the election scheduled for Friday will proceed as planned. "Mugabe stated that elections will proceed as planned. Those who wish to acknowledge our authority may do so, while those who do not should abstain," said Mugabe. Mugabe has overseen a decline into economic turmoil, with figures such as 80 percent unemployment and the world's highest inflation rate of at least 165,000 percent. He attributes his country's economic difficulties to Western sanctions. | 5 |
The Socialist government was warned that the European football tournament in France starting on June 10 could face disruptions if the government did not change its stance. Many workers responded to the union's call for protests by halting work at various facilities and setting up roadblocks at ports and distribution hubs. Prime Minister Manuel Valls stated that the government would not retract the law, despite the protests, but suggested that there could be some adjustments to the reforms. The CFDT trade union supported Valls' position. The protests, sparked by labor reforms, were seen as a test of the opposition's strength led by the CGT union. Scores of participants from a youth protest movement known as Nuit Debout joined the street marches, which were organized to express dissent. Police were present to prevent potential violence, as there have been numerous incidents of clashes between police and protesters in recent demonstrations. Union leaders, including CGT chief Philippe Martinez and FO leader Jean-Claude Mailly, expressed their willingness to disrupt the Euro 2016 football contest as a form of protest against the government's policies. Despite calls for changes to the controversial labor law, Prime Minister Valls remained firm in his stance and refused to make any significant alterations. The SNCF national train company reported that around two-thirds of national, regional, and local rail services were operational, indicating that the railworker strikes were having a lesser impact compared to the previous week. Following police action to remove blockades at refineries and fuel distribution centers, Prime Minister Valls stated that 20-30 percent of fuel stations were experiencing shortages. Transport Minister Alain Vidalies stated that the situation had improved, with fuel deliveries from depots to gas stations increasing. The number of fuel stations with shortages decreased from 140 on Wednesday to 83 on Thursday in the Loire-Atlantique region of western France. The French nuclear power capacity was reduced by five gigawatts due to stoppages, which is approximately six percent of the total production capacity of the country. While experts in the power industry believe that the strike at the nuclear plant will not lead to major blackouts because of legal restrictions on strike actions and power imports from other countries, the strike typically increases operating costs for the EDF power utility. Additionally, dockers striking at the southern port of Marseille resulted in an increase in the number of ships waiting at sea to offload oil, gas, and chemicals from five to 21, according to the port authority. A protest over pension reform in 2010 ended after police dispersed pickets at supply depots and railworkers faced stoppages affecting their paychecks. Total SA, a major oil company, has reported that most of its fuel distribution depots are operational, with only one not functioning. However, it has also stated that two out of its five refineries in France are currently not operational, and two more are expected to stop in the near future. The CGT union is facing a more isolated fight this time, as Laurent Berger of the CFDT union, who supports the proposed labor reform, has expressed concern about the intense political and industrial tensions, urging for a more peaceful resolution. | 5 |
Manchester United is looking to add one more player for the upcoming season, but they do not intend to make significant changes to their squad despite losing the Premier League title, according to manager Alex Ferguson's statement on Tuesday. He mentioned that there might be just one signing during a news conference. | 5 |
The Embassy believes that Tarique is responsible for severe political corruption that has negatively impacted US national interests, specifically in terms of democratic institutions and foreign assistance goals. However, they do not want to impose a ban on Tarique's wife, daughter, or mother, who is a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The cable provided background information to support their recommendation, highlighting Bangladesh's history of systemic corruption and the current government's efforts to combat it. Doubts about the Government's ability to hold corrupt leaders accountable are widespread. Concerns about corruption are still prominent, leading to a lack of trust that hinders private sector investment and undermines public confidence in a democratic future. A cable referred to Tarique Rahman as the feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, detailing his release on bail and departure to the UK for medical treatment. The cable condemned Tarique for his involvement in bribery and corruption, labeling him as a symbol of corrupt government and violent politics in Bangladesh. Despite facing multiple charges including corruption, extortion, bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion, he was still released. Having strong political connections that extend to the highest court in the country, Tarique was able to influence the legal system and thwart the efforts of the Caretaker Government to prevent his release on bail. It is believed that Tarique possesses multiple passports, one of which was granted a visa by the UK in September. Another passport holds a five-year multiple-entry B1/B2 visa issued in May 2005, which is suspected to be in the possession of the government. Reports suggest that Tarique has amassed a significant amount of illicit wealth amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. He is facing multiple extortion charges based on the testimony of several well-known business owners whom he exploited. For example, in one instance, it is alleged that Tarique threatened to shut down Al Amin Construction unless he was paid $150,000. Other business leaders, such as Mohammad Aftab Uddin Khan of Reza Construction, Ltd, Mir Zahir Hossain of Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd., and Harun Ferdousi, have also accused him of engaging in a pattern of extortion involving millions of dollars. In addition to extortion charges, he is also facing accusations of hiding illegal wealth and tax evasion. Tarique's corrupt activities extended beyond extorting local companies. The ACC has discovered evidence of bribery in various cases involving both foreign and local companies and individuals. For example, a witness revealed that Siemens paid Tarique and his brother Koko a two percent bribe on all deals in Bangladesh, while the Harbin Company reportedly paid Tarique 750,000 USD to open a plant. Monem Construction also allegedly paid Tarique 450,000 USD to secure contracts. The DOJ Asset Forfeiture and FBI are currently investigating the Siemens case, while ACC sources are looking into the Harbin Company and Monem Construction cases. The ACC has evidence linking Tarique to accepting a 210 million taka bribe in the Kabir Murder Case, in which he promised to clear Sanvir Sobhan of charges related to the killing of Humayun Kabir, a director of the Bashundura Group. In addition to bribery and extortion, the ACC's investigation revealed that Tarique was also involved in an elaborate embezzlement scheme. With the assistance of multiple accomplices, Tarique managed to steal 20 million taka (300,000 USD) from the Zia Orphanage Trust fund. An ACC source revealed that Tarique, a co-signer on the trust fund account, utilized the funds for a land purchase in his hometown and also issued signed checks from the orphanage fund accounts to BNP party members during their 2006 election campaigns. Tarique's unethical actions have negatively impacted US interests outlined in the Proclamation, as they have undermined public trust in the government and destabilized democratic institutions. Tarique's defiance of the rule of law poses a significant threat to US financial assistance objectives aimed at reforming legal systems, enhancing good governance, and preventing judicial misconduct. His involvement in bribery, embezzlement, and corrupt practices has negatively impacted US businesses, leading to missed opportunities. Additionally, his misappropriation of public funds has destabilized political conditions in Bangladesh, hindering efforts to establish a stable democratic government in the region. Tarique's corruption has also jeopardized the achievement of specific goals outlined by the US Embassy in Dhaka, including democratization, development, and counterterrorism efforts. Tarique's extremely corrupt behavior puts all three at risk. His involvement in embezzlement, extortion, and interference in the legal system undermines the rule of law and poses a threat to the US objective of a stable, democratic Bangladesh. The corrupt environment he created has hindered US efforts to promote economic development by deterring foreign investment and complicating the operations of American companies. Additionally, his blatant disregard for the law has created an environment for terrorists to thrive, worsened poverty, and weakened democratic institutions in Bangladesh. In essence, many of Bangladesh's issues can be attributed to Tarique and his associates. The cable concludes by stating that applying a 212(f) finding to Tarique Rahman aligns with the US's firm stance against corruption in Bangladesh. The Embassy suggests that Tarique Rahman should be considered subject to Presidential Proclamation 7750 for his involvement in public official corruption as outlined in Section 1, Paragraph (c) of the Proclamation. Six years later, significant changes have occurred. | 5 |
Egyptians will participate in a referendum on Saturday to vote on constitutional changes aimed at enabling free and fair elections. The reform movement that ousted Hosni Mubarak is divided over the amendments, with some calling for more extensive changes and others believing the amendments are sufficient for now. The Muslim Brotherhood supports the amendments, while secular groups and prominent reform advocates like Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa are against them. The military council, which took power from Mubarak, hopes the amendments will pass so that it can continue its plan for parliamentary and presidential elections. Ahmed Saleh, an activist currently leading ElBaradei's presidential campaign, described the upcoming vote as a significant moment. He emphasized that there is a strong desire among the people to participate in the election and that change is on the horizon. The military council, which took over power from Mubarak on Feb. 11, is encouraging a high voter turnout for the referendum. The council stated that the main objective of the referendum is to create a favorable environment for future parliamentary and presidential elections. They stressed the importance of Egyptian citizens voicing their opinions and participating in the process. The council has tasked a judicial committee with drafting amendments that include a two-term limit for the presidency, limiting the leader's time in office to eight years, in contrast to Mubarak's three decades in power. Rejecting the amendments will require the council to reconsider its strategy and extend a transitional period that it aims to keep as brief as possible. However, the proposed reforms do not meet the expectations of reformists who seek a complete overhaul of the constitution. Youth groups who led protests against Mubarak view the amendments as an attempt to undermine the revolution. There are concerns about the tight timeline set by the military for elections, as it may not allow enough time for political parties to recover from years of suppression, potentially benefiting the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's regime. General Ismail Etman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stated that amending the constitution is the most practical, though not the ideal, solution. He stated in an interview with Al Gomhuria newspaper that the approval of the amendments would result in the introduction of new laws that would promote political openness, including the removal of restrictions on the formation of political parties. The debate on how to vote has been widely discussed in newspapers, television stations, and social networking sites. The "No" campaign continued its efforts on Friday with a full-page advertisement in Al Masry Al Youm, a popular Egyptian newspaper. The objection raised by the campaign included concerns about making a historic decision without sufficient time or information, along with endorsements from actors, politicians, religious figures, and businessmen urging voters to reject the amendments. A Muslim Brotherhood leader expressed a different perspective on the constitutional amendments on the following page, stating that supporting them is a crucial step towards meeting the demands of the revolution. He also noted that those who oppose the amendments have not proposed a clear alternative. With up to 45 million eligible voters out of Egypt's population of 80 million, a high turnout is anticipated from voters who have experienced past elections tainted by violence and fraud during Mubarak's rule. One voter, Ahmed Adel, emphasized the importance of his vote in the upcoming election and stated his intention to vote for the amendments in order to help steer his country back on the right path. He emphasized the need for a parliament and president to be established promptly. Activist Ziad el-Elemi expressed a differing opinion, stating that workshops are being held nationwide to educate citizens on the insufficiency of constitutional amendments. | 5 |
According to experts, if Barack Obama were a corporate CEO, he would be receiving praise for his management style due to his steady hand and calm demeanor, earning him the nickname "No Drama Obama." Management experts believe that business leaders could benefit from learning from his clear value system and consistent follow-through on his promises. Paul Reagan, a management consultant and senior lecturer at Wayne State University, describes Obama's approach as masterful and notes that his credibility is so high that many already view him as a corporate leader. Paul Copcutt, a personal brand strategist from Dundas, Ontario, pointed out that one aspect of Obama's leadership style that business leaders may not share is his keen awareness of his strengths and weaknesses. This awareness is demonstrated in his choice of cabinet members, where he has selected individuals with expertise or experience that he lacks. Copcutt emphasized the importance of focusing on one's strengths as a leader and delegating tasks that are not within one's expertise. Obama's cabinet choices, which include individuals like Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates, reflect his effort to build a coalition with differing voices, according to Reagan. Chief executives often create a close-knit group of advisors who may not provide all the necessary perspectives for effective leadership within an organization. The effectiveness of President Obama's leadership skills is still uncertain, as he has only appointed key cabinet members and called for swift action on an economic stimulus plan. Harvard Business School professor Nancy Koehn believes that the true test of his leadership will come once he assumes the presidency on January 20th. Reagan warned that a management style like Obama's, which appeals to various groups, could lead to widespread disappointment if change is not delivered as promised. Koehn suggested that executives could learn from Obama's handling of challenges during his presidential campaign, using emotional competence to navigate difficult situations in today's uncertain financial environment. She emphasized the importance of business leaders being aware of the aspects of their people and organization that go beyond tangible resources, head count, market, and customers. CEO coach Deb Dib points out a list of qualities she observes in Obama, such as caring, confident, consistent, commanding, calm, and more. These are traits she aims to instill in business executives. Dib emphasizes that effective CEOs typically possess most, if not all, of these attributes. She believes there is valuable lessons to be learned from Obama, regardless of political affiliations. | 5 |
The conservative state, which is one of the few EU members that does not allow marriage or civil partnerships for same sex couples, is considering changing the constitutional definition of marriage to specify it as only between a man and a woman. Supporters of this proposal, such as the Orthodox Church and almost all parliamentary parties, believe this change is necessary to prevent gay couples from marrying in the future. However, numerous human rights groups are urging people to boycott the vote, warning that approving this change could lead to further erosion of minority rights and push Romania towards a populist, authoritarian direction. A recent poll showed that 90 percent of those surveyed are in favor of the change, and a group called the Coalition for the Family collected 3 million signatures to push for the amendment. The previous year, the lower house of parliament voted in favor of the referendum, which was followed by the senate in September, marking the final stage needed for approval. Some Coalition campaign posters encouraged people to vote "Yes" in order to protect family values and prevent gay couples from adopting children. Conversely, a different advertisement suggested that voting "No" would allow a man to marry a tree. The leader of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, expressed concerns about potential consequences, citing examples of other countries legalizing marriage between a man and an animal. Days prior to the vote, the government relaxed anti-fraud monitoring and limited opportunities to challenge the outcome, while the broadcasting regulator removed the deadline for campaigning. The independent think tank Expert Forum (EFOR) stated that there are no effective ways to verify fraud in the referendum, which has led to a lack of trust in the fairness of the process. Some critics believe the ruling party, PSD, is using the vote to distract from its leader's legal issues and conflicts with the European Commission. Former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos accused the government of trying to create anti-European sentiment in Romania. The government denies these accusations, while the Orthodox Church has endorsed a "Yes" vote as being Christian, democratic, and patriotic. Romania legalized homosexuality in 2001, much later than its neighboring countries, and discrimination against the LGBT community is common. Photo title: Romania 1+2 Caption: Romanian religious leaders participate in a demonstration in favor of a "Yes" vote on the forthcoming referendum, which suggests amending the constitution to prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages in the future, in Draganesti, Romania, on Oct 4, 2018. REUTERS. | 5 |
Last week, the United States accused China of increasing tensions in the South China Sea by potentially deploying surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island. China has not confirmed or denied this accusation. When asked if the South China Sea and the missiles would be discussed during Wang's visit to meet Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated that the US should not use the issue of military facilities on the islands as a reason to cause controversy. Hua emphasized that the South China Sea dispute should not be a problem between China and the United States. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated that the US will urge China to deescalate and cease militarization in the area, as militarization only heightens tensions. Toner also stressed the importance of having a diplomatic mechanism in place to peacefully resolve territorial disputes. Wang is scheduled to meet with Kerry on Tuesday to discuss various topics including the international response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch, cyber security, and climate change, as stated by Toner during a news briefing. China hopes that the US will uphold its promises to remain neutral in the dispute and refrain from escalating the issue and tensions, particularly regarding China's "limited" military presence in the area. Hua noted that China's deployment of defensive facilities on its own territory is similar to the United States defending Hawaii. She also mentioned that the increase in regional tensions is due to US ships and aircraft conducting frequent, close-in patrols and surveillance in the region in recent years. The main reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted here. It is hoped that the United States will not mix up right and wrong or apply double standards in this matter. Australia and other nations are being encouraged to carry out "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations near disputed islands in the South China Sea, following the lead of the US. China asserts control over most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade worth over $5 trillion annually, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also have competing claims. Beijing has caused concern with its construction and reclamation projects on the islands it controls, claiming they are primarily for civilian purposes. China Southern Power Grid Company, a state-owned company, will establish a power grid management station in Sansha City on Woody Island in the Paracels, connected to microgrids on 16 other islands. This station will eventually be able to remotely control power for multiple islands, although the specific islands were not named. Wang will be in the US from Tuesday to Thursday, and is expected to discuss North Korea as well as China's opposition to the potential US deployment of an advanced missile defense system after North Korea's recent rocket launch. | 5 |
The Norwegian Ambassador, Sidsel Bleken, mentioned that they frequently talk to the government about the challenges that their businesses face in Bangladesh. She expressed that getting approval is a slow and complicated process. Bleken emphasized the importance of having more Norwegian companies investing in Bangladesh and highlighted the significance of an easy business environment. She shared that the questions the embassy receives from Norwegian companies are mainly about the business climate. The Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Kazi M Aminul Islam, believes that as the investment climate improves, more companies will come to take advantage of the huge market and opportunities in Bangladesh. He recently met with Norwegian companies such as Grameenphone, Jotun Group, Sactec Solar, Bergen Engines, and Poly ConCrete to address their concerns and encouraged them to communicate any issues they may have. He mentioned that they hold weekly meetings to resolve any issues that arise. He stated that there are no pending cases and expressed his strong support for improving the ease of doing business. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Editor-in-Chief of bdnews24.com, discussed his experiences as a news publisher, noting similarities with foreign companies. Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Norway are reportedly positive, with Norway establishing diplomatic relations with Bangladesh shortly after its independence in 1972. Norway's involvement in Bangladesh has historically focused on development cooperation. However, as Bangladesh's economy has grown over time, there has been a shift from aid to a greater focus on trade and business. The leading Norwegian company in Bangladesh is Telenor, which holds a majority stake in Grameenphone, the largest mobile operator in the country with over 70 million customers. The Varner group is a key player in the textile industry, while Norwegian software company Cefalo has established its own office in Dhaka. Bergen Engines (Rolls Royce Power Systems) has also expanded its business operations in the country. The company is involved in multiple new power plant initiatives and operates a local office in Dhaka with 20 staff members. Other Norwegian firms in Bangladesh include Jotun Group, Poly Concrete, FireSafe, and Hexagon. Scatec Solar is also active in Bangladesh. In 2017, Bangladesh exported NOK 2.2 billion worth of goods to Norway, primarily clothing, and imported NOK 286 million worth of machinery and finished products. Additionally, political ties between the two nations have strengthened in recent times. Foreign Minister Børge Brende made a historic visit to Bangladesh in February 2017, becoming the first Norwegian Foreign Minister to do so. The ambassador noted that regular business dialogues are held, with a recent discussion focusing on repatriation of dividends and other issues related to facilitating business operations. While laws may be in place, there is a need for professional institutions to effectively implement them, highlighting the importance of institutional strengthening. Foreign investors typically adhere to a country's regulations when sending profits back home. Similar to other nations, Bangladesh has established policies regarding repatriation and foreign exchange regulations overseen by the central bank, Bangladesh Bank. Various procedures are in place for different forms of repatriation, with entrepreneurs often relying on foreign consultants for specialized knowledge and skills. These consultants must be paid in foreign currency, requiring recipients to remit their earnings accordingly. However, officials from Norwegian companies have expressed difficulties navigating the complexities of both inbound and outbound financial transactions in Bangladesh. "It is difficult for a new company," stated one official. "According to Bangladesh's laws, consultancy payments must be determined based on revenue earnings. How can a new company without any previous revenue make foreign payments for necessary technology consultants?" Another official remarked that the approval process is overly bureaucratic. The challenges faced in repatriating dividends, as permitted by law, are immense. Inward funds are meant to be unrestricted, and outward funds from investment profits should flow freely as well. However, our experiences have not been positive." Grameenphone CEO Michael Foley emphasized the importance of the rule of law in creating a favorable environment for businesses operating in foreign markets during an event attended by bdnews24.com. He expressed concern over authorities exercising discretion in the absence of clear laws on certain issues, calling it incorrect. Foley also mentioned the challenges posed by Grameenphone's significant market power status, which he believed contradicted the competition law of 2012. Despite these challenges, he stated that they are managing the situation. "We are happy to operate in this country, but it is crucial to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that it is made easier for people to do business here," stated Khalidi. He expressed support for BIDA's efforts to attract foreign investments, emphasizing the current challenges in obtaining them. Khalidi, the editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, called on the government to address these longstanding issues, noting that they have been discussed for many years, including in editorials he wrote in the 1990s focusing on investment facilitation. "Bureaucrats need to alter their mindset." | 5 |
Kumar Sangakkara, the captain of Sri Lanka, is emphasizing the importance of "mental strength and fortitude" for his team at the Twenty20 World Cup, especially after the traumatic incident in Lahore earlier this year. He acknowledged that there is never a 100 percent guarantee of safety, but stressed the need for his team to focus on playing cricket and moving forward. Sangakkara highlighted the global security concerns faced by all teams, and expressed satisfaction with the security measures put in place for his team so far. Six members of the Sri Lanka team, including Sangakkara, were injured when gunmen attacked their team bus on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium for the second test against Pakistan in March. Six Pakistani policemen and the bus driver carrying match officials were killed in the incident. The Sri Lanka team is now working closely with a national police intelligence cell to ensure security for the upcoming World Cup in England, which begins on Friday. The World Twenty20 tournament director, Steve Elworthy, who also held the same role during the 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa, noted that security measures have significantly increased since the Lahore incident. Elworthy informed Reuters that the situation has shifted significantly, creating a new landscape. The incident highlighted the risks for cricketers and officials, prompting a reassessment of the security plan which was already in place. Tournament organisers and the ICC are confident in the measures taken to ensure player safety, such as police convoys and dedicated security staff for each team. Elworthy explained that he was unable to disclose the specific information regarding team security. John Evans, the former chief constable of Devon and Cornwall in south-west England, is in charge of security for the event and has also provided advice to the Football Association on security issues. Reg Dickason, the head of security for the England team, as well as independent security consultants from the ICC, are also involved. Despite the heightened security measures, Sangakkara mentioned that his team has not been distracted from cricket and that the tournament feels like any other, thanks to the efforts to keep everything discreet. "We have the chance to focus solely on cricket, which is quite enjoyable." | 5 |
