The Life News UK. Feb 16, 2020

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Vol. 02 Issue 13 February 16, 2020

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Over 800,000 Civilians Flee Assad-Regime in Syria: UN TL Bureau, UN HQ

More than 800,000 Syrians have fled their homes in northwest Syria since December 1. They are trying to escape a Russian-backed Syrian military campaign to retake the last rebel stronghold in the country, Reuters reports the spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, David Swanson, saying on Thursday. Whole towns and villages targeted by Russian airstrikes, Syrian artillery shelling, and attacks by proIranian militias, have emptied out as residents – mostly women and children – seek the relative safety of refugee camps near the Turkish border. The residents are fleeing in open trucks and on foot, often at night and despite bitterly cold temperatures. Aid workers say families fleeing the offensive in the Idlib province are sleeping in the street and olive groves, and burning garbage to stay warm.

New smartphone in Japan blocks minors from sending nude selfies

Photo Courtesy : Tone Mobile Japan Web.

TL Bureau, Tokyo

Another application keeps minors from taking naked selfies and sending them to sexual stalkers. Dream Train Internet Inc. said its Tone Mobile cell phone is intended to decrease the odds of minors being hoodwinked or compromised into sending bare selfies to those they come into contact with over the Internet. The camera naturally decides the suitability of a picture by the measure of bareness or the degree of uncovering garments worn by the client. On the off chance that a picture is resolved to

have gone too far, for example, a naked shot, a message springs up that keeps the camera from clicking.

The picture can’t be taken or put away. The application likewise has a capacity that cautions guardians and gatekeepers when an improper picture is recognized. The data shows the time and area of the arranged photograph just as an obscured adaptation of it. Atsuki Ishida, who heads Tone Mobile, stated, “Our central goal is to guarantee youngsters can utilize their cell phones securely.” The new cell phone sells at an assessment comprehensive cost of $198.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Attends Meeting on Ukrainian Jetliner Crash

TL Bureau, Tehran/Munich

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif has taken part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the countries involved in the case of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed in Iran in January. The ministerial meeting was held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday. In the meeting, Foreign Minister Zarif exchanged views on the manner of pursuing the legal and technical dimensions of the incident, emphasized Iran’s responsible behaviour in dealing with the case, and stressed the need to avoid politicization of the issue.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 holds torch relay rehearsal TL Bureau, Tokyo

Entertainer Satomi Ishihara runs with an Olympic light in her grasp during a light transfer practice in Hamura, western Tokyo, on Feb. 15. Japanese entertainer Satomi Ishihara played out the primary ‘burn kiss’ handover of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics burn transfer on Saturday during a practice on the edges of the capital. Ishihara’s handover in Hamura, western Tokyo, shaped piece of a dress practice for Tokyo 2020 coordinators, who imitated three legs of the transfer that will keep going for 121 days in the development to the Olympics that start on July 24.

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T

he condition of human rights and security across Mali is a “reason for grave concern,” the free UN rights master for the northwest African country said in an announcement on Tuesday, where he required a “compelling military reaction” to end the savagery and ensure the non military personnel populace.

Alioune Tine noticed that focal and northern zones, where conditions are proceeding to compound, and the Government nearness is feeble, are as a rule especially hard hit.

That, joined with developing fanatic viciousness, joined with counter-psychological warfare tasks by Malian and universal powers - just as sorted out wrongdoing - are making a “profound feeling of dread and uncertainty.”

The Malian Government has been looking to reestablish soundness and modify following a progression of difficulties since mid 2012, including a bombed military rebellion, slowed down harmony understandings, and restored battling between Government powers and Tuareg rebels. Territories that were untroubled only months back, are currently influenced by brutality, the master included, including “genuine and intermittent infringement and maltreatment of human rights, including claims of extrajudicial executions, snatchings, torment, abuse and illicit detainment.”

The UN master said that a far reaching and composed procedure including the different Governmental powers trying to wrest control of all pieces of Mali from furnished gatherings, is expected to forestall human rights mishandles. He said affirmation was required that without solid improvement activities and answers for the “uncontrolled”

‘Urgent need’ to stop Mali violence with ‘effective’ military response

destitution in the northern and focal locales, it will be hard to destroy savagery.

Mr. Tine asked the Malian Government to “attack the issue in earnest,” and “annihilate the malignant growth of exemption”. He noticed the beginning of examinations concerning the supposed association of Malian warriors in reports of human rights infringement and misuses.

Also, required the duty of every one of those associated with genuine human rights infringement to be built up in courts following reasonable preliminaries.

He additionally respected the arrangement of barrier and security powers after the ongoing destructive assaults on the town of Koulogon Peul, just as the nearness of the President Ibrahim Keïta and Prime Minister Soumeylou Maïga, who headed out to the territory to communicate their solidarity with the individuals.

Twenty one were executed when shooters assaulted a town in focal Mali, consuming houses, yields and animals.

A gathering of eight troopers likewise kicked the bucket in a trap, while another was executed during an assault on a military camp in the Gao district.

Mali has been cursed by unsteadiness since 2012 when an Islamist disobedience broke out in the north.

The town of Ogossagou, where one of Friday’s assaults occurred, is for the most part home to Fulanis, a generally Muslim ethnic gathering who customarily fill in as herders.

The war in the desert In outlines: West Africa’s fight against Islamist aggressors Other ethnic gatherings in Mali - including the Dogon people group - blame the Fulani for being connected to jihadi gatherings working over the Sahel district. These allegations have fuelled between ethnic brutality as of late. Last March, 160 individuals were slaughtered in another assault at Ogossagou, which specialists accused on a Dogon state army.

That assault prompted a few fights over apparent inaction by the administration, and Mali’s prime minster at that point, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, later surrendered.

editorial

Nobody has asserted duty regarding the most recent episode, however town boss Aly Ousmane Barry told nearby media that the shooters struck a few hours after government troops had pulled back from the region.

In a different occurrence, Malian security powers said on Twitter that they had continued “material harm” during a trap in the town of Bintia, which murdered eight officers.

A ninth warrior was slaughtered in another assault at a camp in Mondoro, which is normally focused by activists.

Since 2012, Malian powers have figured out how to recover control of huge swathes of an area taken by activists with assistance from France, which has 4,500 soldiers sent in the locale. The UN has 13,000 peacekeeping soldiers in Mali.

In any case, a large number of lives have been lost as Mali battles to contain the savagery, which has spread to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Battling aggressors in the Sahel district is viewed as significant for keeping up security further away from home, including Europe. France’s Foreign Minister Florence Parly went to Washington a month ago in the expectation of convincing the US to proceed with its calculated sponsorship - automatons, insight and transport - which she said was urgent to the French activity.

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3

world

UK statement: attack on Elena Milashina Protection against honour-related and Marina Dubrovina in the Chechen crime to be further strengthened Republic, Russian Federation TL Bureau, Stockholm

TL Bureau, London

The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the attack on journalist Elena Milashina and laywer Marina Dubrovina in Grozny, in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation on 6 February.

We understand that Ms Milashina and Ms Dubrovina were attacked in a hotel in Grozny by a group of assailants, one of whom filmed the assault. Both individuals were in Grozny to attend a trial in their professional capacities.

Ms Milashina has been clear that she believes the attack was as a result of her work as a journalist.

We share the concerns and condemnation expressed by the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Desir, in his statement of 7 February. We

recall that in Milan in 2018, participating States agreed to “take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists… including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists”.We also agreed in Brussels in 2006 that states should take all necessary measures “to respect, protect and promote the freedom of exercise of the profession of lawyer, without discrimination and without improper interference from the authorities or the public”. We urge the Chechen and Russian authorities to carry out a prompt and thorough investigation into this attack.We also echo the words of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights,

World’s Best Female Business Minds To Meet In Melbourne The summit comprises a four-day

TL Bureau, Melbourne

Female business leaders and game changers from Victoria and around the world will join forces in Melbourne this March for inaugural all-women international business summit, GVw 2020.

