Follow the rules

PARIS: The French rugby team's anti-COVOD-19 protocol will be strengthened, with players and staff not being allowed to leave their hotel ahead of Six Nations games, federation president Bernard Laporte said on Friday. France's game against Scotland last weekend was postponed after 12 French players and five staff members, including coach Fabien Galthie, tested positive for the coronavirus. French players were seen in the streets of Rome eating waffles before their Six Nations opener against Italy on Feb. 6, and Galthie left the training camp to attend his son's rugby game in Paris the day after the game. However, an internal investigation led by the federation ruled that nobody had broken any rules. "When they go out with a mask on, to me, there was no wrongdoing," Laporte said on Friday after a meeting with French Education, Youth and Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. "But from now on, it's forbidden. The protocol will be stricter. Now you can't leave the hotel." … [Read more...] about France rules to get stricter following COVID-19 outbreak

Home Yoga spirituality Faith mysticism Faith Mysticism oi-Prerna Aditi By Prerna Aditi on March 5, 2021 Maha Shivratri is considered to be one of the most important festivals observed by Hindus across the world. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year the festival is observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun. This year the date falls on 11 March 2021. On this day, people will be worshipping Lord Shiva and observing a fast. While one observes a fast, a person needs to follow some rules to ensure he/she worships in the right manner. In order to know what those rules are that people need to follow, scroll down to read more. 1. On this day, devotees of Lord Shiva need to wake up early and take a bath. 2. After taking a bath, they need to wear clean and/or new clothes. one should spare some time for praying. 3. If you are observing the vrat (fast) on Maha Shivratri, … [Read more...] about Maha Shivratri 2021: Some Rules That You Need To Follow When Observing A Fast

SINGAPORE: The government will tighten rules on its tender processes. The move comes in the wake of procurement lapses involving several ministries. The recent purchase of Brompton bicycles by the National Parks Board and graft allegations involving high ranking government officials have highlighted the need to take a closer look at the government's tender processes. Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said his ministry will enhance rules on the handling of single bids. Over the past three years, procurements that attracted single bidders accounted for about two per cent of the total value of contracts awarded each year. Most of these procurements were quotations of below S$70,000 in value each. A number of tenders above S$70,000 in value also attracted single bids despite an average tender period of 20 days. Mr Tharman said there are practical reasons why the government should not prevent contracts from … [Read more...] about Govt to tighten rules on its tender processes

Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Phillipa Soo is Eliza Hamilton in “Hamilton,” the filmed version of the original Broadway production. Disney/Handout via REUTERS LOS ANGELES  – Hollywood period drama “Mank” led a list of Golden Globe nominations on Wednesday that were strong on diversity and dominated by Netflix in a reflection of the upheaval wrought by the coronavirus pandemic on the movie world. From the movie version of rap-infused musical “Hamilton” to LGBTQ musical “The Prom” and director nods for three women, the nominations – which kick off the Hollywood awards season – recognized social justice issues and performers of color in a U.S. entertainment industry that critics have long complained is dominated by white men. The contest for the best drama movie will also include modern Great Recession saga “Nomadland,” 1960s Vietnam War protest drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” #MeToo revenge fantasy “Promising Young Woman,” and family drama “The Father” about … [Read more...] about From ‘Hamilton’ to ‘Promising Young Woman’ diversity rules Golden Globe nominations

Hi all, In today's bulletin: China aims for higher growth rate to create more jobs ; China lawmakers propose changes to Hong Kong’s election rules ; Myanmar mayhem continues with United Nations Security Council due to meet later today; Malaysian PM Muhyiddin keeps 1MDB in spotlight, and more. Reading this on the web or know someone who might enjoy receiving Asian Insider? Our sign-up page is here . China sets GDP growth target of over 6% despite pandemic China, the world's only major economy to grow last year despite the debilitating impact of coronavirus infections, is set to accelerate its pace of economic growth in 2021. Presenting his yearly work report at the opening of the country's annual legislative meeting, Premier Li Keqiang said the country has set an annual gross domestic product (GDP) target of over 6 per cent for this year. Some of the other highlights that emerged are the following: - China is looking to create 11 million new urban … [Read more...] about Asian Insider, March 5: China to aim for 6% GDP growth; Hong Kong’s election rules

