Saturday, October 31, 2020

Pakistan anti-terrorism court docket acquits best Minister Imran ...

Imran Khan The Pakistan Anti-Terrorism court docket acquitted major Minister Imran Khan in the 2014 Parliament assault case. picture credit score: Twitter/PMO

Islamabad: leading Minister Imran Khan become acquitted nowadays by means of an Anti-Terrorism court docket (ATC) of Islamabad in the 2014 Parliament assault case all through the take a seat-in towards the then major Minister Nawaz Sharif.

ATC decide Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan announced the judgment that changed into prior reserved.

The court despite the fact summoned foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, training Minister Shafqat Mehmood and Planning Minister Asad Umar on the subsequent date of listening to, Nov 12, to indict them in the equal case.

Provincial ministers Aleem Khan and Shaukat Yousafzai as well as PTI's former secretary commonplace Jahangir Tareen have also been summoned on the subsequent listening to.

anyway Khan, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) employee Mubashir Ali turned into also acquitted in the case while the birthday celebration's chairman, Tahirul Qadri, became declared a fugitive.

In his judgment the ATC judge however halted court cases towards President Arif Alvi because of the presidential immunity granted to him in the charter of Pakistan.

Parliament attack case: short background

On August 31, 2014, people of the now ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) tried to enter Parliament and go against the major Minister's apartment and clashed with police.

The Islamabad police had invoked sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act in opposition t Khan and different PTI leaders.

The incident took location throughout the sit-ins through PTI and PAT employees in front of the Parliament.

The prosecution, as per their previous stance, had claimed that three people have been killed and 26 injured within the incident.

major Minister Khan's acquittal comes days after he entreated the courtroom the court to acquit him because the prosecution changed into no longer interested in pursuing the case.

State attorney Abdullah Babar Awan, son of Adviser to the major minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, instructed the court that prosecution become no longer interested in pursuing the case.

Prosecution not drawn to case

"The learned prosecutor acting for the other facet is heard and the learned prosecutor candidly conceded that in this false case the charge against the petitioner is groundless and there is no chance of the conviction and hence, the realized prosecutor agreed that this is a fit case for acquittal," the prosecution legal professional who became appointed with the aid of the sitting govt observed within the written application.

"The applicant is maliciously implicated and dragged during this false case. extra proceedings shall trigger harassment and political victimisation. above all, after the prosecution stands in favour of the acquittal of the applicant," it referred to.

now not a single witness from prosecution side

in accordance with the tips, not a single witness of the prosecution had linked Khan with the offence, including that there became no direct or oblique proof attainable on record in opposition t him.

past, the court docket had granted everlasting exemption to Khan from appearance in the case.

inner feud looms big in Pakistan because it fails to get ...

Imran Khan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif posing for the camera © supplied by means of Zee information

Moments after Pakistan failed to get off the terror-financing watchdog financial action project force's (FATF) grey checklist, an internal feud loomed significant in the nation. Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Khawaja M Asif slammed Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In a decision that turned into on anticipated strains, Pakistan continues to continue to be on the FATF grey listing for you to influence the financial system of the country. The decision of the FATF is an immense blow to the Khan-led govt. Being on the grey listing capability, the country must make reforms in its fiscal equipment so that cash isn't used for terrorism.

Pakistan became positioned on the Paris primarily based physique's gray checklist in June 2018 and given an motion plan to put into effect. It has been two years and Islamabad proceed to remain on the listing considering it didn't put in force the motion plan.

The FATF all started its three-day digital plenary meeting on October 21 (Wednesday) in which it reviewed Pakistan's efficiency in implementation of the action plan advised through it to choke channels of funding to the terror organizations operating from the nation.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Asif mentioned that in 2012, Pakistan turned into blacklisted by way of the FATF but the PMLN government took the nation to the white checklist via 2015. Launching an assault on PTI, he spoke of that the celebration after two years and enacting draconian legal guidelines didn't take Pakistan out of the grey checklist. He referred to as PTI 'Pakistan Tahreek Incompetence'.

"Pak turned into"Black listed"by FATF in 2012. within 2yrs PMLN govt in 2015 we were in"white list". PTI after 2yrs & enacting draconian legal guidelines (including these having nothing to do with FATF)failed to take Pakistan OUT of grey listing. PTI is Pakistan Tahreek Incompetence?" he tweeted.

The FATF listed six "serious deficiencies" which encompass Islamabad's lack of implementation of monetary sanctions on United nations protection Council listed terrorists like Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi. while on anticipated traces, Pakistan remains on FATF's gray checklist, the anti-terror financing physique has requested Islamabad to do more given that the risks have not gone.

in response to a question, Marcus Pleyer, FATF President referred to, "considering the fact that Pakistan has completed 21 of 27 objects, mostly completed.. however the 6 spectacular objects are very serious deficiencies that nonetheless have to be repaired. For that reason, the dangers haven't long past, Pakistan govt have to do its foremost to fix and to work on these incredible six objects." 

After being greylisted in June 2018, Pakistan become given an action plan with 27 objects to enhance and produce transparency in its economic gadget in order that funds is not used to fund terror. 

The 6 objects listed via FATF on which moves have not been taken include "demonstrating helpful implementation of targeted fiscal sanctions against all 1267 and 1373 certain terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf, preventing the elevating and relocating of cash... freezing property (movable and immovable), and prohibiting entry to cash and fiscal services".

1267 is the UN listing on which overseas terrorists are listed. Pakistan has the optimum number of its nationals on the list. Being on the gray checklist potential, the country must make reforms in its economic system in order that money is not used for terrorism. according to the Pakistan executive's personal estimation, the country loses $10 billion annually through being on the checklist.

As all motion plan cut-off dates have expired and FATF has "strongly advised" Islamabad to rapidly comprehensive its full action plan via February 2021. as soon as it completes all the motion plans, an on-web page consult with by way of the FATF team will make a decision if motion plans have indeed been implemented.

India on October 22 had reiterated that Islamabad has not taken any action on terrorist it has been proposing protected havens.

Ministry of exterior Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had stated, "As is well prevalent, Pakistan continues to give safe havens to terrorist entities and individuals and has also now not yet taken any action against a couple of terrorist entities and individuals including these proscribed by the us akin to Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi etc."

The terrorists listed with the aid of India are chargeable for a couple of terror assaults in India like 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Srivastava had referred to Pakistan has addressed best 21 out of 27 "action items" prescribed by the fiscal motion project drive (FATF) to contain terror financing.

requested about the possibility of the FATF blacklisting Pakistan for failing to verify terror financing, Srivastava had talked about the world anti-terror watchdog has laid out requisites and tactics for such motion. "It is thought that Pakistan has addressed simplest 21 action items to date out of the full 27 points in the FATF motion plan. Six vital action items are yet to be addressed," he had referred to.

The FATF had put Pakistan on its "gray listing" in 2018 for failing to comprise terror financing within the country. The international body has been periodically reviewing the implementation of the motion plan it had counseled to Pakistan to curb fiscal activities of terror groups.

despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic within the area, Pakistan has been resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and making concerted efforts to push militants into Kashmir.

Pakistani hostilities increased after India announced its choice to withdraw the special fame of Jammu and Kashmir and divide the state into two union territories in August 2019.

Friday, October 30, 2020

35 new inns to be built at tourists spots in ...

ISLAMABAD: The chairman of the Pakistan Tourism construction organisation (PTDC) Zulfiqar Bukhari has announced that 35 new resorts with up to date facilities could be constructed at diverse tourist spots throughout Pakistan, ARY news said on Friday.

Bukhari mentioned that the federal govt is finishing all projects related to promotion tourism on a precedence foundation besides guaranteeing the provision of optimum facilities to the tourists.

new hotels tourists spots pakistan zulfi bukhari webinar

He introduced that useful steps are being taken by means of the incumbent executive and it will construct 35 new motels with modern amenities at distinct vacationer spots throughout the country.

read: beautiful Chitral gets one-of-a-variety 5-star hospitality hotel: SAPM

Beth Troutman spoke of that the hospitality of the Pakistani nation is exemplary and she found the nation's image opposite to the terrible propaganda. Pakistan is a peaceable nation with many areas of natural splendor.

all over the address, the ambassador Dr Asad Majeed Khan invited US nationals to visit Pakistan.

previous, the federal govt had achieved to get an incredible foreign funding for the travelers' attraction, Chitral, as a venture commenced to assemble a 5-celebrity lodge for promoting tourism.

The funding has been accomplished via a US-based mostly foreign places Pakistani, Anwar Aman, for the building of 'BeJaan' lodge with a purpose to additionally generate employment for locals besides increasing the appeal of the northern area.

read: KP defines rules for holding scenic fantastic thing about vacationer spots

Zulfiqar Bukhari had said that foreign funding increased up to 206 per cent after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into vigour. He had thanked Anwar Aman for making an important funding within the hotel industry.

The eighty-mattress inn will generate employment for locals and Chitral will emerge as the most fulfilling tourism spot in the northern location. He had spoke of that high Minister Imran Khan is inclined to expedite tourism actions in the country and he is at all times monitoring the developments.