Hosted by the Victorian Government’s trade agency, Global Victoria, GVw 2020 will showcase Victoria’s worldleading capabilities in sectors such as technology, infrastructure, transport, defence, health and sport, while championing the women who are shaping the future of these industries.

program of events, culminating in attendance at the final of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup at the MCG, providing Victorian women with the opportunity to connect, share their expertise and exchange ideas with international counterparts.

Highlights of the 5-8 March summit also include the Change Our Game Symposium on increasing female participation in sport and active recreation, headlined by tennis legend Billie Jean King and business icon Indra Nooyi, and a tour of Melbourne’s world-leading sport and entertainment precinct.

Dunja Mijatovic, who described the attack as “the latest of a series of worrying attacks on human rights defenders and critics in the Chechen Republic.”

We are reminded of the report of December 2018 on “alleged human rights violations and impunity in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation” by Professor Benedek, carried out under the Moscow Mechanism.

That report clearly set out concerns over very serious human rights violations in the Chechen Republic. It also addressed the lack of effective remedies and the problem of impunity. As Prof Benedek wrote: “Human rights organizations and investigative media instead of being protected face various forms of harassment and attacks, which are not investigated.”

FCM - Interactive maps and tables provide an insight into how naturalisation works

In a proposal referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Government proposes that a new child marriage offence be introduced that can result in imprisonment for up to four years.

The Government also proposes new grounds for tougher penalties for ‘honour’ crimes and a new instrument, a travel ban, to further strengthen protection against honour-related crime.

“We can never accept that children get married, that people cannot choose for themselves who they will marry, or that people are subjected to violence and oppression in the name of honour. Through these measures, the Government and the parties cooperating with it therefore want to further strengthen protection against honour-related crime,” says Minister for Justice and Migration Morgan Johansson.

“Children in Sweden must not

be married, and children must be protected from being removed from the country. End of discussion.

We’re now taking a stand for vulnerable children and closing important loopholes in the law.

The judicial system must put a stop to custodial parents and other adults restricting the rights of children and young people to live free and secure lives. Children must know that there is protection and support,” says Juno Blom, Secretary-General and child rights policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party. The new child marriage offence means that it will be punishable to induce or allow a child to enter into marriage or a relationship similar to marriage.

Unlike the offence of coercion to marry, this new offence does not require the use of any unlawful coercion or exploitation of the victim’s vulnerable situation if the offence was committed against a child.

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Maas

TL Bureau, Bern

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The cantons and municipalities have an important say as to who should be ordinarily naturalised in Switzerland. Up to now, detailed figures about those naturalisations have not been published. The Federal Commission on Migration FCM and the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have worked closely together to close this gap: Information about local naturalisation practices is provided by means of interactive maps and tables.

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Munich, Germany.

Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Maas discussed continued international efforts to support a lasting ceasefire, a return to a political process, and the end of foreign interference in Libya. The Secretary and the Foreign

Minister pledged to continue to strongly support Libyan sovereignty.

Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Maas also discussed U.S.German coordination on a range of global challenges, including the need to counter Iran’s aggressive and destabilizing actions in the Middle East, supporting Ukraine’s path to peace and reform in the face of Russia’s continued aggression, and the importance of the enduring defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

NATO Secretary General attends the Prime Minister Marin to 2020 Munich Security Conference attend special meeting of

European Council

TL Bureau, Helsinki

TL Bureau, Munich NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended the Munich Security Conference on 14-15 February 2020.

The Secretary General addressed the conference on Saturday morning, delivering remarks about the importance of the relationship between Europe and North America in an era of increased global

competition. He also participated in a meeting of Defence Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. On the sidelines of the conference, the Secretary General had bilateral meetings with global leaders.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 20 February. EU Heads of State or Government will seek to reach an agreement on the next multiannual financial framework, i.e. the EU’s long-term budget for 2021–2027.

During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Finland prepared a proposal for the next financial framework that takes into account the views of all Member States. Finland still considers this proposal a good basis for further negotiations, although the framework set out is a little too high from

Finland’s point of view.

Important issues for Finland in the further negotiations include the level of funding for rural development, supporting research and innovation and linking EU funds to compliance with the rule of law. Positions on individual funding programmes can be further adjusted as the negotiations proceed.

President of the European Council Charles Michel, who leads the negotiations, has had individual talks with the leaders of the EU Member States based on the proposal prepared by the Finnish Presidency. He will present a proposal on the overall size of the long-term budget ahead of the special European Council.

4 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Czech Foreign Minister Petricek TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek today in Munich. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Petricek discussed a shared commitment to a peace process in Afghanistan and deescalation of tensions in the Middle East. Secretary Pompeo called attention to the rising regional threats posed by the People’s Republic of China and praised the Czech Republic for its leading role in 5G security. The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for the Czech Republic’s commitment to military modernization.

world

World Health Organization: Coronavirus must generate ‘solidarity not stigma’ TL Bureau, UN HQ The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told journalists via VTC from Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo, that countries globally are in “a better state of preparedness for COVID-19, the coronavirus, than they were just a week ago”.

And WHO’s efforts to help countries boost their lab capacity continue.

It is not uncommon for case definitions to change as more information becomes available.

And WHO is seeking clarity on how clinical diagnoses are being made so that other respiratory illnesses, including influenza, are not getting mixed into the COVID-19 data.

“In total, there have been 1,381 deaths in China, including 121 reported today”, he stated, adding that outside the country, “there have been 505 cases in 24 countries and two deaths”.

Meanwhile, the vice minister of the

Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of Afghan warriors

TL Bureau, Kyiv

On the eve of the Day of commemoration of combat veterans in the territory of other states, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute to Ukrainians fallen during the war in Afghanistan.

The Head of State participated in the commemorative ceremony near the Memorial Complex to Ukrainian citizens fallen in Afghanistan.

Together with the warriors of the honor guard, Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid flowers to the sculpture of the memorial.

The participants of the ceremony honored the memory of the fallen citizens of Ukraine with a moment of silence.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council.

TL Bureau, Moscow

Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei

Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.

the health system and outbreak response together”, underscored the WHO chief. “But we need to know more about this figure, including the time period and circumstances in which the health workers became sick”.

Brutal Winter Temperatures Intensify Desperation for Rising Numbers of Displaced People in Northwest Syria

TL Bureau, Geneva

Meeting with Security Council permanent members

The meeting participants exchanged views on the tensions around the Syrian province of Idlib caused by the activity of terrorist groups.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence

national health commission said that as of Tuesday, 1,716 health care workers had been infected, and six have died.

“This is a critical piece of information, because health workers are the glue that holds

Sub-zero temperatures and increased snowfall are further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria where more than a quarter of a million people have been displaced in the past four days. Over 830,000 people have been displaced in the region in the last two months and more than 1.2 million since April 2019, according to the United Nations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is extremely concerned about this rapid and ongoing rise in displacement which continues to rise in the tens of thousands every day, particularly as conflict spreads northward to highly populated urban areas.

“Over 80,000 people forced to flee violence in the last few months are sleeping under trees or in open areas in the snow,” said Joseph Ashmore, IOM’s Global Shelter Coordinator.

“Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering. Many more people may die as extreme winter conditions take hold, provoking one of the most severe shelter crises the humanitarian system has faced in the last decade,” he added.

The majority of the uprooted are staying with host families, in camps or unfinished

buildings. As displacement rises, there are less places to house people seeking refuge.

