The Life News. Aus. Oct 16, 2020

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War Creates Orphans in Azerbaijan

Vol. 03 Issue 40 Oct. 16, 2020

France and Germany Tell Turkey to Stop Provocations TL Bureau, Paris

France and Germany accused Turkey today, on Thursday of continuing to provoke the European Union with its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, and urged it to clarify its positions in the coming weeks, Reuters reported.

Despite an EU summit deal on Oct. 2 aimed at persuading Ankara to stop exploring for natural gas in waters disputed

by Greece and Cyprus, Turkey said on Wednesday it was restarting operations of a survey ship.

Turkey withdrew the vessel last month, just before the EU summit, at which economic sanctions were discussed, only to redeploy it on Monday.

TL Bureau, Ganja

On Sunday, at about 2am, the individuals of Ganja, Azerbaijan’s subsequent city, were stirred by the sound of a blast. Neighbors in the northern aspect of the city shouted out to one another for help, terrified by the absurd hints of disintegrating structures and breaking concrete.

“My folks were snoozing and I was viewing a film when I heard the sound of an enormous accident,” 16-yearold Sevil Aliyeva disclosed to Al Jazeera. “The dividers, enormous bits of stone fell on me.“There was no stable from my mom. My dad started to call me. At that point his voice halted as well.”

Sevil and her sibling, eightyear-old Huseyn, are currently stranded – their folks Anar and Nurchin were in their thirties. Before being covered,

TL Bureau, Auckland

the couple’s companions and family members supplicated over their bodies. Their basic

Use of chemical weapons in the assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny: EU sanctions six individuals and one entity

TL Bureau, Brussels

The Council today imposed restrictive measures against six individuals and one entity involved in the assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned with a toxic nerve agent of the “Novichok” group on 20 August 2020 in Russia.

The decision follows the political agreement reached by the Foreign Affairs Council on 12

Jacinda again on her path for becoming PM for second term

October 2020.

The adopted restrictive measures consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for individuals, and an asset freeze for the entity. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

The designation of the six persons and one entity linked to the Navalny case took place in the framework of the

restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.

This is the same legal instrument used to sanction those responsible for the possession, transport and use of a toxic nerve agent in the Skripals’ case in Salisbury in March 2018. With the new designations, there are 15 persons and 2 entities listed under the chemical weapons sanctions regime.

caskets were canvassed in the Azeri banner and a couple of roses.

Jacinda Ardern is on target for a second term as New Zealand’s head administrator in decisions that will happen on Saturday, because of her treatment of the Covid pandemic, which has helped shine her picture as a compelling pioneer.

While the legislature has lost some help since the Covid reemerged in Auckland in August, late assessments of public sentiment show it is as yet surveying at 46 percent contrasted and the National Party’s 31 percent with only two days to go before the political race.

Moon Vows Full Gov’t Support for Coronavirus Vaccine Development TL Bureau, Seoul President Moon Jae-in said today, on Thursday the government will spare no support for the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and therapy to treat the contagious disease, during a visit to a vaccine development company, Yonhap reported.

“To completely overcome the coronavirus, the development of a vaccine and treatment is a mountain to surmount without fail,” he said.

The government “will not spare

support to the end until the work succeeds for sure,” he added.

Moon met with related experts and business leaders at SK bioscience, a vaccine unit of SK Group, in Seongnam, south of Seoul.

He emphasized the significance of an indigenous vaccine and treatment, which is “stable and superb,” even if such a material, for which the world is eagerly waiting, is found abroad first.

He cited the need to have the experience of developing a coronavirus vaccine and lower its supply prices.

2

T

he World Health Organization said if there is a viable immunization against COVID-19 one year from now the dispersion plan organizes inoculating those most in danger to the infection, driving the normal individual to potentially sit tight for their vaccination until 2022.

“Individuals tend the think ‘Ah! On the first of January or the first of April, I will get the antibody, and afterward things will have returned to typical,’” WHO’s central researcher Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said. “It won’t work that way.”

Swaminathan offered the comment Wednesday during an online inquiry and answer conversation facilitated by the U.N. wellbeing body, clarifying that if there is an immunization by one year from now there won’t at first be sufficient delivered for everybody, so nations will require an arrangement for conveying the medication.

She said WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts has created rules to assist nations with organizing the allotment of a COVID-19 antibody, yet forewarned that and still, at the end of the day hard choices should be made.

“The vast majority concur that it’s beginning with medical care laborers and forefront laborers, yet even there you have to characterize

One will have to wait until 2022 for vaccinations which of them are at the most noteworthy danger and afterward the older, etc,” she said. “So it is significant for nations to now begin getting ready.”

The WHO has been driving an activity to produce and give fair overall admittance to an antibody and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief general, has said the worldwide rollout of the medication will initially be to those at most elevated danger with dispensing proceeding to different socioeconomics as provisions increment.

In excess of 170 nations have joined the WHOdrove activity, called COVAX. The arrangement, Tedros stated, is to convey in any event 2 billion dosages of an antibody before the following year’s over - subject to the advancement of a powerful and safe

immunization.

Swaminathan said that there will ideally be an immunization one year from now yet that the normal individual will most likely need to stand by until 2022.

“I think a normal individual, a solid youngster, may need to stand by until 2022 to get an immunization,” she said. “In any case, at that point, ideally, we can stem the intense

editorial

effects, lessen mortality, secure the individuals who are at most elevated danger, begin taking care of the intense issues and afterward we start by going to ensure the bigger level of the populace.”

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s COVID-19 specialized lead, included that there might be more than one antibody, which may expand their capacity to deliver the medication.

She said that conversation around creation is as of now happening as antibodies are being created, which is remarkable.

“We’re doing this simultaneously on the grounds that we realize we need endless portions so rapidly to zero in on the high-hazard laborers,” she said. “What we’re pointing towards with this distribution system is that we have enough immunization to inoculate those generally helpless, most in danger in each nation rather than having antibody for everybody in a few nations.”

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world

Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs focuses on preparing for the European Council TL Bureau, Helsinki In its meeting on Wednesday 14 October, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council meeting to take place in Brussels on 15–16 October and for the upcoming meetings of several Councils of Ministers.

The Ministerial Committee also discussed the reform of the EU’s immigration and asylum policy and the forthcoming Government Report on EU Policy.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs addressed issues related to the climate and forests. The discussion was part of an orientation to broad EU policy issues as the Government prepares its Report on EU Policy to be submitted to Parliament early in 2021.

The discussion began with an introduction by Elina Bardram, Head of the International Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action. The topics on the agenda for the October European Council are the COVID-19 pandemic, the future relationship between the EU and the UK, climate change and

G20 Religious Values Forum virtually holds three debate sessions TL Bureau, Riyadh

Participants in the three discussion sessions of the Religious Values Forum held here yesterday confirmed the importance of facing the hatred address and called for differentiation between such concept and the values of freedom of expression.

The Religious Values Forum for G20 for the year 2020 organized by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Dialogue among followers of religions and cultures and the alliance of international partners kicked off through video conference with a public session followed by three simultaneous debate sessions focussing on the role of religion in peace-building, contribution to preventing and solving disputes, cultural heritage and humanitarian dignity and sustainable development and human trade and modern slavery.

external relations.

Finland supports measures aimed at improving the epidemiological situation with regard to COVID-19 in Europe and would like to see close cooperation in the development and distribution of a vaccine.

In Finland’s view, the EU should remain united as it continues its discussions with the UK. Finland supports the Commission’s proposal to raise the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target from at least 40 per cent to at least 55 per cent compared to the 1990 levels. Finland emphasises that the target must be in line with the climate neutrality target agreed for 2050. In Finland’s view, it is important that decisions on raising the EU’s 2030 target be made as soon as possible so that the EU can report its increased target to the UN by the end of the year.

Finland considers it important to develop the EU-Africa partnership and, in particular, to strengthen political and economic relations.

The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs made further specifications to Finland’s positions outlined in June concerning the reform of the EU’s immigration and asylum policy.

Border Force seizes 30 kilos of cocaine at Dover

Border Force officers have prevented an attempt to smuggle cocaine into the UK hidden in a lorry carrying a load of furniture.

TL Bureau, London

The seizure was made on Sunday, 11 October, when officers stopped a Lithuanian registered lorry at Dover’s Eastern Docks.

They searched the vehicle and found an estimated 25 kilos of cocaine in a box which had been hidden amongst the furniture, and a further five kilos in the vehicle’s cab. The drugs had a potential street value of around £2.5 million and the investigation was referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Chris Philp, Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, said: Class A drugs like cocaine destroy lives so I’m very pleased this seizure has been made as it has prevented this lethal cargo from reaching our streets.

Working with our partners at the NCA we will continue to do all

Border Force seizes 30 kilos of cocaine at Dover we can to arrest and prosecute those involved in drug smuggling.

We are also grateful for the ongoing close cooperation we have with the Lithuanian authorities in tackling serious crime.

Lithuanian national Ernestas Urbonas, 27, of no fixed UK address, was charged with the attempted importation of a Class A drug. He appeared at Maidstone

Saudi Arabia Inaugurates First Home-Made HSI32 Speed Interceptor Boat System and First Floating Dock 2 Dammam

TL Bureau, Riyadh

On this occasion, the Governor of the Public Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Eng. Ahmed Al-Ohali, highly commended the unlimited support and care of the wise leadership which has devoted all capabilities and resources to support this promising sector, pointing out that the manufacturing and localization of HSI32 system comes within the framework of the strategy of GAMI in achieving national priorities, setting up legislation for establishing military

industrialization contracts, supporting and empowering local manufacturers and developing promising local companies to be pioneering companies in addition to supporting major national companies to strengthen their global position.