Bukhari had observed that the federal government brought Pakistan's first-ever tourism coverage and prepared a 10-year action plan for its implementation. Pakistan will compete India and Malaysia in the tourism sector."

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CalHFA’s combined-revenue application Wins countrywide Award

national Council of State Housing companies acknowledges California application for producing greater housing in much less time and with much less public subsidy

California's blended-earnings program (MIP), which is administered by the California Housing Finance company (CalHFA) on account of assist and collaboration across all sectors of the government from Governor Gavin Newsom's Administration to the Legislature to the State Treasurer's workplace, has won a country wide award for application excellence.

The national Council of State Housing corporations (NCSHA) made the announcement at its annual conference Oct. 27, naming CalHFA's application a 2020 winner in its rental Housing: Encouraging New building class.

NCSHA praised MIP's streamlined finance model it truly is producing more housing in less time and with much less public subsidy.

"I'm proud of our team at the California Housing Financing company, and this award is a testomony to their challenging work to make the mixed-earnings application a hit," mentioned Governor Newsom. "The combined-revenue application, which has been operational for just over a yr, is helping the production of 3,468 instruments of housing, developing inclusive communities and assisting to address the affordability disaster all over the state."

thus far, CalHFA has dedicated $156 million in MIP subordinate loans to help heaps of families right through the state at a mix of revenue ranges from 30% to a hundred and twenty% of the area Median salary.

over the last few years, a few state government movements set the stage for the design and implementation of MIP. present Senate President seasoned Tempore Toni Atkins supplied the preliminary imaginative and prescient and help – round $40 million yearly – for a mixed-salary software as part of 2017's Senate bill 2: The building homes and Jobs Act.

As quickly as CalHFA started the application, Governor Newsom identified it as one that might improve the Administration's coverage dreams of jump-starting creation, constructing housing for a range of revenue degrees and prioritizing charge and time efficiency. With that in intellect, the Governor and Legislature handed a 2019-20 State price range that elevated the State Low-profits Housing Tax credit score program and reserved up to $200 million of these new tax credit to be paired with MIP. It additionally supplied a one-time allocation to CalHFA of $500 million in cash for low-and average-earnings building, a big portion of which went to expand MIP.

Story continues

The additional money and essential tax credit score reservation allowed the software to actually take off. A partnership with State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who oversees California's Tax credit score Allocation Committee (CTCAC), made MIP a streamlined one-cease shop for personal economical housing producers to make use of these public resources.

"Working with CalHFA to make our state's most economical housing finance delivery equipment extra effective has already paid massive dividends," pointed out Treasurer Ma. "by using expanding general creation in any respect earnings levels, this partnership has basically made a significant impact on California's housing disaster."

In its entry for the NCSHA software Excellence Award, CalHFA stated an inner analysis that highlighted the pace and value effectivity of MIP tasks when in comparison to identical new construction low cost housing initiatives that obtained state supplies at the identical time. The findings showed MIP tasks will charge $119,000 less per unit on common, will begin building just about a yr faster and create extra units outdoor of areas of centred poverty. In these ways, the software is a component of CalHFA's finished method to develop fair housing through inclusivity and desegregation.

"if you see alignment of priorities from the Administration, the Legislature and the T reasurer's office, and a partnership between California's housing finance birth techniques which effectively addresses those priorities, you've got a mannequin for others to follow," said CalHFA govt Director Tia Boatman Patterson. "And the end result is extra of the right sorts of housing within the correct places for Californians who want it."

The California Housing Finance company was created in 1975 with the purpose of helping more Californians locate a spot to name home. CalHFA has helped greater than 201,000 low- and average-salary homebuyers with $32.6 billion in first mortgages and used $6.1 billion in financing for the building and renovation of more than 70,000 low in cost rental housing devices during the state. CalHFA is a self-supported state company that would not count on taxpayer dollars for its operational costs. For extra information on CalHFA classes, and the way we're growing innovative financing options for in your price range housing in California, vi sit www.calhfa.ca.gov or call toll free at 877.9.CalHFA (877.922.5432).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/domestic/20201030005560/en/

Contacts

Chris SaurPhone: 916.326.8604csaur@calhfa.ca.gov www.calhfa.ca.gov

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The Pakistan Democratic circulate Has huge dreams but poor ...

Supporters of the opposition Pakistan Democratic flow carry their events' flags all the way through an anti-govt rally in Quetta on Oct. 25. Banaras Khan/AFP by way of Getty pictures

a new unified anti-government movement has emerged in Pakistan amid a worsening economic disaster. The Pakistan Democratic move (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition events, turned into shaped in September and has held significant rallies in three fundamental cities. It plans extra protests in the coming weeks and intends to march on Islamabad in January.

Fueled by using gigantic crowds and growing to be public anxiousness about economic stress, the circulate actually has legs. however ousting major Minister Imran Khan's govt is a very tall order, thanks in exquisite part to Khan's backing with the aid of Pakistan's potent safety forces.

at the moment the PDM is pulling no punches. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) founder and former leading Minister Nawaz Sharif, who turned into convicted of corruption in 2018 however is now based in London after receiving scientific bail, has delivered fiery video speeches at two diverse rallies. He called out by means of identify the top of Pakistan's army, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, accusing him of engineering Sharif's ouster in 2017 as neatly as the 2018 election victory of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) birthday party. infrequently has a senior Pakistani leader made such particular allegations by using name in opposition t a sitting army chief so publicly.

Opposition alliances have a protracted heritage in Pakistan. they have come together against military dictators, and with various success. They helped eradicate box Marshal Ayub Khan from the presidency within the late 1960s, however have been much less a hit against Gen. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's presidency in the Nineteen Eighties. These alliances have additionally been deployed in opposition t civilian leaders, including one in opposition t top Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977 that resulted within the defense force coup that introduced Zia to vigor.

None of these are exactly analogous to the present flow, notwithstanding the one in opposition t Bhutto, spearheaded with the aid of the Pakistan countrywide Alliance, bears many similarities. like the PDM nowadays, the Pakistan country wide Alliance centered a civilian administration with a populist chief that it accused of benefiting from election-rigging and of enforcing authoritarian measures and destructive economic policies. One main difference, although, is that today the PDM confronts a civilian management that enjoys defense force aid. against this, reports demonstrate that some factions inside the safety establishment inspired the Pakistan countrywide Alliance to take a tough line on Bhutto.

If the PDM wants to remove Khan, or Bajwa, from energy, it'll want purchase-in from the protection institution, which won't be handy to get. The PDM may additionally hope that by means of making use of continual drive via huge, sustained rallies and relentless naming and shaming, it may well instant the armed forces—or, greater realistically, effective factions inside the defense force—to switch on these at the precise. To make sure, the armed forces may be shaken by Sharif's callout of Bajwa and through public expressions of contempt for the army chief. video clips have emerged of crowds shouting slogans towards him at some of the PDM rallies and within the streets of the city of Lahore. That this has happened in Punjab province—the political bastion of the PTI and residential to most army senior officers—is tremendous.

but force, shaming, and criticism won't necessarily be enough. while it's proper that army chiefs aren't used to being publicly humiliated, it does occur—and it doesn't at all times outcome in them getting sent packing, even after they consider the heat inside the defense force ranks. After the U.S. raid on Osama bin laden's compound in 2011, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani faced anger within the military and became shouted at by using his own officers on the town-corridor conferences he held on dissimilar bases. however he stayed on.

There might also also be limits to persisted mighty and direct anti-institution messaging. Sharif's speeches have put PDM leaders—together with Sharif's personal celebration colleagues—in a troublesome spot. In a nation where the military helps nurture and maintain careers, it's a big possibility for mainstream politicians to bite the hand that feeds them. And it's a particularly massive possibility for PDM leaders aside from Sharif. the former premier—himself a one-time protégé of the army—enjoys the protection of being abroad and, given his present prison troubles, may additionally already be entering the twilight of his political career. Tellingly, PDM leaders—even Sharif—emphasize that they resent the military's intrusion into politics and the moves of Bajwa, however not the institution on the complete.

one other problem for the PDM will be sustaining the circulation. whereas Islamabad has been praised for getting the pandemic below control, recent statistics suggests a brand new surge in COVID-19 circumstances. If the numbers retain rising when iciness weather sets in, the PDM might discover itself below growing drive to ease up on mass protests in order that it doesn't develop into a superspreader. Then once again, a resurgent pandemic could additionally advantage the PDM by giving it extra ammunition with which to criticize the executive.

moreover, the PDM could be subjected to a state crackdown. Islamabad has let the protests unfold to this point, although the PDM has crossed purple traces with its criticism of defense force and intelligence leaders. Khan, however, has warned of consequences, vowing to get "tougher" with PDM leaders. After a rally in Karachi, an opposition PML-N chief, Muhammad Safdar—the husband of Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif's daughter, who's also a excellent PML-N leader—become arrested in his inn room for shouting political slogans at the mausoleum of Pakistan's founding chief, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. much more concerning became the manner the arrest changed into performed: Paramilitary forces known as Rangers, acting on the orders of intelligence operatives, kidnapped the provincial police chief and compelled him to subject arrest orders for Safdar after he in the beginning refused.