IOM has been assisting partners on the ground to reach nearly 300,000 people with humanitarian aid since mid-December 2019. In the past weeks, IOM’s partners have delivered emergency items – including blankets, hygiene kits and other goods – as well as shelter materials to 129,000 people in need.

However, insecurity has impeded access of some partners – compromising the ability for affected populations to receive the most basic services.

Health centres, schools, markets and camps have been targeted by violence with increased civilian casualties reported every day.

The Organization is seeking increased funding from the international community to adequately respond to rapidly rising needs. IOM also reiterates the UN Secretary General’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and attacks of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Syrian conflict, approaching its tenth year, has displaced more than six million people within the country and provoked more than 5.5 million people to flee to neighbouring countries in the region.

(Related news of Front page lead)

5

UK

Heavy rain increases South East flood-risk Don’t drive through floodwater. Stay away from swollen rivers.

Fifty three flood alerts, one flood warning

TL Bureau, London

The Environment Agency is warning communities that persistent heavy rain could lead to an increased risk of flooding across South East England over the next few days.

The forecast heavy rain could cause surface water flooding in local communities, and see a rise in river levels, and travel disruption as roads and rail lines may be affected.At 4.30pm today, Friday, there were 53 alerts across the South East, where flooding is possible, and one warning, at Barcombe Mills in East Sussex, which mean flooding is expected. With further rainfall forecast, this figure is likely to go up.

Maria Herlihy, duty manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Heavy downpours are expected across the South East on Friday night and into the weekend, which could lead to surface water flooding and significant travel disruption.

Don’t drive through floodwater. Stay away from swollen rivers. Fifty three flood alerts, one flood warning Before and after picture of woody debris cleared from a river.

“Current forecasts indicate a heightened risk of flooding in parts of Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. The Environment Agency is making preparations to operate flood defences, flood storage reservoirs and to issue flood warnings and advice and to those at risk ahead of the incoming weather.

“Our teams have been out on the ground checking flood defences, clearing debris from rivers, and will continue to support other agencies to reduce the impacts of the heavy rain. We will issue flood alerts and warnings where necessary.

“We urge the public to prepare to take action when at risk of flooding, even if a temporary barrier is in place. There are a number of things you can do to prepare for flooding to keep yourself and your family safe. Find out if your home is at risk, sign-up for flood warnings and be ready to take action. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

UK’s first industrial contribution to Further crackdown Space Station ready for take off on illegal schools International UK-built technology that will revolutionise the Measures set out to make sure no child is educated in potentially unsafe or dangerous, illegal settings.

TL Bureau, London

The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has pledged to continue to crack down on dangerous illegal schools to make sure children are safe and not exposed to risky practices or extreme influences.

Ofsted will be given an extra £400,000 to help investigate unregistered independent schools and support the regulator in bringing together evidence for prosecution. The Secretary of State has also reiterated the Department for Education’s commitment to bring forward new legislation to

strengthen the watchdog’s powers.

This latest funding injection will build on the £3million invested since 2016 to fund a joint Department for Education and Ofsted team that has seen 72 illegal settings stop operating unlawfully and resulted in three prosecutions - leading to convictions on all three cases.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: Unregistered schools present a serious risk to children. They often do not offer the kind of balanced, informative curriculum all schools should, and can expose pupils to dangerous and extreme influences.

science astronauts carry out on the International Space Station is due to launch today

TL Bureau, London

COLka undergoing testing in the Hertz test chamber at the European Space Agency in The Netherlands.

COLka undergoing testing in the Hertz test chamber at the European Space Agency in The Netherlands. COLKa’s radio signals are being recorded. The blue spikes isolate the room from electromagnetic interference, recreating the radio frequencies of space. Credit: ESA–M. Cowan Called COLKa for ‘Columbus Ka-band Terminal’, the system will allow astronauts and

Luton sisters have their sentences increased after kidnap and assault

TL Bureau, London

Two women who were convicted of kidnap and assault have had their sentences increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP. Uzma Iqbal, aged 33, and Sobiya Iqbal, aged 28, were filmed dancing in a nightclub whilst at a hen party in Birmingham.

The videos were subsequently circulated on social media, which caused embarrassment among their families. Uzma and Sobiya, who are sisters, blamed another woman they had met at the hen party for circulating the videos.

The sisters contacted the woman they believed had circulated the videos and invited her out for the

Uzma Iqbal and Sobiya Iqbal have had their sentences increased at the Court of Appeal following intervention by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

evening. On 6 January 2018 they collected her and drove her to an unlit country lane in Harpenden.

After parking, they punched and kicked the woman. Sobiya armed herself with a pole and tried to force the woman to admit she had posted the videos. During the assault, they cut her hair and threatened to kill members of her

family. Uzma and Sobiya robbed the woman of her mobile phones and handbag, and started to check through the contents of the phones.

While they were distracted, the woman jumped out of the car and ran across a field to escape. After running a mile she stopped at a nearby farmhouse and the police were called.

researchers to benefit from a direct link with Europe at home broadband speeds, relaying data from experiments on the ISS back to Earth almost instantaneously.The fridgesized device is due to launch aboard a Cygnus supply ship from Wallops Island, Virginia just before 9pm UK time on Friday. Two astronauts will carry out a spacewalk later this year to mount it to the outside of the Columbus module on the ISS. Dr Graham Turnock, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: This is the first major industrial contribution from the UK to the

ISS and it will revolutionise the ability of scientists in the UK and Europe to access the results of their experiments.

This is yet another example of the UK economy benefiting, through investment, jobs and new skills, from our continued collaboration with the European Space Agency.The data will be transmitted to a ground station at Harwell, Oxfordshire, near ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, and from there it will be transferred to the Columbus Control Centre and user centres across Europe.

TL Bureau, London

when they were children. These cohorts are now old enough to attend college and university and are likely to continue fuelling outbreaks into 2020.

Mumps is a viral infection that used to be common in children before the introduction of the MMR vaccine.

It is most recognisable by the painful swelling of the glands at the side of the face, giving a person with mumps a distinctive ‘hamster face’ appearance. Other symptoms include headaches, joint pain and fever, which may develop a few days before the swelling. If you suspect that you or a family member has mumps, contact your GP. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself from mumps.

Mumps outbreaks across England

Provisional data from Public Health England (PHE) show that there were 5,042 lab-confirmed cases of mumps in England in 2019, compared to 1,066 cases in 2018.

This is the highest number of cases since 2009.

The rise in cases looks set to continue in 2020, with 546 confirmed cases in January 2020 compared to 191 during the same period in 2019.

The steep rise in cases in 2019 has been largely driven by outbreaks in universities and colleges. Many of the cases in 2019 were seen in the so-called ‘Wakefield cohorts’ – young adults born in the late nineties and early 2000s who missed out on the MMR vaccine

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7

BUSINESS

TAKE A WELLNESS BREAK AT THE MELBOURNE STAND DURING AIME 2020

TL Bureau, Melbourne

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) is set to inspire Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) delegates at the Melbourne Stand. As the largest stand on the AIME 2020 show floor, this year’s Melbourne Stand promises to showcase the best of the city, challenge expectations and many exciting new exhibitors.

Custom built by Harry the hirer and retaining its stunning central location next to the Exchange, the Melbourne Stand will reveal new perspectives to uncovering the city’s strengths in hosting business events.

MCB Chief Executive Officer, Julia Swanson said AIME is the premier event for the meetings and incentives industry in the Asia Pacific region and is key to the growth of the business events industry in Australia.

“It is an opportunity for us to showcase what MCB does best collaborating with its partners and highlight the city’s capability to work together with the industry

to deliver impactful outcomes for event planners.”