The purchase of a greenhouse in Exeter three years ago was expected to bring high-paying jobs and establish the community as a major player in Canada's legal marijuana industry. However, before any jobs were filled or marijuana seeds were planted, it became clear that Canada was already producing more marijuana than the market demanded. After sitting empty for two years, the 1-million-square-foot greenhouse was sold last year for a fraction of its original price. The disappointment felt in Exeter over the failed venture reflects the challenges faced by the legal pot industry in Canada as a whole, with analysts attributing the lack of success to the strict regulations on distribution that limit advertising and marketing opportunities. The slow opening of stores in certain provinces, especially Ontario, is a contributing factor. Additionally, surveys have shown that a lot of Canadians are not inclined to try out a new habit. The mayor, George Finch, expressed disappointment outside Exeter's Town Hall, stating, "We were excited about it. It seemed almost too good to be true, right? It's unfortunate." When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government legalized marijuana in 2018, the main aim was to promote a fairer justice system rather than creating a significant new industry. However, investors had a different perspective, leading to a "green rush" on the Toronto Stock Exchange as money flooded into companies seeking to capitalize on the Canadian market and potential opportunities in the US. This resulted in old greenhouses being renovated and sold at high prices, like the one in Exeter, and new indoor growing facilities springing up nationwide. Newspapers, which had been reducing staff, began hiring journalists to cover the emerging marijuana industry. Similar to the rise and fall of plastics in the film "The Graduate," marijuana was anticipated to be Canada's next big industry. The investment frenzy mirrored the dot-com stock boom of the late 1990s, ultimately leading to a similar crash. Despite a slight rebound due to increasing legalisation in the United States, with New York recently legalising marijuana and four states voting in favour of legalisation in November, one marijuana stock index remains significantly down from its peak in 2018. Even 2 1/2 years after legalisation, many marijuana producers in Canada are still experiencing substantial financial losses. A significant new rival is on the horizon; Mexico recently passed a law allowing recreational marijuana use. This could make the competition even tougher for Canada's cannabis growers. Kyle Murray, vice dean at the University of Alberta School of Business in Edmonton, predicts there may be some difficult times ahead for the industry, comparing it to the dot-com boom and subsequent crash. Canopy Growth, Canada's biggest producer, reported a loss of CA$1.2 billion in the first nine months of its current operating year. There have been widespread layoffs in the industry, leading to large producers merging to increase their strength through size. Many greenhouses in various provinces have permanently shut down. Analysts had high hopes for the marijuana industry in Canada, expecting sales to skyrocket like liquor sales did in the US after Prohibition ended. However, this expectation has not been met, as Brendan Kennedy, the CEO of Tilray, a major grower in British Columbia, stated that the industry has not progressed as quickly as anticipated. Tilray reported a loss of $272 million last year. One of the difficulties in competing with the black market is the strict regulations in place. Kennedy is one of the few remaining leaders in Canada's marijuana industry as many others have faced losses and been ousted. A merger between Tilray and Aphria is set to create the largest cannabis company globally, with Kennedy continuing on as a director. In Ontario, the initial plan was to sell marijuana through government-owned liquor stores, but this was scrapped by the new Conservative government, leaving only online sales as an option. The province's plans have changed twice since then, resulting in a somewhat inconsistent rollout of privately owned shops. Despite a recent increase in licensing, Ontario has only approved 575 shops, while Alberta, with one-third of Ontario's population, has 583 shops. Although initial hopes for marijuana revenue were overly optimistic, Murray believes a successful business will eventually emerge, as indicated by the growing number of Ontario shops. The fact that prices have decreased closer to street prices should also boost legal sales. Murray acknowledged that the poor start does not necessarily indicate a bad market, attributing the initial struggles to an influx of money and companies. Despite this, he believes that some companies will eventually find long-term success and potentially become global leaders. One positive development has been the growth of legal marijuana sales in British Columbia, which saw a 24% increase from June to October 2020, particularly notable considering the province's history as a hub for illegal marijuana production. The government-owned cannabis store operator in Quebec, Société Québécoise du Cannabis, initially lost nearly CA$5 million in its first fiscal year, but has since turned a profit. Despite disappointment from larger growers in Canada, some are looking towards foreign markets, especially for medical marijuana, as a potential opportunity. However, many analysts are doubtful of this strategy. Brent McKnight, a professor at McMaster University, believes Mexico's recent strides towards creating a legal marijuana market could pose a threat to Canadian growers. Trade agreements may prevent Canada from stopping imports from Mexico, and Mexico's lower labor costs and warmer climate could give them a competitive edge. He stated that this would definitely lower prices for local growers, and there are concerns about smaller businesses losing out as larger publicly traded companies take over the industry. Even before marijuana was legalized, some shops were already selling to medical users under the guise of nonprofit compassion clubs. The current focus on profits and large corporate growers has marginalized minority groups in the industry, according to Dr. Daniel Werb, a researcher at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Research has shown a lack of diversity in the leadership of the new legal suppliers. Vendors in Indigenous communities have also been left in a state of uncertainty, not typically targeted by police raids but operating outside of the legal framework. Ontario has started licensing shops in some of these communities, but there is still a lack of diversity and creativity in the industry, according to Werb. He believes there was a missed opportunity to approach this industry in a more innovative way. | 5 |
Ugandan police discovered an unexploded suicide belt and arrested several individuals following two bomb attacks that resulted in the death of 74 soccer fans watching the World Cup final on television. The Somali Islamists, who are associated with al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The opposition in Uganda has called for the withdrawal of the country's peacekeepers from Somalia in response to the bombings. The unexploded suicide belt was found in a different location in the capital city of Kampala, the day after the explosions occurred in two bars filled with soccer fans. According to government spokesman Fred Opolot, arrests were made after the discovery of the unexploded suicide belt in the Makindye area. He did not provide details on the number or origin of those arrested. Coordinated attacks similar to this have been a common tactic of al Qaeda and groups associated with Osama bin Laden's network. The al Shabaab militants have threatened additional attacks unless Uganda and Burundi removed their peacekeepers from AMISOM in Somalia. The opposition FDC party in Uganda has called for President Museveni to withdraw troops from Somalia, stating that there is no peace to maintain and Uganda has no strategic interest in the country. FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu told Reuters that they are sacrificing their children for no reason and their goal is to withdraw troops after gaining power. AMISOM stated that the explosions will not impact their mission in Somalia, where they protect the presidential palace and secure Mogadishu's airport and port. The FBI is investigating the coordinated blasts, which mark the first time al Shabaab has extended its violent efforts for power internationally. Analysts warn that the group's threats should be taken seriously, as they have shown the intent and capability to launch attacks abroad. Foreign direct investment in the third largest economy in East Africa has increased significantly due to oil exploration near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts believe that a continuous bombing campaign would harm Uganda's investment environment, but a single attack is unlikely to deter major companies like Tullow Oil from investing. An American was among those killed, and the United States has offered assistance with the investigation, with three FBI agents currently collecting evidence on the ground and another team ready to be deployed if needed. Opolot stated that there was no indication that the African Union summit scheduled to be held in Uganda this month would be called off in light of the bombings. | 5 |
Her dream is challenging, but if she achieves it, she will become the first Bangladeshi to summit the seven highest peaks in the world, totaling 113,102 feet of climbing across seven continents, including two in extremely cold and uninhabited regions. Historically, it has been men who have attempted or completed the seven summits, followed by women from the same country. Wasfia Nazreen's accomplishment would make her a trailblazer in the record books. Bangladesh on Seven Summits is a project endorsed by the Liberation War Museum to commemorate 40 years of Bangladesh's independence. The initiative pays homage to individuals who faced significant obstacles in establishing the nation through their determination. When inquired about finances, she mentioned to bdnews24.com that she had liquidated all the jewelry left by her mother and also sold the small property she had inherited, providing the initial capital for the campaign. Mutual Trust Bank & Renata Limited sponsored Wasfia for her expedition to Elbrus. She is now urging other national companies to support her in her mission to place Bangladesh's flag on the highest point of every continent. Wasfia shared that she has left her job to focus on achieving this goal within the next year or so, and she is determined to succeed even if it takes a decade. Her first step was to conquer Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, located on the borders of Russia and Georgia. Since February, the usual climbing route to the European summit on the south side of the mountain has been closed due to terrorist attacks. As a result, the team had to switch their climb to the North side, which is riskier and less explored, with more crevasses. On July 10, the team attempted their first summit push but encountered severe weather conditions like thunderstorms, strong winds, and poor visibility. Finally, on July 12, the team got within 300 meters of the summit. However, they had to retreat due to the extreme weather and a deadline to descend by mid-day. She plans to return to Elbrus to finish the final 300 meters once the situation improves. Wasfia expressed her thoughts on the matter from nearly the top of Europe via satellite message, urging the youth of Bangladesh to lead the country forward in honor of the martyrs of 1971. She believes it is time for Bangladesh to be acknowledged on the world stage for its beauty. Wasfia's next adventure will be climbing Kilimanjaro in September as part of her Seven Summits Plan. Located in the northeastern part of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands as the tallest mountain in Africa, reaching a height of 19,341 feet. In December, Wasfia plans to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America at 22,841 feet, situated in the Argentinian Andes. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, in Alaska, USA, holds the title of the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet, and is scheduled for Wasfia's list in June or July of 2012. Wasfia considers Denali to be one of the more challenging climbs, with only an 18 percent summit rate and a high number of accidents and fatalities. In April and May of 2012, Wasfia has her sights set on conquering the highest point on Earth. If she is successful, she will become the third Bangladeshi person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Located just 750 miles from the South Pole, Vinson Massif reaches a height of 16,066 feet and is situated in the freezing cold of Antarctica. In February 2012, Wasfia plans to brave the sub-zero temperatures in order to plant a Bangladeshi flag at its peak. The final mountain on her list is Puncak Jaya, also known as the Carstensz Pyramid, located in the central highlands of Indonesia. Standing at 16,024 feet, Puncak Jaya is the tallest mountain in Oceania and the highest island peak in the world. Wasfia plans to travel to the destination in September-October 2012. She mentioned that it is a challenging journey as reaching the base-camp involves navigating through red-tape obstacles, and climbing the tough rock surface requires advanced technical skills. Wasfia expressed her desire to secure sponsorship for her mountain climbing expeditions on all continents, preferably from Bangladeshi sponsors to promote national pride in her accomplishments. She stated that she would only consider large foreign companies as a last resort for sponsorship. | 5 |
The protests began earlier this week with high school students jumping subway turnstiles to oppose the second fare increase of the year. However, on Friday night, demonstrators escalated by setting fire to multiple subway stations, banks, buses, and the headquarters of Enel, the country's largest electricity provider. Looters also targeted supermarkets, stores, and pharmacies. During the protests, one student was killed by police and another was injured by rubber bullets. These events shook one of Latin America's most affluent and organized capitals. President Piñera declared a state of emergency, restricting citizens' movements and giving the army control over internal security. Piñera justified the measure as necessary to restore order after chaos caused by the protesters, whom he referred to as "delinquents." The fare increase, announced on October 6, sparked outrage as the cost of living for poor and middle-class families rises while wages remain stagnant. Isabel Mora, an 82-year-old retiree receiving a monthly pension of around $62, expressed frustration at the unfairness of the situation where transportation fares, electricity, gas, and other costs are increasing while salaries remain low. Earlier in the week, Piñera had announced plans to address rising transportation costs, as rush hour rides now cost approximately $1.20. The fare hike led to protests, with hundreds of people entering subway stations without paying and demonstrations spilling into the streets. Special police units responded aggressively, using tear gas, violence, and arrests to control the situation. The subway system had to stop operating on multiple lines and eventually had to completely shut down the entire network by nighttime, leaving hundreds, if not thousands of people stranded on the streets. Many were unable to catch crowded buses and had to walk for hours to reach home. Government officials labeled the protestors as "organized vandals" and "criminals" and stated that they would implement a law allowing higher penalties for crimes. Residents in the capital protested by banging pots and pans throughout the city on Friday night. During the looting of supermarkets and the construction of barricades, it seemed that the police had withdrawn to their stations. The demonstrations took place as Chile gets ready to host two significant international conferences: an APEC summit in mid-November and the UN Climate Change Conference in December. | 5 |
A senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and ally of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, was shot by a gunman on Sunday as he left a constituency meeting in Punjab province. Iqbal was hospitalized with a bullet wound and was reported to be in stable condition on Monday, according to minister of state for interior affairs Talal Chaudhry. Leaders from various opposition parties in Pakistan condemned the assassination attempt, although a prominent official from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party suggested that Sharif's removal by the Supreme Court last July had created the conditions for the attack at large rallies. Naeem ul Haq, chief of staff for former cricket star Khan, strongly condemns Nawaz's wild accusations against his opponents, stating that they are negatively impacting the political climate in Pakistan by creating tension and anger. He warns that if Nawaz continues to spread such poison, further incidents will occur. Despite being disqualified as prime minister last July for unreported income, Nawaz Sharif's party still holds a majority in parliament. Sharif has criticized the court ruling as a conspiracy orchestrated by rival Khan, portraying him as a puppet of the military establishment known for interfering in Pakistani politics. Khan refutes allegations of collusion with the army, while the military denies involvement in politics. The recent attack on Sunday has increased tensions leading up to the upcoming election in late July. Initial reports suggest that the attacker may be linked to a new Islamist political party advocating for strict sharia law and the death penalty for blasphemy. Despite this, the Islamists deny any connection to the attacker, as stated by Labaik spokesperson Ejaz Ashrafi. "We are not armed. We are engaged in a non-violent struggle. Those plotting against Tehreek-e-Labaik will not prevail." Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the party, denounced the attack on Iqbal, stating that Labaik is working towards establishing the Prophet's religion peacefully. Iqbal was shot in the right arm and the bullet entered his groin. The suspected shooter, identified as 21-year-old Abid Hussain, has not had a motive officially confirmed by the police. Minister of state Chaudhry mentioned that religious radicalism is a part of his background, and other individuals have been arrested in connection to the attack. Investigations are ongoing to determine if certain groups influenced the attack. Chaudhry emphasized that radicalism is a societal issue, not just an individual one. Labaik originated from a protest movement that supported Mumtaz Qadri, who assassinated the governor of Punjab in 2011 due to his stance on blasphemy laws. The movement caused major disruptions in the country's capital last year over changes to electoral laws. The recent attack on Iqbal has raised concerns about potential pre-election violence by Islamist groups, similar to incidents in previous elections, including the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007. | 5 |
Kuwait will mandate that incoming travelers must quarantine at home for a period of 10 days unless they can provide proof of a negative PCR test for the coronavirus taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival. | 5 |
The vaccines are still highly effective against COVID-19, but reports of breakthrough infections and new guidelines on mask-wearing for vaccinated individuals have caused confusion and concern. Recent research shows that vaccinated people can still get infected with high levels of the virus, but these cases are rare compared to unvaccinated individuals who are the main source of transmission. While vaccination is crucial for safety, it's important to remember that no vaccine is perfect. Erin Bromage, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, compares vaccine antibodies to a sea wall that protects a town from a storm surge. While the wall usually holds up against waves, a powerful hurricane could allow some water to get through. The Delta variant of the virus is like a viral hurricane, more infectious and challenging for even vaccinated immune systems. Vaccinations provide additional protection, but may not always be effective against high viral loads from unvaccinated individuals. Thankfully, current vaccines in the United States are effectively preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Over 97 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals are unvaccinated, according to recent data. In Singapore, vaccinated patients hospitalized with delta breakthrough infections require less supplemental oxygen and clear the virus faster than unvaccinated patients. While breakthrough infections are often highlighted in the news, they are still rare. Although the CDC stopped tracking all breakthrough cases in May, about half of states provide some data on these events. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently examined state-reported data and discovered that breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are infrequent occurrences among individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The rate of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated individuals is less than 1 percent in all states, varying from 0.01% in Connecticut to 0.29% in Alaska, according to the Kaiser analysis. However, many breakthrough infections may go unreported because infected individuals may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that resolve before they consider getting tested. Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, stated that while breakthrough infections are rare, the true extent of their rarity is unknown without a population-based sample. Many individuals who experience a mild sore throat for a few days may have had breakthrough cases of COVID-19, but this is not a failure of the vaccine. It has been estimated that the vaccine campaign has prevented 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. The risk of a breakthrough infection increases with more exposure to the delta variant. Large events like the July 4 celebration in Provincetown, Massachusetts, or Lollapalooza in Chicago, pose a greater risk for vaccinated individuals to come into contact with someone carrying a high viral load. The level of risk also depends on the local COVID-19 situation. In the near future, there may be a surge in Lollapalooza outbreaks due to the close proximity of a large number of people, which creates an ideal environment for the delta variant to spread. The CDC recommends wearing masks in areas designated as orange or red zones on their color-coded map of COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States, where cases in the past week have exceeded 50 cases per 100,000 people. Currently, approximately 80 percent of counties in the United States fall into this category. Infection rates are staying relatively low in many areas of the Northeast and Upper Midwest, but there have been significant increases in cases due to the delta variant in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida. The issue with relying on a map for case counts is that the numbers are changing quickly and a surge could happen in your community before the map is updated. Even if you live in a highly vaccinated area with low case counts, it is important to also consider the situation in nearby communities, as people and viruses move across state and county lines. It is generally agreed by experts that wearing a mask outdoors is not necessary if you are not in a crowded area and can maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others whose vaccination status is unknown. However, attending a crowded outdoor event is still considered risky, and if you choose to do so, wearing a mask is recommended. J Alex Huffman, an aerosol scientist and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver, recommends wearing a mask indoors with people whose vaccination status is unknown, especially if you will be close to them for an extended period. Although he is fully vaccinated and does not wear a mask indoors in all situations, he puts on his N95 mask when entering indoor public spaces. It is suggested to upgrade to a high-quality medical mask such as an N95, KN95, or KF94 for maximum protection, ensuring it is not a counterfeit. If a medical mask is not available, double masking with a surgical mask under a cloth mask also provides strong protection. Wearing a mask with an exhale valve should be avoided as it can release viral particles and counterfeit masks may have faulty valves. It is important to choose the appropriate mask based on the situation. For example, a cloth mask may suffice for a brief visit to a vacant convenience store in a highly vaccinated area, but a higher-quality mask is recommended for air travel or crowded grocery stores, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates and high case counts. Masks with straps or ties around the back of the head provide a tighter seal than masks with ear loops. Huffman stated that previous mitigation efforts must be improved to combat the delta variant, including the use of masks. He advised people to upgrade to masks with high filter quality and a tight fit to the face, emphasizing the importance of a well-sealed mask around the edges. According to him, a tightly fitting mask is more effective than a loose-fitting one. Vaccinated individuals have a very low risk of contracting the virus when they are with other vaccinated friends and family members without masks. Wearing masks indoors with a small group of vaccinated individuals is not considered essential by some experts, but there may be situations where additional precautions are necessary. Although it is unlikely for a vaccinated person to transmit the virus to another vaccinated person, there is still a theoretical possibility. Those who frequent crowded places or travel to COVID hot spots pose a greater risk compared to those who avoid large gatherings and primarily interact with vaccinated individuals. With the delta variant spreading, Bitton recommends prioritizing outdoor gatherings, especially for families with unvaccinated children or high-risk family members. Taking events outside to a backyard or patio this summer and minimizing time spent indoors can reduce the risk of exposure. Spending time with smaller groups of vaccinated friends is safer than attending large parties, even if everyone is believed to be vaccinated. When indoors, opening windows can help improve ventilation. If someone in the group is at a very high risk due to age or being immunocompromised, it is reasonable to request that even vaccinated individuals be tested before visiting. A quick and easy at-home test can be provided to guests to ensure that everyone is free of COVID. Whether or not you can still dine at restaurants depends on local circumstances, your willingness to take risks, and the health status of those around you. The risk is lowest in areas with high vaccination rates and low case numbers. For example, dining at a restaurant in Vermont, where two-thirds of the population is vaccinated, is safer than dining indoors in Alabama or Mississippi, where only one-third of residents are vaccinated. Parents of unvaccinated children and individuals with weakened immune systems, who may not receive as much protection from vaccines according to studies, may want to consider ordering takeout or eating outdoors as an extra safety measure. Is it advisable to travel? Should I avoid peanuts and water and continue wearing my mask? While airplanes are usually well ventilated and not a significant source of outbreaks, it is still wise to take precautions. The risk of coming into contact with an infected individual may be higher in airport terminals, while dining at airport restaurants or bars, or going through security. Airplane ventilation systems refresh the air every two to three minutes, a faster rate than in grocery stores and other indoor spaces. Passengers are required to wear masks but can remove them to eat or drink. Airflow is contained to a few rows to prevent circulation throughout the cabin, meaning an infected passenger poses the most risk to those nearby. Experts recommend using high-quality medical masks such as N95 or KF94 when flying. If you do not have access to a mask, it is recommended to wear two masks. While the risk of a vaccinated person removing their mask briefly to eat or drink during a flight is low, it is still better to keep it on as much as possible. The CDC advises that unvaccinated individuals, including children, should avoid flying. Bromage shared that he recently flew and briefly removed his mask to drink but kept it on for the majority of the flight. He mentioned that he would feel more at ease taking off his mask to eat if he knew the people next to him were vaccinated. He mentioned that he would be more worried if the person beside him showed no concern for COVID precautions or wore the mask incorrectly. He emphasized the importance of keeping the mask on when seated next to a random or talkative individual. The safety of buses, subways, and trains for vaccinated individuals varies. Although most public transportation systems still mandate mask-wearing, which reduces risk, the level of viral exposure can increase on longer and more crowded rides. Despite being well-protected, vaccinated individuals should remain cautious in such situations. Many individuals rely on public transportation to commute to work or school, and it is advised to wear a properly fitting medical mask or double mask while using it. When it comes to choosing whether to use public transportation, one should take into account the vaccination rates in their area and the trend of rising case counts. When it comes to hugging and visiting older relatives or unvaccinated children, it is generally deemed safe for vaccinated individuals to hug and socialize without masks, but parents of unvaccinated children need to consider the additional risks, especially when visiting older relatives. In areas with low COVID-19 cases and high vaccination rates, it is generally safe for unvaccinated children from one household to visit vaccinated grandparents. However, with the spread of the delta variant and children returning to school, the risk of close contact increases for older or immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 complications. When families plan visits to high-risk relatives, it is recommended to minimize other exposures by avoiding activities like dining out or going to the gym in the week leading up to the visit. Even though the risk of a vaccinated person transmitting COVID-19 is low, vaccinated grandparents should also limit their own exposure when spending time with unvaccinated children. Aerosol scientist Huffman stated that he has not been wearing masks indoors with his elderly parents because he is cautious about mask-wearing in public settings. "If I had more interactions that increased my overall risk of exposure, I would strongly consider wearing a mask indoors with vulnerable individuals. Rapid home tests are an additional precaution to take when visiting grandparents or immune-compromised family members. It is recommended to take a test a few days before the visit as well as on the day of the visit. Home tests are seen as a helpful option for those feeling anxious about the virus. By testing before gathering, you can ensure everyone is clear and enjoy the time together. How can I determine if I have the delta variant?" If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the US, it is highly likely that you have the delta variant, according to the CDC. The delta variant now makes up more than 82 percent of cases in the US and has also become dominant in other countries. The World Health Organization reported in late July that the delta variant accounted for 75 percent or more of cases in many countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Israel, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK. However, standard COVID tests cannot determine if your infection was caused by the delta variant or another variant of the virus. Health departments may utilize genomic sequencing to determine the prevalence of various variants within a population, but this data is usually not disclosed to individuals. It is still important to isolate and consult a medical professional if experiencing low blood oxygen levels, difficulty breathing, or any concerning symptoms. | 5 |
It has been revealed that the entity responsible for potentially creating a crater on the lunar surface is not Elon Musk's SpaceX, as previously reported by various sources such as The New York Times. Instead, it is believed to be a fragment of a rocket launched by China's space agency. Bill Gray, the creator of Project Pluto software used for astronomical calculations, announced last month that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage was on a trajectory that could intersect with the moon's path. This rocket had launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in February 2015. Gray had been monitoring this rocket fragment for years, and in January, it came within 6,000 miles of the moon's surface, with the moon's gravity potentially causing it to crash on a subsequent orbit. Reports from amateur astronomers who witnessed the object passing Earth once again confirmed an impending impact inside Hertzsprung, a 315-mile-wide crater. However, a recent email from Jon Giorgini, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, provided new information. Giorgini oversees Horizons, an online database that can track the locations and orbits of nearly 1.2 million objects in the solar system, including around 200 spacecraft. After a user of Horizons inquired about the object possibly being part of the DSCOVR rocket, Giorgini decided to further investigate the situation. He discovered that the orbit did not match the trajectory of DSCOVR and reached out to Gray. Gray's first reaction was confidence in his calculations, but he reviewed old emails to recall when the object was first observed in March 2015, shortly after DSCOVR's launch. Most new objects observed in space are typically asteroids, and this object was initially assumed to be one as well, designated as WE0913A. However, it was discovered that WE0913A was circling around Earth instead of the sun, indicating that it likely originated from Earth. Gray suggested that it could be a part of the rocket that launched DSCOVR, and further data showed that WE0913A passed the moon two days after DSCOVR's launch, confirming the identification. Gray now acknowledges his mistake in assuming that DSCOVR was on a trajectory towards the moon, using its gravity to propel the spacecraft to its final destination around 1 million miles from Earth, where it monitors solar storms. Giorgini clarified that DSCOVR was actually launched on a direct path that did not involve passing by the moon. "I truly regret not reviewing that before releasing my January announcement," Gray stated. "However, once Jon Giorgini brought it to my attention, it was evident that I had made a mistake." SpaceX did not comment on the matter, but they likely have not been monitoring the rocket stage WE0913A. Typically, the second stage of a Falcon 9 is directed back into the atmosphere to be destroyed. However, in this instance, the rocket required all of its propellant to successfully deliver DSCOVR to its faraway destination. However, the unpowered and uncontrolled second stage of the rocket was in an orbit that was not likely to pose a threat to any satellites, and it was probably not being monitored by people. Gray expressed a desire for more transparency from those launching boosters into high orbits, suggesting that they should disclose what they are putting up there and where they are going. Gray then investigated other recent launches, particularly those aimed at the moon, but found limited information in that category. The leading candidate for the top position was a Long March 3C rocket which carried China's Chang'e-5 T1 spacecraft on October 23, 2014. The spacecraft circled the moon before returning to Earth, releasing a small return capsule that landed in Mongolia. This test was in preparation for the successful Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, which collected moon rocks and dust for study on Earth. A computer simulation of the orbit of WE0913A suggested a close lunar flyby on October 28, just five days after the Chinese launch. Additionally, orbital data from a cubesat attached to the third stage of the Long March rocket closely matched WE0913A. "It is the type of case that would likely result in a conviction if taken to a jury." Additional observations this month have slightly adjusted the timing and location of the predicted impact of the object striking the moon. According to Christophe Demeautis, an amateur astronomer in northeast France, it appears to be the same object and there is still no chance of it missing the moon. The collision is expected to occur at around 7:26 am Eastern time, but will not be visible from Earth's telescopes and satellites as it will happen on the far side of the moon. The location of the Falcon 9 part, specifically the DSCOVR second stage, is still being investigated according to Gray. The most likely scenario is that the object ended up in orbit around the sun rather than the Earth, and it may still be out there. This would make it currently out of sight. There have been previous instances of parts of old rockets reappearing, such as in 2020 when a mystery object was found to be from a rocket launched in 1966 for NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon. | 5 |