Broader crackdowns might gradual the stream. but they might also embolden opposition supporters and result in street protests. Unrest would suggest all bets are off—but it surely might additionally deliver an eventual off-ramp for negotiations towards a deal that allows either side to declare victory.

brotherly love is a further problem. The PDM, like old opposition alliances, is a motley crew. some of its 11 events are longtime sparring partners. presenting a united and sustained entrance could prove difficult as time goes on.

although, there's a major factor at play that could sustain and even beef up the PDM: financial stress is rising, giving the circulation a powerful public criticism to faucet. PDM rallies have already concentrated on this economic insecurity, with references to "historical highs" in inflation and the difficulties the executive's "failed" economic guidelines have led to for the general public.

Pakistan is reeling from one of the most worst inflation in years, at the moment working at 9 %, with rural and urban food inflation in double digits on the grounds that August 2019. expenditures for key staples have risen sharply. Flour expenses have long gone up between 50 and 60 p.c over the remaining year. Sugar has improved by using greater than 30 p.c, eggs via 41 p.c, potatoes by sixty five percent, and tomatoes by way of a whopping 117 %. These fee shocks come with many Pakistanis already struggling to make ends meet. in line with analyst Uzair Younus, Pakistani actual family unit incomes have fallen for the primary time in 12 years.

With the government giving little indication that it has a transparent plan to turn things around, financial stress is unlikely to ease quickly. The international economic Fund envisions stagflation over the subsequent year, with inflation at 10 p.c and unemployment rising by using 13 p.c.

Doubling down on going after economic misgovernment may give the PDM some severe traction. Decrying skyrocketing meals costs is a surefire strategy to galvanize the masses—and their patience may additionally already be wearing thin. Public approval charges for Khan have fallen in view that early 2019. Inflation, salary, and unemployment right the listing of present public concerns, and recent polls mirror increasing nervousness about future financial neatly-being.

This doesn't suggest the PDM will ride on the coattails of public anger concerning the economy and power the govt out of vigour. Pakistan has experienced many severe inflationary durations in the past that didn't cause mass protests, lots much less political exchange. A circulation in opposition t President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 and 2008, which coincided with an economic disaster, changed into fueled greater via Musharraf's suspension of the Supreme courtroom chief justice and statement of emergency than by using financial misery.

nevertheless, so lengthy because it can preserve capitalizing on the country's economic woes, the PDM is not going to run out of steam anytime quickly. If it endures, the stage is decided for a pivotal moment in January when the circulate converges on Islamabad.

The PDM needs to retain momentum into March, when a key Senate election takes location. while the PTI holds vigor in the countrywide meeting, it doesn't manage the Senate. The opposition fears that if the PTI takes over the higher chamber as smartly, it's going to ram via new legislations it truly is destructive to the opposition.

This comprises knowledge measures to dilute the charter's 18th modification, which devolves power to provincial governments, and to replace the existing parliamentary gadget with a presidential equipment that in the past centralized energy and benefited the federal government and army. The PDM hopes it may well compel legislators—who do the balloting in Senate polls—to maintain the upper chamber out of PTI control.

The opposition alliance wishes regime trade. however on the end of the day, it will additionally welcome the greater modest fulfillment of limiting the ruling birthday celebration's parliamentary clout.

Bursting at the seams: Can Pakistan survive? - instances of India

GLASGOW: The hat trick of Pakistan Democratic stream's (PDM) public rallies in Pakistan has proved one aspect past doubt that the Pakistan military has been introduced into the area of grassroot public debate as on no account earlier than.3 times top minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, now residing in exile within the UK, accused the Pakistan army chief customary Qamar Bajwa and the Inter-capabilities Intelligence (ISI) Director-established Faiz Hameed of engineering the ascent to vigour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan.He has hence now not only uncovered the uncanny position of the defense force institution in operating the affairs of the government by way of publically unmasked the creepy persona of the defense force institution which in keeping with Nawaz Sharif has developed into a 'state above the state'.each and every probably the most audio system at the PDM rallies has counseled the speech of Nawaz Sharif which, regardless of efforts with the aid of the prese nt government to sabotage it with the aid of switching off the internet, had been broadcast are living at the Gujranwala and Quetta rallies on October 16 and 25 respectively. The thousands who came to listen to their leaders did not buy accusations by using the spin-doctors of the PTI government that PDM became following an anti-Pakistan, professional-India agenda.Imran Khan has lost his credibility as a ruler. And rightly so. His election promise that he'll fix the honour of the Pakistani people by means of not borrowing money from foreign nations or banks was thwarted on the very subsequent day of his election victory (July 26, 2018) when his handpicked finance minister Assad Omer instructed the media that they must go to the IMF for an emergency personal loan. considering then Imran Khan has been globetrotting inquiring for economic assist. in the first 12 months of his governance, Imran Khan government had collected a total of Rs. 7,509 billion of public debt.in line with the St ate financial institution of Pakistan, the full public debt at the end of the fiscal year June 2019 stood at Rs 31.786 trillion! Assad Omer warned that the nation was near bankruptcy. In November 2019 the State bank of Pakistan stunned the country by using revealing that all over the 13 months of Imran Khan's government the whole debt of Pakistan of 71 years become up with the aid of 35 per cent adding Rs 10,000 billion to debt in the identical length.The mismanagement of the economic climate resulted in a skyrocketing fee hike of nearly every merchandise of daily necessity. youngsters, it changed into the 262 per cent soar in the rate of a hundred native and imported drug treatments that greatly surprised the nation. These drug treatments covered those used for top blood power, glaucoma, and epilepsy, to deal with seizures all the way through being pregnant, melanoma, and rabies. The rate of vegetables and meat also saw a rise of 20 to 50 per cent on a weekly foundation.Exports had been in steep decline as well in Pakistan and it became mentioned in January 2020 that country's exports had declined by using USD 61 million to USD 1.937 billion when compared with the same duration in January 2019, hence, exports, in January 2020, confirmed a poor increase of 3.4 per cent. however the true bombshell turned into dropped when it changed into introduced that for the primary time in sixty eight years Pakistan's Gross country wide Product (GDP) had slipped into bad boom of 0.38 per cent and the commercial sector showed a terrible boom of two.27 per cent in 2018-19Added to the above misfortunes had been the sugar and flour scandals that revealed billions of rupees of corruption by using those that had been shut associates of Imran Khan. The political witch hunt of the opposition events and curb on print and broadcast media through the Imran Khan executive and the leading ministers' stubbornness in resolving the political deadlock had been viewed as lack of political ge nius and seem to have performed an instrumental position in the formation of the eleven party alliance of PDM.As Pakistan struggled to grapple with the free-fall downward trend in the financial system, its failure to galvanise foreign aid in opposition t India after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution, developed into critical diplomatic isolation. no longer handiest that Pakistan failed to demand a UN Human Rights Council session on the Kashmir subject however the very proven fact that the enterprise of Islamic neighborhood (OIC) additionally refused to take in the subject completely knocked out the Imran Khan government in the ring of foreign diplomacy.The cornerstone of Pakistan's international coverage has been anti-India propaganda and when the world became the opposite direction and refused to purchase Pakistan's diplomatic commodity in accordance with hate-mongering in opposition t India, it not simplest alienated the country additional but also h ad a devastating impact on the psychology of the accepted population. therefore in all of the PDM rallies, audio system have criticised Imran Khan for being liable for the so-referred to as 'Sakoot-e-Kashmir' (Fall of Kashmir).China has turn into weary of the China-Pakistan-financial-corridor (CPEC) on account that no work has been performed on constructing the CPEC infrastructure due to the fact the Imran Khan executive came to power. The Chairman of the CPEC Authority widely wide-spread (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa has been accused of being worried in billions of greenbacks of corruption and operating at least ninety nine pizza franchises within the US within the name of his members of the family. Opposition to CPEC from the locals in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has been becoming and Pakistan's makes an attempt to merge GB in Pakistan had been met with conclusive opposition from all sections of society.The election due on November 15 in Gilgit- Baltistan are viewed as a tacti cal measure on behalf of Imran Khan to deliver a PTI govt in power in GB, however, that opportunity appears farfetched. With the presence of Pakistan people's birthday party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in GB who's working a marathon election campaign, the probability at greatest appears to be the formation of a coalition government.Protests in PoK towards dangerous street situations, lack of health amenities and colleges and towards rate hike have develop into an everyday occurrence. Insurgency in Baluchistan is gaining momentum with the Baloch freedom fighters gaining experience in guerrilla struggle tactics and magnificent the Pakistan army investigate posts and convoys on just about a daily groundwork.in a similar way in Sindh, rural and urban Sindh are speedy approaching the equal page in opposition t the imperial extortion and land grab via Pakistan. probably the most contemporary example being the opposition Pakistan had to face against a Presidential decree related to Pak istan Island building Authority that could bring the island of Indian Ocean in the Sindh water territory under the federal handle. On October 6 the provincial meeting of Sindh passed a resolution that unanimously rejected the presidential ordinance.In Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province Pashtun Tahafuz flow (PTM) has develop into a drive that can't be left out. it's traumatic an enquiry into the atrocities that the Pakistan army has dedicated all through the so-called battle on terror killing heaps of local blameless tribal.In a nutshell, Pakistan is bursting at its seams. The query is can Pakistan live on as a manageable nation-state? neatly, the reply to this question depends upon many components. inside elements that could make a decision the destiny of Pakistan include her distancing itself from the two-nation idea it really is the groundwork of its most poor India-hate narrative. besides Pakistan will must decisively reform its military and intelligence associations and bar them from any interference in public area even if or not it's political, financial or social. All armed forces enterprise considerations must be nationalised and then privatised.Externally, Pakistan has to fix its ways with India through returning the occupied territories of PoJK and GB. Disengage with sponsoring terrorism and offering protected havens for foreign terrorists and dismantle its terror infrastructure together with practising camps and fiscal information.unless as Maryam Nawaz, the vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) slogan 'Vote ko izzat do" (respect the vote) is established as a governing precept of democracy in Pakistan, there will be greater chaos which should still be a explanation for concern for regional peace.hence, it might be as much as the regional powers, big or small, to join hands within the superior interest of international peace and financial balance to aid indigenous freedom movements to help dismember the synthetic state of Pakistan.

possibility Zones raise Pennsylvanians out of poverty: Ben ...