Admiral Al-Ohali indicated that the localization of the manufacturing of such systems comes as confirmation of the Authority’s determination to move forward towards achieving its first strategic goal, which is to localize more than 50% of the Kingdom’s spending on

military equipment and services, in addition to expanding the scope and impact of current capabilities by 2030.

He concluded his speech by thanking and appreciating the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces for his support and assistance that effectively contributed to the inauguration of the first home-made HSI32 speed interceptor boat, which came as a culmination of the wise leadership’s interest and keenness on the development and localization the industry of military machinery and equipment in the Kingdom.

which the country has access, including both vaccines based on inactivated viruses and viral vectors, as well as more modern and flexible technologies.

During the conference, the secretary presented details of each of the agreements. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines must be given in two doses. The agreement signed with AstraZeneca is for 77.4 million doses that would be available between March and August 2021.

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Magistrates Court yesterday (13 October) and was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on 9 November.

Border Force officers use hitech search equipment to combat immigration crime and detect banned and restricted goods that smugglers attempt to bring into the country.

Middle East and North Africa: a new strategy in Swiss foreign policy TL Bureau, Bern

For the first time the Federal Council today adopted a strategy for the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

This provides a framework for all Swiss foreign policy activities in the MENA region during the 2021–2024 period. The strategy builds on Switzerland’s longstanding commitment to conflict prevention, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. It also identifies opportunities for Swiss businesses, seeks to harness the potential of a well-trained young workforce and promotes digitalisation and new technologies.

Mexico Ensures Vaccine for more Release of the Hong Kong than 100 Million Mexicans Autonomy Act Report

TL Bureau, Mexico City

In the framework of the press conference led by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, reported on the progress in Mexico’s strategy to guarantee universal access and fair prices to the vaccine against COVID- 19.

This week, the Government of Mexico signed three prepurchase contracts with three pharmaceutical

companies to acquire sufficient doses of vaccines to cover up to 116 million Mexicans. The Secretary of Foreign Relations reported that the three pre-purchase agreements signed with the pharmaceutical companies could cover a range of between 81.4 and 90.9 million people. These agreements meet the search criteria for low-risk section mechanisms and protect Mexico from price increases due to excess demand. In addition, they diversify the portfolio to

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has systematically dismantled the autonomy that Beijing promised to the Hong Kong people and the world in a UN-registered treaty.

Through the imposition of the National Security Law, the CCP has crippled democratic institutions, human rights, judicial independence, and individual freedoms in Hong Kong. The United States

has publicly condemned an increasing number of problematic actions taken by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to stifle dissent and eviscerate Hong Kong’s autonomy. These include the installation of a mainland security agency, mass arrests of peaceful protestors, the politically motivated delay of the September 2020 Legislative Council elections, and the capture and detention of Hong Kong democratic activists attempting to leave Hong Kong.

4 FSO - Producer and Import Price Index fell in August 2020 by 0.4% TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

The Producer and Import Price Index fell in August 2020 by 0.4% compared with the previous month, reaching 97.9 points (December 2015 = 100). This decline was due in particular to lower prices for chemical and pharmaceutical products. Compared with August 2019, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 3.5%. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

India’s Tally of Coronavirus Infections Nears 5 Million TL Bureau, New Delhi

India reported 83,809 new coronavirus infections for its lowest daily jump in a week, the health ministry said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The world’s second-most populous nation appeared to be on course to cross the milestone of 5 million cases on Wednesday, as its tally of 4.93 million is just 70,000 short.

India, where cases have been rising faster than any other nation, lags only the United States in terms of its number of total infections.

The death toll crossed 80,000 on Tuesday, swelled by 1,054 in the last 24 hours, the ministry added.

world

Joint Incidents Assessment Team Issues Statement Regarding Allegations against Coalition Forces 4

TL Bureau, Marib

With regard to the statement of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, entitled (An attack on hospitals caused the reduction of health services provided to thousands of displaced people in Marib), issued on (10/02/2020), where initial reports indicate that (Al-Jafrah hospital) and the (Saudi Field hospital) in (Mjzar) directorate of (Marib) governorate were hit on (07/02/2020) during the clashes, the two hospitals are serving (15,000) people, many of whom are displaced, the two hospitals are located (75) km northwest of (Marib) city.

The JIAT vetted the incident, and reviewed all documents,

including procedures and rules of engagement, daily mission schedule, after mission report, satellite images, open sources, provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law and its customary rules, and assessment of evidences, JIAT found that (Al-Jafrah hospital) and (Saudi Field hospital) are located in (Mjzar) directorate of (Marib) governorate, on the main road linking (Marib) governorate and (Sana’a) governorate, and they are on the Coalition Forces No Strike List (NSL), by reviewing all air missions carried out on the date of the claim (07/02/2020), JIAT found that the Coalition Forces carried out an air mission on an (armed vehicle) in a remote area

Jordanian Foreign Ministry Condemns Israel’s Plans to Build New Settlement Units TL Bureau, Amman

Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned on Wednesday approval of the Israeli authorities to build thousands of housing units in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The ministry’s spokesperson Dhaifallah Fayez, affirmed Jordan’s rejection of the Israeli settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territories breaching of

international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The official stressed the need to stop all settlement practices, whether in the form of construction, expansion or confiscation of lands, in accordance with Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

Fayez called on the international community to take “decisive” stances to pressure Israel to stop its practices that undermine peace efforts and opportunities.

result of the corona pandemic.

Better and safer roads To contribute to safer and better daily travel for those who drive, cycle and walk, the government proposes to allocate in excess of NOK 36 billion for road purposes in 2021. “Norway depends strongly on the road network and we are maintaining the tempo of road building. Many major road projects are already under construction. With the budget proposal, there will be full progress in these developments nationwide. Ongoing and future construction work will create more jobs and thus ensure that we have a robust foundation for future development”, says the Minister of Transport.

The government also proposes to allocate funds for preparatory work and potential construction start-up on several state highway sections in 2021: E18 LysakerRamstadsletta, national road 4 Roa-Gran border, E39 MyrmelLunde, E39 Lønset-Hjelset and the crawler lane on E39 Ørskogfjellet. In addition, the following projects in Nye Veier’s portfolio may commence: E6

Kvænangsfjellet, E6 KvithammerÅsen, E6 Ulsberg-Vindåsliene, E6 Moelv-Roterud, E6 RoterudStorhove, E6 Storhove-Øyer and E39 Herdal-Røyskår. 2021 will be another year with a reduction in the maintenance backlog on national roads. One key factor in achieving this is the prioritisation of improvements to many tunnels nationwide. “The sum of many measures is making our roads increasingly safer. Our aim is to ensure safety when travelling and our vision of zero deaths and seriously injured is an important goal for us”, says Hareide.

The government is also following up the toll road agreement from 2019, and proposes to set aside more than NOK 1.4 billion to reduce tolls in several projects.

This greatly benefits motorists.

The county councils are responsible for the county roads, but county roads carrying particularly heavy commercial transport are of national interest. Therefore, in 2021 the government also proposes to allocate NOK 100 million for the subsidy scheme for county roads that are vital to commercial transport.

80 billion kroner to improved transport nationwide

TL Bureau, Oslo

“The government’s transport policy binds the nation and its citizens closer together. We are building roads and railways at a rapid pace, which helps to create jobs. This is important at a time when we are striving to bring Norway out of the corona crisis. With investments both in new projects and the maintenance of existing infrastructure, we are ensuring that Norway is safer, better and more environmentally friendly.

In the national budget for 2021, we once again emphasise that the transport sector is important to this government. We are in the process of creating a greener future and helping people to get back to work”, says Minister of Transport Knut Arild Hareide.

The government proposes to approve in the region of NOK 80 billion for transport purposes in 2021. This is an increase of almost 8 per cent compared with the budget that was adopted for 2020, i.e. prior to that, Stortinget has on several occasions approved funds for transport measures in the state budget for 2020 as a

in (Mjzar) directorate of (Marib) governorate, using one guided bomb that hit its target, and that the military target was (8.3) km away from (Al-Jafrah hospital) and the (Saudi Field hospital).

After studying the daily mission schedule for the Coalition Forces air operations for the day before and the day after the date of the claim, JIAT found the following: On (06/02/2020), the day before the date of the claim, the closest air mission carried out by the Coalition Forces was on a military target located in (Mjzar) directorate of (Marib) governorate, (8.6) km away from the claimed site.

On (08/02/2020), the day after the date in the claim, the closest air mission carried out by the Coalition

Forces was on a military target located in (Naham) directorate of (Sana’a) governorate, (16) km away from the claimed site.

By analyzing the satellite images, JIAT found that there were no traces of air targeting effects on (Al-Jafrah hospital) and the (Saudi Field hospital), and by analysis of the videos and images from open sources, showed that the damage on (Al-Jafrah hospital) and the (Saudi Field hospital) did not indicate that they were caused by air strikes.

In light of that, JIAT concluded that the Coalition Forces were not responsible for the strikes on (AlJafrah hospital) and the (Saudi Field hospital) on (07/02/2020) in (Mjzar) directorate of (Marib) governorate as reported by the claim.

Designation of a United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I am pleased to announce the concurrent designation of Assistant Secretary Robert A. Destro of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to serve as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act, Special Coordinator Destro will lead U.S. efforts to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected.

He also will support U.S. efforts to address the humanitarian needs of Tibetan refugees and to promote sustainable

economic development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities on the plateau.

The United States remains concerned with the PRC’s repression of the Tibetan community, including the lack of meaningful autonomy, the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas, and severe restrictions on Tibetans’ religious freedom and cultural traditions within China.