Rogozin announced on his Telegram channel that Roskosmos will suspend cooperation with European partners on space launches from Kourou and withdraw technical staff from French Guiana in response to EU sanctions. The European Union stated that Russia's withdrawal would not impact the quality of service for its satellite networks Galileo and Copernicus. Galileo is Europe's global navigation satellite system used for positioning and timing information in various industries, while Copernicus provides earth observation data for monitoring climate change. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, in charge of space issues, reassured that necessary decisions will be made on time for the development of the second generation of these infrastructures. We are ready to take decisive action with member states to safeguard critical infrastructures in the event of an attack, and to further the development of Ariane 6 and VegaC in order to ensure strategic independence in carrier rockets. | 5 |
According to a poll conducted on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister John Howard is facing a significant defeat in the upcoming national election, with high-profile former television presenter Maxine McKew leading in the polls for Howard's Sydney-based seat. The poll, conducted by Galaxy for The Sunday Telegraph newspaper and SBS television, showed McKew ahead of Howard by 46 percent to 53 percent when votes were distributed to the two major parties. McKew, who was recruited by the rival Labor Party to challenge Howard, was also tied with the veteran prime minister in terms of who would do the best job for the seat of Bennelong, which Howard has held since 1974. The poll was conducted following a decision by Australia's central bank to raise interest rates to a decade high of 6.50 percent in order to combat inflation driven by strong domestic demand, low unemployment, and rapid global growth. This increase in interest rates has been negatively impacting Howard, who won his fourth election in 2004 with the promise of "Keeping interest rates low." The central bank has increased interest rates five times, impacting Howard's Liberal-National coalition in suburbs where voters are struggling with high mortgages due to a credit binge fueled by low-interest rates. Changes in demographics, such as a growing Asian community in Howard's own electorate, have also influenced voter sentiment. Howard's policies requiring new arrivals to adopt Australian values and learn English have caused tension with immigrant families. Despite polls suggesting a potential shift in power, senior Labor lawmaker Bob McMullan believes it will be difficult to remove Howard from office. "We are approaching the conclusion of this three-year term and the public is receptive to the possibility of change. However, I believe that their voting preferences are not fixed, but rather flexible," stated in an interview on Australian television. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed confidence that Prime Minister Howard's experience and insight would secure his victory, while criticizing opposition leader Kevin Rudd for lacking a clear vision for Australia's future. Downer acknowledged that controversy surrounding the current government's performance is inevitable, but emphasized the importance of being realistic rather than overly optimistic." I am someone who is quite calm and composed when it comes to the challenges that are waiting for me in the future. | 5 |
Last week, a cheerful Amazon employee at the opening of a Whole Foods Market in Washington's Glover Park neighborhood asked me if I wanted to start shopping by scanning a QR code in my Amazon app. I opted to use my palm instead, scanning both hands on a kiosk and linking them to my Amazon account in less than a minute. I then used my right palm to enter the highly advanced grocery store and spent the next 30 minutes shopping. I grabbed a bag of cauliflower florets, grapefruit sparkling water, a carton of strawberries, and a package of organic chicken sausages. Cameras and sensors tracked my actions, forming a virtual shopping cart in real time. I left without needing a cashier as Amazon, the owner of Whole Foods, would charge my account later. Amazon acquired Whole Foods for $13 billion over four years ago. The grocery chain has now been fully transformed by Amazon, as seen in the newly renovated Whole Foods store in Glover Park. While Amazon had previously made small changes to the over 500 Whole Foods stores in the US and UK, the discounts and free delivery for Amazon Prime members were the main indicators of change. However, the 21,000-square-foot Whole Foods in Glover Park, along with a prototype store opening in Los Angeles, marks a significant advancement in Amazon's involvement, with the local grocer nearly completely run by tracking and robotic tools for the first time. The technology called Just Walk Out utilizes numerous cameras to monitor customers from above, with sensors placed beneath each individual item for sale. Deep-learning software analyzes shopping behaviors to improve accuracy in charging customers. This technology is similar to that used in driverless cars, as it can identify when a product is removed from a shelf, freezer, or produce bin, itemize the goods, and charge customers upon exiting the store. Anyone with an Amazon account, not just Prime members, can shop in a way that allows them to skip a cash register because the bill is charged to their Amazon account. Amazon has been testing this automation for over four years, initially at 24 Amazon Go convenience stores and several Amazon Fresh grocery stores nationwide. The palm-scanning technology, called Amazon One, is also being used by other businesses, such as a Hudson convenience store at Dallas Love Field Airport and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. These stores were considered valuable experiments by Dilip Kumar, Amazon’s vice president of physical retail and technology. The company views Whole Foods as another step in its technological expansion into retail stores. Kumar explained that they identified issues causing problems for customers and then worked backwards to find solutions to alleviate those problems. One common issue they noticed was customers not liking to wait in checkout lines, as it was not a productive use of their time, which led to the development of Just Walk Out. He did not comment on whether Amazon planned to expand this technology to all Whole Foods stores. According to Karen Weise, an Amazon reporter for the New York Times, Amazon operates on long-term strategies and has the patience and resources to implement changes slowly, allowing them to transform various industries over the years. The Whole Foods in Glover Park, which has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 20 years, is more than just a grocery store. Despite facing challenges such as closure due to a dispute with the landlord and a rat infestation four years ago, the store is set to reopen as a Just Walk Out pilot project by Amazon. While the rats may be gone, the neighborhood still has concerns about the store's reopening. The recently renovated store has sparked a lively debate among local residents on the Nextdoor community app and a neighborhood email list. Some residents are divided on whether the store's new technology gives off a "dystopian" vibe or is impressive. Many neighbors fondly remember when the store used to offer free samples and fluffy blueberry pancakes on weekends, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Alex Levin, a long-time resident of Glover Park, believes that people should not dismiss the store's changes but rather understand the benefits and drawbacks of the technology and how to use it to their advantage. He shared an amusing story of trying to outsmart the store's cameras and sensors by placing a box of chicken nuggets in his shopping bag and then returning the item to a freezer, but Amazon caught on and he wasn't charged for the nuggets. However, some people claimed to have discovered mistakes in their bills and were unhappy about the change from pricing produce by the pound to pricing it per item, bundle, or box. Some people lamented the disappearance of the checkout line, where they used to look at magazines and last-minute items. Many people were skeptical of the tracking technology, with one retired librarian, Allen Hengst, comparing it to George Orwell's novel "1984." Amazon stated that they have no plans to use Whole Foods customer information for advertising or recommendations. Customers who do not wish to participate in the new technology can simply enter the store without signing in and pay with cash or a credit card at self-checkout kiosks. Despite being a loyal customer of the Glover Park Whole Foods, the author felt conflicted after experiencing the changes, particularly after encountering a sign prohibiting photography and videography inside the store. I looked up at the ceiling and saw numerous small black plastic boxes hanging from the rafters. An employee informed me that these were cameras that would track me during my shopping trip. Despite the presence of human workers guiding customers and manning various sections like the seafood counter and produce areas, I couldn't help but wonder how much longer humans would be needed in the store. Amazon, which has faced criticism for how it treats its workers, announced that the responsibilities of employees may change in the future to involve more customer interaction. This indicates a move towards a more self-service model. During a visit to a bakery, I requested assistance in slicing a $4.99 Harvest loaf and was shown an industrial bread slicer for customers. A cautionary label on the machine warned of sharp blades and advised keeping hands away from moving parts. Kumar refused to provide information on the accuracy of Just Walk Out, so I decided to test the technology myself. I conducted an experiment by placing an organic avocado on a pile of nonorganic avocados and then retrieving the same avocado later. If the cameras and sensors were working correctly, Amazon would detect the misplaced avocado and charge me accordingly. When it came time to leave, I could either use a self-checkout kiosk or skip the process altogether. I chose the second option and waved my hand over the exit turnstile. The turnstile's arms opened. An employee mentioned that I should expect to receive my receipt in two to three hours. I left the store feeling uncomfortable, worried that I might be suspected of shoplifting. I received an email from Amazon in my inbox one hour later. The email contained a link that directed me to my Amazon account where I could view the details of my recent shopping experience. According to the email, I spent a total of 32 minutes and 26 seconds shopping and my bill came to $34.35, with the correct charge for the organic avocado. | 5 |
A former militia leader from Nigeria, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was released on bail by a Nigerian court on Thursday. This decision was made in response to the demands of armed groups in the Niger Delta region, who have been causing disruptions in oil production and kidnapping expatriate workers. Asari, who is facing charges of treason, was granted bail after rebel groups in the delta released hostages, announced a truce, and expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the newly inaugurated President Umaru Yar'Adua's government. However, the peace efforts of these groups are still uncertain, especially following the killing of eight suspected militants by troops during an attack on an oil well in Bayelsa state. Asari's bail application was based on health reasons, and prosecutors did not object to it, believing that he was not seeking attention. Justice Peter Olayiwola announced that the accused would be released for health reasons, with the condition that he refrain from holding political rallies or participating in political activities. It was also stipulated that his movements must be reported to security services. Asari had previously been denied bail by the Supreme Court due to concerns about national security, but prosecutors had now agreed to his release. Activists involved in peace negotiations between the government and delta rebels suggested that the court's decision was influenced by a political agreement. Asari has been in custody since September 2005, and his trial has faced numerous delays. Despite several failed efforts by elders from his Ijaw ethnic group to negotiate his release, the situation shifted following Yar'Adua's inauguration, where he urged a ceasefire in the delta. Subsequently, influential state governors from the region have advocated for Asari's freedom. Ijaw activists believe that the recent court decision will help in calming armed insurgents seeking autonomy over oil profits and restitution for oil leaks in the impoverished delta. Ifeanyi Jonjon, the leader of the Ijaw Youth Council, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in meeting their demands. He believes that using Asari to communicate with freedom fighters could help steer them away from violence and towards peace. Asari, despite not being in court due to his detention and mistreatment, had jubilant supporters present. Emmanuel Diffa, an Ijaw elder who has been advocating for Asari's release, stated that this development is positive for businesses in the Niger Delta and will help calm the situation. Asari is crucial for achieving peace in the region. | 5 |
Pakistan completed a clean sweep of Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game, winning the second Twenty20 in an exciting last-ball finish in Harare. Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum in their chase due to Pakistan's controlled bowling, but Tatenda Taibu's aggressive batting in the final over gave them hope. Taibu hit a six off the first ball and managed to score two runs off each of the next four deliveries, leaving him with six runs to get off the last ball. Sohail Khan then bowled a low, full toss wide outside off stump to secure the victory for Pakistan. Taibu had moved towards the leg side and was unable to make a shot, resulting in an anti-climatic end to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to become too difficult. Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha started well, with Sibanda hitting a beautiful straight drive for four. They managed to score boundaries in the first four overs but failed to rotate the strike effectively, causing the required run-rate to increase. Chibhabha attempted to accelerate the scoring against Saeed Ajmal by trying to hit over long on, but was caught by Yasir Shah just outside the circle as he backpedalled. Ajmal's first over, in which he took a wicket without conceding any runs, slowed down Zimbabwe's attempt to chase the target. Sibanda's frustration increased as he was caught by Hafeez at point while trying to hit a big shot. Hafeez continued to perform well with both bat and ball, dismissing Zhuwao with a straight delivery and getting Maskadza and Taylor out with catches. Zimbabwe's chase fell apart further when Coventry swung his bat at the first three balls he faced from Junaid Khan. Two of them hit boundaries for four runs, while the third player bottom-edged the ball onto his stumps. Elton Chigumbura managed to hit some strong shots, but struggled against the high-quality bowling. Despite the pressure, Pakistan's bowlers remained composed until the final over. Taibu had to lead both Prosper Utseya and himself, but Sohail ultimately made the decisive play. Zimbabwe showed improvement in their fielding, bowled more accurately, and capitalized on all the catching opportunities to restrict Pakistan to under 150 runs. Taylor showed creativity in his bowling changes, starting with a spinner before bringing in Chibhabha in the third over. Chibhabha quickly made an impact by getting a wicket when Asad Shafiq tried to hit a length ball for a six but was caught by Chigumbura at long-on. Shortly after, Rameez Raja was caught at short fine leg. Kyle Jarvis also performed well, delivering better lengths than in previous matches, and managed to get Raja out with a short ball. The hosts continued to put pressure on Pakistan by catching Shoaib Malik behind off Chigumbura after he attempted to hit a wide delivery. Hafeez took advantage of the spinners and played a significant innings, allowing Umar Akmal to take a cautious approach while he was at the crease. Chigumbura bowled an effective spell with slower balls, eventually getting Hafeez out. This led to a decrease in runs and boundaries for Pakistan, with only 36 runs scored in the last five overs. Akmal was run out while attempting a second run, and Tanvir was bowled by Jarvis. Jarvis performed well in the final overs of the match, effectively using yorkers, a type of delivery that he is very close to mastering. | 5 |
The unexpected change in protocol impressed Daschle, who was new to the job. Daschle was touched by Dole's insistence on coming to his office, despite Daschle being the junior member. Dole's response, that he could always decide when the meeting was over in Daschle's office, was typical of his witty and direct style. This story serves as a reminder of Dole's upbringing and straightforward approach to Washington politics. During his 35-year career in politics, spanning from the House to the Senate and multiple attempts at the presidency, Bob Dole thrived in a Washington that was conducive to his skills as a negotiator. While there was certainly partisanship during Dole's time in Congress, there is no denying that the atmosphere was different than it is today. Dole worked across party lines to pass significant bipartisan legislation, such as bills to reform Social Security, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and welfare system changes. One of his proudest achievements was collaborating with liberal Democrat George McGovern to update the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. After leaving the Senate, they continued to collaborate on nutrition issues. Senator Patrick J Leahy, a friend of Dole, praised their commitment to working together and keeping their promises. Leahy also mentioned the strong relationship between George J Mitchell Jr and Dole, noting that they would frequently visit each other's offices. Additionally, they had dedicated phone lines on their desks for direct communication. Leahy lamented that such close bipartisan relationships are rare in today's political climate. The button was useful in November 1994, when Republicans regained the majority. Mitchell, who was not running for reelection, requested that Dole be informed that he was going to his office to congratulate him. Dole responded quickly, stating that he did not want Mitchell to make the effort and that he would instead come to his office, a gesture that Mitchell and his team saw as considerate and kind. Robert Dallek, the presidential historian, noted that Dole excelled at working across party lines in an era when bipartisanship was valued. Despite this, Dole was not without sharp elbows or conservative beliefs. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House known for starting Washington's era of intense partisanship, collaborated closely with Dole on tax cuts and defeating President Bill Clinton's health care plan. In a recent interview, Gingrich compared Dole to current Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, noting their tactical skills and ability to both halt and push legislation forward. Despite their effective partnership, Dole did not fully embrace Gingrich's confrontational approach. When Gingrich and House Republicans refused to pass federal spending bills, causing the government to shut down in 1995, Dole spoke out on the Senate floor, expressing his frustration. Dole believed it was time to put an end to the situation, deeming it ridiculous. In Washington, Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, were viewed as a powerful couple, representing the city's institutions. Robert Dole symbolized World War II and the Greatest Generation, embodying a past era of dignity and honor. He played a key role in establishing the World War II Memorial on the National Mall and frequently greeted veterans there. Dallek, the historian, described him as being like the epitome of America, coming from the heartland and representing common values. In 1996, Dole decided to leave the Senate after serving for over twenty-five years to pursue the presidency. During this time, Washington was experiencing significant changes, with Gingrich being very influential and Clinton facing impeachment due to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, which only added to the increasing partisan divisions. However, even though Dole was the Senate's longest-serving Republican leader at the time, when he went to the chamber to announce his departure, the traditional customs of the Capitol were still evident. Leahy recalled that on the day Dole announced he was leaving the Senate, nearly every Democratic senator was present on the floor. Despite knowing that Dole was going to run against Bill Clinton, after he finished speaking, all senators stood up and applauded. | 5 |
Numerous architects are unhappy about the decision to demolish the red building, which enhanced the beauty of the street alongside a park. A heritage activist is urging authorities to save the building due to its historical importance. On Wednesday, a contractor named Shakil began tearing down parts of the building's roof, stating that he had won the job through a tender eight months ago and would complete the demolition in four days. When asked for his opinion, the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Expansion, Md Golam Maruf, stated that the government had made the decision to demolish the building. Despite acknowledging its importance in agricultural research history, he refused to elaborate further, noting that the building was no longer under his department's jurisdiction. He recommended reaching out to the Cotton Development Board (CDB), the current owner of the building. However, the Executive Director of CDB, Md Farid Uddin, was unavailable for comment as he was in a meeting. He requested to be contacted again in an hour, but subsequent calls from bdnews24.com were not answered. Taimur Islam, the Chief Executive of Urban Study Group in Dhaka City, is speaking out against the recent demolition of buildings that are not officially designated as heritage sites. He believes that over 2,500 unlisted buildings are at risk of being destroyed, with only around 100 currently being preserved. He argues that more of these buildings should be saved to protect the city's architectural heritage. Taimur stated that the building holds significance for its historical and architectural importance. He mentioned that a Famine Commission was established in Odisha in the mid-18th century, leading to the construction of several buildings in Dhaka's Farmgate area to aid in agricultural expansion. These buildings were later expanded when Bengal was divided in 1905. Taimur emphasized the architectural value of the building. Taimur expressed that the buildings from the colonial period, such as the courts and DC council buildings, are similar in construction. He also highlighted the significance of agriculture as the most crucial sector in Bangladesh. Taimur further stated that the history in agriculture should be preserved, as it is connected to an important chapter in their history. The agricultural sector has seen significant technological advancements over time, with seven to eight buildings bearing witness to these changes. These structures should have been protected in accordance with the UNESCO Convention. During the demolition process, architects hurried to the site to advocate for the preservation of one particular building due to its historical importance, as stated by Qazi Muhammad Arif, General Secretary of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB). There are numerous buildings like this in the country, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them. We believe that the buildings that can be saved should be saved. Arif mentioned that there are plans to construct a tall office building at Khamarbarhi, but efforts could be made to conserve the historic structures. The Vice-President of the institute, Jalal Ahmed, expressed regret that it now appears to be too late as the demolition work on the building has progressed significantly. He mentioned that there was no design of the building and it did not seem to be in bad enough shape to be demolished. Associate Professor Shehzad Zahir from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of scientific research in the development of Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He stated that this building served as the laboratory for agricultural research, playing a significant role in Bangladesh's agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of halting the demolition immediately and taking steps to protect the building, as it is a relic from the late colonial period. The attractive shedding devices in front of the windows have connected our local architecture to that of Europe, according to architect Sajid-Bin-Doza, Assistant Professor at BRAC University. He mentioned that the building is well-suited for Bangladesh's tropical climate. He expressed disappointment that there is no design in place to preserve the traditions of the building, stating that it is a source of shame and hurt. The speaker suggested that the authorities should have taken photographs of the building before it was damaged, so they could show them to future generations. However, he explained that preserving the building now would be expensive due to the extensive damage caused by a hammer. | 5 |
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed has raised doubts about the ability of local institutions to effectively govern their constituencies. However, other participants at a seminar, including members of parliament, politicians, and economists, expressed support for a strong local government and proposed the establishment of a local government commission. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, and co-chair of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, expressed confidence that the ruling Awami League would fulfill its promise to establish such a commission. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Communist Party, criticized the local government ministry for overstepping its boundaries in controlling local governance, calling it unconstitutional. The government is required by the constitution to guarantee five levels of public representation, but only two are currently active at the Upazila and union levels. Local officials believe that these locally elected bodies cannot operate independently without the involvement of their corresponding Members of Parliament (MPs). Abdul Majid, the president of a group of Upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen, stated that the Upazila councils are not functioning properly because they are controlled by the MPs. He added that the Upazila chairman simply follows the instructions of the local MP. Meher Afroz Chumki, a Member of Parliament from Gazipur, emphasized the need to change one's mindset. She advocated for empowering local governments but criticized bureaucratic red tape for hindering genuine government efforts. Chumki believes that if local governments are given more power, they will also become more responsible, but she believes that a closed mindset is preventing this from occurring. Hasanul Haq Inu, President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and also an MP, stated that there should be clearly defined roles for local and central governments to specify their respective responsibilities. He observed that discrimination against local representatives was to be expected in a system with clear dualism. He emphasized the importance of public representatives in development plans, stating that initiatives should be centered around local government. Shafique Ahmed, concluding the discussion, expressed his support for decentralization and agreed with the perspectives of the other speakers. He stressed the need to assess the qualifications of local agencies before entrusting them with responsibilities. The Governance Advocacy Forum arranged a seminar that was overseen by Kholiquzzaman Ahmad. More than 400 chairmen and vice-chairmen held a hunger strike at Muktangan in the capital on Jan 22 to present a ten-point demand for empowerment. Their requests included the abolishment of a law that requires the corresponding MP to be appointed as advisor to the Upazila council. They also called for 70 percent budget allocation and separate budgets for local government, as well as the authority for chairmen to assess all government employees under the council. Local leaders also asked to be in charge of 13 offices under 10 ministries in accordance with the Upazila Parishad Act, the ability for local government organizations to create their own annual and five-year plans, the reformation of district councils, the establishment of a local government commission, and a comprehensive law for local government organizations. The strike was postponed to March 28 after receiving a guarantee from MPs Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu that the demands would be met. | 5 |