Ben Carson  |  particular to the US these days community

From day one of his administration, President Donald Trump, Congressional Republicans and the branch of Housing and urban construction have been working hard to deliver economic prosperity to the united states's forgotten neighborhoods. No program has generated more success in opposition t these efforts than the president's possibility Zone initiative.

opportunity Zones are a powerful car for bringing financial growth and job introduction to the American communities that want them most. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act based chance Zones to incentivize long-term investments in low-income communities nationwide. These incentives offer capital positive aspects tax reduction for brand new funding in unique possibility Zones.

In August, the Council of financial Advisers released a record detailing the successes we're already seeing across america. The Council found that in precisely two years chance Zones have pushed $75 billion in new investments to distressed American communities. These new investments will lift at least 1000000 americans out of poverty, lowering the poverty fee in opportunity Zones — which is virtually twice the country wide average — through 11%.

What does that mean for all american citizens? 1000000 greater of our neighbors, friends, and family members will have more entry to in your price range housing, a gentle job, and an common stronger fine of lifestyles.

Opposing view: President Trump touts possibility Zones. The software is a failure | Opinion

Pennsylvania's 300 chance Zones — 27 of which are in Pittsburgh — are additionally since prosperity. recently, we had the privilege of designating an EnVision center, observed in a Pittsburgh probability Zone. EnVision facilities assist self-sufficiency via presenting economic and tutorial alternatives to low-salary communities. With this designation, Pittsburgh residents will now see the impressive success that different areas across the country have skilled, including extended job placement, access to GED lessons, and greater.

EnVision centers had been conceived from the idea that HUD's true measure of success is not how many people we can get onto our counsel programs, but what number of we can elevate out of government suggestions and set on the direction to self-sufficiency. EnVision facilities work to achieve this purpose of empowering all americans to satisfy their potential by using offering the equipment they should be successful, all found in one centralized hub.

Incentivizing funding in low-salary communities fosters financial revitalization, job introduction, and promotes sustainable financial increase throughout the nation. The Pittsburgh EnVision middle's mission echoes that of possibility Zones, as they set out to improve and uplift the same americans President Trump pledged would "now not be forgotten."

Regulatory obstacles and high taxes stifle the American economic climate — and the poorest amongst us pay the expense. i will be able to feel of no stronger location to look the fruits of these labors than the first-rate state of Pennsylvania. i am inspired by using the force of high quality change occurring right here in Pittsburgh on account of the probability Zones initiative.

under the president's management there is a rising economic tide, and it is lifting all boats.

Ben Carson is the united states Secretary of Housing and urban construction.

Districts Anxious About Plunge in Meal-software candidates ...

Karina Galan, a school bus driver with Mt. Diablo Unified School District, carries several bags of pre-packaged meals to distribute to a family in Concord, Calif. The district is stressing to parents the importance of filling out applications for participation in the free and reduced-price meals program at a time when the number of formal applications have dropped off.

Karina Galan, a school bus driver with Mt. Diablo Unified faculty District, includes a few baggage of pre-packaged foodstuff to distribute to a family in concord, Calif. The district is stressing to parents th e value of filling out applications for participation in the free and decreased-fee foodstuff application at a time when the number of formal purposes have dropped off.

â€"Brittany Hosea-Small for schooling Week

October 28, 2020

despite the nation’s starting to be poverty expense, district administrators say enormously fewer college students this 12 months are applying for free of charge and decreased-rate food. The sharp drop--likely the result of the way districts are administering the program during the coronavirus pandemic--could location at risk thousands and thousands of bucks in support used to deliver in-college and out-of-school tutorial and social capabilities.

That’s as a result of participation in the application is used as a proxy for poverty tiers in lots of state schooling funding formulas, in addition to by using philanthropic businesses, researchers, and others.

“There’s a familiar knowing that the poverty stage throughout the nation has expanded because of people losing their jobs and homes on account of the economic impact of COVID, but when these kinds aren't submitted, it appears like poverty in schools has reduced,” spoke of Jonas Zuckerman, the president of the national association of ESEA State program administrators and the director of Title I features in Wisconsin’s branch of public guide. “What story are we telling with this data? It fails the odor examine.”

NAESPA’s individuals have fielded panicked calls from administrators in fresh weeks who are involved that, with fewer college students certified at no cost and decreased-expense food, they're going to get hold of much less federal help subsequent yr. Zuckerman and a number of different federal funding specialists referred to the numbers don't weigh heavily in the federal Title I formulation for help to disadvantaged students.

however 23 states totally count on free and decreased-cost meal types to calculate how a great deal additional cash districts should get for serving colossal concentrations of low-income college students, based on a fresh paper by using the purpose basis, a libertarian group that pushes for the overhaul of state funding innovations.

without a big change in how state funding formulation are calculated, districts in many states chance losing poverty-primarily based assist to pay for psychologists, after-school care, academic intervention, and year-conclusion bonuses meant to entice teachers to work in low-earnings faculties.

A woman picks up several meals while her daughter waits behind her in Concord, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

a woman picks up a couple of nutrition whereas her daughter waits at the back of her in concord, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

â€"Brittany Hosea-Small for education Week

Pandemic’s Disruption

For greater than half a century, districts have required folks and caretakers to fill out varieties about their employment reputation and salary level as a part of the method for presenting free and decreased-price faculty foodstuff. The forms are a simple technique to tally how many infants are living in households with incomes beneath 185 % of the poverty level without violating privacy laws. greater than 29 million babies today qualify for free of charge and reduced-price meals, greater than half of america’s pupil physique.

but seeing that the birth of school shutdowns due to the pandemic, districts were proposing meals to any student who asks for them, thanks to a collection of waivers granted earlier this yr through the U.S. branch of Agriculture and these days prolonged through the conclusion of this faculty year.

“folks are asking us, ‘Why do I deserve to fill out this utility when all my youngster has to do is walk to the road nook and get the meals at no cost?” stated Lisa Gonzales, the chief business officer for the Mt. Diablo Unified school District, a 36,000-pupil suburban gadget outside San Francisco. After years of witnessing a gentle uptick in scholar poverty, the district this 12 months has viewed the variety of households filling out free and reduced-priced meal forms drop from 44 % of the district’s enrollment to 33 p.c. It now hazards losing greater than $2.6 million in federal and state aid, in response to Gonzales.

different directors theorize that this 12 months’s political local weather has made many immigrant parents who may qualify frightened of giving out very own suggestions to any executive agency, together with college districts.

around the country, anxious administrators in contemporary weeks have scrambled to clarify to folks all through morning announcements, native radio advertisements, press releases, and robocalls to buildings that the types are personal and aren’t simply used for cafeteria features. Some have positioned flashing banners on their websites directing parents to FAQs and links to the kind, which, they factor out, best takes minutes to comprehensive.

“We’re trying to explain to parents that breakfast and lunch is barely a small snippet of what these varieties are used for,” stated Melanie Duerkop, the director of federal programs for Cabot, Ark., public faculties, a ten,000-student district backyard Little Rock. greater than four,000 college students typically qualify for free of charge and decreased-cost food, Duerkop talked about. but the district this 12 months has seen well-nigh a 25 % drop in the number of students recognized as low-revenue, despite the fact that the native unemployment and homelessness expense has gone up.

Many districts are involved that, moreover dropping support, they will ought to restructure their staffing at Title I faculties when you consider that districts have historically used the meal counts to assess the place to dispatch guide capabilities for low-salary little ones.

by the use of reassurance, Zuckerman and other consultants observed the federal executive depends most closely on Small enviornment revenue and Poverty U.S. Census Bureau estimates to assess how a great deal Title I assist districts get hold of and that the variety of toddlers who qualify for gratis and decreased-priced meals is a negligible ingredient in the method.