Special Coordinator Destro will engage Tibetan leaders and international partners and experts to address these issues.

He also will carry forward the Department’s engagement with and support for Tibet’s global diaspora and their many courageous advocates for the protection of human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.

Hannu Mäkinen appointed to develop a model for employing people with partial work ability

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The task is to define the content of the model for employing people with partial work ability in Finland and how the operations are to be organised and funded. The aim is to improve the opportunities of people with partial work ability and other persons who are in a difficult position to find employment. Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen has appointed Director General of Finnish Customs Hannu Mäkinen to explore the matter.

In the autumn budget session, the Government decided on

actions to build a Finnish model for employment in the intermediate labour market.

The model to be developed will be based on the good experiences from Sweden’s Samhall company and the results of the Finnish job bank experiment. “We should be able to make even better use of the skills and expertise of all people in the labour market.

The aim of the work that is now getting started is to construct a concrete operating model that will facilitate the employment of people with partial work ability,” Minister Haatainen says.

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australia

National Hells Angels Outlaw Western Sydney man Motorcycle Gang Disruption Operation arrested over gun

TL Bureau, Sydney

A national joint operation to target and disrupt the criminal activities of members and associates of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang has resulted in 24 people being charged with dozens of offences across Australia.

The operation, coordinated by National Task Force Morpheus, involved police and other government agencies and partners from across Australia and New Zealand joining forces yesterday, Wednesday 14 October 2020, to conduct a series of 28 coordinated search warrants and disruption activities targeting the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Yesterday’s activity involved the following law enforcement agencies: Australian Federal Police Australian Border Force Western Australia Police Force Northern Territory Police Queensland Police Service South Australia Police Victoria Police New South Wales Police Force The results resulted in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, cash and drugs. The drugs included methylamphetamine, cocaine, steroids and 30L of GHB. In addition, one clandestine drug lab and a hydroponic setup were

located indicating the cultivation and manufacture of drugs was taking place.

In addition to the arrests and seizures made yesterday, valuable intelligence was gained which will be shared with all law enforcement agencies through the Australian Criminal and Intelligence Commission’s Australian Gangs Intelligence Coordination Centre.

Detective Superintendent Tony Longhorn, WA Police Force’s representative on National Task Force Morpheus, and spokesperson for yesterday’s national operation, said the coordination of activities across jurisdictions is a critical aspect of investigations and intelligence gathering.

“Outlaw motorcycle gangs use their networks of chapters across the country, and across the world, to facilitate a range of criminal activities including the activities linked to the illicit drug and firearm trades. “By working together across national and international borders we gather important intelligence to assist with targeted disruption activities and build our intelligence holdings to support current and future investigations.

“The Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in particular has a long history of violence and intimidation, and have strong links to other Serious & Organised

ABF warns against importing kava through post

Crime Groups, not just in Australia but across the world through their overseas Chapters.

“The members of National Task Force Morpheus are committed to disrupting and dismantling the criminal networks linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs and will do everything within their powers to protect the community from the dangers outlaw motorcycle gangs pose.”

Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gangs Squad Detective Acting Superintendent Jason McArthur said Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are violent, well-organised criminal networks that have zero respect for the law and regard themselves as above it.

“They are not families or a ‘brotherhood’. The Hells Angels – like every other bikie gang – is trying to recruit new members and associates only to facilitate its criminal ventures and make money,” he said. “Outlaw motorcycle gangs’ operations are not restricted by state or international borders, which is why the AFP established the National Anti-Gangs Squad with state and territory police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, to work with all of our partners in a coordinated approach to fight gang-related crime.

and drug imports

A 48-year-old Sydney man has been charged over the importation of AR-15 rifle parts and methamphetamine into Australia through the postal system.

The man was arrested at his Merrylands home yesterday morning (14 October 2020) as part of a joint agency investigation launched in February 2020 when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a package from the United States. The package contained pieces for an AR15 firearm concealed inside a Bluetooth speaker.

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team began an investigation into the importation due to potential links to people of interest with extremist ideology. The

investigation ultimately identified a number of people of interest with suspected links to organised crime.

On 9 April 2020, the ABF examined a consignment containing an air compressor and found approximately 495 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside. This concealment was found to be linked to the NSW JCTT Investigation into the AR15 parts.

A 33-year-old Georges Hall man was arrested on 30 April 2020 over his alleged involvement in the methamphetamine seizure.

He was charged with importing a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs and is next scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court on 18 November 2020.

seized for further digital forensic analysis.

The man was arrested and charged with: Two counts of possess or control child abuse material obtained or accessed busing a carriage service contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth); and Three counts of use carriage service to transmit child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

The potential maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.

Detective Superintendent Ben McQuillan said the AFP is committed to

tracking down and charging perpetrators who exploit vulnerable children.

“Child sex abuse offences committed online have real life consequences.

Every time these images are viewed and shared, children are harmed. The AFP will continue to focus on the protection of children both nationally and internationally from anyone seeking to view this horrific abuse material,” Detective Superintendent McQuillan said.

“We are working tirelessly to protect these children and bring the offenders to justice.”

TL Bureau, Sydney

New Zealand national charged over alleged child abuse material offences TL Bureau, Wollongong

TL Bureau, Sydney The Australian Border Force (ABF) has seen an increase in the amount of kava being sent through the mail, since regular international flights stopped arriving in Australia in March.

Kava is a plant traditionally used for therapeutic and recreational purposes by certain cultures, however importing it through the post or by air cargo without a permit is prohibited.

ABF officers at Australia’s international mail centres have made a significant increase in kava detections since the Australian border was closed. In January and February 2020, 58 detections of kava were made at the Australian border, weighing a total of 67 kg.

In July and August, that number increased to 739 detections, weighing a total of 2.2 tonnes.

Importing Kava through the post

is prohibited without a permit.

However adults are permitted to bring up to 4 kg of kava root or dried kava in their baggage when flying into Australia or arriving by ship. Taking kava into the Northern Territory or Western Australia is not allowed regardless of how it’s imported.

ABF Port Operations Commander Leo Lahey said the rules on importing kava have not changed as a result of COVID-19.

“When regular international flights stopped coming into Australia, the ABF started to see an increase in the amount of kava sent through the post,” Commander Lahey said.

“People need to be aware if they try to send any amount of kava through the mail, without a permit, it will be seized and destroyed.”

Anyone importing kava without the relevant permission or licence could also face a fine of up to $525,000 or 10 years in prison.

A 50-year-old New Zealand national accused of downloading and transmitting Child Abuse Material (CAM) is expected to face Wollongong Local Court today after an Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation.

The AFP began an investigation after receiving a referral from the United States based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children that an internet user believed to be based in Australia had accessed CAM using a Google account.

Investigations by the AFP Eastern Command Child Protection Operations team identified a 50-year-old man living in Wollongong, was suspected to be using social media applications such as Facebook, Telegram, Wikr and Whatsapp to send and receive hundreds of videos and images of children being sexually abused.

AFP investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s home in the Wollongong suburb of Windang yesterday.

Two mobile phones were

6

Pacific trade and development agreement a reality TL Bureau Wellington

Pacific regional trade and development agreement PACER Plus will enter into force in 60 days now that the required eight countries have ratified it.

Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker welcomed the announcement that the Cook Islands is the eighth nation to ratify this landmark agreement.

“The agreement represents a deepening of New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific and reflects our enduring commitment to the region.

“It recognises the unique challenges that some of our Pacific partners face in international trade caused by their relative size, distance from markets and high cost structures.”

Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and New Zealand have now ratified.

The remaining signatories that are yet to ratify are Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. “PACER Plus will make trade easier for signatories to the agreement, which will grow jobs, boost sustainable economic growth and contribute to a safer and more prosperous Pacific,” David Parker said.

“It will also provide greater certainty for New Zealand businesses trading with the Pacific.

“The fact that four of our Pacific partners completed their ratification in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the value they also see in this agreement.

“PACER Plus is a further demonstration of our region’s

New protection for Tasman Bay marine reserves TL Bureau, Wellington

The measures will help deter and detect any illegal fishing in Horoirangi Marine Reserve, between Glenduan and Cable Bay, and Tonga Island Marine Reserve off Abel Tasman National Park.The marine reserve ranger’s role also includes increasing education about the marine reserves and overseeing scientific monitoring of them.

Signs are being erected at Nelson Marina, Glenduan and Cable Bay to remind people there is a camera keeping watch on Horoirangi Marine Reserve and that fishing is not allowed inside it. DOC Motueka Operations Manager Chris Golding says it’s preferable to deter people from illegal activity in the first place rather than to catch them at it.“Horoirangi and Tonga Island marine reserves are treasures of marine life. No taking of marine life is allowed in marine reserves and this enables the marine

ecosystems to return to a more natural state and marine species within them to become more abundant. “The camera on Horoirangi Marine Reserve will increase our ability to identify offenders and gather evidence when illegal activity occurs.

“It’s been found that cameras at other marine reserves have proved a deterrent to illegal activity.

Reports of suspected illegal fishing in Kāpiti Marine Reserve declined after a camera was installed in 2018, having peaked the year before. “We appreciate the help we get from the public in reporting sightings of people illegally fishing within the reserves and we ask them to still call us on 0800 DOCHOT/0800 36 24 68 if they see illegal activity.”

Anyone who breaks the rules in marine reserves can now face fines through infringement notices, an additional enforcement measure to DOC’s existing tools of warning letters and prosecution.

commitment to open, rules-based trade that is crucial to help the region and the world recover from the economic impact of the pandemic,” David Parker said.