For delegates visiting the Melbourne Stand, an opportunity to take a step back, unwind and reenergise in a creative way will be part of the stand experience. MCB has partnered with Parks Victoria to deliver an innovative way to enhance the event experience by incorporating a short wellness break using the latest Virtual Reality technology.

Delegates can sample ‘digital wellness’ and enjoy seven minutes of spectacular Melbourne and regional Victoria’s 360 oceans,

waterfalls and mountain views together with calming music that will enhance all the user’s senses.

Ms. Swanson said, “Offering a holistic wellness culture for business events has become a ‘must have’ for every meeting as wellness and mindfulness have become a priority in the industry.”

“MCB works collaboratively with its industry partners to ensure our events offering is constantly evolving and appealing to the next generation of event buyers and planners,” Ms. Swanson added.

With 18 partners spread across the Melbourne stand, it promises to be

Growing Digital Skills For Regional Small Businesses

TL Bureau, Melbourne

Regional businesses will learn how to build their online presence, improve cyber-security and harness benefits from the digital economy through the Andrews Labor Government’s new Digital Opportunities Roadshow program.

Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek and Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra today launched the initiative, encouraging regional small businesses to get involved so that they can improve their digital literacy and grow their businesses.

The program will be carried out across regional Victoria, delivering a total of 18 free face-to-face workshops from February to May. The Government will deliver these in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and

Industry – the state’s peak business body – and local councils. The first Digital Opportunities Roadshow workshop will be held in Ararat on Thursday, 20 February. Others will be held in Shepparton, Yea, Daylesford, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Leongatha, Horsham, Traralgon, Nhill, Swan Hill, Mildura, Kyabram, Maryborough, Colac, Lorne, Camperdown and Portland.

The full calendar of roadshow events is available at business. vic.gov.au/events-workshops-andmentoring/digital-opportunitiesroadshow. Small business matters to Victoria – for every 100 businesses in Victoria, 98 have fewer than 20 staff and 26 will be in regional or rural Victoria. These enterprises make major contributions to local economies, generating 44 per cent of all private sector jobs in the state. The Labor Government is helping to create the conditions

for small business growth in regional areas in a number of ways, including payroll tax concessions.

The regional payroll tax rate is currently half the metropolitan rate, and by 2022-23 it will have fallen to one-quarter of the city rate.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek “These workshops are a fantastic way for small businesses to learn new skills and build their digital knowledge so that they can compete in an increasingly digital world.”

Quote attributable to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra “We’re delighted to join with the government in delivering this roadshow across regional Victoria, to ensure that small businesses are equipped to make the most of the digital economy and reduce their cyber security risks.”

Getting tourists back into fire-affected regions TL Bureau, Canberra

The Morrison Government is backing tourist towns in fire-affected regions through a $10 million tourism events and visitor attractions initiative to support communities and protect local jobs. Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said tourism was the lifeblood of many fire-affected communities and the aim of the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery

Grants (RTBR) program was to get tourists back into these regions.

“We know tourism businesses in fire-affected communities are currently doing it tough,” Minister Birmingham said. “This program is about encouraging international and domestic tourists to visit these regions and more importantly put tourism dollars back into these local economies, especially outside of regular peaks visitor periods.

“These grants will help support the development of unique experiences such as events, concerts, permanent visitor attractions such as art installations and tourist walks, as well as local tourism promotions.

“The development of new visitor attractions and experiences will not only give visitors a reason to visit, but will also give these communities a positive focus as recovery efforts continue.”

a hive of activity with free coffee, give-aways, raffles, activations and much more including a ‘Make It. Sip It. Snap It’ activation area

by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where visitors will be able to take a bite of summer and build their own tart using fresh locally sourced berries and seasonal stone fruits.

Find the Melbourne Stand and Melbourne Convention Bureau from 8:00am – 6:00pm on Tuesday 18 and from 8:30am – 5:00pm on Wednesday 19 February 2020.

Exhibitors showcased on the

Melbourne Stand at AIME 2020 include: The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Showtime Event Group, Saxton Speakers, Victoria Pavilion, Metropolis Events, Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, Pullman Melbourne on the Park, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, W Melbourne, Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Hotel Chadstone, Eureka 89, Crown Hotels, Solution Entertainment, The Langham, Melbourne and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Pop up mall to support Mogo businesses

TL Bureau, Sydney

A 213-tonne convoy transporting 10 demountable buildings donated

by ATCO through the BCA’s BizRebuild project will travel 357 kilometres to the bushfire devastated village of Mogo on Saturday, marking the start of work on the new Mogo pop up mall.

The temporary mall will house up to 10 local Mogo businesses, who lost their premises, equipment and merchandise when the village was hit hard by bushfires on New Year’s Eve. The convoy will be greeted by the chair of BizRebuild, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove (Retd), ATCO chairman and chief executive officer Nancy Southern, Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott AO, and Mogo Village Business Chamber president Richard Adams.

“The Mogo pop up mall is giving burnt out small business owners hope and reassurance that the Australian business community cares about them. We are doing everything we can to help regions like Mogo get back on their feet after the devastating fires,’’ Ms Westacott said.

“BizRebuild is determined to rekindle a sense of community in Mogo by rebuilding businesses and the local economy. The pop up mall will also generate much needed work for local tradesmen and suppliers. “By helping businesses

recover, we are building stronger communities. I am extremely proud of the overwhelming response from the business community to lend a hand during this time of need, including ATCO for generously donating the demountable buildings,’’ she said.

Sir Peter, who has led several domestic and international disaster recoveries, said “the business community’s response to the tragedy of these bushfires is philanthropic, compassionate and very practical in its approach’’.

“Businesses are the glue that keep people in a community, and we cannot stand by and allow small and local businesses to fail and communities to fade away,’’ Sir Peter said. Business Council member ATCO is providing the demountable buildings to the Mogo community through BizRebuild.

Sydney-based trucking contractor P&S Haul-Em is transporting them from Sydney to Mogo. ATCO will provide footings for the buildings and will assemble them on site.

The demountable buildings will be fitted out over the next three weeks by local tradesmen and suppliers.

Ms Southern said: “On behalf of the people of ATCO, I want to thank the Business Council of Australia for their leadership and rapid response to restoring communities devastated by the bushfires with the opportunity to get their businesses back on their feet.’’

8

FEATURE

IFC: Serena Hotels First in Pakistan to be Recognized for Gender Equality Efforts

TL Bureau, Islamabad

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced that Serena Hotels Pakistan has become the first Pakistani company to gain certification from Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE), the world’s leading independent appraiser of gender equality in business, signifying that the hotel chain is committed to improving opportunities for women.

IFC worked with Serena Hotels to help it reach this milestone. The company gained certification from the EDGE Foundation for meeting initial commitments on gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and for agreeing on a roadmap for further workplace reforms in the future.

“Women make up 12 percent of our overall workforce, despite many social

and cultural challenges,” said Aziz Boolani, Chief Executive Officer of Serena Hotels. “As a leading hotel chain, Serena Hotels makes every effort to encourage women for their professional development for assuming higher positions, including the leadership role.”

IFC’s work aims to improve Pakistan’s daunting workforce gender gap.

Although 47 percent of students enrolled in Pakistani universities are women, only 25 percent of them are employed, compared with 84 percent of men. Narrowing the gap is crucial to the future of millions of women in Pakistan, as well as to the broader economy. An IFC study in 2018 estimated that fully eliminating the gender gap would increase Pakistan’s GDP by 30 percent.

“There is no doubt that companies can deliver greater business impact

and be more competitive by fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace for women and men,” said Nadeem Siddiqui, IFC’s Senior Manager for Afghanistan and Pakistan. “We hope more companies in Pakistan will discover the strength of the business case for greater gender equality in the workplace.”

