Topics : The government also banned movement of people between governates. Security forces manned checkpoints around provincial cities and only allowed army vehicles and essential services to pass, witnesses said.Opposition figures and independent politicians point to Damascus’ strong ties with Iran, the worst affected country in the region, as a source of possible contagion.They say the virus is also being transmitted by members of Iranian-backed militias who are fighting alongside the Syrian army, as well as Shi’ite pilgrims who visit shrines in Syria.Western intelligence sources say Iran’s proxy Shi’ite militias continue to cross the Qaim border crossing between Iraq and Syria, where they have a strong presence across the country.Senior Syrian army officers have in recent days taken leave of absence and been ordered not to mingle with the Iranian-backed militias, military defectors say.Syrian officials said Damascus airport has halted commercial flights, and the government has also ordered the closure of its main border crossings with neighboring states.Thousands of Shi’ite pilgrims have been arriving in Syria to visit the Sayeda Zainab shrine in Damascus, a neighborhood that also houses the main headquarters of the Iranian-backed militias.Iraqi health officials confirmed on Sunday that returning Shi’ite pilgrims from Syria have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising concern that such travel could be a source for a wider spread of the disease. Several cities saw panic buying, with residents saying they saw food shortages and a surge in demand that pushed up prices ahead of the start of the curfew.The United Nations says the country is at high risk of a major outbreak because of a fragile health system devastated by a nine-year war and lack of sufficient equipment to detect the virus, alongside large numbers of vulnerable people.The World Health Organization has warned that the country has a limited capacity to deal with a rapid spread of the virus.On Sunday, the army announced an end to a call-up of army reserves. It has already ended conscription in what military defectors said was an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus among the rank and file. Syria’s health ministry said on Sunday that a woman who died after being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment was found to have been infected by coronavirus in the country’s first officially reported death from the disease.Syria also said its confirmed cases rose to nine from an earlier five cases, but medics and witnesses say there are many more. Officials deny a cover-up but have imposed a lockdown and draconian measures including a nationwide night curfew to stem the pandemic.The moves to shut businesses, schools, universities, mosques and most government offices, as well as stop public transport, have spread fear among war-weary residents. read more
More precise language about ESG investing and a more thorough conversation about the purpose it plays in portfolios may be the key to bridging the “gulf” between how professional and individual investors view its role and impact, according to Natixis Global Asset Management.In a report based on a set of investor surveys it carried out last year, the asset manager said it found a “distinct split” in the views of professional and individual investors that challenges conventional thinking about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.Individuals believe the environmental, social, and ethical records of the companies they invest in are important, said Natixis, while professionals at institutions and within “the investment community” were more sceptical about the efficacy of these strategies, for example having concerns about performance measurement.The professional investors included in the survey were managers of corporate and public pension funds, foundations, endowments, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds. “The real disconnect between the two populations may be based more on semantics than impact on investment performance,” said the asset manager.ESG might be associated by many with ‘negative screening’ – excluding certain sectors from portfolios – Natixis said, without considering other strategies.“For every negative screen, there can be another, potentially positive, opportunity to access return potential in companies that adhere to positive environmental, social and governance policies or within sustainable investing themes that are playing out across the global economy, and that’s something negative screening may struggle to capitalize on,” it said.It surveyed defined contribution pension plan participants in the US last year and found that three-quarters wanted more socially responsible options included in their retirement plans.This suggested ESG could be a catalyst to increasing retirement plan participation, according to Natixis.However, it said the views of professional investors “who have not followed the evolution of ESG” could pose a challenge to implementing such strategies.An ESG ‘mind-shift’Matthew Shafer, executive vice president of international distribution at Natixis, said: “We need to ultimately get past the mindset that ESG is merely the act of blocking out companies through negative screens.