A key part of the agreement is a commitment to help better position Pacific countries to engage in international trade.

“The Development and Economic Cooperation package built into the agreement is designed to build the necessary resources and capability,” David Parker said.

New Zealand commits to ensuring that 20 per cent of Overseas Development Aid (ODA) through the New Zealand Aid programme is allocated to Aid for Trade activities. New trade-related development opportunities will be developed in partnership with Pacific countries.

COVID-19 throws spotlight on allied health, as World Allied Health Professionals Day celebrated TL Bureau, Wellington

New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 has seen thousands of health professionals across the country working tirelessly to help minimise and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Today is World Allied Health Professionals day – a chance to celebrate the people working across the at least 43 professions that make up the allied health, scientific and technical workforce in New Zealand.

Today’s also a chance to raise awareness of how these professions contribute to New Zealand’s health and disability sector. The day has its origins in the United Kingdom after a dietician and speech therapist first had the idea and has since been taken up as an international day of recognition and appreciation.

NZ AND OTHER OCEANIA

Major works completed on Kaikoura Inland Road (Route 70)

TL Bureau, Wellington Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) alliance have completed the major earthquake repairs on the Inland Road (Route 70).

Over 50 slips occurred on the Inland Road, and seven bridges were damaged in the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.

The repair works consisted of 20 projects to restore the Inland Road back to pre-earthquake standard, including repairing bridges, culverts and retaining walls, as well as two major earthwork projects.

Colin Knaggs, Owner Interface Manager, Waka Kotahi says the completion of this work takes the team one step closer to completing the Kaikōura region’s recovery and improvements work.

“Completing our work on the Inland Road is a huge milestone for us and the community. We reopened the road in December 2016 to make Kaikōura accessible after repairing initial damage. Then in July 2019 we started focusing on making permanent and more resilient repairs.”

Project works included the following: A new reinforced concrete bridge was built over the Wandle River to replace the original bridge which was damaged beyond repair during the earthquake. The rebuild took

four months, using a total of 290 cubic metres of concrete, 10 bridge beams, and piles drilled up to 24 metres deep. Six other bridges had repairs to their abutments, beams, piers, shear keys, expansion joints, piles and approaches.

The road was realigned at Lulus bend and built up 1.5m higher than the original level to protect the road from flooding from the Mason River.

Other sections of the road were vulnerable to further slips, so retaining walls and rockfall protection have been installed.

The team celebrated the completion of works with a community BBQ in Waiau to thank locals for their support. It was attended by the Mayor of Hurunui Marie Black, CEO of Hurunui District Council Hamish Dobbie and Councillors Nicky Anderson and Ross Barnes.

Waiau School performed a waiata.

Waiau is where the final major bridge repair was recently completed. Several bridge piers were damaged in the earthquake, and the bridge has been under repair with various day and night closures since November 2019.

One minor job remains, to improve the fish passage at Little Linton Creek. This will be completed at the end of November and there will be minimal traffic impact. The local roading maintenance contractor will complete the sealing over the Summer months when conditions are optimal.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set a new permanent speed limit on SH6, through Luggate, Otago, to take effect in a month’s time.

TL Bureau, Wellington

The speed limit through Luggate township at each end will drop from 70km/h to 50km/h connecting with the existing 50km/h existing limit through the middle of the town.

This change will be in force from Friday, 13 November.

The current 70km/h limits at either end are being replaced with the safer speed 50km/h limit through the whole town, slowing traffic over a much wider area (see map below). The additional areas of highway dropping to 50 km/hour through Luggate – 450 metres at the northern, Wanaka side and 350 metres on the southern, Cromwell approach. Luggate, 15 km east of

Wanaka, has expanded residential developments in recent years as the popularity of Queenstown Lakes District and Wanaka has fuelled growth in the district’s small towns.

In 2018, the average daily vehicle count was 2,600 per day, up 40% on four years earlier. Many drivers also travel to and from Wanaka from Cromwell. Waka Kotahi consulted with the community and transport partners at the end of 2019 on the proposed Luggate speed review, with 60 submissions received.

The new speed limit aims to improve safety and prevent needless deaths and serious injuries, says Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships, Jim Harland.

“No crash resulting in death or

serious injury is acceptable, so it’s important we take every opportunity to address the risk. Fewer crashes will also mean fewer closures, which will increase the reliability of this important transport route,” Mr Harland says.

Queenstown Lakes District Deputy Mayor and Wanaka resident Callum McLeod said it was a splendid outcome.

“The Luggate community have been working with Waka Kotahi towards this goal for many years. Luggate is predominately a residential, family friendly settlement. Extending the 50 km/h zone will undoubtedly improve safety. I am delighted to say a huge thank you to the NZ Transport Agency on their behalf.”

7

BUSINESS

Digital Business Plan Big or small, delay will help create jobs hurts us all

TL Bureau, Canberra

The Federal Government’s Digital Business Plan will help to create the jobs Australia needs and will set us on a stronger course for the recovery out of COVID-19, ACCI’s Chief Economist Ross Lambie said.

“COVID has accelerated the pace and scale of digitalisation of the economy – we have been thrust into a new era of digital growth years ahead of what would have normally been the case,” Dr Lambie said.

“This country needs a wave of digitally savvy Aussie SMEs to create high-tech jobs and kick start investment in emerging technologies.

“Today’s $800 million investment is in response to overwhelming evidence that we needed a comprehensive plan to help Australian entrepreneurs pursue digitally-driven growth and have the confidence to transform their business model and thrive via an online community.”

ACCI’s initial Business Conditions Survey, taken at the outset of the COVID-19 restrictions, showed that about a third of businesses had

TL Bureau, Canberra/ Melbourne

quickly responded by expanding their online presence.

The ABS Business Impacts of COVID survey (September 24) found 20 per cent of businesses that changed to online delivery expected to continue with the changes after COVID. “We also need to let go of the past ways of doing things and embrace more efficient, less costly processes such as moving to e-invoicing, virtual meetings and executing documents electronically.

“There is a lack of awareness of the productivity and profitability gains that can be achieved through the adoption of digital technologies such as online sales, new payment technologies and social media.

Expansion of the Australian Small Business Advisory Service – Digital Solutions program, and a Digital Readiness Assessment tool and Digital Directors training package will help small businesses seize greater opportunities to grow and employ more people.

Efficient infrastructure key to Asian economy beyond the COVID-19 crisis Stocks

TL Bureau, Canberra

Efficient infrastructure is integral to rebuilding the economy beyond the pandemic but cannot come by excessively focussing on the needs of infrastructure owners at the expense of the users, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said today.

Mr Sims was speaking at the Australian Financial Review’s National Infrastructure Summit on competition issues in infrastructure and changes since COVID-19.

Infrastructure issues addressed in the speech included the competitiveness of the NBN, energy affordability and disruption to the airline industry. ”The final roll out of the NBN could not have been more timely as so many families and businesses moved from physical to virtual workplaces and became wholly dependent on their broadband connections,” Mr Sims said.

“Australia’s broadband infrastructure has been seriously tested during the pandemic and our most recent Measuring Broadband Australia data shows that average NBN speeds haven’t missed a beat.

It has allowed so many of us to go to work and school, or just stay in touch with family, without leaving the house.” “The arrival of 5G networks will bring a new and very welcome source of competition with both mobile and fixed-location

broadband connections and should certainly be encouraged,” Mr Sims said.

“Rather than be guided by any sense of protecting the asset value of the NBN, we need to promote competition wherever possible and see Australians with the most efficient possible high speed broadband,” Mr Sims said.

“This is why the NBN was built.”

Mr Sims also said that electricity prices are high nationally and affordability continues to be a key concern for Australian households and businesses.

“It is imperative we don’t let the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic result in further market concentration, and we want to see the current substantial reductions in wholesale market prices being passed on to consumers,” Mr Sims said.“Past over-investment in some state-owned networks was driven by an increase in network reliability standards and inadequate regulatory rules. The associated costs are estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars and customers in those states continue to pay for it.”

“As our electricity transmission system is redesigned to address reliability and sustainability concerns, we cannot lose sight of affordability as increased costs will be passed onto consumers,” Mr Sims said.

Fall

TL Bureau, Tokyo Asian stocks followed Wall Street lower on Thursday.

Benchmarks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul declined, while Shanghai advanced, AP reported.

The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo fell 0.5% to 23,510.15 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 1.1% to 24,387.54. The Shanghai Composite Index gained less than 0.1% to 3,343.42.

The Kospi in Seoul shed 1% to 2,356.81. In Sydney, the S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.6% to 6,218.00 while India’s Sensex opened down 0.4% at 40,642.27. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets declined.

In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 3 cents to $41.07 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 2 cents to $43.34 per barrel in London.

The dollar gained to 105.25 yen from Wednesday’s 105.15 yen.

The euro gained to $1.1755 from $1.1753.

The BCA and COSBOA have today urged the Victorian government to bring forward the plan and timetable to open up, saying lockdowns and border closures are causing massive economic and social damage.

“Extreme lockdowns and border closures are papering over the urgent need for a workable plan to live safely with this virus,’’ Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We all recognise that in the long run there can be no tradeoff between health, social and economic recovery, but our strategy must deliver on all fronts, or it will fail.

“Victoria needs to lead and bring forward its timetable to open up so people can get on with their lives and learn to live safely side-by-side with the virus.

“We need a faster and more certain timetable so everyone can plan, it’s simply not viable for many people and businesses for Victoria to remain mothballed indefinitely and cut off from the rest of the country.

“NSW’s different approach to managing and living alongside the virus has balanced the health and economic imperatives.