During a television special on NBC, Bruce Springsteen announced that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been chosen as Time magazine's Person of the Year. The president-elect and vice president-elect will be featured together on the cover of the magazine on December 21. They were selected over other finalists such as frontline health care workers and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the racial justice movement, and President Donald Trump. Time's editor-in-chief, Edward Felsenthal, mentioned the magazine's historical ties to the presidency during the announcement. Felsenthal pointed out that this was the first time the magazine had decided to include the vice president as a person of the year. He emphasized that the choice reflects not only the past year but also the direction the country is heading. He expressed the belief that the next four years will be a crucial test for them and for all Americans to see if they can fulfill their promise of unity. In a recorded segment, Biden stated that if Trump had been reelected, it would have had a long-lasting impact on the American identity. He described the recent election as a pivotal moment. Harris, who initially ran for president, recognized the challenges and expectations that she and Biden would encounter. "We are currently facing multiple crises that have come together," she explained. Despite the struggle of weekly print magazines to stay relevant in today's media landscape, Time continues to generate excitement over their annual distinction. Time's tradition of selecting a person of the year dates back to 1927 when aviator Charles Lindbergh was chosen as the first recipient. Over the years, Time has honored presidents, peacemakers, astronauts, popes, Queen Elizabeth II, American women, and the Earth itself. However, some controversial figures have also been selected, such as Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Josef Stalin in 1939 and 1942. Time's selection process is not based on popularity, but rather on the individual or individuals who have had the most significant impact on the news and society, whether positive or negative. In 2019, Greta Thunberg was chosen as person of the year over other notable figures like Nancy Pelosi, Trump, the Ukraine whistleblower, and the Hong Kong protesters. Trump criticized the decision on Twitter, calling it "ridiculous." In 2018, Time magazine named a group of journalists, which included slain Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, as its person of the year to highlight the dangers faced by independent journalists amidst a climate of misinformation. The group also included the staff of The Capital Gazette, where five people were killed in a shooting in June 2018. The previous year, Time recognized the "silence breakers," women who sparked the Me Too movement by coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault against powerful men. Prior to the 2017 announcement, President Trump took to Twitter to claim he had been informed he would likely be chosen again but stated he declined the recognition. Time quickly issued a statement refuting the president's claim. Despite his surprising win over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Trump was named Time magazine's person of the year for that year. Unlike the last three presidents who each served two terms, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, Trump was only chosen once during his presidency. A total of nine presidents have been selected multiple times by Time magazine, with Dwight D. Eisenhower being the first in 1944 for his role in leading the Allies to victory in World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record as he was named person of the year three times. Text from around 2020 belonging to The New York Times Company. | 5 |
The upcoming project, "Overheated Symphony", aims to create a collaborative mobile phone film directed by women from around the world. This initiative, part of the Birds Eye View film festival in London, encourages women to submit short films on any topic within the theme of "Overheated". The resulting film is expected to showcase a diverse range of voices and perspectives. The project's website invites women to submit videos of themselves in hot weather, with the goal of creating a final edit called "Overheated Symphony." The inspiration for this project came from a 1927 film called "Berlin - Symphony of a Great City" by German filmmaker Walter Ruttmann, which used a montage of still pictures to showcase city life. British film director Sarah Turner will be creating the final edit from the mobile phone contributions, and she describes the project as "very abstract." She believes that the film will allow women from around the world to engage in a "dialogue of ideas" and that women's themes and issues will be a significant part of the finished piece. Turner expressed this sentiment in an interview with Reuters. Turner is collecting intense mobile films before the March 2 deadline and will create a live edit of the symphony to be shown on March 9 at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts. Rachel Millward, director of the Birds Eye View festival, which is in its third year, mentions that the film focuses on new technology and the themes of women and intensity. She mentioned that there is a shift towards interactivity and multi-platform projects in the film and media industry. They wanted to create a project that incorporated these elements, as well as having a playful and inclusive atmosphere. The goal is to showcase films made by women all around the world, challenging the stereotype that women are not tech-savvy. Contributors are encouraged to upload their work onto the festival's YouTube channel for editing. Although the final outcome is uncertain, Millward believes it will be greater than the individual contributions. She says the film is so unpredictable, it could cover topics like climate change or passion, and possibly even more than that. | 5 |
Rival Premier League managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger showed their support for Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley, who both resigned from their positions recently due to principle-related issues. Curbishley left West Ham due to feeling undermined by the club's board over transfers, while Keegan departed Newcastle citing interference from directors as the main reason for his resignation. Ferguson praised both men for standing up for their principles, noting that they left their roles because they felt they were no longer in control of their teams. He mentioned that players were being sold without their input, showing a lack of respect for their authority. That is not deemed appropriate. It is not the reason you aspired to become a manager, to be at the mercy of a chairman. Wenger, the Arsenal manager, expressed his discontent by saying: "It is a dreadful situation to have no authority but still be held accountable for success or failure." The manager holds the most significance at a club; otherwise, why would they be dismissed when things are not going well? Ferguson, who has led Manchester United for almost 22 years, and Wenger, who is approaching 12 years at Arsenal, are the two longest-serving managers in the Premier League. "In this era of young and wealthy chairmen, success is crucial and the responsibilities of managing a team have evolved since the days of Arsene and myself," Ferguson stated. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and acknowledged the financial limitations that managers face. Ferguson supported the decision of managers to walk away from their positions when faced with unexpected challenges. The conversation also touched upon the influx of foreign investment in the Premier League, exemplified by the Abu Dhabi United Group's acquisition of Manchester City and their intentions to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas in the upcoming transfer window." Wenger expressed concern that significant financial investments could disrupt the league. He noted that there has been a shift in the motivations of club owners, with some now prioritizing money or glory over the traditional ambition of purchasing their dream club. Having more money in the League is beneficial, but an excess of money can create inflationary pressure and destabilize other clubs by putting a strain on their resources. Despite being fierce rivals, the two men shared smiles and jokes, indicating a better understanding and mutual respect between them. Wenger mentioned that they have shared meals and wine at coaching conferences in Geneva, highlighting the respect they have for each other. We both have excellent teams and have experienced amazing competition in the past ten years. | 5 |
Text = What is the name of this? | 5 |
In order to find an answer, it is necessary to thoroughly examine every aspect of Venus, including how its appearance has changed over time. While Earth has plate tectonics, which shapes various geological features, Venus does not have this process. However, a recent study suggests that Venus may have a unique variation of plate tectonics in which blocks of its surface have shifted and twisted, altering their surroundings. These dancing blocks, which are thin and flat slices of rock known as campi (Latin for "fields"), vary in size from as small as Ireland to as large as Alaska. They were discovered using data from NASA's Magellan orbiter mission, the agency's final exploration of Venus. In the early 1990s, radar technology was used to penetrate the planet's thick atmosphere and create a detailed map of its entire surface. Upon revisiting these maps, researchers identified 58 campi spread out across the lava-covered lowlands of the planet. These campi are surrounded by lines of small mountain ranges and grooves, which have been altered and marked by the passage of time. According to planetary scientist Paul Byrne from North Carolina State University, the formation of campi on Venus can be explained by them being moved by the flowing mantle below, similar to how pack ice moves. This movement of campi towards or away from immobile land would result in the formation of mountains or grooves on the surface. Additionally, campi moving side-to-side would leave strain marks and etchings along boundaries. The fact that this deformation occurred in the lowlands of Venus is noteworthy. The lava covering these landscapes is estimated to be between 750 and 150 million years old, making them some of the youngest on the planet. This suggests that the tectonic activity in these areas occurred relatively recently in the history of the solar system. NASA's VERITAS and Europe's EnVision missions will investigate whether this tectonic activity is still ongoing. Using advanced radar systems, these orbiters will closely study the campi to determine if there has been any movement since the time of Magellan. If evidence is found that Venus is tectonically active, it will support the idea that Venus may not be as active as Earth in terms of tectonic activity. Venus may have had a large amount of water in the past, which could have allowed for plate tectonics to occur. This process helps regulate the climate by dealing with carbon, preventing extreme global warming that would make the planet uninhabitable. However, it is possible that multiple volcanic events caused Venus to become a dry, inhospitable place and shut down its plate tectonics. Therefore, throughout the past billion years, the surface of the entire planet has been a single, motionless plate. However, this does not mean that there have been no movements on the planet. Previous missions like Magellan have identified fault networks, rift zones, and mountain ridges, which are evidence of ancient and more recent tectonic activity. According to a new study, if large parts of Venus have recently been experiencing movement, it suggests that the planet's surface is more dynamic than previously thought, as stated by Joseph O'Rourke, a planetary scientist at Arizona State University. Understanding the reason behind this unexpected tectonic activity on Venus could have significant implications. There are many Earth- and Venus-sized planets in the universe, and their tectonic activity will play a role in determining their destinies. Understanding Earth and Venus is crucial in understanding other rocky planets in the solar system and beyond, according to O'Rourke. Venus, with its many unexpected characteristics, presents a challenge in this quest for understanding. | 5 |
Due to a geomagnetic storm caused by a recent solar outburst, 40 out of 49 newly launched Starlink satellites have been disabled and are now entering Earth's atmosphere to be destroyed. This event underscores the risks faced by companies aiming to deploy thousands of small satellites in orbit for satellite internet service. There is a possibility that future solar outbursts could also disrupt these newly launched satellites. The sun operates on an 11-year cycle, alternating between active and inactive phases. Currently, the sun is increasing towards its peak, predicted to occur around 2025. This recent solar event was considered moderate compared to previous occurrences. Hugh Lewis, a space debris expert at the University of Southampton, believes that a more extreme event is likely to happen during the next solar cycle. If a mild solar event can disrupt 40 Starlink satellites, a stronger solar event could cause even more damage to SpaceX and other companies' satellite constellations. SpaceX announced the potential loss of up to 40 satellites in a blog post on Tuesday. The company stated that following the launch, the satellites were placed into their designated orbit approximately 130 miles above Earth. This specific altitude was chosen in order to minimize the risk of potential collisions with other satellites in the future. If the satellites experience malfunctions once deployed at this altitude and are unable to adjust their orbits to safer levels, they will be quickly reclaimed by the atmosphere, according to Lewis. This serves as an effective safety precaution. However, on January 29, prior to the launch of these satellites, a powerful eruption of highly energetic particles and magnetism from the sun, known as a coronal mass ejection, was detected. This ejection reached Earth around February 2, resulting in a geomagnetic storm within Earth's magnetic field. The intense storm increased the kinetic energy of particles in the Earth's atmosphere, causing it to expand and become denser. This increased drag on objects, such as satellites, causing their orbits to shrink and bringing them closer to the lower atmosphere where they would eventually burn up. During a recent Starlink deployment, SpaceX noted that the storm caused atmospheric drag to increase significantly, leading to the loss of 40 out of 49 satellites due to gravity. There are currently 1,915 Starlink satellites in orbit, so losing up to 40 is not a major concern for SpaceX, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. However, the cost of losing these satellites could potentially be up to $100 million. The risks of solar outbursts and geomagnetic storms to objects in low-Earth orbit are well known, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ranking geomagnetic storms on a scale from minor to extreme. The latest storm, classified as "moderate," could potentially affect orbits by changing atmospheric drag. Considering these risks, it raises the question of whether SpaceX took this hazard into account during the recent Starlink deployment. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina in Canada, expressed her disbelief, stating "I’m just kind of dumbfounded." McDowell also found it surprising and mentioned that they should have been prepared for this situation. When contacted, a SpaceX media representative explained that the team was unavailable due to the demanding time. The satellites entering the atmosphere quickly, instead of staying in low-Earth orbit, is seen as a positive development and does not pose any threat to people on the ground. Lewis stated that the system operated safely, with the satellites de-orbiting without putting anything else at risk. Most satellites orbit at higher altitudes, avoiding atmospheric expansion hazards. However, the threat to satellites at lower altitudes remains, raising concerns about SpaceX's ability to continue deploying spacecraft at this altitude. Lewis explained that as the sun becomes more active, it emits more extreme ultraviolet radiation that is absorbed into the atmosphere, causing it to expand significantly. This is expected to increase atmospheric density by one or two orders of magnitude. The change we are witnessing now is much larger than the previous event. Many astronomers have criticized Starlink and other satellite constellations for potentially interfering with telescope research on Earth due to reflecting sunlight. Some view this incident as indicative of SpaceX's approach to issues in low-Earth orbit - fixing problems as they arise and improving in the future. This approach is seen as a focus on hindsight rather than foresight. The loss of these satellites is seen as a tough lesson for SpaceX. Lawler stated that what occurs next is within their control and expressed his desire for this situation to help them gain some understanding. | 5 |
There is growing speculation that Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard could be removed from her position by her party before the end of the year. Senior ministers have come out in support of Gillard after a difficult start to 2012. Despite media reports suggesting she could face a leadership challenge from Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Defense Minister Stephen Smith and other cabinet ministers have expressed their backing for Gillard. Some analysts now believe Gillard is unlikely to lead the party to the next election in 2013, with a potential move against her expected later in the year. Monash University political analyst Nick Economou stated that MPs are starting to worry and some believe Gillard will not lead the Labor Party in the next election. The initial major opinion polls for 2012 revealed that government backing was stuck at historically low levels, while online betting company Sportsbet reported that the odds of Rudd reclaiming leadership by the end of the year had decreased to $1.20 for a $1.00 bet. Smith, speaking from Brussels to Australian television, expressed strong support for the Prime Minister and commended her performance under challenging circumstances. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, and Regional Affairs Minister Simon Crean have all urged an end to party discord, with Crean emphasizing that Rudd does not work well within a team. Despite being ousted as prime minister, Rudd remains popular with voters, though his Labor colleagues view him as a lone operator. The government faces a difficult situation as Prime Minister Gillard relies on the support of two independents and the Greens, and any change in leadership could potentially lead to a change in government or an early election. This is because a new leader would need to negotiate similar support. The opposition has promised to repeal the new 30 percent mining tax and carbon tax, both set to begin on July 1. Despite rumors of a leadership spill, Gillard remains focused on her job and delivering good policy. In 2011, Gillard's position strengthened after an opposition lawmaker became parliamentary speaker, increasing her majority from one vote to three. She has had a difficult start to 2012 with setbacks including losing the support of an independent and a staffer due to broken promises and controversial actions. As a result, the government now only has a one seat majority in parliament and faces scrutiny over a lawmaker's involvement in a police investigation. Despite these challenges, there may be hope for improvement if the central bank cuts interest rates, according to economists. Australian Financial Review political editor Laura Tingle noted a shift in support away from Gillard in the past week, although many Labor lawmakers still have strong negative feelings towards Rudd. Tingle mentioned that the situation has shifted unfavorably for Julia Gillard, while Economou stated that any action against her is unlikely before July, when the carbon tax and mining tax come into effect. This timeline would allow Labor to present its budget in May and participate in campaigning for the Queensland state election on March 24. Economou warned that the real challenge would come after the carbon tax is implemented, and if things do not improve by then, Gillard may be forced to step down. | 5 |
Oscar voters have a strong preference for dramas, but at the Toronto International Film Festival, dramas were overshadowed by behind-the-scenes troubles in the genre. The festival, known for launching movies into award season contention, opened with the Charles Darwin drama "Creation" seeking a distributor. Many of the festival's 330 films lacked distribution, including titles like "Chloe" and "Dorian Gray." With audiences favoring escapism and comedies during the recession, distributors are focusing on those genres, leaving serious dramas struggling to find support. According to industry insiders, fans of high-quality dramas still exist and the genre is not dead. They believe the issue is more related to marketing and cost rather than a lack of creative content. However, filmmakers are facing challenges, even with successful movies like "No Country for Old Men" in 2007. Director Jon Amiel, known for his film "Creation" about Charles Darwin, described "drama" as a difficult genre in Hollywood currently. He mentioned that even indie distributors are not enthusiastic about buying films that focus on obscure historical figures like a deceased, bald Englishman. There are numerous movies that American viewers will not have the chance to see, as evident by the decreasing interest at box offices. Two notable successes in the art house category this summer were "The Hurt Locker" and "(500) Days of Summer," with the former earning $12 million and the latter earning roughly $29 million. Entertainment attorney Steven Beer from Greenberg Traurig noted that there is a prevailing conservative mindset in the industry, with dramas being perceived as risky ventures in the current market. Industry experts believe that dramas can attract fans and be profitable, but the key is to create a suitable production and marketing strategy that fits the current movie industry landscape. Many successful marketing campaigns target specific groups, such as science and period piece enthusiasts for films like "Creation." Due to decreased box office and DVD sales, production costs need to be decreased. Tough movies like these will continue to face challenges in the industry. "In a challenging economic environment that is becoming even more difficult, industry experts believe that the models for distributing films need to be adjusted," stated Tom Ortenberg, who is the president of theatrical films at The Weinstein Co. David Poland, an industry analyst from MovieCityNews.com, pointed out that the decline in DVD sales has played a significant role in distributors hesitating to support expensive dramas. However, experts agree that there is still a demand for this genre. Despite this, distributors are being more selective when considering dramas, which may limit the potential for a breakout film like "Slumdog" from Toronto 2009. Tom Bernard, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, noted that buyers at Toronto are now more cautious than in the past, signaling a shift in the industry. | 5 |
Mohsin, who had been undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital, passed away at 9:30am on Monday. Selina Haque, an additional secretary to the defence ministry, confirmed the news. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep sorrow at Mohsin's death and extended her condolences to his family. Mohsin had been admitted to CMH on June 2 after testing positive for COVID-19. His condition worsened, and he was moved to intensive care where he received plasma therapy. Mohsin, the younger brother of former principal secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, was promoted to the rank of senior secretary on June 14 while he was still in the hospital. Mohsin, born in 1963 in Cumilla, obtained an MSc in Soil Science from Dhaka University and later completed an MA in Governance Studies from Northern University in Dhaka. As a member of the 1985 BCS batch, he held various positions in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Prime Minister's Office. Prior to his time at the defence ministry, he served as the secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. | 5 |
There were a total of 19 fatalities across multiple states due to the storm. It was the third largest snowstorm in New York City history, accumulating at least 25.1 inches (63.7 cm), and also one of the biggest in Washington. Thirteen deaths occurred in weather-related car accidents in Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. One death was reported in Maryland and three in New York City as a result of shoveling snow. Officials in Virginia reported that two people died of hypothermia. The storm, which dumped nearly two feet of snow on the Washington area, unexpectedly gained strength as it moved northward towards the New York metropolitan area, which is home to approximately 20 million people. The storm was forecasted to bring accumulations of 24 to 28 inches of snow in New York City, northern New Jersey, and western Long Island, with winds reaching up to 45 mph. Visibility was expected to be very low, with forecasts of one-quarter of a mile or less. The snow-covered statue of Pierre Charles L'Enfant in Washington during a winter storm on January 23, 2016, has prompted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to declare a state of emergency. Additionally, he has implemented a travel ban on New York City area roads and Long Island, except for emergency vehicles, until 7am on Sunday. Subways, trains, and bridges into the city from New Jersey were also affected by the heavy snowfall. The impact on New York's financial services industry over the weekend was minimal, with uncertainty surrounding Wall Street's reopening on Monday due to the heavy snow. On Broadway, the effects were felt right away. The mayor's recommendation led to the cancellation of Saturday matinee and evening shows, resulting in an unusual calm in the typically busy city of 8.5 million people. Tourists and locals were seen wandering the streets of Manhattan, and some even took the opportunity to enjoy the snow in Central Park by skiing, building snowmen, or engaging in friendly snowball fights. The area surrounding the Washington Monument was blanketed in snow during a winter storm in Washington on January 23, 2016. While public transportation in New York and New Jersey was halted, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority decided to suspend operations through Sunday in the capital. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated at a press conference that the snow is expected to taper off late tonight or early tomorrow morning, but the conditions remain hazardous. We anticipate that the high winds in the area will persist, leading to poor conditions and visibility. FlightAware.com reported that more than 5,100 flights were cancelled on Saturday and over 3,300 on Sunday. United Airlines announced that it would not operate at Washington-area airports on Saturday and Sunday, with plans to gradually resume service on Monday. The airline will have "very limited operations" starting on Sunday afternoon at its Newark, New Jersey hub and other New York area airports. The blizzard first hit Washington, where snow accumulated outside the White House and on the city's famous monuments, before moving on to the New York City area. "We are excited to make snow angels in front of the White House," said Robert Bella Hernandez, 38. "We plan to enjoy the snow-covered DC landmarks and head back indoors when it becomes unsafe. The record high snowfall in Washington was 28 inches in 1922, with the most recent significant snowfall being 17.8 inches in 2010. High winds reaching 70 mph battered the East Coast, causing coastal flooding." A man is seen walking close to the Washington Monument in Washington during a winter storm on January 23, 2016. According to Reuters, the storm also affected cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia, causing power outages for about 150,000 customers in North Carolina and 90,000 homes in New Jersey. Meteorologist Patrick O'Hara mentioned that the high tides during the storm surpassed those of Superstorm Sandy, leading to water flooding roads in areas like the Jersey Shore and Delaware coast, with record levels reached in Cape May, New Jersey, and Lewes, Delaware. Some residents along the New Jersey Shore had to evacuate due to the storm, reminiscent of the devastating 2012 storm. Linda Gilmore, the county's public information officer, reported that the barrier islands near Atlantic City were facing considerable tidal flooding. The storm originated on the Gulf Coast and brought snowfall to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky on Friday. Meteorologists explained that the winter system was created when warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean mixed with cold air along the coast. | 5 |
The October issue of GQ features Paul McCartney, who has typically relied on familiar Beatles stories in the past. However, in this issue, McCartney opened up in several lengthy conversations, showing himself to be unprepared, somewhat indecisive, and less concerned with his own image than expected. He even shared a story about the Beatles' teenage adventures, which generated a cheeky headline in the New York Post. This added a humanizing touch to McCartney's long-standing fame. McCartney's willingness to be transparent in the interview was a refreshing change, as not all celebrities are as open in high-profile profiles, like Beyoncé in the September issue of Vogue. The article accompanying this text is titled "Beyoncé in Her Own Words," which is not a profile but a compilation of brief comments on various topics such as motherhood, family, body acceptance, and touring. Anna Wintour describes the piece as a "powerful essay" written by Beyoncé herself, which she sees as a positive aspect rather than a negative one. Although a journalist was involved in the process and is credited at the end, outside perspectives have been mostly eliminated. This may not be a concern for Beyoncé's fans, but it is worrisome for fans of celebrity journalism, which typically aims to provide additional context and depth to the world of fame through interviews. It is not a rare occurrence, especially in pop music, for some of the biggest performers to avoid the press. For example, Taylor Swift has not done a substantial interview with a print publication in over two years, while Drake has not done so for about a year, amidst a turbulent period. Frank Ocean has also largely disappeared again. Instead of traditional interviews, these artists often communicate through social media or remain silent. A monologue, rather than a dialogue, is changing the way celebrity press operates. In-depth interviews have been important for creating stars since the 1960s, as well as for maintaining their image. Celebrities used to continue engaging with the media even after reaching the height of fame. This was how the most influential cultural figures shared their thoughts, such as John Lennon discussing the Beatles' breakup, Tupac Shakur speaking from jail, or Courtney Love following Kurt Cobain's death. It used to be enlightening for fans and a point of pride for celebrities, especially in confrontational interviews. Stars like Ice Cube and Madonna thrived in these situations, showing themselves to be thoughtful, unafraid of challenges, and aware of their public image. However, this was during a time when print media had a lot of influence and the internet and TMZ were not as dominant. As the media started documenting celebrities' every move in real-time, many stars became more guarded. This shift may not mean the end of traditional celebrity journalism. The pressure on celebrity journalism from higher-ups may not be as strong as the threat emerging from below, where a new generation of celebrities share their lives on social media quickly and decisively, without the need for traditional interviews. This generation values hyper-documentation, making the traditional emphasis on behind-the-scenes access in celebrity journalism irrelevant. An example of this is rapper Lil Xan, who has recently shared personal dramas online without waiting for traditional media to catch up. At times, social media posts have replaced traditional tell-all interviews for celebrities. For example, Ariana Grande used Instagram to mourn her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, while XXXTentacion addressed sexual assault allegations on his Instagram Story and Logan Paul apologized on YouTube for a controversial video. These posts offer one-sided narratives without much scrutiny beyond the comments section, creating safe spaces for young celebrities to communicate directly with their followers. In today's social media-driven world, celebrities can reach a larger and more targeted audience through platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat than through traditional media outlets. This shift has presented a challenge for celebrity journalism, as established celebrities have abandoned it altogether and emerging celebrities have grown up in a time where it is less relevant. As time goes on, the space between different types of content may disappear. Additionally, there is now a variety of content being created, making it hard for consumers to distinguish between original reporting and aggregated content, as well as content from journalistic outlets and brands. This lack of clarity encourages celebrities to move away from traditional media where they have less control over the final product. With the decline of old media, the new media landscape is often seen as a correction or a noisy distraction. For example, Selena Gomez is featured on the cover of Elle this month, with a relatively harmless accompanying story. However, she expressed frustration in a lengthy Instagram post when the interview appeared online. She mentioned that it was difficult for her to speak openly for over an hour only to have someone else put her thoughts into paid words. She emphasized her desire for her voice to be true to herself as she gets older. The post also outlined the specific topics she had wanted to promote in the interview, criticizing the excessive focus on her personal life and church. As celebrities gain more power and influence over the media, publications have been forced to compromise their integrity in exchange for access, resulting in celebrities editing special issues of magazines. Swift was featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar this year, but in the article, she actually acted as the interviewer, posing questions to rock muse Pattie Boyd. Similarly, Rihanna took her own photograph for the cover of The Fader in 2015, with the help of a professional photographer. This act served as a commentary on the widespread fame and the cover star taking control of her own image. If these options are not feasible, magazines can opt to have a friend of the celebrity conduct the interview instead. Jennifer Lawrence interviewed Emma Stone for Elle magazine. Gigi Hadid was interviewed by Blake Lively for her Harper's Bazaar May cover. Cleo Wade, an Instagram affirmation specialist, conducted Katy Perry's interview for the March issue of Glamour. Interview magazine, known for its celebrity conversations, was recently revived. In the comeback issue, Raf Simons talked with George Condo, with a journalist occasionally chiming in, and Jennifer Jason Leigh interviewed Phoebe Cates. The friend doesn't have to be a famous person for these types of interviews. The author of Rolling Stone's recent article about the private pop star Sia claims to be a close friend of hers, while New York magazine's recent interview with Woody Allen's wife Soon-Yi Previn was conducted by a longtime friend of Allen, causing controversy on Twitter. These articles rely on the idea of close friendships to provide insight, instead of maintaining objectivity as the press should. Celebrity profiles typically involve journalists acting as a stand-in for the reader, not the subject, but exclusivity often trumps ethical standards in these cases. Friendship should not be a requirement, but rather a disqualifier. This approach is unfair to fans who are deprived of the valuable insights that can come from someone in the room challenging and questioning, rather than just agreeing. It is disappointing that high-profile stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have chosen to be closed off rather than engage in meaningful conversations that could showcase their full complexity. It is unfortunate that we will never get to hear the answers to the unasked questions. Text = Copyright 2018 New York Times News Service. | 5 |