“It is clear that there are substantial opportunities for ESG [investing] and both individuals and institutions will agree that demographics shifts, burgeoning industries and sustainable growth initiatives are attractive on both an investment level and a social level. If enticing investors to save more by offering ESG elements is the catalyst that solves the savings crisis, then we need to start thinking ESG is here to stay.”Shafer later told IPE a “good mind-shift” around the concept of ESG investing was already taking place to varying degrees across all investor types.For example, six in 10 of institutional investors surveyed by Natixis last year predicted ESG would become standard practice for their organisation within the next five years.A little over half said they believed an ESG strategy could help mitigate risk and generate alpha.“This is a clear shift even from five years ago, although it should be noted that there is still a high percentage of respondents who did not share this view,” said Shafer.The institutions responding to the survey ranked reporting on financial and non-financial performance as the top hurdle to successful implementation of ESG measures. Natixis GAM noted that major “fund ratings bureaus” and research organisations were introducing tools for monitoring and measuring ESG factors.“We need tools that are accurate and with which professionals are comfortable using to measure various metrics, including performance,” said Shafer. “When this is in place we are then likely to see a greater change in attitude to ESG.” read more
A company signed up with one of Ireland’s largest private sector pension schemes has been convicted and fined in a prosecution brought by the Pensions Authority.The regulator this week announced that a district court last week convicted Rock Solution Options, a precision drilling, blasting and rock splitting company, for failing to comply with a statutory request it had made.The regulator had sought information and documentation detailing deductions made from employees’ wages for contributions and payments to the trustee of the pension scheme, the Construction Workers’ Pension Scheme, as a result of allegations that the money was not being paid across to the trustee.The company was fined €4,000 and the two directors of the company at the time the request was issued were also convicted and fined €5,000 each. Brendan Kennedy, chief executive officer at the Pensions Authority, said: “This conviction should act as a warning to all employers and company directors that the Pensions Authority treats a failure to respond to a request for information by the authority very seriously.“The authority has a responsibility to enforce this requirement and regards non-compliance as a serious matter.”In Ireland companies operating in the construction sector have to enrol employees with the Construction Workers’ Pension Scheme unless they find a better alternative scheme. The construction industry in Ireland was badly hit by the financial crisis in the late 2000s.As at the end of 2018, more than 7,000 employers were adhering members of the scheme, according to its latest annual report. It had €1.5bn in assets under management. read more
Officers of Police Station 7, meanwhile,conducted a manhunt operation against the suspect, who fled after theincident./PN Tagged suspect was 35-year-old resident JimboyLantape, the report added. According to police investigators,Lantape shot Dorimon around 9:30 p.m. on March 24. But the motive in theincident was not immediately established. BACOLOD City – A man was shot inBarangay Vista Alegre. Dorimon was brought to a hospital herefor medical treatment. The 42-year-old resident Romeo Dorimonsustained a gunshot wound on the leg.
Willie Mullins’ incredible 11-year-old was bidding to make it 10 starts unbeaten at his beloved Leopardstown and claim a 22nd victory at Grade One level. For much of the journey it appeared unlikely, however, with Ruby Walsh getting lower in the saddle in the back straight to keep the 11-10 favourite in touch. With the pacemaking Plinth fading, last year’s Champion Hurdle hero Jezki took over from the home turn, with Hurricane Fly responding to Walsh’s urgings on the inside of the track. The big two headed down to the final flight as one and Hurricane Fly appeared to be getting on top when Jezki blundered, handing his old rival the initiative. To the delight of the packed grandstands, Hurricane Fly galloped all the way to the line to seal yet another momentous triumph. His stable companion Arctic Fire came through to deny Jezki the runner-up spot. Walsh said: “He didn’t travel with the same fluidity as he has done in the past today, but I suppose when the going got a little bit tougher going to the second-last he started to pick up. “When he rounded the bend and I got to AP (McCoy, on Jezki) I was thinking ‘how much is he going to find?’, but when I saw AP go for his whip I knew I had him covered. “I was going as fast as I was able – as fast as he (Hurricane Fly) wanted to go, anyway. I was struggling. “It was the outside track, we didn’t go mad early and they stepped up down the back to draw the sting out of us. It was a testing race. “When I got more aggressive with him, he started to pick up and when I got on to AP’s tail, he stuck his head down like he always does.” Walsh is confident Hurricane Fly had Jezki’s measure when the latter made his mistake. He said: “He gave me a