Zuckerman additionally talked about that districts can use native Medicaid and Supplemental food information application statistics to assess the way to distribute federal aid among schools subsequent 12 months, some extent NAESPA plans to communicate to state administrators within the coming weeks.

Alondra Gonzales, 4, and Matthew Ramirez, 4, carry their meals in a small wagon back to their house in Concord, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Alondra Gonzales, 4, and Matthew Ramirez, four, raise their nutrition in a small wagon returned to their apartment in concord, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

â€"Brittany Hosea-Small for education Week

Fiscal anxiety

The drop in purposes right through the coronavirus-pushed recession provides yet a different twist to what’s been a financially chaotic college year for low-salary and majority Black and Latino school districts. These property-bad districts are heavily reliant on state revenue and earnings tax income, now hammered by means of the recession, and risk dropping up to twenty % of their profits this spring when legislatures reconvene.

in the meantime, as a result of a political standoff, Congress has yet to provide the 2d circular of reduction lots of these districts have been hoping would aid get them through the relaxation of this school year without having to lay off teachers and other workforce individuals.

Low-revenue districts, a lot of that are conducting far flung studying this 12 months, also have considered a drop in basic attendance and enrollment, different vital measures used to check how much cash districts receive.

“here is simply a extremely bizarre yr for facts,” Zuckerman mentioned.

faculty funding experts for the closing a few years had been searching for a new method to measure levels of poverty considering that districts have historically struggled getting older low-revenue college students to come the kinds. Many districts stopped yearly collecting them after a contemporary alternate to the manner districts with colossal populations of low-earnings college students are reimbursed for food.

however this 12 months’s dramatic slide in purposes seems to be the direct influence of the USDA’s waivers. furthermore, fewer college students ordinary are taking advantage of school lunch programs the place far flung studying is taking area, in line with Kelley McDonough, the No child Hungry campaign’s senior program supervisor for gold standard practices.

“The challenge of amassing these kinds isn’t necessarily new, it’s just vastly greater difficult now,” McDonough stated.

McDonough and her team recently posted on their web site several concepts for districts to greater with no trouble persuade parents to fill out the form, together with altering the headlines on the form, being express about how the varieties advantage families aside from faculty lunch nutrition, and blasting out hyperlinks to the form on social media.

“Any time you send a kind home,” McDonough noted, “you’re sending it on a hope and a prayer.”

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Quetta Rally Marks a Turning factor in the Opposition ...

the heart beat | Politics | South Asia

via many times taking on the country's protection institution, Pakistan's opposition may additionally have foreclosed the probability of future reconciliation.

Maryam Nawaz, middle, leader of the Pakistan Democratic stream, waves to supporters upon her arrival to attend an anti govt rally in Quetta, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020.

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Pakistan's opposition parties rally in Quetta, the capital of restive Balochistan province, on October 25 might also have pushed the nation's political condition to some extent of no return. within the Quetta rally, political leaders requested questions which have at all times remained a "no go enviornment" for Pakistan's politicians.

The opposition rallies in Gujranwala and Karachi prior within the month may also have referred to as out the country's defense force leadership for their alleged interference in home politics, however the rally in Quetta is an altogether distinctive ballgame.

Two weeks in the past, no one in Pakistan even imagined that the nation's mainstream political parties would head to Quetta to call out the safety organizations for allegedly abducting Pakistani residents. additionally, no one notion that Punjab's political management would use Balochistan as a platform to target the militia's rank and file.

thus far, the military management has not replied to the opposition's attacks. There are two factors behind the latest silence from the protection institution. First, the assault from the opposition events turned into so swift that the country's country wide protection institution has been caught off take care of. For now, they don't appear to present an sufficient response to the opposition's onslaught. The incident of Sindh province's Inspector regular (IG) of Police being allegedly kidnapped via the intelligence companies on October 19 – in an effort to force him to difficulty a warrant of arrest against opposition leader Safdar Awan — may additionally have helped put the armed forces on the again footing. it's unparalleled that the entire police drive of a province went on go away to protest their IG's mishandling by using a further state establishment.

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additionally, the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's vulnerable governance guidelines may additionally have introduced gasoline to the fire, making the military's job extra intricate. Sensing the mounting alienation of the public, the opposition has without delay long past after the supporters of the present executive. The opposition's narrative has found a powerful footing appropriate from the get-go, and there looks to be no plan on the horizon on the a part of the militia as neatly as the Khan government to contend with the condition.

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but after the Quetta rally, it is difficult to imagine how the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will ever again come to power on the provincial level in Punjab or rule the country from Islamabad. it is feasible that the armed forces's right management — which the PML-N's management blames for rigging the 2018 widespread election — is going to go for a last push to sideline the party in Punjab province. For the defense force, the subject isn't in regards to the PTI's terrible governance or the rigging of the last frequent election anymore. in its place, for the defense force the challenge at hand is zero-sum, where the opposition's features would translate to its loss. The highway to reconciliation between both has closed after Quetta's rally. The vice chairperson of the PML-N, Maryam Nawaz, has demanded that the "selectors" of the present executive – a now not-so-subtle reference to the nation's armed forces establishment — may still resign for their al leged interference within the ultimate election. this is uncharted territory for everybody worried, however some thing to be able to undoubtedly not go and not using a response, whatever thing that is.

Arguably, opposition parties have ended up squarely dragging the army and the Inter-functions Intelligence (ISI) chiefs into the nation's politics. it is crucial to observe here that the ISI chief could nonetheless develop into the subsequent head of the army; possibly it is anything the opposition is also trying to ward off with its naming and shaming crusade towards appropriate generals.

The opposition's subsequent rally is scheduled to take vicinity in November, and plenty can turn up over the next few weeks. Will there be an effort by using the protection establishment to reconcile with the opposition? It appears unattainable after the Quetta rally. Can the condition lead to martial legislation within the country? it's incredibly not going at this factor, due to the fact it is not the ruling birthday party that is challenging the defense force however quite the opposition. Is there a probability of a new election? It doesn't look like the ruling birthday celebration is in a temper for a fresh election and sacrificing the govt to make the opposition chuffed is unlikely to ensue. After the Quetta rally, there is barely area for greater repression and manage of the opposition. We may additionally see extra detentions and arrests of the opposition leaders in the coming days and weeks.

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youngsters, it's unclear if such a methodology can succeed within the present charged environment. complicated days are forward for Pakistan.

Pakistan's on-line spaces for hate speech, censorship increase

Islamabad [Pakistan], October 28 (ANI): online house for dissent and freedom of expression has gotten smaller in Pakistan, while hate speech and digital surveillance has multiplied, recommended a press statement from the liberty network community on Wednesday.

in the observation, the neighborhood have referred to a "regression" in Pakistan's cyber guidelines and pointed out that online censorship and surveillance, breach of privacy, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation have accelerated in the country during 2020, pronounced morning time.

The nation faced 'a few setbacks' in this 12 months in terms of digital rights, freedom of expression as smartly as the appropriate to on-line guidance, informed the community's annual document 'Closing areas: Coercive Cyber regulations abate online Journalism and Free Speech', and the nation has scored a meagre 38 out of a hundred in world internet freedom rankings.

The community alleged that efforts had been made to muzzle mediapersons, individuals of opposition political parties, civil society contributors and civilians. It also blamed the "aggressive federal govt" for taking steps to "extend and extend its authority to overregulate the media sector and to redefine the boundaries of free speech".

"The cybercrime law became many times invoked against journalists and opinion makers for exercising freedom of expression and social media activism," daybreak quoted the clicking free up.

"cyber web freedom declined during 2020 due to authorities' extended blockading of political, social, and cultural sites and undeclared coverage of connectivity restrictions and accelerated disinformation. several journalists and rights activists faced inquiries, abductions, investigations, arrests and crook regarding their online/social media actions and posts," mentioned the press statement of Freedom network.

moreover, several girls journalists said feeling susceptible and dangerous as a result of on-line bullying and threats by means of a considerable number of sections including supporters and contributors of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"it's troubling to notice that the accumulative impact of the slide in enforcement of digital rights are contributing to a conventional closing of online areas in Pakistan," noted Iqbal Khattak, govt Director of Freedom network.

Pakistan has been known for strangling press freedom through imposing censorship or arresting journalists over weird motives. the kidnapping of Mattiullah Jan on July 21, a reporter and a critic of top Minister Imran Khan's celebration, had introduced forth Khan's attempts to manage the nation's media once again.

Pakistan has for a couple of years persevered a poor song listing on press freedom. The 2020 world press freedom index compiled by using journalists borderless has reported that Pakistan slipped six spots when you consider that 2017 to 145th area out of a hundred and eighty countries.

The manhattan times mentioned that within the ultimate five years, as many as 11 journalists were killed in Pakistan, seven of them on the grounds that Khan turned into sworn in as the nation's top Minister. (ANI)

Federal software helps Missouri residents retain utilities on ...

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- because the iciness months strategy, a federal furnish is helping low-salary households be sure they're able to pay their utility bills and hold the heat on.