Rafiq, a cricketer of Pakistani heritage and former captain of the England Under-19s, revealed last year that he felt like an outsider at Yorkshire and even considered suicide. Hutton, in his resignation letter, criticized the Yorkshire board and senior management for their unwillingness to apologize for racism and move forward. He admitted that during his time at the club, he witnessed a culture that resisted change and challenges. Hutton, who joined the board after Rafiq's departure, also offered a sincere apology to the 30-year-old, acknowledging that the club should have taken the allegations of racism more seriously at the time. "I regret that we were unsuccessful in convincing the executive members of the board to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and demonstrate concern and regret." The England cricket board (ECB) has suspended Yorkshire EB from hosting international or major matches, but Hutton mentioned that the ECB was hesitant to take action when approached. "I want to clarify that as soon as I learned of Azeem Rafiq's accusations, I immediately contacted the ECB to request their assistance and involvement in conducting a thorough investigation," Hutton stated. "I was disappointed when they refused to assist, as I believed it was an important issue for the sport as a whole. It is well-documented that I have consistently voiced my frustration at the ECB's reluctance to take action." The CEO of the ECB, Tom Harrison, mentioned that they were requested to participate in a Yorkshire panel of inquiry, but as the regulator, they could not do so. Harrison explained to reporters that being a part of the investigation would conflict with their role as regulators. He disagreed with Hutton's suggestion that the ECB had refused to assist in the inquiry. The ECB had announced that it would be monitoring Yorkshire's actions regarding the issue and may impose penalties. Rafiq and top Yorkshire officials have been summoned to testify before a parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) panel on Nov 16. | 5 |
Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has declared a state of emergency on his team's World Cup campaign ahead of their match against Denmark. After losing to Japan and with both teams needing a victory to stay in the competition, Le Guen is not mincing words about the urgency of the situation. I like it when people are highly motivated and aware of the urgent situation." There have been rumors of infighting among Cameroon's players after their defeat, but captain Samuel Eto'o strongly denied this. He stated at a press conference on Friday, "I want to make it clear that there has never been any infighting within the team and there never will be. I am the captain, and as long as my teammates, coach, and country believe in me, there will be no infighting." Regardless of the players' mindset, one thing is certain - Le Guen will make changes. He stated that he will be making changes for the next game by replacing three players, without providing specific details. He acknowledged that the team did not perform well and he plans to introduce three new players and make some adjustments. He emphasized his role as a coach and the person responsible for selecting the team, stating that he is willing to make changes and is not stubborn. When I notice that things are not going well, I make adjustments. During the game against Japan, I attempted to place the players in their usual club positions, except for Stephane Mbia. If that strategy is unsuccessful, I make changes. This statement appears to be a direct mention of the coach's past decision to have Eto'o play on the right side, a position he was not comfortable with due to his success playing centrally for Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho. Le Guen has faced criticism for this decision, including from Eto'o himself, who expressed on French TV that his preferred position was in the middle. Eto'o emphasized that he was not attempting to sway his coach's decisions and stated that he will follow instructions given to him. "Paul Le Guen is responsible for making these decisions, our job is to represent our country and I will play wherever he instructs me to," Eto'o said. Le Guen also mentioned his own duties as a coach and urged his players to uphold their nickname of the Indomitable Lions. "I need to make them understand their duties, I have mine in selecting the team and tactics, but they must also find back a certain spirit," he explained. "There is a lot of talk about the Lion spirit, I have advised them to rekindle that." | 5 |
It is an example of the type of compromise that has been made by some employees of the Kremlin's propaganda machine over the years - individuals who valued the stability of their job and the creative challenges it presented, even if they did not agree with the mission of their workplace. Recently, after President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Likin resigned from his position as the long-serving art director for Channel 1, a major player in the Kremlin's propaganda network. He asserted that he was not a political figure, but the invasion forced him to be a part of an operation with a destructive agenda. Likin mentioned in a phone interview that in Russia, television is tailored for those who do not make the effort to seek out alternative sources of information, such as individuals lacking education or critical thinking skills. Putin's actions in Ukraine have prompted some Russians who have worked for the government to sever ties, signaling a struggle within the Kremlin to maintain complete societal support for the war. Thousands of people have been arrested for protesting against the invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands fleeing the country. On Wednesday, Anatoly Chubais, Putin's climate envoy, became the first senior government official to resign since the invasion began on Feb 24. Several high-profile resignations have also taken place at Russia's state television channels, which are crucial for Putin's control over domestic politics. Marina Ovsyannikova, a Channel 1 staff member who interrupted a live news broadcast to display an anti-war poster, made a particularly bold act of protest. Other resignations, such as Likin's, have been more quiet, revealing the unrest within Putin's system and the significant influence of television in shaping public opinion on the war. Zhanna Agalakova, a Channel 1 correspondent who resigned, described the atmosphere among her colleagues as one of clinical depression. Many thoughtful individuals are feeling a sense of guilt, with no clear solution in sight. Merely seeking forgiveness is not sufficient. The Kremlin controls all of Russia's national television networks, although their influence has decreased with the popularity of YouTube and social media. Despite this, state television remains the primary source of news for the majority of Russians, with about two-thirds relying on it in the past year. The state television channels have portrayed the conflict in a way that contrasts sharply with Western views, depicting Russians as the heroes bringing liberation to Ukrainian lands seized by neo-Nazis funded by the dominant West, similar to their role in World War II against Nazi Germany. Images of deceased civilians and destroyed residences are often incorrectly labeled as either fake or the result of Ukrainians bombing their own areas. According to a Channel 1 reporter broadcasting from Mariupol, Ukrainians are accusing the Ukrainian military of intentionally targeting residential buildings, while others claim that nationalists were instructed to inflict as much damage on the city before retreating. Polls indicate that many Russians believe this narrative, which aligns with the anti-Western sentiment that Russian television has been promoting for years. Despite this, most state television journalists have remained in their positions, intensifying the message of Russia fighting for its survival. Liliya Gildeyeva, a former anchor at the state-run NTV, expressed understanding for her colleagues who stayed, as she herself had compromised her principles before realizing the extent of her actions once the war began. She stated that when you slowly start to give up on yourself, you may not realize how far you have fallen. The war has caused a significant number of Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, with many traveling to destinations like Turkey and Armenia. While some fleeing individuals were journalists and activists trying to avoid arrest, others were tech workers and young professionals who no longer saw a promising future in Russia. Even some members of Russia's elite have left, with Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, resigning and departing the country due to the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has confirmed that Chubais has resigned. He was considered one of the few liberal officials left in Putin's government, and his prominent role in the economic reforms of the 1990s in Moscow made him unpopular among many Russians. It is uncertain whether the dissatisfaction among some of the elite could have any impact on destabilizing Putin's government. Likin, the former art director of Channel 1, expressed his belief that those willing to resign based on their principles were a small minority in Russia. Agalakova, a former correspondent for Channel 1, commented that many of her former colleagues who chose to remain did not work for a particular cause. Individuals have family responsibilities, financial obligations, and basic needs to meet in order to survive. Leaving a job in state television, especially if one speaks out, can lead to an uncertain future. Agalakova, who was a correspondent based in Paris, mentioned that some of her acquaintances stopped talking to her after she left her job. Likin, on the other hand, plans to remain in Russia and continue working as an architect, but would consider returning to television if the programming shifted to be more positive. Despite government-sponsored polls showing support for Putin's actions, analysts believe that survey responses may not be accurate during times of war. Agalakova now realizes that years of propaganda on Russian television helped create support for the current government's policies by distorting Russians' perceptions of their country's history. Agalakova expressed her dismay at the Kremlin's false claims of fighting Nazis in Ukraine, stating that it is a deceitful and manipulative tactic that elicits strong reactions from society. Despite the propaganda campaign, Russians who are skeptical of television news are finding it increasingly difficult to access accurate information. The liberal Echo of Moscow radio station has been shut down, TV Rain is no longer broadcasting for the safety of its staff, and the government has blocked access to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In addition, journalist Alexander Nevzorov is currently under criminal investigation for sharing information about the Russian bombing of Mariupol on his Instagram page. The most recent attempt to instill fear in critics of the war involves a new law that could result in up to 15 years in prison for anyone who strays from the official narrative regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Denis Volkov, from the Levada polling center, believes that the true test for Russian public opinion will come when the economic hardships caused by Western sanctions start to impact society. Volkov also thinks that the Kremlin's narrative, which portrays the West as undermining Ukraine to harm Russia and Russia as heroically defending its people abroad, has become deeply ingrained in the minds of television viewers and is unlikely to be challenged any time soon. According to Volkov, many Russians simply accept news that aligns with the television narrative and reject anything that does not, regardless of its truthfulness. | 5 |
Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine was inaugurated as president on Thursday and immediately promised to combat corruption and poverty, as well as restore political stability in order to regain foreign support for the struggling economy. Despite a controversial election against Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yanukovich's low-key swearing-in ceremony underscored the deep divisions within the country. This event marked a redemption for Yanukovich after the Orange Revolution in 2004, where mass protests overturned a rigged election in his favor. In his address to officials, lawmakers, and foreign dignitaries, Yanukovich acknowledged Ukraine's significant challenges such as immense debt, poverty, corruption, and economic crisis, stating that his team had developed a strategy for progress. He discussed the lack of foreign investment in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for political stability, the end of corruption, and clear regulations for business-government relationships in order to build trust with investors and international financial institutions. The global economic downturn has severely impacted Ukraine's economy, particularly its exports of steel and chemicals, leading to a significant devaluation of the hryvnia. Ukraine is relying on a $16.4 billion IMF bailout program, but lending was paused and will only restart once stability is restored. The finance ministry announced that an IMF technical mission is scheduled to visit on April 7th. This often results in a thorough visit from IMF officials who will then determine whether to resume the program. Yanukovich, a former mechanic supported by wealthy industrialists, had a difficult childhood in eastern Ukraine and a history of minor criminal convictions. He is expected to improve relations with Russia, Ukraine's former Soviet ruler, following a period of estrangement during Yushchenko's pro-Western tenure. Yanukovich has suggested potential compromises with Moscow regarding the future of Russia's Black Sea fleet in Crimea and has proposed a consortium involving Russia to manage Ukraine's gas pipelines. However, he has expressed a desire to renegotiate a 10-year-old gas supply agreement between Ukraine and Russia negotiated by Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Putin. He also mentioned his intention to pursue a well-rounded foreign policy and has promised to work towards strengthening connections with the European Union. During his speech on Thursday, he stated that he was keeping all possibilities open and that his foreign policy would focus on creating beneficial relationships with Russia, the EU, and the United States in order to achieve the best outcomes for Ukraine. His website later confirmed that he will be traveling to Brussels next week, with the visit scheduled for Monday according to EU officials. Additionally, he plans to visit Moscow within the first 10 days of March, as reported by his Regions Party. Yanukovich defeated Prime Minister Tymoshenko by 3.5 percentage points but only received the support of one-third of the 37 million voters. The voting results showed a clear divide between Russian-speaking voters in the eastern and southern regions who supported him, and Ukrainian-speaking voters in the western and central regions who voted for Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko withdrew her legal challenge to Yanukovich's election last Saturday, but maintains that he was not legitimately elected. She and most of her parliamentary bloc boycotted the ceremony on Thursday, making it seem empty. Despite Yanukovich's call for a competent executive power, Tymoshenko is resisting efforts to remove her as prime minister, indicating ongoing political tension in the near future. She is trying to rally her allies in parliament, while his party and supporters are trying to lure deputies away from her coalition to form a new one. Creating an alliance involves complex negotiations and may take a considerable amount of time. If Yanukovich is unable to form a new coalition, he will have no choice but to organize new parliamentary elections, leading to even more uncertainty. | 5 |
The state government of Karnataka announced the renaming of Bangalore and 11 other cities in Kannada, coinciding with Karnataka's 59th formation day. The decision was approved by the central government and includes well-known cities like Mysore, Mangalore, and Belgaum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed pride in pronouncing the names of these cities in Kannada at a cultural event, with plans to rename more cities in the future. While many locals already use the Kannada versions of the city names, some feel nostalgic about the loss of Bangalore's Anglican charm. We must accept and adapt to the changes. The term "Bangalored" was first used by US Secretary of State John Kerry in 2008 to illustrate how Indian software companies were taking American tech jobs due to outsourcing. Other states like Maharashtra have already renamed cities, such as Bombay to Mumbai and Madras to Chennai. Karnataka started renaming cities in 2006 to honor its golden jubilee and show respect for people's sentiments. During the previous BJP administration, the state legislature also approved this decision. The state government will issue instructions on Monday for corporations, departments, and institutions to modify their nameplates and stationery accordingly. Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee stated that private companies or organizations are not required to change their registered names if they mention any of the 12 cities. | 5 |
Officials have announced that Southern African leaders will convene an emergency meeting in Swaziland's capital Mbabane on Wednesday to address the crisis in Zimbabwe. Prior to this, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai called on the United Nations to isolate President Robert Mugabe and suggested the need for a peacekeeping force in Zimbabwe. Despite the U.N. Security Council's recent decision to condemn violence against the opposition and deem a free and fair presidential election on Friday impossible, Mugabe remains defiant. The meeting in Mbabane has been organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in response to increasing international pressure on Mugabe to resolve the political and economic chaos in Zimbabwe. The leaders of Tanzania, Angola, and Swaziland will participate in the meeting as representatives of the SADC's troika organ on politics, defense, and security, according to a statement from the Tanzanian government. The statement mentioned that the current SADC chairman, President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia, and the SADC mediator for Zimbabwe, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, have been invited to attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how the SADC and its troika organ on politics, defense, and security can assist Zimbabwe in resolving its current conflict. Tsvangirai, who has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare after withdrawing from the election, warned that Zimbabwe would face further turmoil without international intervention. He called on the U.N. to take stronger action against Mugabe, including implementing a force to protect the people. Tsvangirai stated that while they do not desire armed conflict, the people of Zimbabwe require global leaders to move beyond mere words of condemnation and take decisive action through military force. He emphasized that such a force would serve as peacekeepers, protecting the people from their oppressors and safeguarding the democratic process that Zimbabwe longs for. Pressure on Mugabe has escalated from both within and outside Africa due to the country's political and economic turmoil, with the West and opposition attributing the crisis to the long-standing leadership of the 84-year-old president. The United States has called on SADC to denounce both the election and Mugabe's government as illegitimate. According to Angola's state-run ANGOP news agency, SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao stated that foreign ministers agreed during a meeting on Monday that Zimbabwe was experiencing a "climate of extreme violence," and that the government needed to ensure the protection of its people. The planned run-off election on Friday was supposed to be between Mugabe and Tsvangirai, with the latter having won the first round in March but without an outright victory according to official figures. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change also won a parallel parliamentary election in March, marking the first defeat for Mugabe's ZANU-PF party since independence from Britain in 1980. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and the leader of South Africa's ruling African National Congress both called for a postponement of Friday's election following Tsvangirai's withdrawal. Zuma, considered one of the most influential figures in South Africa alongside Mbeki, has urged the United Nations and SADC to take immediate action due to the escalating situation in Zimbabwe. Despite Mbeki's approach of "quiet diplomacy" with Mugabe and reluctance to use economic influence, Zuma, who replaced Mbeki as ANC leader, has been vocal in his criticism of Mugabe. Mugabe, however, remains defiant and dismissed the pressure from the West during a rally in Zimbabwe, insisting that the upcoming election will proceed as planned. Mugabe stated that the elections will continue as planned, and those who wish to acknowledge their legitimacy can do so, while those who do not should refrain. Mugabe has overseen a decline into economic turmoil, with 80 percent unemployment and the world's highest inflation rate of at least 165,000 percent. He attributes his country's economic difficulties to Western sanctions. | 5 |
It was warned to the Socialist government that the European football tournament in France starting on June 10 could face disruptions if the government did not compromise. Demonstrators took to the streets in large numbers, and workers responded to the union's call by halting work at various facilities, setting up roadblocks, and causing disruptions at ports and distribution hubs. Prime Minister Manuel Valls stated that the government would not retract the law and would dismantle blockades at refineries, with the possibility of making some adjustments to the reforms but not to its main components. The CFDT, another major trade union in the country, supported Valls. The protests on Thursday were seen as a test of the strength of the opposition led by CGT after months of ongoing protests against reforms aimed at making hiring and firing easier. Scores of marchers from a youth protest movement named Nuit Debout joined the street marches, which were met by police in order to prevent fringe violence. In recent weeks, similar rallies have resulted in 350 police officers and several protesters being injured, with over 1,300 people arrested. Philippe Martinez, the leader of CGT, mentioned that the government could resolve the situation by pausing the clock. Jean-Claude Mailly, leader of the smaller FO union, stated at the start of a Paris march that it was time for the prime minister to reverse his decision. Prime Minister Valls, however, remains firm in his stance, refusing to eliminate the controversial part of the law that sparked the protests. The SNCF national train company reported that around two-thirds of national, regional, and local rail services were operational, indicating that the railworkers' strikes were causing less disruption compared to last week when half of the trains were not running. Following police actions to clear blockades at refineries and fuel depots, Prime Minister Valls stated that 20-30 percent of fuel stations were either out of fuel or experiencing shortages. Transport Minister Alain Vidalies noted that the situation had improved, with fuel deliveries from depots to gas stations increasing. The number of fuel stations facing shortages decreased from 140 on Wednesday to 83 on Thursday in the Loire-Atlantique department of western France. The French nuclear power capacity had a reduction of up to five gigawatts caused by stoppages, which is approximately over six percent of the total production capacity in the country. Although experts in the power industry believe that the strike at the nuclear plant will not lead to significant blackouts due to legal restrictions on strike actions and imports of power from other countries, it typically results in increased operating costs for the EDF power utility. Additionally, there were strikes by dockers at the southern port of Marseille, causing the number of ships waiting at sea to offload oil, gas, and chemicals to increase to 21 from the usual five, as reported by the port authority. In 2010, a protest over pension reform lost momentum after police dispersed pickets at supply depots and railworkers faced disruptions that affected their paychecks. Total SA, a major oil company, reported that almost all of its fuel distribution depots are operational, but it noted that two out of its five refineries in France are currently not operating, with two more expected to shut down soon. The CGT union is facing a more isolated fight this time around. Laurent Berger, leader of the CFDT union and a supporter of the proposed labor reforms, expressed concern about the intense political and industrial tensions, calling for a more peaceful resolution. | 5 |
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The Embassy believes that Tarique is responsible for significant political corruption that has negatively impacted US national interests, particularly in terms of democratic stability and foreign assistance goals. The cable, labeled 'confidential,' stated that they did not want to extend the ban to Tarique's wife, daughter, or mother, who is a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The cable explained the rationale behind the recommendation, highlighting Bangladesh's history of systemic corruption and the efforts of the current government to combat this issue. Doubts about the Government's ability to hold corrupt leaders accountable are still widespread. Concerns about corruption are hindering private sector investment and eroding public trust in a democratic future. A cable labeled Tarique Rahman as the feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, detailing his release on bail and departure to the UK for medical treatment in 2008. The cable criticized Tarique for his involvement in bribery, corruption, and extortion, painting him as a symbol of corrupt government practices in Bangladesh. Despite facing multiple charges, he was still released. With strong political connections that extend to the highest court in the country, Tarique was able to manipulate the legal system and surpass the Caretaker Government's attempt to prevent his release on bail. It is believed that Tarique possesses multiple passports, one of which was granted a visa by the UK in September. Another passport has a five-year multiple-entry B1/B2 visa issued on May 11, 2005, which is suspected to be in the government's possession. It is reported that Tarique has amassed a significant amount of illegal wealth amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. He is facing several extortion charges based on the testimony of various business owners he exploited. One case involved him allegedly threatening the owner of Al Amin Construction with closure unless he paid $150,000. Other business leaders such as Mohammad Aftab Uddin Khan, Mir Zahir Hossain, and Harun Ferdousi have also accused him of engaging in a systematic pattern of extortion on a large scale. In addition, he is facing charges of concealing ill-gotten wealth and tax evasion. Tarique's corrupt activities extended beyond extorting local companies. The ACC has discovered evidence of bribery involving both foreign and local firms and individuals in several cases: A. Siemens allegedly paid Tarique a bribe of around two percent on all deals in Bangladesh, according to a witness. The DOJ Asset Forfeiture and the FBI are currently pursuing this case. B. The Harbin Company reportedly paid 750,000 USD to Tarique to open a plant. The ACC claims that one of Tarique's associates received the bribe and deposited it in Citibank in Singapore. C. Monem Construction allegedly paid a bribe of 450,000 USD to Tarique to secure contracts, according to an ACC investigator. The ACC has evidence linking Tarique to accepting a 210 million taka bribe in the Kabir Murder Case to prevent the prosecution of Sanvir Sobhan, the son of the chairman of the Bashundura Group. Sanvir was accused of killing Humayun Kabir, a director of the Bashundura Group, and Tarique promised to clear him of all charges in exchange for the payment. In addition to bribery and extortion, the ACC found that Tarique was also involved in a complex embezzlement scheme. With the assistance of multiple accomplices, Tarique managed to steal 20 million taka (300,000 USD) from the Zia Orphanage Trust fund. A source from the ACC stated that Tarique, who is a co-signer on the trust fund account, utilized funds from the trust to purchase land in his hometown. Additionally, he issued signed checks from the orphanage fund accounts to BNP party members for their 2006 election campaigns. Tarique's corrupt actions have had negative impacts on the US interests outlined in the Proclamation, as they have undermined public trust in the government and destabilized democratic institutions. Tarique's notorious disregard for the rule of law poses a significant threat to US financial assistance objectives aimed at reforming legal systems, promoting good governance, and preventing judicial misconduct. The corruption and unethical practices he has facilitated in Bangladesh have had a detrimental impact on US businesses, resulting in missed opportunities and financial losses. His embezzlement of public funds has destabilized the political landscape in a country that is crucial for US strategic interests, hindering efforts to establish a stable democratic government. Tarique's blatant corruption has also compromised specific goals of the US Embassy in Dhaka, including promoting democratization, development, and counterterrorism efforts in the region. Tarique's brazenly corrupt actions put all three at risk. His record of theft, blackmail, and meddling in the legal system weakens the rule of law and poses a threat to the US objective of a secure, democratic Bangladesh. The culture of corruption and bribery that Tarique promoted hindered US efforts to stimulate economic growth by deterring foreign investment and complicating the business operations of American companies. Furthermore, his blatant disregard for laws has created a breeding ground for terrorists in Bangladesh, as well as worsening poverty and undermining democratic institutions. Essentially, much of Bangladesh's problems can be attributed to Tarique and his associates. The cable concludes by suggesting that applying a 212(f) finding to Tarique Rahman aligns with the US's firm stance against corruption in Bangladesh. The Embassy advises that Tarique Rahman should be considered subject to Presidential Proclamation 7750 for engaging in corruption as outlined in Section 1, Paragraph (c) of the Proclamation. Six years later, significant developments have occurred. | 5 |