brilliant jump at the last. Obviously Jezki stepped into it and missed it and that probably enhanced the margin we won by, but he’s an incredible horse. “I jumped the last well and going on past performances, he wasn’t going to shirk the issue from there home. “I thought I had it. It was unfortunate Jezki made the mistake, as without Jezki you wouldn’t have the race. “He’s come back here now and won five of these (Irish Champion Hurdles) and 22 Grade Ones, he’s a pleasure to ride, he’s a credit to Willie and the staff at Closutton, he’s just a marvellous little horse. “This horse means a huge amount to me. I ride so many horses with potential but for horses to go and deliver and to go and repeat it and deliver – Kauto (Star) managed it, Big Buck’s, it takes iron horses to do it and that’s what they are, they’re incredible horses and I’m just very lucky to have come along at a time when these good horses are around.” Walsh now faces an agonising decision come whether to ride Hurricane Fly once more at Cheltenham in March or partner his stable companion and Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen, and an 11th hour call is likely. He said: “When the two of them are working well three days before the race, I’ll make it then (declaration time).” Hurricane Fly knuckled down in his inimitable fashion to clinch an historic fifth consecutive victory in the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle. Press Association read more
Both sides had a player carried from the pitch on a stretcher, Everton’s Tom Cleverley in clear pain after being felled by Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele following a bizarre self-inflicted injury. Tottenham’s dominance was apparent early on as Nacer Chadli dazzled down the left, teeing up Nabil Bentaleb only to see a tame shot scuffed wide of the right post. There was panic in the Spurs defence when Kyle Walker gave the ball away to Cleverley and it took a fine save by Hugo Lloris to keep out the ensuing shot. Everton should have slipped behind in the 24th minute but Howard stuck out his left leg to stop Kane, who only had the visiting keeper to beat after collecting a superb pass by Mason. It was then Mason who was denied by Howard, with Chadli the provider once more and the American then steered an Alderweireld header over the crossbar. Cleverley went down under a heavy tackle by Dier, his right ankle caught between the legs of the Spurs defender, and he was carried from the pitch his injured leg in a brace. Somehow Everton cleared their lines despite being repeatedly bamboozled by the quick feet of Dembele, but then the Belgium playmaker became the second player to be taken away by medics. Even upon viewing replays it was unclear exactly how Dembele had been hurt, although his right boot appeared to clip his left Achilles after passing the ball in what was a self-inflicted injury. Press Association Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Toby Alderweireld were kept at bay by Howard in the first half, although Kane should have finished his one on one with the American goalkeeper. Spurs, who named Erik Lamela on the bench, only had themselves to blame for not grabbing all three points in a dominant second half that saw chance after chance squandered. Dier had escaped a booking for his tackle on Cleverley but referee Mike Jones reached for the yellow card when he body-checked Ross Barkley. The pressure was building on Everton’s goal and it took some desperate scrambling defence and a skied shot by Chadli to keep the match goalless. Romelu Lukaku was making his presence felt with a couple of dubious challenges and the visitors could have taken the lead only for Arouna Kone to steer a glancing header wide. The chances dried up for Spurs in the closing stages, in part thanks to the arrival from the bench of the tenacious Steven Naismith, who brought renewed fight to Everton’s rearguard action. TWEET OF THE MATCH “Spurs 0-0 Everton. If they had played for another 90 mins it would still be nil nil #GoalShy.” – former Newcastle and Coventry striker Micky Quinn was left unimpressed by the two teams. https://twitter.com/mickquinn1089/status/637692590289235968 – @mickquinn1089 PLAYER RATINGS Tottenham Hugo Lloris: 6 (out of 10) Kyle Walker: 6 Danny Rose: 5 Toby Alderweireld: 6 Jan Vertonghen: 6 Nabil Bentaleb: 5 Ryan Mason: 5 Harry Kane: 5 Eric Dier: 5 Mousa Dembele: 6 Nacer Chadli: 7 Subs Dele Alli: 5 Alex Pritchard: 5 Everton Tim Howard: 8 John Stones: 6 Phil Jagielka: 6 Bryan Oviedo: 6 Arouna Kone: 6 Romelu Lukaku: 6 Tom Cleverley: 7 James McCarthy: 5 Gareth Barry: 6 Ross Barkley: 7 Seamus Coleman: 6 Subs Kevin Mirallas: 5 Steven Naismith: 7 Gerard Deulofeu: 5 STAR PLAYER Howard: Kept Everton in the hunt with a string of fine saves in the first half, the pick of which was the outstretched left foot that denied Kane. MOMENT OF THE MATCH Kane: Howard will feel pride at the reflexes that prevented Kane from converting a one on one, but the Tottenham striker should really have done better. VIEW FROM THE BENCH Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will view this as two points dropped and cut an increasingly frustrated figure as his side missed chance after chance. Everton rode their luck and Roberto Martinez will see it as a lucky point. MOAN OF THE MATCH Four games into the new season and Tottenham are