November saw further military escalation and setbacks in Syria, particularly after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane it claimed had violated its airspace. Meanwhile, several countries faced extremist attacks claimed by the Islamic State (IS), including in Lebanon, France and Bangladesh. Violence also rose in Turkey between the state and Kurdish insurgents. In Venezuela, political tensions and violence increased ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 December and could worsen, while both Nepal and Kosovo faced deepening political crises. In a positive step forward, Burkina Faso and Myanmar experienced peaceful and openly-contested elections last month.

The month saw an intensification of deadly violence in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, with over 80 people killed following clashes with security forces. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) made a welcome statement of intent to deploy forces to halt the slide toward civil war and mass atrocities. In Afghanistan, fighting raged between government and Taliban forces, particularly in Helmand province, while in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Niger, political tensions heightened. In a positive step forward, a peace deal was signed in Libya but uncertainties remain over the viability of the agreement. As stressed by Jean-Marie Guéhenno, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group, in today’s Ten Conflicts to Watch in 2016, it “should be seen as a beginning, not an end, to the peace process”.

The month saw an intensification of Yemen’s war, amid heightened regional rivalries between Saudi Arabia and Iran complicating prospects for peace. Political tensions increased in Haiti, Guinea-Bissau and Moldova, where protests over endemic corruption and a lack of confidence in the government could escalate. In Africa, Boko Haram’s deadly attacks increased in northern Cameroon, and Burkina Faso was hit by an unprecedented terror attack. On the nuclear front, in East Asia, North Korea’s announcement that it had carried out a successful hydrogen bomb test was roundly condemned, while nuclear-related sanctions on Iran were rolled back in accordance with the July 2015 deal.

The month saw conflict continue to rage in Turkey’s south east between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), looking likely to further escalate in March. Afghanistan and Somalia both saw armed insurgencies capture new territories. In Africa, political tensions rose in Chad, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, while in Venezuela, deadlock between the opposition-held parliament and government has brought the country closer to political and economic implosion. In Asia, North Korea’s announcement of a satellite launch in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prompted international condemnation and calls for tough new sanctions. On a positive note, the coming month brings the possibility of a final agreement to end Colombia’s decades-old insurgency.

The International Crisis Group is honoured to announce the creation of the Giustra Fellowship for Conflict Prevention, made possible by a generous gift of $1 million from Canadian businessman and philanthropic leader Frank Giustra through The Radcliffe Foundation. Mr. Giustra has been a long-time advocate for Crisis Group, providing transformational financial support since joining its Board of Trustees in 2005.

The month saw violent extremist movements, including the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda-linked groups, carry out major deadly attacks in Turkey, Pakistan, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia and Belgium. In Libya, the arrival of Prime Minister Serraj in Tripoli despite warnings from multiple factions could lead to further destabilisation. Meanwhile in Central Africa, political violence rose in Burundi and could break out in Chad around the 10 April presidential election. Yemen, South Sudan and even Syria saw progress, of varying degrees, toward peace talks or implementation of agreements, and in Colombia the start of talks between the state and the National Liberation Army (ELN) could lead to the end of the 52-year-old conflict.

The month saw fighting escalate again in Syria and Afghanistan, and erupt in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenian-backed separatists and Azerbaijani forces. In Bangladesh, election violence and killings by extremist groups showed how new heights of government-opposition rivalry and state repression have benefitted violent political party wings and extremist groups alike. Political tensions intensified in Iraq and Macedonia, and security forces severely supressed opposition protests in the Republic of Congo and Gambia. On a positive note, new governments were formed in the Central African Republic and South Sudan to consolidate peace gains, and talks to end Yemen’s one-year-old civil war got underway, albeit later than planned.

The month saw Venezuela’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis worsen amid heightened tensions between the government and opposition, a situation which could lead to state collapse and regional destabilisation. Another major setback in electing a new president in Haiti prompted fears of further civil unrest. In West Africa, deadly violence in central Mali and south-east Nigeria spiked, while a power struggle in Guinea-Bissau led to a dangerous standoff. In Libya, factions for and against the fledgling Government of National Accord (GNA) advanced on Sirte to expel the Islamic State (IS), risking clashes over oil facilities, while Turkey saw heightened political polarisation and an increase in violence in Kurdish areas. Ongoing peace talks, despite slow progress and ongoing violence, remain the best chance to end major combat in Yemen.

The month saw Venezuela’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis worsen amid heightened tensions between the government and opposition, a situation which could lead to state collapse and regional destabilisation. Another major setback in electing a new president in Haiti prompted fears of further civil unrest. In West Africa, deadly violence in central Mali and south-east Nigeria spiked, while a power struggle in Guinea-Bissau led to a dangerous standoff. In Libya, factions for and against the fledgling Government of National Accord (GNA) advanced on Sirte to expel the Islamic State (IS), risking clashes over oil facilities, while Turkey saw heightened political polarisation and an increase in violence in Kurdish areas. Ongoing peace talks, despite slow progress and ongoing violence, remain the best chance to end major combat in Yemen.

For years, Gustavo, an architect from Central America, felt drawn to working in the Arabian Peninsula. Then, on a short-term trip, he saw what it could be like to use his profession overseas.

News.