Egyptians will vote on Saturday in a referendum regarding constitutional changes aimed at enabling free and fair elections. The proposed changes have caused division within the reform movement that ousted Hosni Mubarak, with some arguing for more extensive constitutional reforms while others believe the amendments are sufficient for now. The Muslim Brotherhood has expressed support for the amendments, putting them at odds with secular groups and prominent reform advocates such as Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa. The military council, which took power from Mubarak in February, is hoping the amendments will be approved so they can continue towards parliamentary and presidential elections and eventually transfer power to an elected government. "This upcoming vote will be a significant moment," said Ahmed Saleh, who is currently organizing ElBaradei's presidential campaign. Saleh added that there is a strong desire among the people to vote and a sense of change in the air. The military council, which took power from Mubarak on Feb. 11, is urging for a high voter turnout. The council stated that the purpose of the referendum is to set the stage for future parliamentary and presidential elections. They emphasized that what is most important is for Egyptians to participate and have their voices heard. The council has tasked a judicial committee with drafting amendments, such as implementing a two-term limit on the presidency, which would restrict leaders to serving a maximum of eight years in office, similar to the three-decade reign of Mubarak. The council will have to reconsider its strategy and extend a transitional period if the amendments are rejected, which they want to keep brief. However, the reforms do not meet the expectations of reformists who are calling for a complete rewrite of the constitution. Youth groups that led protests against Mubarak see the amendments as an effort to undermine the revolution. There are concerns that the military's tight election timetable will not allow enough time for parties to recover from years of oppression, giving an advantage to the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's regime. General Ismail Etman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stated that amending the constitution is the best, albeit not the most ideal, solution. He stated in an interview with Al Gomhuria newspaper that if the amendments were approved, it would result in new laws that would allow for more political freedom, such as the ability to form political parties without restrictions. There has been extensive discussion in newspapers, on television, and on social media about how to vote on the amendments. The "No" campaign continued on Friday with a full-page advertisement in Al Masry Al Youm, a well-known Egyptian newspaper. One of the objections raised was the lack of time and information before making such a significant decision, as highlighted by various actors, politicians, religious figures, and businessmen urging voters to reject the amendments. A Muslim Brotherhood leader on the following page expressed support for the constitutional amendments, stating that it is a necessary step towards meeting the demands of the revolution. He also mentioned that those who oppose the amendments have not proposed a clear alternative. Up to 45 million out of Egypt's 80 million population are eligible to vote, and a large voter turnout is expected from citizens who have experienced elections tainted by violence and manipulation during Mubarak's rule. Ahmed Adel, 35, stated that he plans to vote as he believes his vote will have a significant impact in the upcoming elections. He expressed his support for the amendments in hopes of helping his country move forward by establishing a parliament and electing a president as soon as possible. Activist Ziad el-Elemi expressed a different opinion, stating that they are organizing workshops nationwide to educate citizens about the insufficiency of constitutional amendments. | 5 |
Management experts believe that if Barack Obama were a corporate CEO, he would be receiving high praise for his leadership style. His calm and steady demeanor, which has earned him the nickname "No Drama Obama," is something that business leaders could benefit from learning. According to Paul Reagan, a management consultant and senior lecturer at Wayne State University, Obama's clear values and consistent follow-through on his promises have elevated his credibility to the level of a corporate executive. Paul Copcutt, a personal brand strategist based in Dundas, Ontario, pointed out that one unique aspect of Obama's leadership style is his keen awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses. This can be seen in his cabinet selections, where he has chosen experts to compensate for his own lack of expertise. Copcutt emphasized the importance of focusing on one's strengths and delegating tasks that align with one's weaknesses, rather than trying to improve upon them. Obama's cabinet choices, which include individuals like Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates, reflect his efforts to build a diverse coalition with differing perspectives. However, Chief executives often establish a team of advisors who are supportive but may not provide all the necessary perspectives needed to effectively lead the entire organization, according to the speaker. While Obama has demonstrated some skill in selecting key cabinet members and pushing Congress to act on an economic stimulus plan, it is still early days and the ultimate judgment is yet to be made, according to Nancy Koehn, a business historian and professor at Harvard Business School. The real challenges will come once Obama officially takes office on January 20th. Reagan pointed out that a management style like Obama's, which has widespread appeal, carries the risk of disappointing many people. He mentioned that Obama may have promised too much change, leading to a lack of clarity or the inability to deliver on everyone's expectations. Koehn suggested that chief executives could learn from how Obama handled challenges during his campaign, showing emotional competence in difficult situations. This emotional intelligence could help leaders navigate the current financial crisis and address fears of job loss and poor performance within their organizations. She said that business leaders must be aware of the aspects of their people and organization that go beyond just tangible resources, head count, market, and customers. CEO coach Deb Dib observes several traits in Obama, such as being caring, confident, consistent, commanding, and calm, which she believes are important for business executives to learn. Dib emphasizes that effective CEOs typically possess many of these attributes, regardless of their political affiliations. She believes there is much to be learned from Obama's leadership style. | 5 |
The conservative state, which is one of the few EU members to prohibit marriage or civil partnerships for same-sex couples, is considering changing the constitutional definition of marriage to specify it as a union exclusively between a man and a woman. Supporters of this proposal, including the Orthodox Church and all but one parliamentary party, believe this change is necessary to prevent gay couples from gaining the right to marry in the future. However, many human rights groups are urging people to boycott the ballot, warning that approval of this change could lead to further erosion of minority rights and push Romania towards a populist, authoritarian path. A recent poll by CURS suggests a turnout of 34 percent, with 90 percent in favor of the change. The Coalition for the Family, which collected 3 million signatures, is behind the push for this amendment. Last year, the lower house of parliament approved a referendum, with the senate following in September, completing the final step. Some Coalition campaign posters encouraged voting "Yes" to protect family values from the possibility of gay couples adopting children. An opposing advert suggested that a "No" vote would lead to a man marrying a tree. The leader of the ruling Social Democrat Party, Liviu Dragnea, expressed concerns about the potential for legalizing marriage between a man and an animal, citing examples from other countries. In the days leading up to the vote, the government relaxed anti-fraud measures and limited challenges to the result, while the broadcasting regulator removed a cut-off date for campaigning. The Expert Forum (EFOR) stated that there are currently no effective methods to validate fraud for the referendum, leading to a lack of trust in the fairness of the process. Some critics believe the ruling party is using the vote to distract from their leader's legal troubles and conflicts with the European Commission. The appeal of Liviu Dragnea, who is facing a conviction in an abuse of office case, begins on Oct 8, the day after the vote. Former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos accused Dragnea of attempting to stir up anti-European sentiment in Romania. The government denies these allegations, while the Orthodox Church claims that voting "Yes" is in line with Christian, democratic, and patriotic values. Romania legalized homosexuality in 2001, later than neighboring countries, and discrimination against the LGBT community remains common. The photo is titled "Romania 1+2" and shows Romanian clergymen participating in a rally to support a "Yes" vote on an upcoming referendum. The referendum aims to make changes to the constitution to prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages in the future. The event took place in Draganesti, Romania on October 4, 2018 and was covered by REUTERS. | 5 |
Last week, the United States accused China of escalating tensions in the South China Sea by potentially deploying surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island. China has not confirmed or denied this claim. When asked if the South China Sea issue would be discussed during Wang's meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged Washington not to use military facilities on the islands as an excuse to create problems. Hua emphasized that the South China Sea dispute should not involve the United States. US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner stated that the US would urge China to deescalate and cease militarization in the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution to settle territorial disputes peacefully. Wang is scheduled to meet with Kerry on Tuesday to discuss various topics, including the international response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch, cyber security, and climate change, according to Toner. China is hoping that the US will uphold its commitment to remain neutral in the dispute and refrain from escalating the issue and tensions, particularly regarding China's military presence in the area. Hua stated that China's deployment of defensive facilities on its territory is similar to the United States defending Hawaii. She also mentioned that the increased regional tensions are a result of frequent patrols and surveillance by US ships and aircraft in the area in recent years. The primary reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted here. It is hoped that the United States will not confuse right and wrong or apply double standards. Australia and other countries are being encouraged to carry out "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations within 12 nautical miles of disputed islands in the South China Sea, following the lead of the US. China asserts control over most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade worth over $5 trillion annually, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also have competing claims. Beijing has caused concern by engaging in construction and reclamation activities on the islands it occupies, although it claims these actions are primarily for civilian purposes. The state-owned China Southern Power Grid Company is planning to establish a power grid management station in Sansha City, located on Woody Island in the Paracels, which will have access to microgrids in 16 other islands, as stated by China's top regulator of state-owned assets. In the future, the station will have the capability to remotely control power for numerous islands in the area, although the statement did not specify which islands. Wang is set to visit the United States from Tuesday to Thursday. Hua mentioned that the minister will also address North Korea during the visit, reiterating China's opposition to the potential US deployment of an advanced missile defence system following North Korea's recent rocket launch. | 5 |
Norwegian Ambassador Sidsel Bleken stated that they regularly discuss the challenges faced by their businesses in Bangladesh with the government. She mentioned that the approval process is slow and cumbersome. Bleken emphasized the importance of improving the ease of doing business in Bangladesh to attract more Norwegian companies for investment. She mentioned that the questions the embassy receives from Norwegian companies are mainly about the business climate. "When the conditions for investing are getting better, I believe more companies will be interested in coming here. This market is vast and presents a great opportunity," said Kazi M Aminul Islam, the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. He recently met with representatives from Norwegian companies such as Grameenphone, Jotun Group, Sactec Solar, Bergen Engines, and Poly ConCrete, where he urged them to communicate any concerns they may have and assured them that those issues would be addressed. He also mentioned that they now hold weekly meetings to address any issues that arise. He said he doesn't believe there are any unresolved cases and emphasized the importance of ease of doing business. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, the Editor-in-Chief of bdnews24.com, also attended the breakfast meeting and discussed the challenges faced by news publishers, which are similar to those faced by foreign companies. The relationship between Bangladesh and Norway is reported to be positive, with Norway establishing diplomatic ties with Bangladesh shortly after its independence in 1972. Norway has historically been involved in development cooperation in Bangladesh. However, as Bangladesh's economy has grown, aid has been replaced by a focus on trade and business. The leading Norwegian companies in Bangladesh include Telenor, which owns a majority stake in Grameenphone, Varner group in the textile industry, Cefalo in software, and Bergen Engines in business activity. The company is involved in multiple new power plant initiatives and operates a local office in Dhaka with a staff of 20. Other Norwegian businesses in Bangladesh include Jotun Group, Poly Concrete, FireSafe, and Hexagon. Scatec Solar is also established in Bangladesh. In 2017, Bangladesh exported NOK 2.2 billion worth of goods to Norway, primarily clothing, and imported NOK 286 million worth of machinery and finished products. Political ties between the two countries have strengthened in recent years. Foreign Minister Børge Brende made a historical visit to Bangladesh in February 2017, becoming the first Norwegian Foreign Minister to do so. During the visit, discussions were held on various topics, including the repatriation of dividends and ways to improve the ease of doing business. The ambassador emphasized the importance of professional institutions to effectively implement laws, noting that institutional strengthening is crucial for foreign investors to abide by the rules and regulations of the country. Similar to other nations, Bangladesh has regulations regarding repatriation and foreign exchange guidelines established by the central bank, Bangladesh Bank. Various procedures are in place for different types of repatriation activities. Business owners often seek the assistance of foreign consultants for expertise and technical knowledge from overseas. These consultants must be compensated, and the payment is typically required to be remitted in foreign currency. However, representatives from Norwegian companies expressed difficulty in navigating the process for both the inflow and outflow of funds during a recent meeting. "It is difficult for a new company," stated one official. "According to Bangladesh's law, consultancy payments must be made based on revenue earnings. How can a new company without any previous revenue make foreign payments to consultants who are essential for technology know-how?" Another official remarked that the approval process is excessively bureaucratic. The challenges faced in repatriating dividends, as permitted by law, are significant. Inward funds are meant to be unrestricted, and outward funds from investment profits are expected to flow freely as well. "However, our experiences in this regard have not been positive." Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Michael Foley emphasized the importance of the rule of law in foreign markets, stating that it is crucial for businesses to feel comfortable operating. He expressed concern over authorities using discretion when there is no clear law on an issue, citing it as wrong. Foley also mentioned the significant market power status of Grameenphone, which he acknowledged goes against competition laws, but stated that they are managing the situation. We are happy to do business in this country, but it is important to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that operating here is made easier for everyone. We support BIDA's efforts to attract foreign investments, which are currently difficult to secure. Khalidi, the editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, emphasized the need for the government to address these ongoing issues, stating that they have been discussed for many years, including in editorials he wrote in the 1990s on promoting investment. Bureaucrats need to alter their mindset. | 5 |
Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara is emphasizing the importance of "mental strength and fortitude" for his team at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, especially in the aftermath of the Lahore incident earlier this year. Sangakkara spoke to reporters after a warmup match against Bangladesh, stressing that despite the lack of a 100% guarantee of safety, the team must focus on playing cricket and remain resilient. He acknowledged that security concerns are prevalent in the current world climate for all teams, and emphasized the need for certain measures to be in place to ensure the team's mental comfort. Six members of the Sri Lanka team, including Sangakkara, were injured when gunmen fired at their team bus on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium for the second test against Pakistan in March. Six Pakistani policemen and the bus driver for the match officials were killed in the attack. The Sri Lanka team is in constant communication with a national police intelligence cell responsible for security at the upcoming World Cup in England, starting on Friday. Security measures have been significantly increased since the incident in Lahore, according to World Twenty20 tournament director and former South Africa player Steve Elworthy, who also held the same position during the 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa. Elworthy informed Reuters that the situation has shifted, creating a new environment. This has heightened awareness of the risks that cricketers and officials face. Although the security plan for the event was well-prepared, the incident prompted a thorough review and reassessment of all protocols. Tournament organizers and the ICC are confident that they have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of players. Teams are provided with police escorts for transportation to and from matches, as well as dedicated security personnel for each side. Elworthy explained that he was unable to disclose the specific information regarding team security. John Evans, the former chief constable of Devon and Cornwall in south-west England, is in charge of the event's security and has previously advised the Football Association on security issues. Reg Dickason, the head of security for the England team, is also involved, along with the ICC's independent security consultants. Despite the heightened security measures, Sangakkara stated that it has not taken away from their focus on cricket. He mentioned that the tournament feels like any other, thanks to the efforts to keep everything discreet. We are able to solely focus on cricket, which is quite enjoyable. | 5 |
Three years ago, a purchase in Exeter was expected to bring high-paying jobs and establish the community as a major player in Canada's legal pot industry. However, before any of the anticipated jobs were filled or a single marijuana seed was planted, it became clear that Canada was already producing more marijuana than the market could absorb. After sitting unused for two years, the 1-million-square-foot greenhouse was sold for significantly less than its original purchase price. Exeter's experience with the greenhouse reflects the broader challenges facing Canada's legal pot industry, with analysts citing the tightly regulated distribution system as a key factor in the industry's struggles to meet optimistic expectations. The slow opening of stores in certain provinces, especially Ontario, is contributing to the issue. Additionally, surveys have indicated that a significant number of Canadians are uninterested in trying out a new habit. The mayor, George Finch, expressed disappointment, stating, "We were excited about it. It seemed almost too good to be true, right? It's a shame." When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government legalized marijuana in 2018, the primary intention was to create a fairer justice system rather than to stimulate a major new business sector. However, investors had a different perspective, leading to a surge in the Toronto Stock Exchange known as the "green rush" in anticipation of legalization. This led to a significant influx of money into companies geared towards the Canadian market and potential opportunities in the US, where more states were also legalizing marijuana. This resulted in the revival of dormant greenhouses, such as the one in Exeter, being sold at record prices, as well as the emergence of new indoor growing facilities nationwide. Additionally, newspapers that had previously been reducing staff hired journalists to cover the emerging marijuana industry. Similar to the plastics industry depicted in the film "The Graduate," marijuana appeared to be on track to become a major industry in Canada. The excitement surrounding investments in marijuana mirrored the dot-com stock boom of the late 1990s, but ultimately ended in a similar collapse. Despite a slight recovery due to increasing legalization in the United States, with New York recently legalizing marijuana and four states voting for legalization in November, one marijuana stock index is still down about 70% from its peak in 2018. Even 2 1/2 years after legalization, most marijuana producers in Canada are still experiencing significant financial losses. A significant new rival is emerging as Mexico recently passed a law allowing recreational marijuana use. This could potentially make the business environment even more difficult for Canadian growers. Kyle Murray, vice dean at the University of Alberta School of Business, predicts there will likely be a series of industry consolidations due to the oversaturation of the market. Canopy Growth, Canada's biggest producer, reported losses of CA$1.2 billion in the first nine months of its current operating year, similar to the dot-com boom and subsequent bust. There have been widespread layoffs in the industry, leading to large producers merging in order to increase their strength through size. Many greenhouses in various provinces have permanently closed down. Analysts believed that investments in marijuana were based on the expectation that sales in Canada would follow a similar pattern to the sharp increase in liquor sales in the United States post-Prohibition. The CEO of Tilray, a major grower in British Columbia, admitted that the industry in Canada has not progressed as quickly as anticipated. Kennedy is one of the few remaining leaders in Canada's marijuana industry, facing challenges in competing with the illicit market due to strict regulations. Despite losses and stock declines leading to many pioneers being replaced, Kennedy will continue as a director after a planned merger between Tilray and Aphria, creating a potential world's largest cannabis company. In Ontario, initial plans for sales through government-owned liquor stores were canceled by a new Conservative government in 2018, leaving only online sales through a provincial website. The province's plans have changed twice since then, resulting in a somewhat inconsistent introduction of privately owned shops. Despite a recent increase in licensing, Ontario has only approved 575 shops, compared to Alberta's 583 shops even though Alberta has a smaller population. Although initial expectations for marijuana profits were too high, Murray believes a successful business will eventually emerge, as indicated by the increasing number of shops in Ontario. The decrease in prices, bringing them closer to street prices, should also boost legal sales. Murray expressed that despite the slow start, it doesn't indicate a bad market. He mentioned that an abundance of money and companies were initially involved, but he believes that eventually some companies will achieve long-term success and become global leaders. A positive development has been seen in British Columbia, where legal marijuana sales in stores increased by 24% from June to October 2020. In Quebec, the government-owned cannabis store operator, Société Québécoise du Cannabis, initially lost nearly CA$5 million in its first fiscal year but has since become profitable. Despite disappointment in the domestic market, some of Canada's larger cannabis growers are looking to foreign markets, particularly for medical marijuana, as their next opportunity for growth. However, many analysts are doubtful of this strategy. Brent McKnight, a professor at McMaster University, believes that Mexico's recent progress in creating the world's largest legal marijuana market could pose a threat to Canada's cannabis industry. Trade agreements may prevent Canada from restricting imports from Mexico, and Mexico's lower labor costs and warmer climate could give it a competitive edge. He mentioned that this would definitely decrease prices for local growers. Some people are concerned about the impact of large publicly traded companies taking over Canada's marijuana industry as it consolidates. Before legalization, many of the initial shops selling cannabis for medicinal purposes were nonprofit "compassion clubs." Dr. Daniel Werb, a public health researcher, stated that the current system's focus on corporate profits has excluded many individuals from minority communities from the industry. Research by Werb's group has revealed a lack of diversity in the leadership of the new legal suppliers. Vendors in Indigenous communities have also been affected by uncertainty, as they are not typically targeted in police raids but operate outside of the legal system. Ontario has started licensing shops in certain Indigenous communities, but there is still a lack of diversity and creativity in the cannabis industry. There is a missed opportunity to think outside of purely profit-driven motives. | 5 |
Ugandan police discovered an unexploded suicide belt and arrested several individuals following bomb attacks that killed 74 soccer fans while they were watching the World Cup final on television. Somali Islamists with ties to al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for the attacks. Uganda's opposition has called for the withdrawal of the country's peacekeepers from Somalia. A government spokesperson reported that an unexploded suicide belt was found at another location in the capital city of Kampala, following the twin explosions at two bars full of soccer fans on Sunday night. Arrests were made after the discovery of the unexploded belt in the Makindye area. He did not provide details on the number or origin of those arrested. Coordinated attacks like these are typically associated with al Qaeda and groups connected to Osama bin Laden's militant network. The al Shabaab militants have threatened further attacks unless Uganda and Burundi remove their peacekeepers from AMISOM in Somalia. Uganda's FDC party has called on President Museveni to withdraw soldiers and stated they would do so if they won the upcoming elections in 2011, as they believe Uganda has no strategic interest in Somalia where there is no peace to maintain. FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu told Reuters that they are sacrificing their children for no reason, and their goal is to remove troops once they come to power. AMISOM stated that the explosions would not impact their mission in Somalia, where they protect the presidential palace and secure Mogadishu's airport and port. The FBI is investigating the coordinated explosions, marking the first time al Shabaab has expanded its violent efforts beyond Somalia. Analysts warn that the group's threats should be taken seriously, as they have shown the capability and determination to carry out attacks internationally. Foreign direct investment has increased in the third largest economy in East Africa, mainly due to oil exploration near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to analysts, a sustained bombing campaign could harm Uganda's investment environment, but a single attack is unlikely to deter major companies like Tullow Oil from investing. The United States, which had a citizen among the casualties, has offered assistance with the investigations, with three FBI agents currently collecting evidence on the ground and an additional team ready to deploy to the country if needed. Opolot stated that there were no indications that the African Union summit scheduled to be held in Uganda this month would be called off due to the bombings. | 5 |