The Low salary power information application (LIHEAP) is a federal program managed at the state stage through the Missouri household assist Division.

or not it's a software St. Louis Public colleges Social worker Tomeka Slaughter currently helped a student's family unit take competencies of.

"The parents reached out saying their utilities had been shut off, so we bought them the utility instantly and their utilities have been grew to become returned on by using that night," Slaughter noted.

Slaughter instructed news four the inability to pay utility bills is regular among college students and their families, however the application has been made worse on account of the pandemic.

"now we have at all times considered it but now more than ever with families, the unemployment cost is very excessive, hours had been cut with households and people utilities are very crucial and it's important to us as social people on the schools to be certain these expenses are paid," Slaughter stated.

In years past, the variety of applicants has regularly declined, based on Connie Taylor, supervisor of client Advocacy and energy tips at Ameren Missouri.

"especially now in instances like these because of the pandemic disaster, we need to motivate all valued clientele who's earnings may also have changed to practice for this application," she talked about.

candidates need to qualify according to earnings, however Taylor stated most effective an applicant's old 30 days of earnings is taken into consideration, no longer the complete yr.

To qualify, candidates need to be a Missouri resident, a U.S. citizen, reside within the household and be responsible for paying the utility bill, and have $3,000 or less in financial institution money owed, investments, or retirement money owed. additionally, the earnings eligibility has been improved from 135 p.c to a hundred and fifty p.c of the federal poverty degree. The deadline to practice for the summer season program is Oct. 31, besides the fact that children you might be encouraged to still observe beyond then for the iciness program guidance.

 The federal program presents two other ways to get hold of guidance. The power advice provide is a one time fee that depends on an applicant's earnings, no longer their utility invoice. additionally, an applicant doesn't must be in the back of on their utility bill to obtain fiscal suggestions. The maximum quantity which you could get hold of through the power information provide in the summertime program is $600. 

The power crisis Intervention software (ECIP) helps pay utility bills when your energy is shut off or is threatened to be shut off. The quantity of support you acquire is in response to the amount of cash needed to settle your disaster with your power issuer.

The winter ECIP is obtainable November via can also in keeping with funding; the optimum volume you might get hold of is $800. summer ECIP is purchasable June through October in accordance with funding; the maximum quantity you may acquire is $600.

 purposes may also be filled out online.

 in accordance with Taylor, functions for ECIP might be processed at once, as native agencies work to aid get utilities became lower back on. applications for power information can absorb to 30 days to process.

 those looking for aid through the software are inspired to reach out to native companies like United means 211, city League, heat Up Missouri and Ameren. A video that walks candidates during the application system will also be found right here. 

Copyright 2020 KMOV (Meredith corporation). All rights reserved

 

Secretary of training hopes software aid students | native ...

Ryan Walters stated he believes two programs will assist Oklahoma turn into a excellent 10 state in education and assist college students residing in poverty.

the previous McAlester instructor who Gov. Kevin Stitt named Oklahoma's Secretary of schooling last month referred to his instructing event bolstered his passion for improving education in the state â€" and influenced initiatives aimed to aid students dwelling at or beneath the poverty line.

"the rest we can do to support these college students out once they want materials and empower those college students â€" we're going to champion that," Walters referred to.

Walters teaches blended advanced placement heritage courses at MPS and Millwood Public schools â€" which he talked about are part of pilot courses for be taught any place ok.

Gov. Stitt signed a invoice this year requiring all Oklahoma public excessive schools to present at the least 4 superior Placement lessons starting within the 2024-25 tutorial 12 months. Districts can select which platform to present lessons.

be trained any place ok grants all Oklahoma districts access to Edmentum’s suite of k-12 digital curriculum and guide with public school being allotted certain money for digital instructional capabilities.

He observed the program diversifies access for college kids to take lessons no longer always provided at their local faculty and extend their schooling.

Walters referred to the initiative also strives to empower teachers to be useful whereas lessening the burden of teaching a full time table and transitioning to digital discovering.

"The basics and ideas of being a great, valuable trainer have not changed, however the particulars of the way you try this â€" it looks distinctive," Walters stated.

Walters pointed out the program originated from his experience at McAlester â€" listening to from fogeys of students at different districts say they need some lessons with academics were purchasable to them.

He pointed out these discussions led him to the mission for the software.

"How will we get our most advantageous teachers to have an even improved have an effect on on extra children?" Walters referred to.

"once I take a seat down with academics across the state, you find these remarkable people," Walters pointed out. "When they're around children and youngsters are able to engage with them, it makes a huge difference in these kids' lives."

officials noted McAlester Public schools has already claimed allotted funding via be trained anyplace Oklahoma.

The closing date for schools to claim funding for be taught anywhere adequate is Friday.

Walters graduated from McAlester high college in 2004, returned in 2011 and taught AP history. He became named MPS teacher of the year in 2015 and became a 2016 finalist for the Oklahoma State department of education’s trainer of the 12 months.

He left MPS to turn into govt director of Oklahoma Achieves, a nonprofit centered by way of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce involving companies in education.

The nonprofit functionally grew to be every youngster Counts Oklahoma â€" which oversees the Bridge the hole Digital pockets, which distributes $1,500 promises to households that fall under the poverty line to buy curriculum, tutoring and know-how during the $8 million from the Emergency education relief Fund.

"We wanted to provide households and high stage of flexibility to opt for what elements are most beneficial for his or her learner," Walters pointed out.

funds for the application come in the course of the Governor's Emergency training reduction Fund and are made purchasable for up to 5,000 Oklahoma families living at or below the federal poverty line.

The software is attainable to all Oklahoma college students in okay-12 with folks being capable of log into ClassWallet and purchase items from 30 pre-accredited dealer.

applications can be found on the each youngster Counts Oklahoma web site with these authorized given instruction on how to log in and use the electronically deposited funds. purposes require proven income files and extra and can take 2-6 weeks to system.

Contact Adrian O'Hanlon III aohanlon@mcalesternews.com

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Separate inaugurations of Pakistan's first metro instruct ...

The Orange Line Metro instruct (OLMT), Pakistan's first intercity bullet coach service, become inaugurated on Sunday in Lahore in two separate ceremonies done by using the government and the opposition birthday party as both parties laid claims on its ownership

Oct 27, 2020

The Orange Line Metro teach (OLMT), Pakistan's first intercity bullet educate service, become inaugurated on Sunday in Lahore in two separate ceremonies accomplished by using the government and the opposition birthday celebration as both events laid claims on its possession.

The opposition celebration Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) did a primary inaugural ceremony at Anarkali station in Lahore, the place a huge number of party participants and supporters were present to witness the ribbon slicing ceremony.

in spite of this, the manager Minister of Punjab province Usman Buzdar also inaugurated the project in a separate ceremony as each events claimed ownership of the task.

"Orange Line Metro educate (OLMT) is a end result of Pakistan-China friendship that all started with the China Pakistan financial corridor (CPEC)," he spoke of.

"it's the first transport project below CPEC and a present to the individuals of Lahore. Punjab government welcomes all building project that may additionally accompany the joint venture," Buzdar brought.

while the ruling provincial government led ceremony put feathers on their shoulders for a hit completion of OLMT; opposition birthday party PML-N claimed that the previous chief minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif was the founding father of OLMT venture.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, former Railway Minister and senior leader of PML-N questioned the ruling government over the delay in the completion of the OLMT, which he talked about has caused the country wide exchequer billions of rupees.

"PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) has taken a deliberate dwell order on the undertaking to cease Shehbaz Sharif from inaugurating it," claimed PML-N chief Ataullah Tarar.

The federal govt was brief to respond to the opposition's claims as Shibli Faraz, federal minister for suggestions and broadcasting said "CPEC changed into the venture of people of Pakistan and never of any particular birthday celebration".

"PML-N's NAB (countrywide Accountability Bureau) victims have been basically celebrating the plundering of national exchequer and public resources on the self-proclaimed inauguration of the orange instruct. It turned into the americans who had to endure the burden of expensive task," he referred to.

As per legit particulars of OLMT, as a minimum 26 stations and tracks spanning over 27.12 km have been setup. at least 250,000 commuters might be visiting every day on the nation's first electricity-run public transport.

(IANS)

Pakistan Democratic circulate to fall aside quickly: PTI ...

crucial vice chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf girls Wing (KP) Neelum Khan Toru noted that Pakistan Democratic flow (PDM) will quickly fall apart because it has no political future. In a statement, the PTI leader spoke of that the union of 11 political parties desires to loot the country. She pointed out "but the loser thieves rejected within the elections will not be capable of finding refuge anywhere now." She noted that the precise purpose of in political alliance is to weaken the Pakistan military and toughen the Indian narrative. She stated that through criticising the Pakistan military, PDM has centered that PDM is working to advertise the indian agenda. She noted "the true faces of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and Bilawal Bhutto have been published that their actual target is Pakistan military." She cited that the opposition alliance have wcen disrespected even the mausoleum of the Quaid of their animosity. however the identical can also be anticipated from this ethical less opposition. She mentioned that the motion of legislations enforcement businesses on the disrespect of mausoleum of the daddy of the nation is welcoming. Neelum Khan spoke of that PM Imran Khan has clarified that the cacophony of the opposition will no longer spare it from accountability. She said "these gatherings are being held through the use of the corruption funds, to befool the public." She stated that the opposition will must watch for the subsequent election to show their performance, however they will fail in the elections.