Australia’s finance minister has suggested that a “desperate” European Union is “tear[ing] up the rule book” after the European Commission backed Italy’s request to block a shipment of coronavirus vaccines. Media reported on Thursday that the European Commission, the bloc’s powerful unelected executive arm, headed by former German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen, backed Rome’s request to ban the shipment of 250,000 doses from its Anagni plant because of the “continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy,” according to the Italian foreign ministry. The seized doses are expected to be redistributed across the EU27. The Australian government signalled on Friday that it would not affect the country’s overall rollout, as it had doses expected from other plants. The country’s finance minister, Simon Birmingham, appeared to give a veiled criticism of the EU, however, telling Sky News Australia: “The world is in … [Read more...] about Aussie Govt: Desperate EU ‘Tearing Up Rule Book’ by Blocking Vaccine Shipment

Is Trumpism a cult? This question, among other issues, has preoccupied certain psychiatrists and mental health professionals since Donald Trump rose to political prominence in 2016. How could one even begin to approach the question? Ever since the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) asked American psychoanalysts to take Hitler’s measure in the 1940s, there have been two approaches to psychological comment on public figures of concern. Though the two are often intertwined, a mental health professional's emphasis tends to fall on one or the other. One tradition is represented by the psychologist and psychoanalyst Walter C. Langer, who emphasized individual personality , early life, and sexual development. The other tradition, represented by psychoanalyst Erik H. Erikson, explored the “fit” between culture and personality, trying especially to understand (and therefore potentially to weaken) the bond between a leader and his followers. Both traditions are alive and well. … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and His Followers: Are They a Cult?

Just under three million people in Hong Kong are now able to apply to live, study and work in the UK after a new visa route opened. The government offered a pathway to British citizenship for those holding British National (Overseas) status and their eligible family members last summer. It followed the imposition of a controversial new security law in Hong Kong by China, which has since been described by the UK as means to "crush dissent" against Beijing. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Raab: 'China is violating the freedom of Hong Kong' As with other visas, after five years in the UK, they will be able to apply for settled status - and after a further 12 months, they will be able to apply for British citizenship. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am immensely proud that we have brought in this new route for Hong Kong BN(O)s to live, work and make their home in our country. Advertisement "In doing so we … [Read more...] about Hong Kong: New UK visa route opens for up to three million people

Another court has denied bail to Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai ahead of his April trial. He is accused of colluding with foreign elements to endanger national security, apparently for tweets he made and interviews or commentaries he gave to international media. Hong Kong's High Court said it would publish its reasons for rejecting Thursday's application at a later date. Hong Kong schools to teach children as young as six about colluding with foreign forces Last week the Court of Final Appeal ruled a lower court's decision last year to grant Mr Lai bail applied "an erroneous line of reasoning", but allowed his team to go to the High Court. Arrested and charged in early December, Mr Lai also faces fraud charges after police raided the offices of his Apple Daily newspaper. Advertisement The tabloid and other media reported on Wednesday that, while in custody, he was arrested again on suspicion of assisting a … [Read more...] about Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy advocate denied bail

SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party has released its own paper on Population, just two weeks after Parliament endorsed a report charting the country's strategies to mitigate an ageing and shrinking population. Titled 'A Dynamic Population for a Sustainable Singapore', the Workers' Party makes a case for a population projection of about 5.8 million by 2030. This is down from the 6.9 million in the government's White Paper. The party aims to achieve that with an annual resident workforce growth of one per cent, a freeze to the foreign workforce growth rate and a projected GDP growth of between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent in the next decade. That is half a percentage point down from the government's GDP projections. The recent debate on population issues was one of the most passionate seen in Parliament with MPs from both the ruling and opposition parties raising concerns over issues such as over-crowding, the Singapore identity and quality of life. All nine Workers' Party MPs had opposed … [Read more...] about Workers’ Party publishes its Population Policy Paper