Her aspiration is challenging, but if she achieves it, she will become the first Bangladeshi to conquer the seven summits of the world. This feat involves climbing a total of 113,102 feet across seven continents, including two in extremely cold climates with no human settlements. Historically, it has been men who have made attempts or completed the seven summits, followed by women from the same country. If successful, Wasfia Nazreen will also make history. Bangladesh on Seven Summits is a project endorsed by the Liberation War Museum to commemorate 40 years of Bangladesh's Independence. It pays homage to the individuals who faced great obstacles to establish the nation. When questioned about funding, she disclosed to bdnews24.com that she had sold all her mother's jewelry and inherited property to provide the initial funding for the campaign. Mutual Trust Bank and Renata Limited sponsored Wasfia for her expedition to Elbrus. She is now urging other national companies to come forward and support her in her mission to raise Bangladesh's flag on the highest peaks of every continent. Wasfia has left her job to focus on achieving this goal within the next year, and she is determined to succeed even if it takes a decade. Her first step was to conquer Mount Elbrus, the highest point of Europe, on the borders of Russia and Georgia. Since February, the usual climbing route to the European summit on the south side of the mountain has been closed due to multiple terrorist attacks. As a result, her team had to switch their climb to the North side, which is more dangerous and unexplored, with more crevasses. On July 10, Wasfia and her team attempted their first summit push but faced extreme weather changes such as thunderstorms, strong winds, and poor visibility. Eventually, on July 12, the team got within 300 meters of the summit. However, because of severe weather conditions and a deadline to descend by mid-day, everyone had to retreat. She plans to return to Elbrus to finish the final 300 meters once the situation improves. Wasfia, speaking via satellite message near the top of Europe, urged the youth of Bangladesh to honor the martyrs of 1971 and help move the country forward. She believes it is time for Bangladesh to be recognized on the global stage for its beauty. Next, Wasfia will embark on her next challenge, Kilimanjaro, in September as part of her Seven Summits plan. Located in the north-eastern part of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands as the tallest mountain in Africa, reaching a height of 19,341 feet. Wasfia has plans to climb Aconcagua in December, the highest peak in South America at 22,841 feet, situated in the Argentinian Andes. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet in Alaska, United States, and is on Wasfia's list for a climb around June-July 2012. Wasfia considers Denali to be one of the toughest peaks to conquer, with a summit rate of only 18 percent and a high number of accidents and deaths among climbers. She also has plans to attempt to reach the highest point on Earth in April-May 2012. If she is successful, she will become the third Bangladeshi person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma by the Nepalese and Tibetans. Located just 750 miles from the South Pole, Vinson Massif reaches a height of 16,066 feet and is situated in the frigid cold of Antarctica. In February 2012, Wasfia plans to brave the extreme sub-zero temperatures to plant a Bangladeshi flag at its peak. Finally, she will conquer Puncak Jaya, also known as the Carstensz Pyramid, a mountain in the central highlands of Indonesia that stands at 16,024 feet. Puncak Jaya is the highest mountain in Oceania and the tallest island peak in the world. Wasfia plans to visit the location in September-October 2012. She described the journey as challenging, requiring overcoming red tape and technical climbing skills. While she is seeking sponsorship for climbing mountains on all continents, she prefers Bangladeshi sponsors for a sense of national ownership in her achievement. She stated that she would only consider big foreign companies as a last resort. | 5 |
Earlier this week, high school students started demonstrations against the second fare increase of the year by jumping subway turnstiles. However, on Friday night, the protests escalated as demonstrators set fire to subway stations, banks, buses, and the headquarters of the largest electricity provider in the country, Enel. Looters also targeted supermarkets, stores, and pharmacies. The violence resulted in one student being killed by the police and another injured by rubber bullets. The unrest in Latin America's capital city, one of the most prosperous and orderly in the region, prompted President Piñera to declare a state of emergency, giving the army control over internal security. Piñera justified the measure as necessary to restore order after chaos caused by what he referred to as "delinquents." The fare increase, announced on Oct 6, exacerbated anger as the cost of living for poor and middle-class families continues to rise while wages stagnate. Isabel Mora, an 82-year-old retiree with a monthly pension of around $62, expressed her frustration over the unfairness of the situation where transportation fares, electricity, gas, and other expenses are increasing while salaries remain low. President Piñera had promised to address the rising transportation costs earlier in the week, but with rush hour rides now costing approximately $1.20, protests erupted at subway stations on Friday afternoon. Demonstrators refused to pay, leading to clashes with special police units who used tear gas, violence, and arrests to control the situation. The subway system ceased operations for multiple lines, ultimately closing down the entire network by nighttime. This left hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals stranded on the streets, unable to board crowded buses and forced to walk for hours to reach their destinations. Government officials condemned the protesters as "organised vandals" and "criminals," and declared their intention to enforce a security law allowing for harsher penalties. Residents in the capital expressed their discontent by banging pots and pans throughout the city on Friday night. During the looting of supermarkets and the setting up of barricades, it seemed that the police had withdrawn to their stations. These protests coincided with Chile getting ready to host two significant international conferences: an APEC summit in mid-November and the UN Climate Change Conference in December. | 5 |
A gunman shot Ahsan Iqbal, the interior minister and a senior member of the ruling PML-N party in Pakistan, as he was leaving a meeting in Punjab province. Iqbal is recovering in hospital from a bullet wound, with Minister Talal Chaudhry stating that he is stable and in good spirits. Opposition leaders have condemned the attack, while a member of Imran Khan's PTI party suggested that the attack was a result of large rallies protesting former Prime Minister Sharif's removal by the Supreme Court in July. "We strongly disapprove of it. However, Nawaz's unfounded accusations against his rivals are significantly impacting the political atmosphere, stirring up tension and resentment," stated Naeem ul Haq, the chief of staff for former cricket star Khan. "Therefore, if Nawaz Sharif continues to spread negativity, such incidents will persist." Last July, Pakistan's Supreme Court removed Sharif from the position of prime minister due to a minor instance of undisclosed income, and he is currently facing trial in an anti-corruption court. Despite this, his political party still holds a majority in parliament. Sharif has criticized the court's decision as a plot orchestrated by his opponent Khan, often rallying his supporters to express his grievances. Sharif has also accused Khan of being a puppet of the influential military establishment, known for its interference in Pakistani politics. Khan refutes allegations of collaborating with the army, while the military denies involvement in political matters. The recent attack on Sunday has increased tension leading up to the upcoming election, anticipated to take place in late July. Initial reports suggest that the attacker may have ties to a new Islamist political group advocating for strict sharia law and the death penalty for blasphemy. The group, Tehreek-e-Labaik, denies any connection to the attacker. "We do not have weapons. We are engaged in a nonviolent battle. Those plotting against Tehreek-e-Labaik will not achieve their goals." Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the party, denounced the attack on Iqbal on Sunday, stating that Labaik is peacefully striving to establish the Prophet's religion. According to the police, Iqbal was shot in the right arm, with the bullet then entering his groin. The suspected shooter, identified as 21-year-old Abid Hussain, has not had a motive officially reported. Minister of state Chaudhry stated that the individual responsible for the attack has a background in religious radicalism. He mentioned that other individuals have been arrested and that the police are investigating groups that may have influenced the attack. Chaudhry emphasized that radicalism is not an individual issue, but rather a social problem that is perpetuated by others. Labaik, the group behind the attack, was formed from a protest movement that supported Mumtaz Qadri, who killed the governor of Punjab in 2011 over blasphemy laws. The movement caused major protests last year over changes to electoral laws that they deemed blasphemous. The attack on Iqbal has raised concerns about potential violence from Islamist groups leading up to the elections, recalling the violent incidents during previous elections, including the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007. | 5 |
Kuwait will mandate that incoming travelers quarantine at their homes for 10 days unless they can provide a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours of their arrival. | 5 |
Although vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19, recent news of breakthrough infections and updated guidelines on mask-wearing for vaccinated individuals have caused confusion and concern. While studies have shown that vaccinated individuals can still get infected with high levels of the virus, such cases are rare compared to the unvaccinated population who are primarily spreading the virus. According to Gregg Gonsalves, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, being vaccinated is crucial for keeping yourself and others safe. While vaccinated individuals have more freedom, it's important to remember that the situation is not the same as it was before the pandemic. Despite being vaccinated, there is still a need to be cautious about the Delta variant as no vaccine can offer complete protection. Erin Bromage, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, compares vaccine antibodies to a sea wall that protects a town from a storm surge. While most of the time the wall is effective, a powerful hurricane could breach it, allowing some water to get through. The Delta variant of the virus is like a viral hurricane, as it is highly infectious and poses a greater challenge to even a vaccinated immune system. Vaccinations provide additional protection, but in the face of a strong challenge, such as being near an unvaccinated person with a high viral load, the protection may not be sufficient. However, the current vaccines in the United States are doing a great job in preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Over 97 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals are not vaccinated. Even vaccinated patients who are hospitalized with delta breakthrough infections in Singapore are less likely to require supplemental oxygen and clear the virus faster than unvaccinated patients. Breakthrough infections, while garnering attention, are still rare. While the CDC stopped tracking all breakthrough cases in May, approximately half of states provide some data on breakthrough occurrences. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently analyzed state-reported data and discovered that breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are uncommon occurrences among individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The rate of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated individuals is less than 1% in all reporting states, with the lowest percentage being 0.01% in Connecticut and the highest being 0.29% in Alaska, as per the Kaiser analysis. However, many breakthrough infections likely go unreported because infected individuals may not exhibit symptoms or only experience mild symptoms that resolve before they consider getting tested. Dr. Asaf Bitton, executive director of Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, stated that while breakthrough infections are rare, without a population-based sample it is difficult to determine their exact frequency. It is uncertain how many people with a mild sore throat for a few days may have actually had breakthrough cases, but it is not due to the vaccine failing. It has been estimated that the vaccine campaign has prevented 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. The risk of a breakthrough infection increases with more exposure to the delta variant. Large events like the July 4 celebration in Provincetown, Massachusetts, or the Lollapalooza concert in Chicago increase the likelihood of vaccinated individuals encountering someone with a high viral load. The more people you come into contact with, the higher the risk, but this also depends on the local level of risk. In the near future, there may be a surge in Lollapalooza outbreaks due to large crowds, creating an ideal environment for the spread of the delta variant. The CDC recommends wearing masks in areas classified as orange or red zones on their color-coded map of COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States. These zones have seen more than 50 cases per 100,000 people in the past week, covering approximately 80 percent of counties in the country. Infections are staying low in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, but the delta variant is causing a sharp increase in cases in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida. The issue with relying on a map for case counts is that numbers are constantly changing and may rise in your area before the map is updated. Even if you live in a highly vaccinated community with low case counts, it's important to also consider neighboring communities' data, as viruses can easily spread across state and county lines. While experts generally agree that wearing a mask outdoors is unnecessary if you're not in a crowd and are keeping a safe distance from others, it is still risky to attend crowded outdoor events. If you choose to go to a packed outdoor concert, wearing a mask is advised. J Alex Huffman, an aerosol scientist and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver, recommends wearing a mask indoors when around people whose vaccination status is unknown, particularly if you will be in close proximity to them for an extended period of time. Despite being fully vaccinated, he still wears an N95 mask in indoor public spaces. For maximum protection, it is advised to use a high-quality medical mask like an N95, KN95, or KF94 from Korea to avoid counterfeit products. If a medical mask is not available, double masking with a surgical mask underneath a cloth mask provides strong protection. Wearing a mask with an exhale valve is not recommended because it can release viral particles and counterfeit masks may have faulty valves. It is important to choose the right mask for different settings. A cloth mask may be sufficient for a brief visit to a sparsely populated convenience store in a highly vaccinated area, but a higher-quality mask is more appropriate for air travel or crowded grocery stores, especially in areas with low vaccination rates and high case counts. Masks that have straps or ties around the back of the head provide a tighter seal compared to masks with ear loops. Huffman stated that in order to combat the delta variant, all previous mitigation efforts need to be improved, including the use of masks. He suggests upgrading to masks with high filter quality that fit tightly to the face, ensuring a good seal around the nose, cheeks, and chin. According to Huffman, a tight-fitting mask is more effective than a loose-fitting one. Vaccinated individuals have a very low risk of contracting the virus when they are with other vaccinated friends and family members without masks, according to Huffman. While mask-wearing is not considered essential in such situations, extra precautions may be necessary in certain circumstances. Although it is rare for a vaccinated person to transmit the virus to another vaccinated individual, there is still a theoretical possibility. Therefore, a vaccinated individual who frequents crowded places or travels to COVID hotspots poses a higher risk compared to someone who avoids large gatherings and primarily interacts with other vaccinated individuals. Bitton recommends prioritizing outdoor gatherings, especially for families with unvaccinated individuals or those at high risk, due to the spread of the delta variant. Hosting events in a backyard or patio and reducing time spent indoors can help decrease the risk of exposure. Smaller gatherings with vaccinated friends are safer than large parties, even if all attendees are vaccinated. Opening windows for better ventilation when indoors is also advisable. For individuals at a very high risk, such as the elderly or immunocompromised, it is reasonable to request that even vaccinated individuals get tested before visiting. A quick and easy home test can be given to guests to ensure they are COVID-negative. Whether or not you can dine at restaurants depends on factors such as local conditions, your comfort level with risk, and the health of those around you. Communities with high vaccination rates and low case counts have the lowest risk. For example, dining at a restaurant in Vermont, where two-thirds of the population is vaccinated, is safer than dining indoors in Alabama or Mississippi, where only one-third of residents are vaccinated. Parents of unvaccinated children and individuals with weakened immune systems, who may not receive as much protection from vaccines according to research, may choose to order takeout or eat outdoors as an extra safety measure. Is it advisable to travel? Should I avoid peanuts and water and continue wearing my mask? Although airplanes are usually well-ventilated and not a significant source of outbreaks, it is still wise to take precautions. The risk of coming into contact with an infected individual may be higher in the airport terminal, while dining in airport restaurants and bars, or going through the security line. On airplanes, the air is exchanged approximately every two to three minutes, a faster rate than in places like grocery stores. Passengers must wear masks but can remove them to eat or drink. Airplane ventilation systems limit airflow to a few rows to prevent circulation throughout the cabin, meaning an infected passenger poses the most risk to those nearby. Experts recommend using high-quality medical masks, such as N95 or KF94, when flying. If you don't have a mask, it is recommended to wear two masks. For those who are vaccinated, the risk of briefly removing a mask to eat or drink during a flight is low, but it is preferable to keep it on as much as possible. The CDC advises that it is safest for unvaccinated individuals, including children, to avoid flying. Bromage mentioned that he recently traveled by air and briefly took off his mask to drink a beverage, but kept it on for most of the flight. He stated that he would feel more comfortable removing his mask to eat if he knew that the people next to him were vaccinated. He mentioned that he would be more worried if the person next to him showed a lack of concern for COVID precautions or wore their mask improperly. He stated that it is important to keep the mask on especially when sitting next to a random or talkative person. The safety of buses, subways, and trains for vaccinated individuals depends on factors such as mask-wearing policies and the level of crowding. Despite being well-protected, the risk of exposure to the virus is higher on longer rides and in crowded train cars or buses. Many individuals rely on public transportation to commute to work or school, and it is advised to wear a properly fitted medical mask or double mask while using it. When deciding whether to use public transit, it is important to consider local vaccination rates and the trend of increasing case counts. While vaccinated individuals can safely hug and spend time together without masks, parents of unvaccinated children need to assess the risks, especially when visiting older relatives. In communities where there are few COVID cases and many people are vaccinated, it is generally safe for unvaccinated children from one household to visit vaccinated grandparents. However, with the spread of the delta variant and children returning to school, the risk of close contact increases for older or immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated. When families plan to visit a high-risk relative, it is recommended to limit other exposures by avoiding activities like dining out or going to the gym in the week leading up to the visit. Even though the chances of a vaccinated person transmitting COVID-19 are low, vaccinated grandparents should also take steps to reduce their own exposure when spending time with unvaccinated children. "I have not been wearing masks indoors with my elderly parents yet, because I am still cautious about wearing masks in public places," said Huffman, the aerosol scientist. "If I had more interactions that increased my overall risk of exposure, I would strongly consider wearing a mask indoors with vulnerable individuals. Rapid home tests are an additional precaution when visiting grandparents or immune-compromised family members. Taking a test a few days before and on the day of the visit is recommended. Home tests are a great option for those feeling anxious about the virus right now," Bromage explained. "We are purchasing these tests and having everyone test before coming together - right before we gather. Once everyone is clear, you can enjoy your time together." How can I determine if I have the delta variant? If you receive a COVID-19 diagnosis in the US, it is highly likely that you have the delta variant, according to the CDC. The delta variant is now the most common strain in the United States, comprising over 82 percent of cases. This variant is also prevalent in other countries, with the World Health Organization reporting that it accounts for 75 percent or more of cases in various nations including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Israel, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK. Despite this dominance, standard COVID tests do not differentiate between the delta variant and other strains of the virus. Although health departments can utilize genomic sequencing to detect the prevalence of various variants within a population, this data is generally not disclosed to individuals. It is crucial for individuals to continue isolating and consulting with healthcare professionals if they experience low blood oxygen levels, difficulty breathing, or other concerning symptoms. | 5 |
Contrary to previous reports, it is not Elon Musk's SpaceX that will be responsible for creating a crater on the moon's surface, but rather a piece of a rocket launched by China's space agency. Bill Gray, developer of Project Pluto, recently announced that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage was on a trajectory to intersect with the moon's path. This rocket had launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in February 2015. Gray had been monitoring this rocket part for years, and in early January, it came within 6,000 miles of the moon's surface, with its trajectory suggesting a potential crash on a subsequent orbit. Reports from amateur astronomers witnessing the object passing Earth once again confirmed the anticipated collision within the Hertzsprung crater. However, an email received on Saturday from Jon Giorgini, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, provided a new perspective. Giorgini oversees Horizons, an online database capable of tracking the locations and orbits of nearly 1.2 million objects in the solar system, including approximately 200 spacecraft. After a user inquired about the object's connection to the DSCOVR rocket, Giorgini decided to investigate further. He discovered that the orbit did not match the trajectory of DSCOVR and reached out to Gray. Gray's first reaction was confidence that he had made the correct assessment. However, he reviewed his old emails to refresh his memory on when this object was initially observed in March 2015, approximately a month after DSCOVR was launched. Typically, newly spotted objects in the sky are assumed to be asteroids, and this object was no exception. It was labeled as WE0913A. However, it was discovered that WE0913A was actually orbiting Earth, not the sun, suggesting that it originated from Earth. Gray suggested that it could be a part of the rocket that launched DSCOVR. Additional data showed that WE0913A passed the moon two days after DSCOVR was launched, confirming the identification. Gray realized that his mistake was assuming DSCOVR was launched towards the moon to use its gravity to reach its final destination, where it provides warning of solar storms. Giorgini pointed out that DSCOVR was actually launched on a direct path that did not pass the moon. Gray admitted that he regretted not reviewing something before making his January announcement. Jon Giorgini pointed out the error to him, and Gray acknowledged that he had made a mistake. SpaceX did not comment on the issue, and it is likely that they have not been tracking the rocket stage in question. Typically, the second stage of a Falcon 9 is burned up in the atmosphere, but in this case, the rocket needed all of its propellant to deliver DSCOVR to its destination. However, the unpowered and uncontrolled second stage of the rocket was in an orbit that was not a threat to any satellites, so it was likely not being monitored. Gray expressed a desire for transparency from those launching boosters into high orbits, instead of having to investigate on his own. Gray then searched through previous launches, specifically focusing on those going towards the moon, but found very few in that category. The primary candidate was a Long March 3C rocket that launched China's Chang'e-5 T1 spacecraft on October 23, 2014. The spacecraft orbited the moon before returning to Earth, releasing a return capsule that landed in Mongolia. This was a test for the Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, which successfully collected moon rocks and dust for study on Earth. A computer simulation of the orbit of WE0913A in the past indicated a close lunar flyby on October 28, just five days after the Chinese launch. Data from a cubesat attached to the Long March rocket's third stage closely matched WE0913A, according to Gray. “It’s a case that could likely result in a conviction if taken to a jury,” stated Christophe Demeautis, an amateur astronomer from northeast France. Recent observations have slightly adjusted the predicted impact time and location of the object hitting the moon. The crash is expected to occur at approximately 7:26 am Eastern time, but it will not be visible from Earth due to its location on the far side of the moon. The search for the Falcon 9 part continues as the whereabouts of the DSCOVR second stage remain unknown. It is most likely that the object ended up orbiting the sun instead of the Earth, making it currently unobservable. There have been instances of pieces of old rockets returning, such as a mystery object discovered in 2020 that was part of a rocket launched in 1966 for NASA's Surveyor missions to the moon. | 5 |
Rogozin announced on his Telegram channel that in retaliation to EU sanctions against Russian companies, Roskosmos will halt cooperation with European partners on space launches from Kourou and remove technical staff from French Guiana. The European Union downplayed Russia's withdrawal, stating that it will not impact the performance of the Galileo and Copernicus satellite networks. Galileo is Europe's navigation system used in various sectors, while Copernicus provides climate data. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton assured on Twitter that necessary steps will be taken to develop the next generation of these space infrastructures. "We are ready to take decisive action alongside member states to safeguard critical infrastructures in the event of an attack, and to advance the development of Ariane 6 and VegaC to ensure strategic autonomy in terms of carrier rockets." | 5 |
A recent poll indicates that Australian Prime Minister John Howard is at risk of suffering a major defeat in the upcoming election, potentially losing his own seat in Sydney. According to the Galaxy poll conducted for The Sunday Telegraph newspaper and SBS television, Howard is trailing behind former television presenter Maxine McKew by 46 percent to 53 percent among voters who support the two major parties. McKew, who joined the Labor Party to challenge Howard, is also tied with him in terms of who voters believe would best represent the seat of Bennelong, which Howard has held since 1974. The poll was conducted following a decision by Australia's central bank to raise interest rates to 6.50 percent in order to combat inflation caused by strong domestic demand, low unemployment, and rapid global growth. Howard, who won his fourth election in 2004 with the promise of "Keeping interest rates low," has been negatively impacted by the increase in interest rates. The central bank has increased interest rates five times, which is affecting support for Howard's Liberal-National coalition in suburban areas with high mortgage burdens and heavy borrowing. Howard is also facing challenges in his own district due to a growing Asian population and a significant number of residents who speak languages other than English at home. Howard's policies on immigration and assimilation have caused tension with some immigrant families. Despite poll results, senior Labor lawmaker Bob McMullan believes it will be difficult to defeat Howard in the upcoming election. "We are approaching the end of the current three-year term and there is a willingness for change among the people. However, I believe their voting preferences are not fixed and can change easily," he stated in an interview with Australian television. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed confidence in Howard's experience and knowledge to lead him to victory, while criticizing opposition leader Kevin Rudd for lacking a clear plan for Australia's future. Downer acknowledged the controversy surrounding the incumbent's record, stating that it is a common occurrence in politics. "I don't want to always appear overly optimistic," he added. I am someone who is quite calm when facing the challenges that are coming. | 5 |