The certification follows a 12-month partnership between IFC and the Pakistan Business Council that included the development of a program to identify and address barriers to women’s employment.

Presenting peer-learning activities and knowledge tools, the program engaged more than 335 executives from the Pakistan business community on topics including female employee retention, anti-sexual harassment policies, women in leadership, and the business case

for women’s employment.

IFC and the Pakistan Business Council hosted the “Employer of Choice for Gender Balance” awards in 2018, with Serena Hotels among the firms recognized as a top performer. As an EDGE-certified company, Serena Hotels joins the ranks of almost 200 firms across five continents that are striving to create a workplace where men and women have equal opportunities to thrive and grow professionally.

IFC’s relationship with Serena Hotels in Pakistan began in 2007, when it invested in expanding the company’s Islamabad location. IFC has worked with Serena Hotels operator Tourism Promotion Services, a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, to construct or refurbish hotels in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Rwanda.

“To get to Yemen, they crammed about 280 of us into one boat,” a thirty-twoyear-old Ethiopian man told IOM in Aden, Yemen. “There was no oxygen, and some people committed suicide by throwing themselves into the sea.”

Most are unaware of the security situation in Yemen where they face serious protection concerns, including active fighting or abuses such as kidnapping, torture for ransom, exploitation and trafficking.

“When we arrived in Yemen, smugglers held us for a month,” said one eighteenyear-old Ethiopian migrant. “We were beaten, tortured, abused and threatened for ransom. My family sent USD 900 to save my life so I was released with some other people who had paid.”

IOM works across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Gulf, providing lifesaving emergency support to migrants in need and supporting development in home communities.

“The most effective protection mechanism for migrants remains the establishment of legal pathways for migration. IOM is committed to supporting all authorities along the Eastern route to better manage

migration, ensuring the safety and dignity of migrants.”

A 2019 agreement between KSA and the Government of Ethiopia on a recruitment system for domestic workers, followed by a first request for 100,000 Ethiopian workers to travel to KSA, is an encouraging step towards harnessing the economic and development potential of migration from the Horn of Africa, while protecting migrants. Those making the perilous journey to the Gulf cross deserts with little food or water and territories controlled by armed groups. Most are travelling in search of economic opportunities unattainable at home, while others are fleeing insecurity, human rights abuses and adverse living conditions.

Smugglers and traffickers operate

boats from Obock in Djibouti and Bosasso in Somalia. Last year, thirtyeight per cent of migrants arrived from Djibouti, while the majority (62 per cent) arrived at Yemen’s southern coast from Somalia. For most migrants, the journey from their home to KSA can take a few months. However, it can be longer depending on whether the person stops to work or is detained along the way.

IOM’s efforts in the Horn of Africa and Yemen address three migrationrelated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10.7: Facilitating orderly, safe and regular migration and mobility; and SDG 17.18, Increasing significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable migration data.

Journey from Africa to Yemen Remains World’s Busiest Maritime Migration Route

TL Bureau, Nairobi

On average, 11,500 people boarded vessels each month from the Horn of Africa to Yemen in 2019, making it the busiest maritime migration route on earth.

Data collected by the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) shows that over 138,000 people crossed the Gulf of Aden to Yemen last year.

More than 110,000 migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean to Europe during the same period.

This is the second year in a row that the so-called Eastern Route has reported more crossings than the Mediterranean.

In 2018, roughly 150,000 people made the journey.

Nearly 90 per cent of those who arrived in Yemen in 2019 intended to continue on to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Often coming from the rural regions of Oromia, Amhara and Tigray, approximately 92 per cent of people making the journey were Ethiopian nationals.

“While tragedies along the Mediterranean routes are well reported, our staff bear witness daily to the abuse suffered by young people from the Horn of Africa at the hands of smugglers and traffickers exploiting their hopes for a better life,” said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa.

Not only has migration on the Eastern Route not been reduced by five years of conflict in Yemen, migrants appear undeterred by the Gulf’s strict immigration policies for undocumented migrants.

9

Emirates celebrates 30 years of connecting Riyadh to the world

TL Bureau, Dubai

Emirates is celebrating a milestone in its operations to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking 30 years of service to Riyadh. Since the first Emirates flight between Riyadh and Dubai in February 1990, and the airline has carried over eight million passengers on the route, demonstrating the strong links between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Riyadh is one of Emirates’ key gateways in Saudi Arabia. The route began with two services a week utilising a Boeing 727 aircraft, and in 1997, the service was upgraded to the larger Boeing 777. In 2009, the service became daily due to high demand.

Demand progressively grew and in 2011, the daily service was upgraded to twice daily, in 2012 to three daily and in 2013 to four daily services. Emirates currently serves one of its daily flights to Riyadh with its latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class suites and another daily flight with its flagship A380.

Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Central Asia said: “Riyadh is a major market for Emirates in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and region. We are embarking on a real milestone as we celebrate 30 years of service to the Kingdom’s capital and we take great pride in the role we play in providing global connectivity both for business and leisure passengers through Dubai.”

Al Ghaith continued: “Over the past three decades, we have introduced new products to Riyadh and provided award-

life and real estate

TOP-PERFORMING TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS WIN HIGHEST HONORS WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN

TL Bureau, MIAMI

winning inflight and on ground experiences to travellers. We’ve operated a special one-off A380 service twice to Riyadh in celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s National Day. We also showcased flagship Airbus A380 last year at the first ever Saudi International Airshow and we currently serve Riyadh with our ‘gamechanger’ Boeing 777300ER and another daily flight with our iconic A380, which has proved very popular with customers.”

Emirates SkyCargo has also played an important role in connecting KSA to the world.

In the past five years, Emirates’ flights to and from Riyadh carried over 138,000 tonnes of cargo.

Currently, major cargo imports and exports include general cargo, chilled meat, electronic equipment and personal effects.

Emirates’ popular loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards, brings its 574,000 Saudi members value, choice and flexibility, and the programme continues to expand in the Kingdom as

passenger demand increases.

Saudi travellers frequenting Dubai can accrue more Miles by downloading and using Skywards Everyday, a location based app. It gives Emirates Skywards members the power to earn Skywards Miles anytime, every day at more than 1,000 retail, entertainment and dining outlets across the UAE and with over 250 international brands.

Members can see their Skywards Miles racking up in real-time, which they can spend instantly on flights, upgrades and more.

Onboard, Emirates passengers can experience its renowned inflight service from multi-national cabin crew. The airline provides its customers with a host of culinary offerings prepared by gourmet chefs, including popular Gulf dishes such as Kabsa and Machbous. Passengers on all Emirates flights can enjoy multi award-winning ‘ice’ with up to 4,500 channels of movies, TV programmes, music and podcasts, including over 300 channels of Arabic entertainment.

Celebrating a successful 50th year of partnerships marked by gamechanging industry milestones, including the introduction of revolutionary destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and new ship Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International has revealed the coveted list of 2019’sTravel Partners of the Year. The 18 standout travel advisors, spanning newcomers to repeat winners, have demonstrated unwavering dedication and the keen ability to sell Royal Caribbean cruises in the biggest year to date for the industry and cruise line.

The winners recognized include 2018’s Chairman’s Award recipient, Cruise Planners – an American Express Travel Representative, securing the high honor once again; Dream Vacations, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., with the President’s Award; Travel Leaders Network as Marketing Partner of the Year, and first-time honorees including: International Voyager for Northeast Partner of the Year and 3D Cruise Partners, Charter Partner of the Year. “The Travel Partner of the Year Awards are by far my favorite way to start every year by recognizing the strength in our partnerships and the incredible work and accomplishments we have achieved together,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Royal Caribbean International.