still searching for their first win. The pressure is growing on Pochettino. WHO’S UP NEXT Sunderland v Tottenham (Premier League, Sunday 13 September) Everton v Chelsea (Premier League, Saturday 12 September) Pochettino was happy with Tottenham’s performance but admitted Spurs need to start taking their chances. He told Sky Sports: “He (Tim Howard) was the clear man of the match. We created a lot of good chances and as a team we were better, but we needed to score. “I think it is important we showed we are a good team, that we showed character. I am happy with the performance and disappointed with the result.” Martinez was pleased with the point, saying: “It was a really satisfying performance. It was the type of game where you need to adapt early in the season and today was clearly that. “We had to find character, it was about never giving in, and in spells we looked like we didn’t have that sharpness in possession in the opposing half that we normally have, probably due to playing that extra-time game on Wednesday.” On Cleverley’s nasty-looking injury, Martinez added: “The doctor is a little bit more positive. It is clearly ligament damage but straight away we thought it could have been something else.” Tim Howard denied Tottenham their first Barclays Premier League win of the season with a string of superb saves that enabled Everton to leave White Hart Lane with a goalless draw. read more
The managers also include Democrats Adam Schiff of California and Jerrold Nadler of New York, who led the House impeachment probe. At 2 p.m., Chief Justice John Roberts will be sworn in to preside over the Senate trial, then all 100 senators will be sworn in as jurors.This all comes a day after Lev Parnas of Boca Raton, an associate of Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, gave an interview implicating, with no corroboration, the president in the campaign to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. The White House is now responding to those claims, with Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham saying “These allegations are being made by a man who is currently out on bail for federal crimes and is desperate to reduce his exposure to prison.” Meanwhile, before the impeachment trial begins, the Senate votes today on a major trade agreement with Mexico and Canada meant to replace NAFTA.The USMCA, is expected to pass and go to President Trump for his signature. The president and first lady will head to Palm Beach tomorrow for the three day weekend and a fundraiser. McConnell vowed to conduct a serious, sober impeachment trial in the Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that Orlando Congresswoman Val Demings will serve as an impeachment manager during the Senate trial of President Donald Trump.Dear all of America’s criminals: please continue to take notes on your crimes. https://t.co/OCAdfJt8VH— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 14, 2020 (Washington, DC) — Finally, the impeachment trial of President Trump in the US Senate formally begins.The first step will be House members, known as impeachment managers, reading the two articles of impeachment aloud, charging the president with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed the House Democrats this morning for impeaching President Trump. Opening the Senate, McConnell called it an entirely partisan process. He criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for handing out souvenir pens and posing for happy photographs after signing the two articles of impeachment.So much for Pelosi’s supposed serious and somber impeachment process.She was handing out pens like party favors at the signing ceremony.Just another example of how disgusting and partisan this impeachment charade has been. https://t.co/iMBnC819Cy— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) January 16, 2020 read more
By Colin Bynoe jrALBION Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) successfully hosted a one-week academy for cricketers between the ages 8-18.The objectives of such an initiative were geared towards “Exposing young cricketers to the basic Fundamentals of the game”.The 2019 academy, which was attended by an estimated 43 youngsters from No.19 villages to Williamsburg, concluded on Saturday with a simple ceremony where all 43 participants were given certificates for their efforts.The students were drilled on the basics of the game and also benefitted from mini-lectures on The Importance of Physical Fitness and Education, Substance Abuse, Public Speaking and Communication, Etiquette and Social Grace, First Aid and Laws of Cricket.In addition, they were given the opportunity to be a part of basic Mathematics and English tutoring.Sessions were conducted by Albion and Guyana Jaguars cricketers Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Gudekesh Motie, former school teacher and umpire, Dhierandranauth Somaroo, Community Development Officer for Albion and Port Mourant Estates, Orvin Mangru; Angela Haniff, Pawan Baldeo, Wazir Shariff and Yamenie Jaipersaud.Delivering the vote of thank was Orvin Mangru who pinpointed various donors that contributed to the successful running of the weeklong cricket Academy. “Special thanks to Devendra Bishoo for proudly sponsoring the Academy; thanks to Berbice Cricket Board for donating trophies and medals; in addition, we thank