Last week, a friendly Amazon employee asked me if I wanted to try using my palm to shop at the new Whole Foods Market in Washington's Glover Park neighborhood. I agreed and quickly scanned both hands on a kiosk to link them to my Amazon account. I then used my right palm to enter the high-tech grocery store and spent the next 30 minutes shopping. I purchased a bag of cauliflower florets, grapefruit sparkling water, a carton of strawberries, and a package of organic chicken sausages. Cameras and sensors tracked my movements and created a virtual shopping cart in real time. I left the store without needing a cashier as Whole Foods, now owned by Amazon, would charge my account later. Amazon acquired Whole Foods for $13 billion over four years ago. The grocery chain's transformation into an Amazon-operated store is now fully realized with the renovated Whole Foods location in Glover Park. While initially making small changes like discounts and free delivery for Prime members, Amazon has now taken a significant step forward with this 21,000-square-foot store near Georgetown. This prototype store, along with another set to open in Los Angeles, is designed to be primarily run by tracking and robotic technology, marking a new level of Amazon's involvement in the grocery chain. The technology called Just Walk Out uses numerous cameras to monitor customers and sensors to track individual items. Deep-learning software analyzes shopping behavior to improve accuracy in charging customers. This technology is similar to what is used in driverless cars, as it can identify when items are taken from shelves, freezers, or produce bins, automatically record them, and charge customers upon exiting the store. According to Dilip Kumar, Amazon's vice president of physical retail and technology, anyone with an Amazon account, not just Prime members, can use the palm-scanning technology known as Amazon One to shop at Amazon Go convenience stores, Amazon Fresh grocery stores, and other licensed locations. This technology allows customers to skip the cash register and have their bill charged directly to their Amazon account. Amazon has been testing this automation for over four years and sees Whole Foods as another step in its expansion into retail stores. Valuable experiments have been conducted at stores such as the Hudson convenience store at Dallas Love Field Airport and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Kumar stated that they identified problem areas for customers and worked diligently to find solutions to ease those issues. One example was customers not liking standing in checkout lines, leading to the creation of Just Walk Out. He did not comment on Amazon's plans to expand the technology to all Whole Foods stores. Karen Weise, a colleague at the New York Times who covers Amazon, mentioned that the company has a long-term outlook, allowing them to slowly transform labor, retail, and logistics with patience and resources. The Whole Foods in Glover Park has been a vital part of the neighborhood for over 20 years, serving as a central hub near Embassy Row and the vice president's Naval Observatory residence. Despite closing four years ago due to a dispute with the landlord and a rat infestation, Amazon has announced plans to reopen the store as a Just Walk Out pilot project. While the rats may no longer be a problem, the neighborhood still harbors concerns and anxieties. The recently renovated store has sparked a lively local discussion, with residents debating on the Nextdoor community app and a neighborhood email list about the store's contrasting "dystopian" atmosphere and "impressive technology." Some neighbors fondly recalled the store's previous inviting atmosphere, where people could hang out and enjoy free samples and blueberry pancakes on weekends. One long-time resident, Alex Levin, believes that people should not dismiss the store's changes and should instead embrace the benefits and drawbacks of the technology. He shared an anecdote about trying to trick the store's cameras and sensors with a box of chicken nuggets, but Amazon was not fooled and he was not charged for the item. However, some individuals mentioned discovering mistakes in their bills and were unhappy with the switch from selling produce by the pound to selling it per item, bundle, or box. They also expressed sadness about the elimination of the checkout line, where they could browse through magazines and last-minute grab bag items. Additionally, many were wary of the tracking technology, with one individual comparing it to George Orwell's "1984." Allen Hengst, a 72-year-old retired librarian, expressed this sentiment. Amazon stated that it had no intention of using video or other customer information from Whole Foods for advertising or its recommendation engine. Shoppers who do not wish to participate in the new technology can simply enter the store without signing in and make their purchases at self-checkout kiosks using a credit card or cash. As a loyal customer of Glover Park's Whole Foods, I found myself nostalgic for the old, cramped, and chaotic store and eager to see the changes. However, my feelings became mixed as I went through the process of a palm scan and encountered the unusual six-pack banana bundles. I also noticed a sign at the entrance prohibiting shoppers from taking photos or videos inside the store. I looked up at the ceiling and saw numerous small black plastic boxes hanging from the rafters. An employee informed me that those were the cameras that would track me during my shopping trip. There were workers at the entrance assisting customers with check-in, as well as others at the seafood counter, cheese station, and produce areas. Kumar mentioned that the stores would continue to have human employees, but I couldn't help but wonder for how long. Amazon, which has faced criticism for its treatment of workers, has announced that employees may see changes in their responsibilities over time, with a greater emphasis on customer interaction to address inquiries. This indicates a potential shift towards a more self-service model in the future. For example, when I visited a bakery and needed my $4.99 Harvest loaf sliced, I was directed to use a professional bread slicer with a caution label reminding customers to be mindful of the sharp blades and moving parts. Kumar did not provide information on the accuracy of Just Walk Out, so I decided to test the technology myself. I took an organic avocado and placed it among nonorganic ones. After browsing the store, I retrieved the same organic avocado. If the cameras and sensors were working correctly, Amazon would detect the misplaced avocado and charge me accordingly. At checkout, I could choose between using a self-checkout kiosk or skipping the process. I chose the second option and waved my hand again over the exit turnstile. The turnstile's arms opened. A staff member at the exit informed me that I should expect to receive my receipt within two to three hours. I left the store feeling uncomfortable, fearing that I might be wrongly perceived as a shoplifter. An hour after receiving an email from Amazon, I clicked on a link that took me to my Amazon account where I found details about my recent shopping experience. According to the information provided, I spent 32 minutes and 26 seconds shopping and my total bill was $34.35. I was billed accurately for the organic avocado. | 5 |
A former militia leader from Nigeria, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was released on bail by a Nigerian court on Thursday. This decision was made in response to armed groups causing disruptions in oil production and kidnapping foreign workers in the Niger Delta. Asari, who is facing charges of treason, was granted bail after rebel groups in the delta released hostages, announced a ceasefire, and expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the government under President Umaru Yar'Adua. Despite these peace efforts, the recent killing of eight suspected militants by troops in Bayelsa state has raised concerns about the situation in the delta. Asari's release on bail was requested by his lawyer on health grounds and was not opposed by prosecutors. It is believed that Asari is sincere in his actions and not seeking attention. Justice Peter Olayiwola stated that the accused would be released on health reasons, with conditions that he refrain from political activities and report his movements to security services. The Supreme Court had previously denied the accused bail due to concerns about national security, but prosecutors have now agreed to his release. Some activists believe the court's decision was influenced by ongoing peace talks between the government and delta rebels. Asari has been in custody since September 2005, and his trial has been repeatedly postponed. Despite efforts by elders from his Ijaw ethnic group to negotiate his release, progress was slow until President Yar'Adua's call for a ceasefire in the delta during his inauguration. Following this, influential state governors from the region have advocated for Asari's freedom. According to Ijaw activists, the recent court decision will support initiatives to calm armed rebels seeking autonomy over oil revenues and reparations for oil spills in the impoverished delta. Ifeanyi Jonjon, the leader of the Ijaw Youth Council, expressed satisfaction with the recent progress made in meeting their demands. He believes that using Asari to communicate with freedom fighters could help steer them towards peaceful methods instead of violence. Asari's absence in court did not dampen the spirits of his supporters, who were instead celebrating. Emmanuel Diffa, an Ijaw elder who has been advocating for Asari's release, stated that this development is positive for business owners in the Niger Delta as it will help calm the situation and Asari is crucial for bringing peace to the region. | 5 |
Pakistan completed a series sweep of Zimbabwe in all three forms of cricket, winning the second Twenty20 match in a thrilling last-ball finish in Harare. Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum during their chase, but Tatenda Taibu's aggressive play in the final over gave them hope. Needing 20 runs off six balls, Taibu hit a six off the first delivery and ran well to keep the match alive. However, he needed six runs off the last ball, and Sohail Khan bowled a wide, low full toss to secure the victory for Pakistan. Taibu had moved away towards the leg side and was unable to make a shot, leading to a disappointing conclusion to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to become too difficult for them. Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha started off with good intentions, with Sibanda hitting a beautiful straight drive for four. They managed to score boundaries in the first four overs but failed to rotate the strike enough, resulting in an increase in the required run-rate. Chibhabha attempted to free himself from the pressure when Saeed Ajmal came on, trying to hit over long on, but was caught by Yasir Shah as he backpedalled outside the circle. Ajmal's first over, in which he took a wicket without conceding any runs, slowed down Zimbabwe's pursuit of victory. Sibanda's frustration increased as he attempted a big shot and was caught by Hafeez at point. Hafeez continued his excellent performance by bowling out Zhuwao and taking catches to dismiss Maskadza and Taylor. As Zimbabwe's chances of winning dwindled, Coventry desperately swung his bat at Junaid Khan's deliveries. Two batsmen scored four runs, while the third one accidentally hit the ball onto his stumps. Elton Chigumbura managed to hit a few powerful shots, but struggled against the strong bowling. Pakistan's bowlers remained calm even as the match came down to the last over. Taibu had to lead both Prosper Utseya and himself, but Sohail ultimately made the decisive play. Zimbabwe showed improvement in their fielding, bowling accurately and catching every opportunity to limit Pakistan to under 150 runs. Taylor was creative in his bowling strategy, starting with a spinner before bringing in Chibhabha in the third over. Chibhabha made an impact by getting Asad Shafiq out caught by Chigumbura at long-on when he attempted a six. Rameez Raja was then caught at short fine leg just two balls later. Kyle Jarvis also stepped up his bowling, delivering better lengths than in previous matches. He got Raja out with a short ball that was pulled late and caught by Ray Price. The hosts continued their early dominance by dismissing Shoaib Malik, who was caught behind off Chigumbura after trying to hit a wide delivery. Hafeez batted well and scored a significant innings, particularly targeting the spinners. Umar Akmal was cautious while Hafeez was batting, especially against Chigumbura, who bowled cleverly with slower deliveries. Hafeez was eventually dismissed by Price as he attempted a lofted shot towards long-on but could not clear the boundary. After Hafeez's dismissal, Pakistan struggled to score boundaries and only managed to score 36 runs in the last five overs. Akmal was run out while attempting a second run, and Tanvir was bowled by Jarvis. Jarvis performed well under pressure towards the end of the match, effectively utilizing yorkers, a delivery he is nearing mastery of. | 5 |
Daschle was struck by the reversal of protocol when Bob Dole insisted on coming to his office despite Daschle being the junior guy. Daschle found Dole's remark witty and straight to the point, a classic example of Dole's no-nonsense manner. This story serves as a reminder of Dole's Washington, where he brought his prairie values and straightforward approach after arriving in 1961. During the 35 years that followed — including eight years in the House, 27 in the Senate, and three unsuccessful attempts at the presidency — he worked in a city that suited his skills as a negotiator. While it may sound cliché to look back fondly on a past era in Washington when politicians from different parties sparred during the day and socialized at night, the climate during Dole's time in the Capitol was indeed different. Despite the presence of partisanship, some of which was as bitter as it is today, the facts show that Dole, both as a senator and as the leader of the Republican party from 1985 to 1996, collaborated across party lines to pass bipartisan legislation. This included bills to save Social Security, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a welfare system overhaul. One of his proudest achievements was working with George McGovern, a liberal Democrat from South Dakota, to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps. They continued collaborating on nutrition issues even after leaving the Senate. Senator Patrick J Leahy, a friend of Dole's, highlighted the strong working relationship between George J Mitchell Jr and Dole during their time in office. They had a close bond and would frequently visit each other's offices. Leahy also mentioned that they both had special phone lines on their desks for direct communication. This level of cooperation and trust between politicians is rare in today's political landscape. The button proved useful in November 1994 when Republicans regained the majority. Mitchell, who was not seeking reelection, asked for Dole to be informed that he planned to congratulate him in person. Dole replied quickly, saying he would instead come to Mitchell's office to avoid him making the trip. This gesture was seen as thoughtful and respectful by Mitchell and his team, reflecting a time when bipartisanship was valued in politics. According to presidential historian Robert Dallek, Dole was skilled at working with politicians from both parties, despite his conservative beliefs. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House who is known for his role in increasing partisan conflict in Washington, discussed his collaboration with Dole on tax cuts and defeating President Bill Clinton's health care plan. Gingrich compared Dole to current Republican leader Mitch McConnell, noting their tactical skills and ability to both obstruct and achieve goals. Despite their effective teamwork, Dole did not fully support Gingrich's confrontational approach. When Gingrich and House Republicans refused to pass federal spending bills, causing the government to shut down in 1995, Dole spoke out on the Senate floor, expressing his frustration. He believed it was time to put an end to the situation, stating that it had become ridiculous in his opinion. In Washington, Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, were viewed as a powerful couple who represented the city's institutions. Robert Dole symbolized World War II and the Greatest Generation, embodying an earlier time of dignity and honor. He played a significant role in the creation of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall and often greeted veterans there. In the words of historian Dallek, Dole was seen as a representation of American values, coming from the heartland and embodying shared beliefs. After over 25 years in the Senate, Dole left to run for president in 1996 during a period of significant change in Washington, with Gingrich's influence on the rise and Clinton facing impeachment over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, leading to increased political divisions. However, when Dole, who was the Senate's longest-serving Republican leader at the time, went to the chamber to announce his departure, the traditional customs of the Capitol were still observed. Leahy recalled that nearly every Democratic senator was present on the floor that day. Despite Dole's intention to run against Bill Clinton, after he finished his speech, all senators stood and applauded him. | 5 |
Numerous architects have voiced their dissatisfaction with the decision to destroy the red building, which enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the street alongside a park. A heritage advocate has urged the authorities to protect the building due to its historical importance. On Wednesday, a contractor named Shakil began dismantling parts of the building's roof, stating that he had been awarded the job through a tender eight months prior and that the demolition process would take four days. When asked for his opinion, Department of Agricultural Expansion (DAE) Director General Md Golam Maruf stated to bdnews24.com that it was the government's choice to demolish the building. He declined to provide further comments, mentioning that the building was no longer under his department's jurisdiction despite its historical importance in agricultural research. He suggested contacting the Cotton Development Board (CDB), the current owners of the building. CDB Executive Director Md Farid Uddin mentioned in a phone call with bdnews24.com that he was currently in a meeting and requested to be contacted again in an hour. However, he did not answer any more calls from bdnews24.com. Taimur Islam, the Chief Executive of Urban Study Group, is against the demolition of buildings in Dhaka City. He believes that there are over 2,500 unlisted buildings in the city, with only around 100 currently being preserved. Islam argues that more unlisted buildings should be protected to conserve the rich architectural heritage of the city. Taimur emphasized the significance of the building for its historical and architectural importance. He mentioned that a Famine Commission was established in Odisha in the 18th century, leading to the construction of buildings in Dhaka's Farmgate area to support agricultural expansion. The buildings were later expanded when Bengal was divided in 1905. Taimur highlighted the architectural richness of the building. Taimur expressed his concern about the destruction of historical buildings like the courts and DC council buildings constructed during the colonial period, as well as the neglect of agriculture, which is the most significant sector in Bangladesh. He emphasized the importance of preserving the entire area, as it is closely connected to a crucial chapter in the country's history. The technological advancements in agriculture were observed by these seven to eight buildings, which should have been protected according to the UNESCO Convention. Architects hurried to the site when demolition work began, with the Institute of Architects Bangladesh General Secretary Qazi Muhammad Arif expressing the desire to preserve the building due to its historical importance. There are numerous buildings like this in the country, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them. As professionals, we believe that the buildings that can be saved should be saved. Regarding the building at Khamarbarhi, Arif mentioned that he has heard about plans to construct a high-rise office building there, but there should be efforts made to preserve the old buildings. The Vice-President of the institute, Jalal Ahmed, expressed that it is now too late as the demolition work on the building has progressed too far. He mentioned that there was no design for the building and it did not seem to be in bad enough condition to be torn down. Associate Professor Shehzad Zahir of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of scientific research in the development of Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He stated that this building served as the laboratory where agricultural research first began in Bangladesh, making it a significant pioneer in the country's agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of halting the demolition immediately and taking steps to conserve the building, which dates back to the late colonial period. The attractive shedding devices in front of the windows have connected our local architecture with that of Europe, according to BRAC University's Assistant Professor architect Sajid-Bin-Doza. He also mentioned that the building is well-suited for the tropical climate of Bangladesh. He expressed disappointment that there is no design aspect of the building and emphasized the importance of preserving traditional architectural traditions. The speaker believes that the authorities should have taken photographs of the building so that future generations could see it. However, he also mentioned that preserving the building now would be expensive due to the extensive damage it has suffered from being bludgeoned with a hammer. | 5 |
The ability of local institutions to govern development of their electorates has been questioned by Law minister Shafique Ahmed. However, other speakers at a seminar on Thursday, including members of parliament, politicians, and economists, expressed support for a strong local government and proposed the establishment of a local government commission. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad and co-chair of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, stated that he believed the ruling Awami League would fulfill its election promise by creating such a commission. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Communist Party, criticized the local government ministry for its methods in maintaining control over local government, calling it unconstitutional. The constitution requires the government to provide five levels of public representation, but currently only two - at the Upazila and union levels - are active. Local representatives believe that these elected bodies cannot operate independently due to the influence of Members of Parliament. Abdul Majid, the president of a group of Upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen, stated that the Upazila councils are not functioning properly and that MPs have control over everything. He mentioned at a meeting that the Upazila chairman simply follows the instructions of the MP in that area. Meher Afroz Chumki, a member of parliament from Gazipur, emphasized the need to change one's mindset. She supported the idea of granting more authority to local governments but criticized bureaucratic obstacles for hindering genuine government efforts. Chumki believed that empowering local governments would enable them to shoulder more responsibilities, but noted that a closed mindset was currently preventing this progress. Hasanul Haq Inu, the President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and also a member of parliament, advocated for clearly defined roles for both local and central government to outline their respective duties. He observed that it was expected for there to be discrimination against local representatives in a system with clear dualism. He emphasized the importance of public representatives in development plans, stating that development initiatives should be centered around local government. Shafique Ahmed expressed his agreement with the other speakers and supported decentralization. The technocrat minister added that it is important to assess if local agencies are capable of handling responsibilities. The seminar, organized by the Governance Advocacy Forum and led by Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, saw over 400 chairmen and vice-chairmen staging a hunger strike at Muktangan in the capital on Jan 22. They presented a ten-point demand for empowerment, which included the cancellation of a law requiring the corresponding MP to serve as advisor to the Upazila council. The charter also called for 70 percent budget allocation and separate budgets for local government, as well as granting chairmen the authority to evaluate all government employees under the council. Additionally, the local leaders requested control of 13 offices under 10 ministries in accordance with the Upazila Parishad Act, the ability for local government organizations to create their own annual and five-year plans, reforms to district councils, the establishment of a local government commission, and the implementation of an integrated law for local government organizations. The strike was postponed to March 28 after receiving a guarantee from MPs Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu that the demands would be met. | 5 |
During a television special on NBC, Bruce Springsteen announced that Time magazine had chosen Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their cover on December 21. The former vice president and the first Black woman and Indian American to be elected vice president, respectively, were selected over other finalists such as healthcare workers, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the racial justice movement, and President Donald Trump. Time's editor-in-chief, Edward Felsenthal, emphasized the magazine's historical connection to the presidency. Felsenthal pointed out that it was the first instance in which the magazine had decided to feature the vice president as a person of the year. He emphasized that the title of "Person of the Year" reflects not just the past year, but also the future direction. He expressed that the coming four years would be a significant test for them and the nation to determine if they can fulfill their promise of unity. In a prerecorded segment of the show, Biden commented that if Trump had been reelected, it would have had a lasting impact on the American identity. He described the moment as crucial. Harris, who originally ran for president, acknowledged the challenges and expectations that she and Biden would encounter. She stated that we are currently facing multiple crises that have come together. Despite the decline in relevance of weekly print magazines in today's media landscape, Time magazine continues to generate excitement and attention for its annual Person of the Year designation. The tradition dates back to 1927, when aviator Charles Lindbergh was named the first Man of the Year. Over the years, Time has honored various individuals including presidents, peacemakers, astronauts, popes, Queen Elizabeth II, American women, and the planet Earth. However, some controversial figures like Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin have also been chosen in the past. Time's selection process for Person of the Year is not based on popularity, but rather on the individual or group who had the greatest impact on the news and society, whether positive or negative. In 2019, Greta Thunberg was chosen over other notable figures such as Nancy Pelosi, President Trump, the Ukraine whistleblower, and the Hong Kong protesters. Thunberg, a young climate activist who made headlines for sailing to the United Nations Climate Action Summit in an emissions-free yacht, was criticized by Trump for receiving the honor. In 2018, the magazine named a group of journalists, which included the late Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, as its person of the year. The magazine aimed to highlight the dangers faced by journalists who work independently during a time of widespread misinformation. Among the journalists honored were the employees of The Capital Gazette in Maryland, where five individuals were tragically killed in a shooting in June 2018. The previous year, Time recognized the "silence breakers," a group of women who sparked the Me Too movement by coming forward to accuse influential men of sexual harassment and assault. Prior to the magazine's announcement in 2017, Trump claimed on Twitter that he had been informed he would likely be selected again and stated that he declined the recognition. Time quickly issued a statement refuting the president's claim. Despite his surprising victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Trump was named Time's person of the year for that year. Unlike the last three presidents who each served two terms, Trump was only chosen once. Nine presidents have been selected by Time more than once, with Dwight D. Eisenhower being recognized in 1944 for his role in leading the Allies to victory in World War II as an Army general. Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for being named person of the year three times. Text from around the year 2020 belonging to The New York Times Company. | 5 |
The upcoming film project, "Overheated Symphony", is being described as a potential "hot chick flick" or a powerful statement against global warming. The all-women directed interactive mobile phone film aims to showcase diverse voices of women worldwide. As part of the Birds Eye View film festival in London, female filmmakers are encouraged to create short films between 40 seconds and four minutes on their mobile phones, with the theme "Overheated", and submit them for inclusion in the project. The project's website states that they want to see hot content and encourage women from all over to participate. The idea for "Overheated Symphony" was inspired by a 1927 film called "Berlin - Symphony of a Great City" by German filmmaker Walter Ruttmann, which used a variety of pictures to capture city life. British film director Sarah Turner, who will create the final edit from mobile phone contributions, describes the project as abstract and a chance for women to share ideas globally. Turner believes that women's themes and issues will be a significant part of the finished piece. "I anticipate that some of the films will be very intense, as this is a topic that can evoke strong emotions. We all experience moments of heightened emotions, whether it be anger, sadness, or even sexual desire. There may even be films related to menopause, you never know." Turner is currently collecting mobile films for a live edit of the symphony to be shown on March 9 at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts. Rachel Millward, director of the Birds Eye View festival, now in its third year, believes the film represents a blend of new technology and the themes of women and heat. She stated that the direction in which film and media are heading involves interactivity and multi-platform projects. They aimed to create a project with these characteristics, as well as a playful, game-like quality that encourages participation from everyone. The idea of creating a film using the voices of women from around the world is seen as a beautiful concept that also challenges the stereotype that women are not tech-savvy. Contributors are invited to submit their cinematic work on the festival's YouTube channel. Although the final outcome is uncertain, Millward believes it will be greater than the individual contributions. She mentions that the film's unpredictability is its greatest asset, as it could touch on various themes such as climate change and passion, making it a multifaceted and intriguing experience. | 5 |
Rival Premier League managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger showed their support for Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley, who resigned from their positions recently due to principles. Keegan left Newcastle because of interference from directors, while Curbishley departed West Ham over transfer disagreements with the board. Ferguson praised both men for standing up for their principles at a League Managers Association dinner at Wembley Stadium. It is not okay for a manager to have no control over their team's success or failure, especially when they are held responsible for it. Both Wenger and Ferguson, the longest-serving managers in the Premier League, believe that the manager is the most crucial figure at a club. "In today's era of young and wealthy chairmen, achieving success requires managing different challenges compared to when Arsene and I first began," Ferguson stated. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect in the face of financial constraints and managerial changes mid-season. Ferguson agreed with managers who leave due to principle, especially when faced with external pressures. The discussion also touched on the influx of overseas investment in the Premier League, exemplified by the Abu Dhabi United Group's acquisition of Manchester City and their plans to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas in the upcoming transfer window. Wenger expressed concerns that significant financial investment could cause instability in the league. He noted that there has been a shift in the motivations of club owners, with some now prioritizing money or glory over the traditional desire to buy their dream club. Having more money in the League is beneficial, but excessive wealth can create inflationary pressure that destabilizes other clubs and puts a strain on their resources. Despite being fierce rivals, the two men smiled and joked with each other, indicating a better understanding and mutual respect. Wenger mentioned that they have shared wine and meals at coaching conferences in Geneva, showing that there is respect between them. We both have excellent teams and have experienced amazing competition in the past ten years. | 5 |
Text = What is the name of the person? | 5 |
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