“Our 2019 winners have shown they have great skill, in-depth knowledge and passion for Royal Caribbean – characteristics that make for the most effective ‘value interpreters’ for any client. As

Cruise Line Announces Travel Partners of the Year, Representing North America and Puerto Rico

we embark on 2020 with the November launch of our new ship Odyssey of the Seas in sight, we’re excited to reach new heights the entire travel advisor community. Thank you for your support, and congratulations to our winners.”

The 2019 Royal Caribbean Travel Partners of the Year: Chairman’s Award for Overall Achievement: Cruise Planners – an American Express Travel Representative Northeast Partner of the Year: International Voyager* Central Partner of the Year: KHM Travel Group West Partner of the Year: Automobile Club of Southern California. Canada Partner of the Year: Flight Center Travel Group*, Home-based Partner of the Year: Travel Planners International, Online Partner of the Year: Vacations To Go Consortia Partner of the Year: Ensemble Travel Group Marketing Partner of the Year: Travel Leaders Network Top Overall Producer– Puerto Rico: A & A Tours Network ABOUT ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler.

Holland America Line Recognizes Global Governments For Positive Resolution In Westerdam Geopolitical Health Situation

Trump Administration instrumental in coordinating with Cambodian government to enable ship to access Port of Sihanoukville to disembark guests, Testing of guests and crew confirmed negative for coronavirus by Pasteur Laboratory in Phnom Penh TL Bureau, Seattle, Wash

After being denied entry to several countries, Holland America Line’s Westerdam is scheduled to begin disembarking guests at the Port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, the morning of Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, thanks to the efforts of a coalition of governments that came to the aid of the cruise line. President Trump and his State Department and National Security Council teams worked closely with Cambodian officials and were instrumental in Westerdam gaining access to the port.

Out of an abundance of caution, 20 guests and crew who visited the medical center during

this cruise were screened for coronavirus. All results came back negative from the Pasteur Laboratory in Phnom Penh and the results were announced by the Cambodian Health Ministry today. Westerdam departed Hong Kong, China, Feb. 1, 2020, on a 14-day cruise and was originally scheduled to call at ports in the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, but was denied entry following an outbreak of novel coronavirus in mainland China, which quickly spread to other countries. Despite not having any known cases of coronavirus on board, Westerdam was denied entry to several countries to end the cruise and allow guests to return

home. Separately, we were not able to call at Manila, the Philippines, on Feb. 3 due to a new policy prohibiting any ship with guests that had passed through China, Macau or Hong Kong in the prior 14 days. “We extend our deepest gratitude to President Trump, Cambodia’s Honorable Prime Minister Hun Sen, Canadian Foreign Minister Champagne, elected officials across the country and governments around the world for providing support and being effective allies in bringing our guests home,” said Stein Kruse, Group CEO, Holland America Group and Carnival UK. “We are pleased with the successful resolution of this challenging

journey that was complicated by unfounded fears stemming from erroneous information with respect to the medical condition of Westerdam’s guests and crew.

This has all been a terrible and unfortunate misunderstanding that has impacted 2,257 people on board and hundreds of others shoreside who have worked 24/7 to get our guests home.”

Holland America Line also received vital assistance from U.S. embassies in several countries and the line’s flag state of The Netherlands in effectively working through diplomatic channels. “We also would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of Westerdam’s guests, crew and their loved ones for their

patience, support and positive attitude during this two-week ordeal,” added Kruse. “Our corporate teams around the world who worked tirelessly deserve recognition as well.”

Westerdam was carrying 1,455 guests and 802 crew.

The cruise was previously scheduled to disembark Feb. 15 at Yokohama, Japan.

Guests will now disembark in Sihanoukville over the next few days and transfer via charter flights to Phnom Penh for forward travel home. Holland America Line is arranging and paying for all flights and guests have received a full refund of their cruise fare as well as a 100% future cruise credit.

10

SPORTS

WBSC awards broadcast rights in New Zealand to Sky TV for U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup in Palmerston North

TL Bureau, Lausanne, Switzerland.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced today that SKY TV has been awarded exclusive broadcast rights in New Zealand for the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup . The event will open on 22 February in Palmerston North, New Zealand, with the top 12 teams in the world competing For the Title of World Champion. The international satellite TV giant SKY TV will air a total of 33 games to its subscribers in New Zealand, including the bronze medal game and the World Cup

final on March 1. The games will be aired on Sky Sport 8 (Channel 58), hosted by Stephen McIvor and New Zealand Softball Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Smith.

Commentators for the New Zealand games will be Dale Husband and former Black Sox captain Rhys Casley.

The WBSC also announced that all 50 games of the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup will be live-streamed globally and free-of-charge for audiences, through the WBSC Official OTT Platform Game Time and the WBSC Official YouTube Channel. “WBSC is delighted to partner with Sky TV to broadcast the U-18 Men’s

The satellite TV provider will broadcast live 33 games of the tournament In the rest of the world, all 50 games of the tournament will be available through the WBSC Official OTT platform Game Time and the WBSC Official YouTube Channel.

Softball World Cup in New Zealand. Their experience and knowledge guarantees for us a world-class production and a top-level product,” said WBSC Softball Chairman Tommy Velazquez. “In addition, with all the games available on our

digital channels for the rest of the world, we expect recordbreaking audiences for this youth men’s softball world cup.” The U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup will feature the best 12 National Teams in the world. The 12 squads have been drawn into

two groups: Group A: Argentina (2), Canada (4), Australia (5), Czech Republic (7), South Africa (10) and Singapore (17).

Group B: Japan (1), New Zealand (3), USA (6), Mexico (8), Denmark (11) and Guatemala (21).

Successful partnership extended: BMW i to continue TOP as ‘ABB FIA Formula E Official Vehicle Partner’ NETBALLERS AGREE TO UPDATED DEAL

TL Bureau, Mexico City.

New partnership, new car design: ahead of the Mexico City E-Prix (MEX), BMW i made two important public announcements. Firstly, BMW i has extended the contract as ‘ABB FIA Formula E Official Vehicle Partner’ and will continue to equip Formula E with an extensive fleet of BMW i safety vehicles through Season 6 and beyond.

Secondly, the BMW i8 Safety Car will appear in a spectacular new design from the fourth race of the season onwards.

The announcement about the partnership extension took place during an evening event held by BMW i and Founding Main Partner Julius Bär in Mexico City, where the car was also revealed. Guests included Dr. Andreas Aumann, Vice President BMW i Product, eMobility, Pia Schörner, Head of BMW Motorsport Marketing, Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer of Formula E, and the internationally renowned influencer Brooklyn Beckham, who got the chance to take some exclusive photos with the new Safety Car ahead of the race.

“BMW i has played a pivotal role in the success of Formula E since the start of the championship,” said Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer of Formula E. “Not only as a founding partner, but also as a strong competitor and manufacturer currently leading the team standings.

I am extremely pleased to continue our collaboration together as official vehicle partner long into the future.

It shows BMW’s commitment as a leader in electric mobility.”

In addition to being ‘Official Vehicle Partner’, BMW i also provides the car fleet for the popular ‘BMW i VIP Laps’, the taxi rides on the racetrack that take place during Formula E events around the world. BMW i is also ‘Official Partner’ and ‘Founding Partner’ of the ABB FIA Formula

TL Bureau, Fitzroy

E Championship.

