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India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar join hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins
World

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar join hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins

Recognizing the importance of dolphins in an ecosystem and the declining numbers of dolphins, experts from four different countries - India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar joined hands to enhance conservation of river dolphins, paving way for regional cooperation.The decision was taken during a webinar on “Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the ecosystem health of rivers and its dolphin population: Present status and future strategy for conservation in India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Nepal” organised by Inland Fisheries Society of India, ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum (PFGF) and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society.Dr JK Jena, DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR, during the webinar said, “These anim...
Football: City have unfinished business in the Champions League, says Laporte
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Football: City have unfinished business in the Champions League, says Laporte

LONDON: The Champions League is the missing piece in Manchester City's growing silverware collection, defender Aymeric Laporte said ahead of his side's last-16 second leg against Real Madrid on Friday. City have dominated English football in recent years under Pep Guardiola, although they finished second to Liverpool in the Premier League this season, but have yet to add Europe's most coveted prize to their trophy cabinet. "City have unfinished business in the Champions League, we have been talking about it for a long time, it's the thing we are missing," Laporte told Spanish newspaper AS on Thursday. "Last year we won four trophies in the same season but couldn't win the Champions League, so if it's our turn this year, perfect." City were knocked out in the quarter-finals last yea...
As uncertainty threatens US growth, Fed seeks more firepower
USA, World

As uncertainty threatens US growth, Fed seeks more firepower

related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. 2 related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. A year ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned fellow central bankers of the significant risks posed by trade policy uncertainty, and the lack of precedents for monetary policy in the face of those unknowns. REUTERS: A year ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned fellow central bankers of the significant risks posed by trade policy uncertainty, and the lack of precedents for monetary policy in the face of those unknowns. As Powell this week prepares to address the Fed's annual central bankers' conference - usually held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but being conducted virtually this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pan...
102 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 4 seamen and 4 unlinked community cases
Singapore, World

102 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 4 seamen and 4 unlinked community cases

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 102 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Thursday (Aug 13), including five in the community and six imported infections, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). This brings Singapore's total number of cases to 55,497, with fatalities remaining at 27. Four of the imported COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday are seafarers who arrived in Singapore on a vessel from India on Aug 8. The four Philippine nationals, who are special pass holders, are also linked to another Filipino seafarer reported in Wednesday's update. The four men, aged between 24 and 33, had not disembarked from the vessel after arriving in Singapore, said MOH. They reported having symptoms between Aug 9 and 12 and were swabbed while on the vessel, where they had remained until their test results c...
Claiming Social Security retirement benefits? Don’t let these myths trip you up
World

Claiming Social Security retirement benefits? Don’t let these myths trip you up

katleho Seisa For most Americans, deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits will be one of the biggest financial decisions they ever make. But the difference between the right or wrong decision can be costly. The typical beneficiary age 65 and up relies on Social Security for half of their income. But if a worker claims before their full retirement age — typically age 66 or 67, depending on the year in which they were born — their benefits will be permanently reduced. "The earlier the claim, the steeper the penalty," said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, which recently released a new research paper on the topic. Waiting to claim benefits beyond age 62, the earliest possible age when a worker can claim retirement benefits, pays off...
COVID-19 brings three-decade economic boom to a sudden halt in Vietnam
Market, Singapore, World

COVID-19 brings three-decade economic boom to a sudden halt in Vietnam

For the past three decades, Vietnam has known only good — or great — economic news. The nation’s consistent growth as an exporter, propelled by Communist leaders who began embracing market-oriented policies in the late 1980s, pushed many into the middle class. The coronavirus pandemic changed all that. With garment companies seeing orders slashed and other sectors hit with sudden export declines, Vietnam’s workers are enduring the downside of being tethered to the global economy. The economic slowdown in the U.S. and other markets Vietnam depends on for growth is being felt on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as in villages and tourist centers. Le Thi Hoa, who sells pineapple and mango slices outside Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh Market in the heart of the commercial hub...
Commentary: When COVID-19 symptoms last for months, recovery feels slow and strained
World

Commentary: When COVID-19 symptoms last for months, recovery feels slow and strained

Epidermologist Margot Gage Witvliet says she went from being healthy and active to fearing she was dying almost overnight – and dug into the research to understand what's happening to long-haulers like her. BEAUMONT, Texas: Imagine being young and healthy, a non-smoker with no preexisting health conditions, and then waking up one morning feeling like you were being suffocated by an unseen force. Back in March, this was my reality. I had just returned from Europe, and roughly 10 days later started having flu-like symptoms. I became weak overnight and had trouble breathing. It felt like jogging in the Rocky Mountains without being in condition, only I wasn’t moving. I went to the hospital, where I was tested for COVID-19. PAIN, HEACHES AND FATIGUE More than four months later, t...
Facebook confirms Zuckerberg interviewed in FTC investigation
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Facebook confirms Zuckerberg interviewed in FTC investigation

WASHINGTON: Facebook confirmed chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was interviewed earlier this week at a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigative hearing. Politico reported the interview earlier on Thursday. "We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have," the social media company said in a statement. The FTC has been probing whether the company has engaged in unlawful monopolistic practices.
Pakistan submits draft report on terror funding to FATF ahead of plenary: Report
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Pakistan submits draft report on terror funding to FATF ahead of plenary: Report

Pakistan has submitted its initial draft report to the joint group of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), showing compliance of the remaining 13 points out of 27 action points pertaining to terror funding.The first draft was sent to the FATF on August 6. Sources said that Pakistan would share its updated version of the progress report to the FATF in the first week of September."A face to face virtual meeting of FATF review group is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 21 where Pakistani authorities will be given an opportunity to defend their position with full force," a top official said.“In the FATF plenary meet, it would be decided whether Pakistan will be continued to be kept in the grey list or get promoted or demoted to blacklist after verifying the compliance on the majority...
Swimming: India’s Olympic hopeful trio to train in Dubai
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Swimming: India’s Olympic hopeful trio to train in Dubai

Three of India's top swimmers will begin two months of training in Dubai next month, sports officials said on Saturday, ending an agonising wait that drove one of them to the verge of retirement ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics. NEW DELHI: Three of India's top swimmers will begin two months of training in Dubai next month, sports officials said on Saturday (Aug 15), ending an agonising wait that drove one of them to the verge of retirement ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics. Six Indian swimmers had achieved the lower, or B, Olympic qualification for the Tokyo Games before the COVID-19 pandemic forced them out of the pool in March. India has since allowed some sports facilities to reopen for training, but pools remain closed, prompting freestyle swimmer Virdhawal Khade to announc...