“This means schools are open so kids can continue their education and their parents can work, small businesses can make plans for the busy Christmas period and people can visit their family and friends.

“With Victorian infection numbers stabilising to a level similar to NSW, people are entitled to ask, ‘why isn’t Victoria doing the same?’

“Every day of delay and ongoing restrictions only deepens the devastating social and economic harm Victorians are experiencing.

“The fallout in Victoria from the second wave has left it in a worse place than after the first wave. Today’s data show 120,000 Victorians have either lost a job or been stood down with no work since early July,’’ Ms Westacott said. Council of Small Business Organisations Australia chief executive officer Peter Strong said: “The theoretical daily infection rate

threshold which has been developed by computer models ignores the dire human and economic impacts of prolonged restrictions.

“Delaying – instead of accelerating – plans to relax restrictions would further undermine public confidence.

“We are calling on all states to publicly spell out robust plans for how they will manage this virus going forward while allowing people to get on with their lives. “This means having secure hotel quarantine systems, adequate monitoring of self-isolation, effective and reliable digital tracking and tracing to contain outbreaks locally, and a proper and dignified system for people in aged care and vulnerable situations,’’ Mr Strong said.

Ms Westacott and Mr Strong said: “Business has COVIDsafe plans in place and stands ready to work further with governments on any measures needed to protect the community including enhanced digital tracking and tracing.

“We must all remain vigilant on social distancing and hygiene because complacency is our enemy,’’ they said.

Ms Westacott added: “Lockdowns were necessary in the early stages of the virus because they gave us time to build capacity in our hospitals, stock up on vital health equipment such as masks and sanitiser, and put testing and contact tracing regimes in place.

“Now, they produce a false sense of security and a lack of preparedness to live side by side with the virus.

“Mental health, domestic violence and social issues in Victoria have risen steeply and some children haven’t been to school since March. This is especially acute for disadvantaged students without adequate access to technology,’’ she said. Mr Strong said: “Small and family-owned businesses need certainty to plan for Christmas, their busiest trading period of the year.

“They deserve to know now if they will be able to open up their doors and given time to stock up their inventory.’’ “Failure to implement a staged reopening of the Victorian economy from this Sunday will result in many small and family businesses in Victoria being forced to close their doors permanently - even before the Christmas trading season begins,’’ Mr Strong said.

8

FEATURE

WHO: Global TB progress at risk

TL Bureau, GENEVA

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries were making steady progress in tackling tuberculosis (TB), with a 9% reduction in incidence seen between 2015 and 2019 and a 14% drop in deaths in the same period. High-level political commitments at global and national levels were delivering results. However, a new report from WHO shows that access to TB services remains a challenge, and that global targets for prevention and treatment will likely be missed without urgent action and investments.

Approximately 1.4 million people died from TB-related illnesses in 2019. Of the estimated 10 million people who developed TB that year, some 3 million were not diagnosed with the disease, or

were not officially reported to national authorities.

The situation is even more acute for people with drugresistant TB. About 465 000 people were newly diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in 2019 and, of these, less than 40% were able to access treatment.

There has also been limited progress in scaling up access to treatment to prevent TB. “Equitable access to quality and timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care remains a challenge,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “Accelerated action is urgently needed worldwide if we are to meet our targets by 2022.”

About 14 million people were treated for TB in the period 2018-2019, just over onethird of the way towards the 5-year target (2018-2022) of 40 million, according to the

report. Some 6.3 million people started TB preventive treatment in 2018-2019, about one-fifth of the way towards the 5-year target of 30 million. Funding is a major issue. In 2020, funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care reached US$ 6.5 billion, representing only half of the US$ 13 billion target agreed by world leaders in the UN Political Declaration on TB. The COVID-19 pandemic and TB Disruptions in services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further setbacks.

In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from TB to the COVID-19 response.

Data collection and reporting systems have also been negatively impacted. According to the new report, data collated from over 200 countries has shown significant reductions

in TB case notifications, with 25-30% drops reported in 3 high burden countries – India, Indonesia, the Philippines – between January and June 2020 compared to the same 6-month period in 2019.

These reductions in case notifications could lead to a dramatic increase in additional TB deaths, according to WHO modelling.In line with WHO guidance, countries have taken measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on essential TB services, including by strengthening infection control. A total of 108 countries – including 21 countries with a high TB burden – have expanded the use of digital technologies to provide remote advice and support. To reduce the need for visits to health facilities, many countries are encouraging home-based treatment, all-oral treatments

for people with drug-resistant TB, provision of TB preventive treatment, and ensuring people with TB maintain an adequate supply of drugs.“In the face of the pandemic, countries, civil society and other partners have joined forces to ensure that essential services for both TB and COVID-19 are maintained for those in need,” said Dr Tereza Kaseva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “These efforts are vital to strengthen health systems, ensure health for all, and save lives.”A recent progress report from the UN Secretary General outlines 10 priority actions for Member States and other stakeholders to close gaps in TB care, financing and research, as well as advance multisectoral action and accountability, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

9 things to know about election polling data, according to Stanford pollster David Brady

Stanford political scientist David Brady discusses the lessons pollsters learned in the 2016 election and what to know about tracking election forecasts in 2020.

By : Melissa De Witte In Samford University Homewood

As the U.S. general election draws closer, a topic of heated discussion is the latest polling data – which came under scrutiny in 2016 after so many polls failed to accurately predict the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Where did pollsters go wrong in 2016 and what are they doing differently in 2020? Here, Stanford political scientist David Brady spoke with Stanford News Service about some of the lessons learned in 2016 and what to know about tracking election forecasts – including why it might be more useful to look at data from battleground states to get a better picture of an election’s outcome rather than focusing on national polls that only reflect the popular vote, not how the Electoral College will ultimately decide who is the victor of the presidential race.

Brady is a professor of political economy, emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

He has contributed regularly for Real Clear Politics, a nonpartisan website that aggregates data from national and state polls.

Below are nine takeaways from Brady about election polls.

Different polls can show different results.

“Polls can vary widely,” said Brady.

“One way to look at polls is to turn to something like the Real Clear Politics

David Brady (Image credit: L.A. Cicero) average, which takes the average of eight or nine different polls that they believe to have some level of accuracy and integrity.

This can help average out the mistakes.”

Polls can be biased.

“Sometimes polls can also skew to the left or the right – like the Rasmussen Reportfor example,” said Brady. “But sometimes those polls can have value. If Rasmussen has Biden up by nine points, that tells you something.”

Polls don’t predict voter turnout.

“One thing polls are unable to accurately measure is voter turnout,” Brady said.

“Another key variable is voter turnout.

We don’t have great turnout models and nobody has solved this problem. There are a lot of ways to try to do that. For example, you can ask people if they are registered to vote but more people say they are registered than actually are.

“Readers need to look carefully at how many people did the poll sample and is it a sample of registered voters or is it likely voters? Then you have to dig pretty deep to see how the poll defined likely

voters versus and so on – and that gets complicated.”

Who is sampled matters.

Sometimes, a poll’s sample is incorrectly “weighted” – in other words, the demographics of the voting population was not reflected in the pool of people surveyed.

“The biggest problem in 2016 was the weighting of the education variable,” Brady said. “In the past, the less welleducated voted Democratic but in the 2016 and 2018 elections, as they are in 2020, that group of voters is supporting President Trump. They were not weighted properly, in other words, we didn’t have enough of them.”

When people are polled also matters.

“Another mistake made in 2016 is when you do a telephone poll right after an event like a [presidential] debate, the people who are most likely to answer the call are people who thought their candidate did very well and that skews the distribution.”

Also important: the number of people polled. “Readers need to look carefully at how many people did the poll sample,” Brady said. “Here too, people will need to look at how polls define the voters they interviewed.”

It usually takes a few days to gather data and interpret polling results.

Another consideration is the time it takes to generate meaningful data.

“At the Presidential Debate [Sept. 29], there were only two polls that came out that night, both of which were fairly reasonable. But generally, it takes three to five days – sometimes a week depending

on when you get the poll up – before you get the full effect of the debate,” Brady said.

National polls do not necessarily reflect how the Electoral College – the formal body that elects the President and Vice President of the United States – will unfold.

While Donald Trump lost the popular vote to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016, he won more seats from the Electoral College that actually determines the election’s outcome. National polls typically do not fully reflect this process in close elections like 2000 and 2016, Brady said. “If it’s a national sample, then it’s just the national vote that the poll is predicting. For example, in 2016, the Doug Rivers’ YouGov polls said Hilary Clinton would win by 2.7 percent and that was about what she won [2.1 percent] by. So, the polls were very close – the difference was the Electoral College.”

To better understand the outcome of an election and how the electoral college will vote, pay attention to state polls, particularly those in battleground states.

Because of the Electoral College, Brady suggests paying attention to the polls to emerge from battleground states.

“When you also talk about the electoral college, what you are talking about is going into the battleground states and to aggregate results that way. I think when it comes to the electoral college, the best thing to look at is individual state polls and the states that went for Trump in 2016 – Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – which essentially gave him the electoral college win.”

9

life and real estate

UNWTO DELEGATION IN BRUSSELS FOR TALKS WITH EUROPEAN INSTITUTION LEADERS

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has led a high-level delegation to Brussels for a series of meetings aimed at ensuring tourism remains at the top of the political agenda of the European Institutions.

TL Bureau, Brussels

As UNWTO guides the global restart of tourism, SecretaryGeneral Zurab Pololikashvili has been working closely with European leaders to ensure the sector receives the political and financial support needed to protect livelihoods and safeguard businesses. During his visit to Brussels, Mr. Pololikashvili urged the leaders of the European institutions to transform the ambitious plans for the recovery into reality by coordinating a package of response measures that will allow for tourism to return and to drive the recovery of the EU economy.