“As a pioneer in the field of electromobility, and a founding member of Formula E, we are proud to extend our long collaboration and to support the series as ‘Official Vehicle Partner’ with our extensive fleet of support cars in Season 6 and beyond,” said Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer & Brand BMW. “One highlight is obviously our BMW i8 Roadster Safety Car, which we presented in Mexico with a spectacular new design. It is the first and only Roadster to be used as a safety car. Right from the word go, BMW i has played an active role in shaping the rapid development of Formula E for automobile manufacturers, companies and fans all over the world. From the very first minute, we have believed in the concept and used the inspiring environment to test our pioneering BMW i technology and innovations under competitive conditions in the technology lab that is Formula E, and to present them to the public.”

Safety Car design aligned with the colours of the light bar.

The BMW i8 Safety Car, which BMW i is making available as a Coupé and as a Roadster, also boasts a future-oriented and innovative new design. As was the case for the BMW iFE.20, the Safety Car has been designed by Michael Scully, Head of Design BMW Group Motorsport.

It carries forward some elements of

its predecessor. These include the blue and white corners, crossing over in the style of the BMW logo.

Emphasis is also placed on the view from above, which plays a particularly important role due to the elevated seating location for many spectators at the Formula E races. Then there is the asymmetrical layout that provides maximum visibility at high speed. As with the race car, the non-reflective, matt black cockpit element that has been extended to cover the entire area around the driver represents the most striking change. This pushes the driver to the fore, underlining the core importance of this role.

“We integrated the colours of the light bar into the design specially for the Safety Car. This makes the striking colour scheme for the car extremely authentic,” says Scully.

BMW i has long enjoyed a close connection with Formula E, appearing as ‘Official Vehicle Partner’ since Season 1. BMW i Andretti Motorsport has also been racing competitively since Season 5. After two wins in three races from Alexander Sims (GBR) and Maximilian Günther (GER), the team is currently heading the team standings. In addition to celebrating sporting successes, the BMW iFE.20 race car is used primarily as a technological laboratory for further development of drivetrain concepts for BMW i production

cars. The Formula E project has seen the most intensive technology transfer between motorsport and series production in the history of BMW. The BMW i Safety Cars.

BMW i is “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Season 6.

Spearheading the fleet are two Safety Cars: The BMW i8 Roadster Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 46 g/ km)*, which has been specially modified for use at the racetrack, and the BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 42 g/km)*. The BMW i fleet also includes the BMW i3s (combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 14.614.0 kWh; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Race Director Car”, the BMW 530e (combined fuel consumption: 1.8-1.6 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 14.513.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 40-36 g/km)* in its role as “Medical Car” and the BMW X5 e45 (combined fuel consumption: 2.0-1.7 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 23.5-21.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 4638 g/km)* as “Rescue Car”.

Australia’s top netballers will remain the highestpaid female domestic club athletes in Australia, with the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) entering into an updated Collective Player Agreement (CPA) with the Suncorp Super Netball league for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

The new agreement, which will take Suncorp Super Netball athletes and league through to the end of the current broadcast agreement, will see club salary caps increase by 8.65% this year.

Then, from 2021, the minimum salary of all contracted athletes will rise by 10% up to $33,000 which, in addition to the increased health insurance allowance of $2,667 and a technology allowance of $1,000, will result in an overall minimum payment to players of $36,667.

The deal also recognises the increasing importance of athlete mental health and wellbeing and athlete wellbeing minimum standards will be introduced in 2020, whereby each team will commit to providing wellbeing services (to the equivalent of 0.3FTE in 2020, increasing to 0.5FTE in 2021), to work closely with the athletes and Netball Australia’s full-time National Wellbeing Manager.

11

tech/auto

HISTORIC BUGATTI VEHICLES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN RACING CARS FOR THE ROAD

TL Bureau, Molsheim

For Bugatti, the 1920s represent a time of pure victory in almost all competitions taking place at the time and that is not exclusive to those on special race tracks. The light and strong vehicles from Molsheim are superior to their competitors - and therefore mostly unbeatable - especially on the hard road and mountain races with their tight bends, bad surface, potholes, sand and whirling stones.

“Bugatti has always produced exceptional and excellent sports and road vehicles.

In our history of over 110 years, we have proven more than once that our vehicles are quite successful on circuits, but also on roads and mountain races. Our DNA includes perfect coordination with every road surface”, says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “It has always been our aim to build the best, high-qualityperforming, fastest and most luxurious vehicles in the world, even away from race tracks. This has been our guiding principle for the last 110 years. “ Strong and light - the Type 13 As early as 1911, the Type 13 finished second at the France Grand Prix. The combination of a light and agile body with a strong and reliable engine was new at the time. After World War I, Bugatti was only able to resume production in 1919. First with the well-known Type 13, but clearly much more refined, since Bugatti used the production-free period to continue improving the technology.

The previous 1.3-liter four-cylinder had been given a four-valve cylinder head for faster and better gas throughput. This makes the Type 13 one of the first cars with four-valve technology. One hundred years ago, white metal for crankshaft bearings and pistons was just as new as a gasoline pump and a pump that sprayed oil on selected components. From 1920, two spark plugs per combustion chamber ignite the mixture more quickly in the four-cylinder racing version, the energy they receive from two magnets.

The Type 13 took first place in its first major assignment, the race in the Voiturettes class (light racing car) at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans - with a 20-minute lead over the runner-up. The small, high-performance car quickly became popular - with both racing drivers and spectators. A year later, the volume of the Type 13 engine was just under 1.5 liters and an output of up to 50 hp. In addition to the power, the low weight of less than 400 kilograms also plays a role in the races: the Type 13 drives reliably, allows ease and speed of manoeuvre around the bends, especially in races on public roads with the often poor pavement. Flat tires, broken axles or burst engines are a rarity in the racing car.

The Type 13 won races on Lake Garda, mountain races on Mont Angel near Monte Carlo, South Harting, Limonest near Lyon and La Turbie near Nice.

Bugatti successfully modified the general concept of the Type 13 with different body lengths of the vehicle, calling the resulting variations Type 15, Type 17, Type 22 and Type 23. The use in Brescia is still famous to this day: in 1921 the Type 13 took the first four places at the Grand Prix of the Voiturettes and cemented its unbeatable status. Its surname is therefore to this day: Brescia. All subsequent four-valve

A Cooler in the shape of a horseshoe and a bright blue finish – Everytime one of the striking Bugatti vehicles took its place at the starting line of a race in the 1920s, the spectators could be sure of one thing: This car was going to take the lead. The Type 13 and later the Type 35 cast the foundation for exceptional performance vehicles from Molsheim around 100 years ago. In addition to that, they become true racing legends vehicles now bear this name.

A Masterpiece of Technology - the Type 35 It was from 1924 onwards that the Bugatti Type 35 caused a worldwide sensation. With the newly designed sports car, the powerful eight-cylinder engine, the sophisticated front axle and the light aluminium wheels, Bugatti was to dominate race tracks worldwide in the coming years. No matter whether on circuits or road races: the Bugatti Type 35 is considered a technical masterpiece, nearly impossible to be beaten. For the first time, a double roller-bearing and triple ball-bearing crank operation was used, which allowed the engine with the eight pistons to rotate at up to 6000 rpm.

Thanks to two instead of one carburetor,

the output of the initially 2.0-liter engine increased to up to 95 hp, and the power was transmitted via a wet multi-plate clutch.

The first Type 35 drove faster than 190 km/h and easily passed all its competitors.

In the later evolution model, the Type 35 B, with 2.3-liter eight-cylinder and supercharger, the power increased to up to 140 hp and the top speed to over 215 km/h. In 1924, Bugatti used the Type 35 in mountain races such as the one in Gometz-le-Châtel near Paris, where the open sports car demonstrated its power by being the first to race through the finish line, leaving all the other participants behind. Its elegant lines also make it the most beautiful racing car of the era.