San Francisco expands jobs program with $7.4 million ...

As unemployment remains near tiers the metropolis hasn't viewed in basically a decade, San Francisco is increasing its jobs application to aid 3,600 positions with wage subsidies, employment guidance and training services as part of its coronavirus pandemic healing efforts.

Funding for the JobsNow program, operated by way of the metropolis's Human functions agency, is increasing by $7.4 million over the outdated year, for a complete of basically $28 million in annual funding.

The program became dependent in 2009, and it connects job seekers with employers, helping 27,000 job placements due to the fact it became created.

"We deserve to get individuals back to work, and as organizations throughout the metropolis proceed the hard work of reopening and getting back on their feet, this is a great means of matching people trying to find jobs with organizations that are hiring," Mayor London Breed noted in a press release.

adding 3,600 laborers to the metropolis's employed personnel would conveniently in the reduction of the unemployment fee, which stood at eight.four% in mid-September based on the state Employment construction department, to 7.eight%. The metropolis's unemployment fee peaked in June at 12.7%, in keeping with federal Bureau of Labor statistics records.

The software assists residents who make 200% below the federal poverty degree in annual income, or $25,520 for a single grownup and $52,four hundred for a household of 4. Eligible participants must be residents of San Francisco, licensed to work in the u.s. and should receive merits throughout the Human features agency or make less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

The city is slowly reopening after shifting to the least restrictive tier of California's reopening plan, however many residents and native groups are nonetheless feeling the sting of the pandemic's economic disruption.

more than 200,000 San Franciscans have filed for unemployment, the mayor's office spoke of. in keeping with a record from Yelp, California has one of the crucial maximum quotes of total or permanent business closures within the nation "with roughly 20 businesses per thousand temporarily or completely closing their doors considering March 1."

as a result of a slowing economy, the office vacancy rate in San Francisco has additionally spiked to 14.1% within the third quarter, based on brokerage enterprise Cushman & Wakefield. Bar and restaurant income plunged 65% from April to June compared with 2019, and lodge occupancy in September became down more than eighty five% in comparison with the previous yr.

The improved funding to JobsNow will also increase its backed wages software, which reimburses employers for $625 to $1,500 per 30 days over six months to aid cowl the wages of employees taking part within the program "depending on the paid wage quantity and the service provider's ability to offer full or half time work," in response to the metropolis.

Eligible employers must be businesses registered with the city, pay California payroll taxes, comply with metropolis labor laws, intend to maintain collaborating employees after subsidies conclusion, and cannot desire hiring family members, among different requirements.

"With this application we're concentrated on assisting low-earnings residents discover a job and get the work event they deserve to prevail, and supporting companies who are seeking for employees. As we work to improve together, we need to be sure we're reopening and recovering equitably. We should deliver everyone along — specially our most susceptible residents," Breed pointed out in her commentary.

Bryan Mena is a San Francisco Chronicle workforce author. e mail: bryan.mena@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @bpmena

examine Doug Jones' 9 responses to questions about poverty

Brian Lyman   | Sir Bernard Law Advertiser

The Bernard Law Montgomery Advertiser despatched 9 questions about poverty to the Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville campaigns. Jones' responses are below. The Tuberville crusade did not reply to the questions. in the event that they do, we will consist of their answers here. 

more than 800,000 Alabamians – about 17% of the state – are living in poverty. The state's poverty fee is bigger than the nation's, and the cost of poverty for Black Alabamians (28.four%) is more than twice as high as that of white Alabamians (12.2%). Many federal courses purpose to mitigate the worst consequences of poverty. What selected steps can Congress take to aid completely reduce Alabama's poverty level?

Jones: I support raising the federal minimum wage in a graduated and perhaps geographical manner. Alabama ranks seventh nationally, based on one examine, in the variety of people who make below $12/hour, whereas, earlier than the pandemic, our unemployment fee remained fairly low. This tells us that while many individuals had a job, it wasn't always adequate to make ends meet. There are a ways too many Alabamians across this state—of all races and backgrounds—who awaken every morning wondering where their newborn's subsequent meal will come from, or who should make a decision between getting drugs and putting food on the desk.

Of course, raising the minimum wage isn't a silver bullet. In 2017, I campaigned on the kitchen desk considerations of jobs, economic construction and fitness care. however we should do more to be sure that every person has a seat at that desk. I've backed the construct fitness Care machine in the usa Act to position idle plant life and factories again into productive use in communities that need a shot in the arm. we are able to carry returned manufacturing jobs from remote places in these communities and put americans to work in sturdy, decent-paying jobs with advantages.

some of the greatest challenges entrepreneurs in Alabama face is entry to capital, and that i've introduced bipartisan legislations so that it will help Black business homeowners overcome those challenges. there is a tricky historical past between banks and the Black group, one that's intertwined with this country's racial past. My law would fortify these associations and, in turn, would encourage them to make investments and lend even more in their communities. My legislation additionally allows for low-revenue and minority credit unions to access the countrywide credit score Union Administration's community construction Revolving mortgage Fund, which helps credit unions that serve low-income communities by way of providing loans and technical suggestions promises. we have a branch of Housing and concrete development (HUD) and a client monetary insurance plan Bureau (CFPB) which have been actively derelict of their missions to prevent discrimination and promote possibility for minority borrowers. I actually have tried to cling them responsible, however Senator McConnell will no longer enable the Senate to function its duties to hold the executive department in charge.

I've also introduced bipartisan law to aid prospective homeowners shop funds for his or her first down fee, as a result of domestic ownership builds wealth. The American Dream Down fee Act of 2020 creates tax-advantaged discount rates bills, akin to a 529 training discounts plan, that allows for future home owners the capacity to keep money while also coping with the monetary challenges that so many face. Black homeownership prices have fallen to ancient lows, and Millennials are less prone to personal a home by age 34 than their parents or grandparents—all whereas juggling rising scholar and scientific debt prices.

We want more advantageous education alternate options and career practising alternatives with a view to carry individuals out of poverty, and we need to make sure they are attainable to all Alabamians. As a member of the fitness, training, Labor & Pensions Committee, I have worked to reauthorize $1.2 billion in federal funding to toughen career and technical schooling classes. I've cosponsored the Apprenticeship Hubs throughout the usa Act which would expand nationwide apprenticeship classes and enhance new ones.  I even have also cosponsored the roles Act which might help close the "knowledge gap" by using increasing Pell supply eligibility to include definite short-time period job practicing classes. Job practising and profession and technical schooling are areas of notable subject to me, and that i will proceed to work in the Senate to boost education and training opportunities and to aid shut the advantage hole.

ultimately, we ought to acknowledge the position of systemic racism, and Alabama's pernicious history of prison discrimination, in perpetuating the wealth hole. We see these results nowadays as smartly in fitness care (as we mentioned final week), in training, in housing, and in our criminal justice system. unless we're in a position to spoil down the entire barriers which divide us as a individuals, and as a state, we are able to proceed to face stark inequities. I'm going to work daily to carry americans together to bring justice and tear those barriers down.

Alabama's poverty rate declined somewhat between 2014 and 2018 (from 19.2% to sixteen.eight%), thanks in part to the economic climate of the time. however Alabama continues to rank excessive within the nation for poverty. Is there a limit to what economic construction can do to alleviate this?

Jones: I firmly accept as true with that there's nothing wrong with Alabama that can't be mounted by way of what's right with Alabama. What we're missing is a sense of urgency. financial development tools may have their limits, but we have not exhausted them yet. I don't consider we've really tried a comprehensive strategy here in Alabama. Luring agencies to installation store in our state with tax incentives, whereas important, is not a comprehensive method.

at the federal degree, there are classes proven to aid raise folks out of poverty like Head delivery, SNAP (Supplemental nutrition assistance program), housing information, and even Social safety and Medicare. we can utterly fund these classes with out ballooning federal spending if we're good stewards of our tax bucks.

We also should acknowledge that our faculties are beneath resourced, chiefly in low-revenue communities. We can't continue to ask the difficult-working academics in Alabama to train our children without the funding they need to prepare our kids for the future. improving our schooling funding will go a protracted method against improving financial results for Alabama. I additionally am working to combat the instructor shortage crisis facing rural and underserved elements of Alabama and have added legislations to support recruit different teaching candidates from inside their own communities. And it's now not simply ok-12 training—I actually have brought bipartisan legislation to simplify the FAFSA kind in order that greater americans are able to entry pupil loans and might have the funds for to send their kids to faculty.

at the possibility of sounding like a broken checklist, Medicaid growth is confirmed to alleviate financial hassle as individuals with health insurance aren't forced to bear enormous scientific debt. If we need to pursue a complete strategy to addressing poverty and elevating high-quality of existence requisites for all Alabamians, we need to start via expanding Medicaid. 

in response to Alabama feasible, which tracks and advocates on poverty considerations, almost forty seven% of feminine-headed households with babies in Alabama lived at or under the poverty degree in 2018. What federal initiatives do you guide to support these ladies in rising out of poverty?