At the same time, the UNWTO leadership stressed the importance of supporting and growing domestic tourism. According to Mr Pololikashvili, domestic tourism has immense potential, including for the recovery and development of rural communities. However, for this potential to be realized, governments and the European Institutions need to provide greater direction and stronger leadership.

Tourism is a central pillar of

European economies, a leading employer and a source of opportunity for many millions of people across the continent The UNWTO delegation met with Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission, Mr. Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, with the

UNWTO AND EXPEDIA GROUP TO SHARE DATA AND INSIGHTS TO GUIDE TOURISM RECOVERY

TL Bureau, Madrid

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will work alongside the Expedia Group to strengthen ties between the public and private sectors and drive tourism’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see them collaborate on a range of topics, with the common goal of driving recovery and making the sector more resilient and sustainable. UNWTO SecretaryGeneral Zurab Pololikashvili met with representatives of the Expedia Group in Brussels, on the back of successful talks with leaders of the European Institutions.

Highlighting UNWTO’s commitment to strengthening ties with the private sector, this enhanced partnership will see the United Nations Specialized Agency work more closely with the Expedia Group. Joint actions will focus on market intelligence and innovation. UNWTO and Expedia will also work together to promote entrepreneurship and

professional education, and in the field of consumer protection.

From the very start of this crisis, UNWTO has been a strong advocate of close cooperation between the public and private sectors Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: “From the very start of this crisis, UNWTO has been a strong advocate of close cooperation between the public and private sectors. This enhanced partnership will help improve our knowledge of global tourism trends, allowing us to respond to new challenges and guide tourism’s recovery. It will also help us place innovation and sustainability at the heart of this recovery, ensuring tourism emerges stronger than before.”

The partnership with between UNWTO and Expedia Group will see both parties share data on tourism trends and developments, both at the global and the local scale. This will help inform decision-making, producing data-based policies aimed a tourism’s sustainable recovery and future development.

office of Mr. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament and key representatives of the European Council. On the back of the meetings, it was confirmed that the issue of easing travel restrictions will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the European Council, highlighting the importance and timeliness of UNWTO’s interventions.

High-level leadership essential Secretary-General Pololikashvili

said: “Tourism is a central pillar of European economies, a leading employer and a source of opportunity for many millions of people across the continent.

The leaders of the European Institutions have signalled their commitment to supporting tourism at this challenging time. Highlevel leadership and unprecedented levels of cooperation between the Institutions, governments and businesses will be needed to translate good intentions into firm actions and so help tourism lead the continent’s recovery from crisis.”

Secretary-General Pololikashvili congratulated European leaders for their role in opening the borders of EU Member States before the end of the summer season. This gave some much needed impetus to travel and tourism and saw a promising upturn in international tourist arrivals in several European markets.

Coordination only way to restart tourism UNWTO calls on governments to avoid acting unilaterally and closing borders as this has proven not to be effective in controlling

the spread of the virus. It is vital that the focus shifts from limiting travel to ensuring safe travel by putting in place measures like widely accessible, fast testing at departure. Such measures will protect the health of travellers as well as tourism- and travelrelated workers, while at the same time fostering trust and boosting confidence.

Tourism contributes 10% of total GDP for the European Union and supports more than 2.4 million businesses. The sector is on track for a fall of between 60% and 90% in bookings compared to similar periods in previous years. The estimated revenue loss this year for hotels and restaurants, tour operators, long distance rail and for cruises and airlines is from 85% to 90%. As a result of this pandemic, 6 million people may lose their jobs.

This visit to Brussels comes on the back of the European Tourism Convention, during which Mr. Pololikashvili stressed the importance of supporting and promoting green investments in tourism so as to drive sustainable recovery from the present crisis.

General António Vitorino said in his opening remarks. “It reminds us how migration is integrated into every aspect of our societies and economies. It reinforces the critical need to include migrants into our responses to multifaceted crises, and in all our public policies.

And it forces us to look beyond the problems of today, and consider where the challenges, and solutions, of tomorrow might be found.”

H. E. Commissioner Amira El Fadil added: “On behalf of the AUC Chairperson. H.E. Faki Mahamat, and on my own behalf, I wish to thank IOM for this collaborative initiative that begins to lay the foundations for important future work on migration policy and operational work in Africa. This is especially important as the continent makes ever greater steps towards integration through the implementation of, among others, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the continental free movement protocol which, as we know, is adopted but is yet to come into force.” Globally, the salience of migration issues is getting higher on the policy agenda. Stories of desperate Africans on rickety boats

trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe or embarking on the perilous Eastern trek to the Gulf States have become mainstream.

This trend distorts the public’s understanding that most African migrants are moving across land borders, not across oceans.

Yet the narratives that characterize it are not always accurate, the joint report reveals. To ensure a better understanding of the complex phenomena that spur human mobility, and to reorient the narrative, the newly released Africa Migration Report takes a deep dive into the key issues and trends characterizing the continent’s migration patterns. In 2019, Africa was the youngest continent for international migrants with a median age of 30.9 years. According to the African Union, intra-African mobility numbers have never been higher, with international migration in Africa increasing from 13.3 million to 25.4 million migrants between 2008 and 2017. Meanwhile, according to IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC), 80 per cent of Africans, when asked about migrating in 2017, said they have no interest in leaving the continent, nor of permanently relocating.

IOM and Africa Union Commission Launch first Africa Migration Report

TL Bureau, Addis Ababa

African migration in the 21st Century takes place mainly by land, not by sea. African migrants’ destinations are overwhelmingly not to Europe or North America, but to each other’s countries.

Those are among the historic findings of the study, Africa Migration Report: Challenging the Narrative, released today (15 October) by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the African Union Commission (AUC). The work is the first continent-specific report on migration and is being released during a virtual meeting bringing together policymakers, experts on migration and UN partner agencies. This inaugural edition attempts to unpack commonly held misperceptions about migration in the continent.

The AMR is modelled on the IOM flagship World Migration Report produced bi-annually since 2000.

“This report has become even more relevant for us to read in the context of pandemic, and particularly meaningful given that the lion’s share of African migration remains within the continent,” IOM Director

10

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

TL Bureau, Brisbane

The all-conquering minor premiers the Melbourne Vixens will take on the high-scoring West Coast Fever in the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. Brisbane’s Nissan Arena has been the home of netball in 2020 and will host the match on Sunday at 1pm AEDT. It’s the Grand Final that, since their thrilling Round 10 draw, many have been predicting – a true strength-vs-strength matchup. We’re about to see if the league’s stingiest defensive unit in the Melbourne Vixens can slow down a Fever attack end that has scored an average of 69 points per game in 2020.

Let’s start with the home side, this is the first the year that the Vixens will take part in a Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. They finished the regular season with a league best record of 11 wins, a draw and two losses and wrapped up the minor premiership in Round 12 with a win over the Magpies.

Top spot on the ladder meant a date with the second placed Lightning in the major semi-final with a chance to go straight through to the Grand Final. The Vixens dominated the Lightning in that match, coming away with a 16-point win and their first trip to the big dance since 2014.

Their midcourt, led by team cocaptain’s Kate Moloney and Liz Watson, has been one of the best groups in the league for the last four seasons, and 2020 was no exception. Watson led all players in feeds and goal assists while no other midcourter scored more Nissan Net Points than Moloney.

After losing one of the greatest to play the Wing Defence position last year in Renae Ingles, the Vixens brought in Kate Eddy and she hasn’t missed a beat. They also have plenty of confidence in her backup Allie Smith, who has stood up with Eddy struggling with injuries down the stretch.

We’ve already spoken about this stout defensive crew, which allowed a league low 55 points against per game in the regular season. They may not cause the big turnover numbers that teams like the GIANTS and the Sunshine Coast do, but they make scoring against them difficult by piling on the pressure. And that pressure isn’t just applied when the Vixens are defending.

The scoring efficiency of Caitlin Thwaites, Mwai Kumwenda, Tegan Philip and the Vixens mids is incredible. Their 86.2% shooting accuracy and 71.6% centre pass to goal efficiency are both the second best in the competition

and tells the story of a team that scores whenever it has possession of the ball.

In taking to the court this week, Thwaites will not only play her final match of professional netball, but have played 232 games and will equal Susan Pettitt for the fourth most capped national league player. Philip will also play her final match, finishing her career as the most capped Vixens player.

Now onto the West Coast Fever, this will be their second Super Netball Grand Final appearance after their loss in 2018. Looking at 2020, it was six rounds into the season and the Fever looked lost.

They had just two wins and four losses, including a shock 11 point defeat against the Queensland Firebirds, they were allowing a league high 68 points against and were facing a stretch of games against the Vixens, the Lightning twice and the Swifts.

Whether it was Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich being named the Diamonds Head Coach before their Round 7 match or the players finally getting over an unusually long case of jet lag, something changed after that Firebirds loss.

In the final eight rounds of the season, the Fever went six, one and one, beat the Lightning twice, the Swifts once, drew against the

WOOLWORTHS AND NETBALL AUSTRALIA RENEW PARTNERSHIP

TL Bureau, Fitzroy

Woolworths has extended its partnership with Netball Australia, its state-based member organisations and six of the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs, until October 2021.

To help ensure netball communities get through the hardship and challenging times of COVID-19, Woolworths will focus on growing grassroots and community sport and have committed to a grants program supporting clubs and associations nationwide.

Over the past two years, more than 715,000 females played netball across the nation, with nearly half of them under the age of 14, and Woolworths has supported each

and every one of those participants.