• Football stars show how to practise skills without breaking safety rules – or windows!
• Federation raises funds for coronavirus and earthquake aid

• English FA launches ‘Football’s staying home’ campaign
• Captains lead Premier League teams into #PlayersTogether partnership with National Health Service Charities Together
• English Football League uses relief fund to help clubs facing cashflow problems
• Numerous club initiatives to help local communities

• Bundesliga UEFA Champions League participants show solidarity

• Free pizza for health workers
• Men’s and women’s national teams appear in StaySafeHome video
• Teaming up with mental health charities to help people cope with self-isolation

• Azzurri set #TheRulesOfTheGame for defeating COVID-19
• AS Roma’s foundation Roma Cares delivers care packs (containing essential food items and medical supplies such as face masks, protective gloves and hand sanitiser) to elderly season ticket holders

• National team and staff raise money for health service

• Football association, leading football players and a club president donate funds

• Football association announces financial package for struggling clubs
• Pro Junior System will reward clubs investing in home-grown talent
• Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Błaszczykowski make personal donations to Polish hospitals

• National players share experiences of life in isolation to help raise funds for hospital equipment
• Footballers as frontline health workers

• Footballers use popularity to advise expats to stay away to safeguard health
• Bucharest’s two biggest clubs fund life-saving equipment for capital’s hospitals
• National stadium converted to 24/7 emergency helpline centre

• La Liga clubs rally to help their local communities
• Atlético Madrid women's player and medical graduate Silvia Meseguer volunteers for local hospital
• Santiago Bernabéu stadium converted into medical supplies centre

• Allsvenskan clubs place staff at disposal of local efforts to deal with impact of COVID-19

• National association and clubs help purchase life-saving medical equipment
• Association supports self-isolating veteran footballers

• Football stadiums made available to National Health Service (NHS) for emergency facilities
• Ryan Giggs, Gareth Bale and Sophie Ingle spread NHS stay at home message
• Domestic league clubs raise funds for health care services

Elon Musk confirms his intention to create a China design and engineering center to compliment the Shanghai Gigafactory.

A soundwave is saved from a voice recording, converted into a circular pattern, and then used for the indentations on 3D-printed wheel nuts and keys.

The 'accelerator suppression function' is a new safety feature which ignores accelerator pedal input if the car thinks the driver pressed it by mistake.

From age 17, Ana Maria prayed to serve God in Switzerland. While she waited, she became a dance instructor with no idea dance would become her ministry.

Despite being aware of the need for discretion when talking about Jesus, Argentinian Cecilia felt no fear while she was in Central Asia.

The cleverly designed SideTrak Portable Monitor gives you a second screen that can stay attached to your laptop, even while traveling.

Tasked with buying a squadron of desktop LCD monitors for your employees, or just one for a special task? Here's what you need to know, along with our top-rated, lab-tested picks all across the price spectrum.

Anyone with an organization, a small business, or just a passion needs a website to share it with the world. These are the best website builders we've tested for making it easy to create full-featured, mobile-compatible sites on a budget and with no coding required.

Source: www.businessinsider.com - Friday, May 08, 2020
Los Angeles' food truck population of over 800 trucks faces a downturn in profits during the coronavirus pandemic, which threatens the livelihood of dozens of vendors. Trucks, many of which are family-owned, are losing up to 60% to 70% of their business. The disintegration of Los Angeles' food truck scene is creating ripple effects as truck owners, employees, and commissaries take financial hits. California recently allowed food trucks to obtain a permit to sell at rest stops, giving vendors the chance to sell to truckers outside the LA proper. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Los Angeles' food truck scene of over 800 operational trucks is facing a difficult time as business essentially grinds to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic. Food trucks, which are often run as small family businesses, cost on average $29,000 to run in LA, according to a report by the US Chambers of Commerce . But as the lifeblood of food trucks — foot traffic, social gathering, and events — disappears in the wake of the coronavirus, families and small businesses are suffering. "Food trucks rely on people to gather. That model went away pretty quickly," Ross Resnick, founder of food-truck-booking company Roaming Hunger, told the Orange County Register in March. "Pre-corona, it's events, it's workplaces, it's nighttime gatherings in markets. When you close your eyes and imagine a food truck, you imagine a group of people." There are

029 - Six clubs fulfil conditions set out by CFCB

053 - UEFA Club Financial Control Body investigatory chamber takes measures

A Holyrood committee has called on the Scottish Government to include a “sunset clause” in legislation that will enable the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to continue to operate during a post-Brexit transition period

Lewis Macdonald MSP has been elected as a temporary Deputy Presiding Officer (DPO) of the Scottish Parliament. The election was held as part of the Parliament's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today issued a call for views from Scottish businesses and workers on the current Covid-19 crisis.

Lewis Macdonald MSP has today chaired parliamentary proceedings for the first time as Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has today issued a call for views from the culture and tourism industry on the current Covid-19 crisis.

Plans for further virtual scrutiny at the Scottish Parliament have today been announced by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer.

The 2019 UEFA Super Cup will be played at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul on Wednesday 14 August of that year, the third major UEFA final to be played in the Turkish city.

The 2019 UEFA Super Cup will be played at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul on Wednesday 14 August.

'We need to be actively engaged in questioning what the algorithms do, what the results mean, and how inherent bias in the training set can affect the results,' says MIT Professor Bernhardt Trout. But it doesn't always work out that way.

How does AI extract meaning from text? It's not as simple—and definitely not as easy—as you might think.

Technology like DNA testing and facial recognition has helped me piece together a family history torn apart by war. But honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day is about more than remembering the past.

In India and China, indigenous drug manufacturers market arbitrarily combined parenteral β-lactam and β-lactamase inhibitors (BL-BLIs). In these fixed-dose combinations, sulbactam or tazobactam is indiscriminately combined with parenteral cephalosporins, with BLI doses kept in ratios similar to those for the approved BL-BLIs. Such combinations have been introduced into clinical practice without mandatory drug development studies involving pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, safety, and efficacy assessments being undertaken. Such unorthodox combinations compromise clinical outcomes and also potentially contribute to resistance development.