Jones: There are a couple of classes whose mission is directed in opposition t female-headed households that I support. In some instances, the head of household is an elder, so Social protection and Medicare are vital programs that i'll protect from cuts and privatization. I help SNAP, the particular Supplemental nutrients software for girls, babies and children (WIC), and the baby and adult Care food software (CACFP). I are trying in my Senate office to aid individuals take abilities of the Earned profits Tax credit score, to assist lessen the tax burden for Alabama households.  

One area I'm principally pleased with is my work in funding the infants's health insurance program (CHIP), also known as ALL kids. On September 30, 2017, Mitch McConnell let the infants's medical health insurance software expire, putting eight.9 million toddlers's healthcare in jeopardy, together with 150,000 in Alabama. after I received to Washington, I helped conclusion a executive shutdown and acquired six more years of ALL children funding. Later, I labored with each events to get an further 4 years of funding, bringing the total funding for babies's medical health insurance to an exceptional ten years. My pledge to work across the aisle for CHIP funding became significant to my first campaign—and i saved my promise to the americans of Alabama.

My answers to the old questions are also relevant right here.

What degree of federal aid for child care, if any, would you assist to carry these costs down for working families?

Jones: remaining December, I helped relaxed 12 weeks of paid family leave—here's paid day without work for families when their newborn is born—for all federal employees. I'd want to see this effort multiplied to all worker's.

I support strong funding for Early Head delivery, Head beginning, and the child Care and development Block provide (CCDBG). despite the fact, one important problem in Alabama and throughout the country is the inability of a baby care workforce. I added bipartisan legislation, the developing Early Childhood Leaders Act, that would be sure that college leaders are capable of conveniently assist early schooling lecturers and supply young babies with splendid early getting to know courses.

i'm a robust proponent of proposing greater child care to pupil-folks and helped secure $34 million in further funding for the baby Care entry skill parents In colleges software (CCAMPIS) which provides baby care to fogeys who may in any other case be pressured to drop out of faculty due to the charge or lack of entry to baby care. because of my advocacy, the university of Alabama at Birmingham became capable of get hold of a CCAMPIS grant from that massive boost. remaining year, I additionally helped Troy tuition secure a whole lot of hundreds of greenbacks in federal CCAMPIS furnish money to give newborn care features for low-salary scholar-fogeys learning in any respect locations of Troy's campus.

About 1 / 4 of the state's toddlers reside in poverty. Would you want expanding programs like Head birth or the Supplemental foodstuff assistance software (SNAP) to try to support these babies? in that case, what particular areas would you want to see extended? If now not, do you want diverse procedures, and which of them?

Jones: I completely aid elevated funding for Head start and SNAP. those courses are confirmed to carry households out of poverty. The U.S. department of Agriculture also has different nutrients classes aimed toward college aged toddlers like the country wide college Lunch application, college Breakfast program, summer time food service program, and the particular Milk application.

Congress should reauthorize the child foodstuff Act that is supposed to be renewed every 5 years to more suitable serve families and kids. The free and reduced lunch program works well all through the school year; besides the fact that children, when toddlers aren't in the classroom, getting access to a fit meal will also be a large barrier. We've viewed now as a result of COVID-19 how challenging it is for college kids to get hold of these nutrients because of a lack of transportation.

I have cosponsored two bipartisan bills that are more likely to be blanketed in any negotiations for the infant nutrients Act that addresses the summer season foodstuff software. the primary (the summer time nutrition Act) would permit more toddlers to have access to summer time food, supply transportation for babies in rural and difficult-to-reach areas, and add flexibility to the application in order that infants can get more than one meal. The second bill, the hunger-Free summer for kids Act of 2019, would lift the constraints that toddlers must go to a congregate web page in order to acquire and devour their foodstuff. There were an identical waivers granted all through the pandemic to assist get extra meals to extra families so I don't see why this shouldn't continue in the future.

An estimated 16.5% of Alabamians face meals insecurity, or lack of access to cost-effective, nutritious food. SNAP has been seen as a means to help in the reduction of meals insecurity. Are you convinced with the existing attain of the program? How do you view efforts to consist of work necessities for SNAP advantages?

Jones: food protection is a pressing situation right here in Alabama, and across the nation, however let's be clear that there are already work requirements for SNAP, and clearing up that misconception will support remove one of the vital stigma surrounding the software. Roughly seven hundred,000 Alabamians count on SNAP for entry to economical, nutritious food, and a lot of Alabamians would have misplaced these benefits if the Trump Administration had its means. i am strongly antagonistic to the President's government order that would have created additional burdensome and useless work necessities for SNA recipients. now not to mention, his moves have been in direct defiance of Congress's intent with the 2018 Farm bill reauthorization. fortunately, just final week a federal judge struck down this attempt by means of the Trump Administration to enforce such work requirements with the intention to receive meals stamps.

The Black Belt suffers from certainly high poverty costs, with eight counties at 30% or greater. What certain steps can you take as U.S. senator to aid these counties cut their poverty charges?

Jones: The finished approach for economic building that I touched on earlier, which requires coordination between Federal, state, and local governments, and partnerships with the private sector, need to take Black Belt communities into consideration. Strengthening minority-owned banks, investing in Black-owned companies and bringing back industries that left these communities is critical to enhancing economic chance. but we can't ignore the generations of forget about that the residents of the Black Belt have suffered through.

an area that has been a specific center of attention for me is helping Black farmers in Alabama with land possession considerations, principally with reference to heirs' property.  Title concerns disproportionately affect African American farmers and have created boundaries to building generational wealth.  whereas in the Senate, I secured amendments within the most recent Farm invoice designed to help heirs profit a clear title to their property via providing $5 million in funding for loans to assist farmers settle possession disputes, and to support heirs' house owners obtain USDA farm numbers. both are a must have to gaining access to tips from the agency's classes.         

I additionally assist the making certain range in group Banking Act which puts ahead regulatory initiatives to keep and promote minority banks and credit score unions.  It strengthens programs that give capital to these vital institutions and creates an have an impact on financial institution designation for group banks that predominantly serve low-earnings communities.

Many Black Belt residents have insufficient sewage techniques. A United international locations official who toured the location in 2017 spoke of he had certainly not seen the rest find it irresistible in the developed world. What steps are you able to take to be sure that americans during this location have protected and comfortable water and sewage programs?

Jones: here is an argument that I actually have been concentrated on since my first day in workplace. The sanitation disaster in the Black Belt is so unhealthy that there had been said situations of hookworm in Lowndes County.  here's effortlessly unacceptable, and that i have worked hard to elevate awareness of sanitation considerations, besides presenting solutions. Working in conjunction with my respectable pal and colleague, U.S. representative Terri Sewell, we've gotten two items of legislations handed that deliver promises of as much as $20,000 for the installing and maintenance of family wastewater and neatly infrastructure to the individuals who want it—certainly households within the Black Belt.  

I have additionally worked with Rep. Sewell and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby to cozy millions in federal infrastructure greenbacks to help mitigate the sewage medication crisis in Uniontown. For years, neighborhoods in and around Uniontown had been stricken by overflow from the city's water remedy plant and these money can go a protracted manner in opposition t addressing the group's issues.

To be clear notwithstanding, here's an ongoing issue for you to require additional federal dollars to alleviate and that i am committed to doing all i will to make that take place.

Two reports launched earlier this 12 months said that direct payments that have been part of the CARES Act might also have prevented an increase in poverty in the u.s.. given that the conclusion of direct help, although, poverty has climbed to stages larger than before the coronavirus outbreak. Would you prefer making direct payments to households to alleviate poverty, even after the coronavirus outbreak ends? Why or why not?

Jones: We saw this week that greater than 8 million people fell into poverty all the way through the pandemic. The proven fact that we have not yet handed a comprehensive aid kit in Congress is a countrywide shame. Mitch McConnell has put politics certainly else, even prioritizing a Supreme court nomination over an endemic response. just this week, he placed on the floor another half-a-loaf measure that fails to adequately handle the difficulty and does not go virtually some distance enough. The American people are fed up with political spectacles. They desperately need extra stimulus, extending $600/week emergency unemployment coverage, and Hazard Pay for frontline employees. We want help to state and local governments that are already layoffs and drastic cuts to their budgets for things like public safeguard and standard features. We want funding for a countrywide trying out and contract tracing regime. We need funding for our hospitals and for our colleges.

These are the baseline must stave off the worst of this pandemic. There isn't a single state within the country that has the virus below control.  actually most states are experiencing an uptick in new circumstances, if no longer an outright outbreak. I'm not organized to consider the rest "after the coronavirus outbreak ends" until we're able to utterly get handle of this virus. It's an idea that may and may be studied additional, but this administration and the U.S. Senate, under the management of Mitch McConnell, has proven incapable of doing what's appropriate for american citizens, simplest what advances their slim political pastimes. Let's get the virus below handle and begin working to rebuild this economy—equitably and comprehensively.

Contact 1st viscount montgomery of alamein Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com.