Netball Australia Chief Commercial Officer David Lee said the sport is delighted to continue its strong relationship with Woolworths.

“Woolworths has been an enormous supporter of netball now for more than three years and have most recently worked with us as a strategic partner to ensure the sport successfully rebounds and thrives past COVID-19,” he said.

“Woolworths have played a tremendous role in Netball Australia’s COVID-19 digital pivot, assisting the sport to engage grassroots communities throughout isolation and restrictions via online programs such as NETFIT and NetSetGO Playground.

“As the leading participation sport for women and girls, Netball Australia is currently part of an independent review that will guide our growth strategy through to 2027 and we look forward to aligning this work closely with Woolworths.”Woolworths Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Hicks said the supermarket was committed to helping ensure the success of netball through the pandemic.

“While the pandemic has changed how some communities connect, it’s important organisations like Netball Australia have the resources they need to continue supporting athletes during COVID-19 and ramp up at a local level when it’s safe to do so,” said Mr. Hicks.

Unit is to enhance fair play and transparency, protect athletes’ rights and promote inclusiveness, and further enhance governance. The Unit will be chaired by WBSC Secretary General Beng Choo Low. “I am honoured to be appointed Chair of the WBSC Integrity Unit,” Choo Low said. “I look forward to building on the great progress already

made at the WBSC. The Integrity Unit reinforces the WBSC’s commitment, as the world governing body of the sport, to good governance and protecting the rights of all athletes and members of the baseball-softball family, as our sport is practiced by approximately 65 million athletes across more than 140 countries and territories.”

WBSC establishes new Integrity Unit to safeguard future of baseball and softball

TL Bureau, Pully

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today announced the establishment of the WBSC Integrity Unit, a centralised hub for promoting and ensuring integrity within the organisation.

The mission of the WBSC Integrity

Vixens and averaged 71.4 points a game on their way to locking up third place on the ladder.

This set up a showdown with the reigning premier Swifts in the minor semi final. The Swifts came out firing in the win-or-gohome match, but the Fever were able to erase a nine point deficit and come away with a five point win. They backed up that emotional victory with a 14 point decimation of the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the preliminary final, booking a place in the club’s second ever Grand Final.

While they’ve played much better defence in the second half of the season, this is a team built around their two-time MVP winning Goal Shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who’s had another incredible year. She is the centrepiece of the highest scoring (69 points per game), most accurate shooting (86.3%) and most efficient from the centre pass (73.9 centre pass to goal percentage) attack end in the competition.

So, can the Vixens pull off the fairy tale finish for the two retirees in Thwaites and Philip or will the team from the West prove too strong?

PAST 10 MATCHES VIXENS: 8 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw (vs Fever), 111.64% FEVER: 8 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw (vs Vixens), 116.56%

SPORTS Firebirds unveil 2021 shooting circle TL Bureau, Nathan

The Queensland Firebirds are set to boast one of Suncorp Super Netball’s most potent shooting circles, with Gretel Bueta, Romelda Aiken and Tippah Dwan all resigning with the Club for the 2021 season.

Aiken and Dwan will resume the prolific combination that saw them finish second in goals scored by shooting pairs across the league in 2020, while Vice-Captain and reigning Liz Ellis Diamond Bueta will return to the court following the birth of her first child.

Queensland Firebirds’ High Performance Director, Jeremy Hickmans, believes the attacking trio have the potential to make a significant impact on the competition.

“Romelda again proved she’s amongst the world’s best shooters with her resurgent form this year, while Tippah produced one of the most impressive debut seasons we’ve seen across the league in recent memory,” Hickmans said.

“When you can then welcome a player of Gretel’s calibre back into that mix, you’re looking at one of the most proficient and versatile shooting circles in the competition.”

“We are really excited by the depth of attacking options this group provides and know all three players will have our Purple Family on their feet in season 2021.”

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE LAUNCHES TOMMYXNFL CAPSULE COLLECTION

TL Bureau, New York

The National Football League announced today, they will launch TommyxNFL – a capsule collection in North America, licensed through the G-III Apparel Group and designed

by Tommy Hilfiger, which is owned

by PVH Corp. The collection will include men’s and women’s apparel and outerwear for all 32 NFL teams.

“TOMMY HILFIGER is one of the most iconic fashion brands this country has ever produced and we’re thrilled to be working with the Tommy Hilfiger organization and G-III to bring our fans a fresh new collection of NFL apparel,” said RENIE ANDERSON, Chief Revenue Officer & EVP, NFL Partnerships.

“Whether you are male or female, this new collection will have something for everyone, allowing our fans a stylish new way to celebrate their favorite teams and love of the NFL.” “Sports have always been very closely connected to our brand DNA, and we have an incredible history of working with legends from the sporting world. Our collection for the NFL celebrates one of the most widely followed sports in America,” said TOMMY HILFIGER. “We have truly captured the spirit of each team in our signature styles, and I am very excited for football fans around the country to experience NFL

Tommy Hilfiger and G-III Apparel Group (G-III) will design and create a special apparel collection for the National Football League (NFL).

merchandise reimagined through a fashion lens. We are also very proud to partner with Victor Cruz and his nonprofit, the Victor Cruz Foundation, to mark the launch of the collection and support his organization’s educational programs to empower our next generation.” Under the multi-year deal, Tommy Hilfiger and G-III will design and produce special collections for the NFL, featuring each team’s official colors and branding along with TOMMY HILFIGER logos.

The collections are comprised of apparel for men and women, including t-shirts, polos, rugby shirts, jerseys, dresses, sweaters, sweatshirts, shorts, track pants, joggers, jackets, and outerwear. “This is an incredible opportunity for us to expand our portfolio of product categories with the TOMMY HILFIGER brand, in addition to further developing our long-standing successful relationship with the NFL,” said MORRIS GOLDFARB, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of G-III.

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tech/auto

The Bugatti “Macaron” badge – a unique component made of silver

Bugatti has always stood for exclusive hand craftsmanship. How the Macaron, the emblem on every Bugatti radiator is handcrafted.

TL Bureau, Molsheim/ Schrobenhausen 150 grams of sterling silver.

Finest embossing quality, highgloss enamel and a 3D effect.

Ever since the year the brand was founded, the Bugatti badge, the Macaron, has symbolised exclusivity, luxury, design and outstanding hand craftsmanship on the horseshoe radiator.

“The importance that the Bugatti Macaron still has for our brand today is shown by its unrivalled quality, the loving attention to detail, and also the weight,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “It is one of the very few components on our vehicles where weight does not play a role.

The solid badge made of 970 sterling silver has a very highquality design due to its size, and this is more important to us than a lightweight component. The deep-red and unmistakable oval on the vehicle has transported the famous name BUGATTI out into the world ever since the company began, and embodies the symbolic power of our brand myth.”

The emblem has symbolised the BUGATTI brand for over 110 years In the year when the company based in Molsheim, France was founded, towards the end of 1909, company founder Ettore Bugatti attached an oval badge made of enamelled metal onto the radiator grille of the Bugatti Type 13, the first official Bugatti. The idea for the oval shape with white lettering on a red background originated from Ettore Bugatti himself. He had already developed a similar logo for his previous employer Deutz in Cologne. When he started his own vehicle production, Bugatti intentionally chose a flat, but highquality brand badge. According to the design instructions, the shape formed by cutting a cylinder with a diameter of 45 mm at an angle of 30 degrees. The popular and almost inflationary use of radiator figures at the time would have only spoiled the design of his vehicles.

The only exception remains the dancing elephant on the Bugatti Type 41 Royale from 1926 – this is a replica of and tribute to a sculpture created by his deceased brother Rembrandt.

In addition to the easily legible name lettering in white on a red background, the badge also features

to contract. The approximate the initials EB (for Ettore Bugatti) above this in black, as well as 60 red dots on a white surrounding border. Red stands for power and passion, white for elegance and nobility, and black for excellence and courage. According to the legend, the 60 dots symbolise pearls or threads in a style that conformed to the “Art Nouveau” fashion. In those days, they were used like splints to produce a permanent connection on mechanical parts – and the reliability and durability of his vehicles was something that was always very close to Ettore Bugatti’s heart during his lifetime.

Bugatti changed the appearance of the Macaron only slightly over the course of the years.

3D effect thanks to enamel For more than 15 years now, the emblems of the modern Bugatti era have been handcrafted at the „Poellath GmbH & Co. KG Münz- und Prägewerk“ in Schrobenhausen, Bavaria. The company produces the tools for this itself, and the manufacturing process is done by hand. “Such a fine component can be made only by hand in this high quality,” says Thomas Demel, CEO of Poellath. Even the smallest steps are performed precisely by hand.

Poellath is the only company worldwide that is capable of producing this badge with the 3D effect from enamel. A hidden champion that specialises in the production of high-quality metal emblems.

The company Poellath was founded in Schrobenhausen in 1778 and has been family-owned ever since. As early as 1825, the King of Bavaria recognised the craft company for its embossing technique; this was followed by a further award at the world exhibition in Brussels in 1873. In 1884, the company moved from

the old part of Schrobenhausen to its current location. In 1895, electrical engineering replaced steam power in production, and the company added its own electroplating workshop. In addition to making badges for Bugatti, the company’s core competency, namely embossing metal, also includes embossing commemorative coins, badges, awards and medals for clubs and companies.

The company has been producing the emblems for Bugatti since 2003, initially for the Veyron 16.4.

Development of the Macaron for the Chiron1 started in 2014. “The new badge was to be larger than before, and also have a new and previously unknown visual depth.