The Type 35 entered the Targa Florio race in Sicily for the first time in 1925

and immediately scored a victory. Four more times models of the Type 35 arise as winners in this long-distance race on public mountain roads. It was the toughest and most notorious street race in the world.

Overall, the Type 35 won around 2,000 races by the early 1930s, making it the most successful racing car ever. Ettore Bugatti therefore called his creation the “forefather of a breed of thoroughbred racing horses from Molsheim - a real thoroughbred.”

“It is not just the high performance that have always characterized Bugatti vehicles, but also the high reliability, durability and ease of driving”, explains Stephan Winkelmann. “Not only experienced racing drivers immediately feel comfortable in a Bugatti, but also ambitious sports drivers.

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Public hospital Novel coronavirus to be included in generally daily update on hazardous communicable diseases – Wuhan-related the aim is to prevent the spread of the disease cases TL Bureau, Helsinki

TL Bureau, Hong Kong

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at noon today (February 15), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 45 patients (23 male and 22 female, aged 12 months to 83 years) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are 120 patients under isolation currently.

The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

The severe infection caused by the novel coronavirus will from now on be included in the list of generally hazardous communicable diseases.

The amendment to the Government Decree on Communicable Diseases enter into force from 14 February.

A communicable disease is generally hazardous if it is highly infectious, dangerous and its spread can be prevented by measures (such as a quarantine or isolation) aimed at persons who have contracted the disease, been exposed to the pathogen or are justifiably suspected to have been infected or exposed.

Until now, the infection caused by the novel coronavirus has been considered a communicable disease that is justifiably suspected of being generally hazardous. Based on this suspicion alone, a physician in charge of communicable diseases

in public service may decide on quarantining a person who has been exposed to the disease but is without symptoms, and isolating an infected person, as well as ordering persons working in certain tasks to stay away from work. However, the classification as a generally hazardous infectious disease clarifies the situation.

Like other coronaviruses, the novel coronavirus identified in China may cause a mild or severe disease (COVID-19). There is currently no information available on how common the milder forms of the disease are since the most severe cases are typically detected first at the beginning of an epidemic. The structure of the new virus and its modes of transmission are similar to the previously known coronaviruses SARS and MERS, which cause serious diseases and are already in the list of generally hazardous communicable diseases.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. All countries must therefore actively monitor infections caused by the novel coronavirus, identify cases of the disease early, isolate the infected persons and trace the people who have been exposed to the infection to prevent further infections. Quarantine is intended for symptomless persons who have been exposed to the disease - isolation is for those who have contracted the disease The doctor responsible for communicable diseases may assign a person without symptoms or his/ her possessions to quarantine if that person has been exposed to a generally hazardous communicable disease. The purpose of quarantine is to prevent the spread of the

communicable disease into the population by restricting the person’s movements. The person is normally quarantined at his/ her home. The doctor may end the quarantine once it has been confirmed that the person does not have the disease. The quarantine period is usually no longer than a couple of weeks.

According to the Communicable Diseases Act, a person can be placed in isolation if he/she has been exposed to a generally hazardous communicable disease and had symptoms of the disease. The purpose of isolation is to prevent the spread of the communicable disease into the population by limiting the person’s movements and treating the communicable disease as quickly as possible. The patient is placed in isolation in a hospital, where he/she is examined and treated in accordance with the Health Care Act.

President of India Hosts President of Portugal; Thanks METAL THIEVES ARRESTED IN Portugal for extending its support for the Commemoration of FRANCE AND ROMANIA FOR Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY The President said that India- yoga, diplomatic training,

TL Bureau, New Delhi

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind received His Excellency Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Portuguese Republic at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Welcoming Portuguese President on his first State Visit to India, the President said that Portugal India relations are very special.

India and Portugal enjoy 500 years of shared history. The two countries are closely tied together through Goa and Mumbai, through our culture, language and kinship. The President said that we were delighted to receive Prime Minister Antonio Costa few months ago for the Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary celebrations meeting. He thanked Portugal for extending its support for the commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.

Portugal bilateral agenda has expanded several-folds. The two countries are collaborating in science and technology, defence, education, innovation and startup, water and environment among other things.

The President said that terrorism is grave threat for the entire world. We should deepen our cooperation further to defeat and destroy this global menace. He also said that climate change is a pressing global challenge today.

India looks forward to Portugal joining the International Solar Alliance in the near future.

The two Presidents welcomed the exchange of 14 agreements and understandings between India and Portugal in the fields of maritime heritage, maritime transport and port development, migration and mobility, startups, Intellectual Property Rights, aerospace, nano-biotechnology, audio visual co-production,

scientific research and publicpolicy.

Later the President hosted a banquet in honour of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of the Portuguese Republic.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that our global partnership has added depth to our multilateral engagement and to our common desire to fashion a multi-polar worldorder. India looks forward to becoming an Associate Observer of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, so that we can amplify our developmental partnerships in Africa and elsewhere. He recalled that the first India-EU Summit was initiated under the Portuguese Presidency. He said that when Portugal assumes the Presidency of the European Union next year, we once again look forward to deepening our engagement with the EU.

Vice President of Yemen lashes out at Houthi militias, describing them as negligent of world community efforts to bring about peace TL Bureau, Riyadh

Vice President of Yemen Gen. Ali Mohsen Salih met in Riyadh today with the Charge d’Affaires of the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Yemen Yan Gerald.

The Yemeni news agency quoted Salih as lashing out during the meeting at the Iran-backed Houthi

militias, describing them as continuing to undermine the peace process and negligent of world community efforts aiming to bring about peace, thus deliberately doubling the suffering of Yemenis and killing innocent people. He cast light on the progress of implementing Riyadh agreement between the Yemeni government and Houthi militias, describing it

as an important opportunity to unite the Yemeni ranks against the Iranian subversive plot, and expressing appreciation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continuing follow-up of this matter. For his part, the German senior diplomat confirmed his country’s support for the security and stability of Yemen and ending the suffering of its people

TL Bureau, The Hague

A ruthless gang of metal thieves believed to have caused over €1 million of damage to the French national railway company (SNCF) has been dismantled following a series of coordinated actions across Romania on 12 February with the active involvement of Europol.

16 house searches were carried out in four different regions of Romania, as a result of which one suspect was arrested and three placed under judicial control.

These arrests follow the ones in France of 9 other members of this criminal syndicate in October last year. This sting is the result of a year-long investigation by the

French Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale) and the Romanian National Police (Poliția Română) looking into the activities of this criminal network believed to be very prolific: the network is linked to 57 cases of theft of approximately 1 000 metal components of locomotives weighing 38 tonnes. As a result of the house searches on the action day, €10 000 in cash was recovered and crucial evidence seized in order to support the charges in the French investigation. Europol supported the involved authorities with analytical expertise and deployed an expert on the ground in Romania to support the local investigators with the crosschecking of data against Europol’s databases.

Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: A Coalition Fighter Jet Crashes in the Area of Operations in Al Jawf Governorate, Yemen

TL Bureau, Riyadh

A statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki “At (2345) Friday, 14 February 2020, a Royal Saudi Air Force Tornado fighter

jet crashed while conducting close air support to units of the National Army of Yemen. The coalition fighter jet was conducting backup and support operations to the National Army of Yemen when it crashed in the area of operations in Al Jawf Governorate, Yemen

Supplementary information concerning driver of Hongkong Post’s contractor suspected of novel coronavirus infection

TL Bureau, Hong Kong

In respect of the announcement made yesterday about a driver of Hongkong Post’s contractor serving Chai Wan Delivery Office with a family member confirmed with the novel coronavirus

infection, Hongkong Post today (February 15) provided further information on the case as follows: The test result has been confirmed to be negative for the driver. This is therefore not an infected case.

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