the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club for contributing a bicycle, educational booklets and prizes for promising players.Thank you to Naz Supermarket for donating items needed for the preparation of snacks”.Speaking with Chronicle Sports Public Relation Officer of ACCCC, David Brigbukan said the week-long cricket academy programme was well run and the youths have shown improvement throughout the week. He continued to share that the academy was organized to help produce well- rounded individuals.The programme was sponsored by Albion and West Indies leg- spinner, Devendra BishooReceiving awards were:Shiv Harripersaud- Most Disciplined ParticipantTameshwar Mahadeo- Most Promising Player of the AcademyKumar Deopersaud- Most Promising Spin BowlerShiv Harripersaud- Most Promising Fast BowlerAfrizal Kadir- Most Promising BatsmanDamion Cecil- Most Promising Wicket-keeperNicholas Leps- Most Promising FielderPavendra Ganesh- Best overall Attendance and Punctuality.Timothy Brigbukan- Most Participating Cricketer. read more
MATTHEW KUTZ/Herald photoWhat an exciting month the men’s basketball team has had. Posting an 8-1 record, the Badgers recently knocked off UNC-Wilmington in a 40-minute nail biter thanks to junior guard Kammron Taylor’s final-second shot.Taylor also sunk the final shot at the buzzer to give UW the double-overtime victory over Eastern Kentucky at the Paradise Jam tournament. Wisconsin went on to beat Old Dominion in the final round of the tournament to claim the Paradise Jam title. So far this season, the Badgers have also knocked off two in-state rivals, Marquette and UW-Green Bay. The win against Marquette established Bo Ryan’s 100th victory as the head coach of the Badgers.The only loss the Badgers sustained was to Wake Forest in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Swingman Alando Tucker has led the Badgers in points for five games. All five starters (Tucker, Taylor, Jason Chappell, Ray Nixon and Brian Butch) have established career highs in points in the first nine games. Wisconsin still has three more games remaining on its schedule before it opens Big Ten play against Iowa in January. read more
Crowds of excited students have cheered for Traveler’s jaunt around the Coliseum for 50 years.During the years, students at the USC have watched with pride as the pure white horse galloped across the Coliseum after every touchdown. This Saturday marks the start of Traveler’s fiftieth year at USC.Past and Present · Current handler Hector Aguilar rides Traveler VII, a pure Spanish Andalusian purebreed. The current mascot turned 20 this year. – Daily Trojan File PhotoThe tradition of bringing a horse to football games began in 1927, when Louis Shield, a USC student, started riding a white horse at home football games, according to Traveler’s official website.Whenever USC scores during a football game, Traveler and his current rider, Hector Aguilar, ride around the Coliseum while the band plays “Conquest,” USC’s regal processional march.“Traveler embodies the Spirit of Troy,” said Jeff Brown, vice president of Trojan Knights.Several Trojan Knights are members of the Traveler support group, which helps guarantee Traveler’s comfort, making sure the game runs smoothly and that the horse has enough space to run.In 1954, Arthur J. Gontier III, a Trojan Knight, rented a white horse, and while wearing a traditional Trojan costume previously used by actor Jeff Chandler, rode the horse inside the stadium before the kickoff of a USC-Pittsburgh game, according to Andy Greos, Trojan Knight activity director.Traveler I officially started galloping around the stadium with rider Richard Saukko in 1961, said Joanne Asman, Traveler VII’s owner and trainer.In the last 50 years, there have been seven different Travelers. The original horse was a white Arabian-Tennessee Walker, but Traveler VII is of pure Spanish Andalusian breed.Asman has owned horse Traveler VII for 16 years, but she took over the program to officially train Traveler for USC football games and school-related activities in 2003.“[Traveler] is my soul mate,” Asman said. “This horse and I have a very special connection, from the first time I ever saw him. We totally understand each other.”What makes Traveler such an USC iconic mascot is his character, Asman said.“He has to like people, he has to be willing and want to please and he has to be trusting,” Asman said. “It takes a certain kind of temperament and personality to have a horse that will put up with 90,000 people.”Traveler VII, who turned 20 years old this year, will continue riding at USC games until he decides he’s ready to retire, Asman said.In preparation for Traveler VII’s retirement, Asman is currently training Traveler VIII. This involves activities like showing the horse different objects present at football games — including mascots that might be on the field — so Traveler VIII can become acclimated to the stadium atmosphere, according to his trainer.The training timeline differs depending on the horse, but Traveler VIII has already started to get a feel for game days.“Traveler VIII has snuck in there a few times and people didn’t even notice we switched horses,” Asman said.The statue of Traveler on campus across from Tommy Trojan is modeled after Traveler VII, and Asman said she was sure the tradition of Traveler will live on. read more