The Bugatti lettering and the dots at the edge are therefore located on one plane and are enamelled, as is the background which is almost two millimetres lower. This creates a genuine 3D look and feel,” explains Thomas Demel. The badges for the Chiron increased in width by 14 millimetres and in height by 8 millimetres compared with the Veyron. The exact embossing is sharp and precise even when examined closely.

Today, most badges are delivered in red. Only very few vehicles, such as the Chiron Noire or Super Sport 300+2 receive a Macaron in black. In addition to the Macaron on the radiator grille, Poellath also produces smaller badges. These are used for the vehicle key, for example.

Over ten hours of pure handwork Including the enamel and the fastening screws, the emblem weighs an impressive 159 grams.

Around 20 skilled workers from different departments at Poellath work on the exclusive component for a total of around ten hours spread over several days. The

970 silver base metal is embossed several times with up to 1,000 tonnes as part of a multi-stage process. The Bugatti lettering is raised from the base by 2.1 mm at the level of the border. In contrast to casting methods, the contours achieved by embossing are much sharper and of much higher quality – provided that the right tools are used. After embossing, the emblem passes through the enamelling process.

Enamel is glass that has been fused onto iron, a manufacturing process that goes back over a hundred years. One of the very special challenges when developing the Macaron was the specification that the enamel used had to be free of toxic materials. Half of the enamel typically used before consisted of lead. The enamel now used is made of inorganic compounds such as silicates and oxides, which makes processing significantly more demanding and fuses with the silver when melted. The vitreous grains of the granulate melt at extreme heat between 750 to 900 degrees Celsius and are permanently fused with the silver base material in a bond that is difficult to dissolve.

A special feature is the fact that the typical convex curvature of the emblem occurs on its own.

This is because enamel already solidifies at 600 degrees, while the silver underneath continues

0.5-millimetre thick enamel layer in the background therefore solidifies much earlier than the metal, and this automatically produces a slight convex curvature of the entire Macaron. This in turn supports the 3D effect.

Only the raised glass-like compound can then be sanded, finely sanded and polished by hand, while being repeatedly checked during this process. “No machine is capable of doing this due to the different curvatures and the surfaces located at the back. The individual dots are also enamelled and processed by hand,” says Thomas Demel. Finally, the fastening studs made specially out of one piece are brazed on and the surface is checked once more.

Incidentally, the fine, unavoidable pores in the enamel are not a defect, but show the uniqueness of the manufacturing process and make each individual badge a unique one-off.

“Enamel ensures the highestquality colours on metal. It remains colour-fast and brilliant for decades, if not centuries. It also shows the special character of hand craftsmanship and the richness of detail. If the base material is made of sterling silver, like with Bugatti, its quality is increased even further. That is unique in this form in the automotive field,” explains Thomas Demel.

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Talks begin to resolve disputed Lebanon-Israel maritime border

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The process to resolve the longrunning dispute, which could lead to the development of what news reports suggest are potentially lucrative natural gas fields under the disputed area, is being facilitated by the UN and the United States.

‘Fully committed’ to support talks “The United Nations through its representatives is fully committed to supporting the parties in the discussions, as requested by them, as they work towards a final agreed outcome”, said a statement release by the Spokesperson for UN chief António Guterres, after the reportedly hour-long initial meeting in the Lebanese town of Naqoura. Both sides have agreed

to meet again at the end of the month, according to reports. The two nations are still formally in a state of war.

A statement released on Wednesday by the US administration and the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, noted that the Israeli delegation was headed by Udi Adiri, Director General of the Ministry of Energy.

Indian PM to release commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination to mark the 75th Anniversary of FAO

TL Bureau, New Delhi

On the occasion of 75th Anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 16th October 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination to mark the longstanding relation of India with FAO. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops.

The event marks the highest priority accorded by the government to agriculture and nutrition, and is a testament of the resolve to completely eliminate hunger, undernourishment and malnutrition. It will be witnessed

by Anganwadis, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Organic and Horticulture Missions across the country. Union Agriculture Minister, Finance Minister and WCD Minister will also be present on the occasion.

India and FAO The journey of FAO in making the vulnerable classes and masses stronger, economically and nutritionally, has been unparalleled. India has had a historic association with FAO. Indian Civil Service Officer Dr. Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director General of FAO during 1956-1967.

The World Food Programme, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time. India’s proposals for the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and the International Year of Millets 2023 have also been endorsed by FAO. Combating malnutrition India has rolled out an ambitious POSHAN Abhiyaan targeting over 100 million people with the aim to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight.

Malnutrition is a global problem with two billion people suffering from micronutrient deficiency.

Nearly 45% of deaths among children are linked to malnutrition.

Appropriately, it is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Aligning with the international priority, the development of nutritionally rich varieties of crops with elevated levels of micronutrients iron, zinc, calcium, total protein, quality of protein with high lysine and tryptophan, anthocyanin, provitamin A, and oleic acid, and reduced level of anti-nutritional factors etc. has been accorded top priority by the government. The National Agricultural Research System under the leadership of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed 53 such varieties during the last five years.

There was only one biofortified variety developed prior to 2014.

Transforming Indian thali into nutri-thali The 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister will have up to 3.0-fold increase in nutritional value. The rice variety CR Dhan 315 has high zinc; wheat variety HI 1633 rich in protein, iron and zinc, HD 3298 rich in protein and iron and DBW 303 and DDW 48 rich in protein in wheat; Ladhowal Quality Protein Maize Hybrid 1, 2 and 3 rich in lysine and tryptophan; CFMV1 and 2 of finger millet rich in calcium, iron and zinc; CLMV1 of little Millet rich in iron and zinc; Pusa Mustard 32 with low erucic acid; Girnar 4 and 5 of groundnut with enhanced oleic acid and yam variety Sri Neelima and DA 340 with enhanced zinc, iron and anthocyanin content.

The Lebanese delegation was headed by Brigadier General Bassam Yassine, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations from the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Described as an initial meeting, the joint US and UN statement said that the representatives held “productive talks and reaffirmed their commitment to continue negotiations later this month”.

world

Six-Week Nightly Virus Curfew for Paris and 8 other French Cities

TL Bureau, Paris

An overnight curfew will come into effect in Paris and eight other big French cities on Saturday to combat rapidly rising coronavirus infections, President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, according to dpa.

The curfew will apply from 9 pm to 6 am and should run for at least six weeks in order to have enough time to see if it works, Macron said in a rare interview on prime time television.

The president said the aim of the measure would be to get positive cases down from a current average of 20,000 to 3,000 or 4,000, “because that way we can manage it,” he said.

Macron said that France has not “lost control” of the virus, which caused nearly 29,000 deaths

between March and May and is now surging again after a low level of infections in the summer.

But, he said, there was a “worrying situation” and the health system had little spare capacity, with the current wave taking place nationwide, while in spring Paris and eastern France bore the brunt.

In addition, hospital staff were now tired out after the first wave of the epidemic, Macron added.

Some 32 per cent of intensive care beds were currently occupied by Covid-19 patients and the curfew also aimed to get that down to 10 to 15 per cent, he said.

The curfew will apply in Paris, Marseille, Rouen, Montpellier, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, Saint Etienne and Toulouse - the cities that are currently on maximum alert for the virus.

Joint Letter to State Commissioners of Education

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education both support and defend the United States Constitution and the democratic values it embodies. We place top priority on advancing the interests of the U.S. people, including safety and equal access to education for America’s children.

U.S. schools are an invaluable partner in that mission, and it is because of these shared priorities that we write to you about a real and increasing threat to U.S. classrooms. Over the last decade,

Prime Minister Marin to attend European Council meeting TL Bureau, Helsinki

Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the European Council meeting to be held in Brussels on 15–16 October. The topics on the agenda for the meeting are the COVID-19 pandemic, the future relationship between the EU and the UK, climate change and external relations. At the meeting, the European Council will examine the epidemiological situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU leaders will also discuss general coordination and the ongoing work related to vaccine development and distribution in the EU. The EU leaders will assess the implementation of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement and will review the ongoing negotiations on the future partnership to begin on 1 January 2021. With regard to climate change, the European Council will review the Union’s progress towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The European Commission has proposed a new interim target of at least 55 per cent in emissions reductions by 2030.

the authoritarian government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has sent curriculum and PRC-trained teachers into hundreds of U.S. K-12 schools through a program called Confucius Classrooms. Styled as a language and culture program, Confucius Classrooms are in reality an important element of the PRC’s global influence campaign, now reaching tens of thousands of U.S. schoolchildren every day.

It may come as a surprise to many educators that hundreds of U.S. schools make use of a curriculum developed by an authoritarian

government and taught by teachers who are vetted, supplied, and paid by that same government, in partnership with American schools and school districts. A review by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs found that approval from an institution affiliated with the PRC’s Ministry of Education is generally required when filling teaching positions associated with Confucius Classrooms. This practice by the PRC does not necessarily align with our values or support the safe, equitable, and positive learning environment U.S. students deserve.

Foreign Secretary meets Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno in London

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at Lancaster House on Wednesday 14 October.

TL Bureau, London The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Retno to discuss international cooperation to find a vaccine for COVID-19, strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and Indonesia, tackling climate change, and the UK’s bid to become a dialogue partner with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On COVID-19, the Foreign Secretary emphasised the UK’s

commitment to global access to vaccines, including recently announced UK aid funding up to £500 million for the COVAX Advance Market Commitment – a facility to help 92 of the world’s poorest countries access a coronavirus vaccine.

They also discussed the crucial issue of the UK’s bid to be one of ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners to deepen UK cooperation with countries in South East Asia on security, trade and the environment.

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