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World’s most expensive cities for expats in 2020 revealed

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World’s most expensive cities for expats in 2020 revealed

(CNN) — Spot the odd one out in this list of global cities: Hong Kong, Zurich, Singapore and… Ashgabat?

The Turkmenistan capital might not spring to mind when listing deep-pocket destinations, but Ashgabat is now the world’s second most expensive city for overseas workers, according to Mercer’s newly released Cost of Living Survey.

While it’s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tokyo (at No. 3) and New York (at No. 6), Ashgabat’s five-point rise up the rankings this year is down to an ongoing economic crisis, food shortages and subsequent hyperinflation.

Hong Kong, also experiencing turmoil in the shape of political unrest, has once again topped the league, in large part due to it having the world’s most expensive property market, against some very stiff global competition.

New York most expensive for cleaning supplies

Mercer’s data was collected in March, so the full brunt of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on prices aren’t reflected in the 2020 rankings, but with grocery prices already soaring in the United States and elsewhere, it’s a safe bet that the world’s most expensive cities are getting even more expensive.

Various factors, including currency fluctuations, cost of inflation for goods and services and accommodation prices, contribute to the cost of expatriate packages for employees on international assignments, Mercer said.

The survey aims to help governments and multinational companies set pay for employees who move overseas for work.

Mercer’s ranking of 209 global destinations is based on a “basket” of 200 ticket items that reflect the cost of living for expatriates.

This year, corona-related products have been singled out by Mercer, with New York City being the most costly place to pick up your cleaning supplies, including antiseptic spray and soap.

Lagos overtakes London

“The Covid-19 pandemic reminds us that sending and keeping employees on international assignments is a huge responsibility and a difficult task to manage,” said Ilya Bonic, Career President and Head of Mercer Strategy. “Rather than bet on a dramatic resurgence of mobility, organizations should prepare for the redeployment of their mobile workforces, leading with empathy and understanding that not all expatriates will be ready or willing to go abroad.”

Six of the top 10 cities this year are in Asia, with Singapore at number five and China’s Shanghai and Beijing at seven and 10 respectively.

Switzerland led the way in Europe, with three of its cities in the top 10: Zurich in fourth place, and Bern and Geneva at eight and ninth.

Lagos, Nigeria, which has established itself as Africa’s business capital, moved up to No. 18 in the rankings, one place ahead of London at 19.

At the other end of the table, the cheapest cities are the Tunisian capital, Tunis (209), Windhoek, Namibia, (208) and Tashkent, Uzbekistan (207).

Rooms start at around $100 at the four-star Hilton Windhoek.

Hilton Windhoek Namibia

Namibia, with its modern capital, good roads and reasonable rental car rates was one of CNN Travel’s recent selection of unspoiled wildernesses to inspire future travels when the world’s starts moving again.

With the global economy turned on its head and companies reconsidering their approaches to office space, working from home, and redeployment of employees, it might be time to reconsider one’s horizons.

2020 cost of living city ranking

1. Hong Kong (China)

2. Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

3. Tokyo (Japan)

4. Zurich (Switzerland)

5. Singapore

6. New York City (USA)

7. Shanghai (China)

8. Bern (Switzerland)

9. Geneva (Switzerland)

10. Beijing (China)

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2 More Railway Officials Test Positive for Coronavirus, Total Cases in Rail Bhavan Rise to 16

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2 More Railway Officials Test Positive for Coronavirus, Total Cases in Rail Bhavan Rise to 16

Image for representation. (Reuters)

The latest cases at the railway headquarters were reported five days after two officials had tested positive on June 4, officials said.

  • PTI

  • Last Updated: June 10, 2020, 12:07 AM IST

Two more railway officials tested positive for coronavirus at Rail Bhavan, taking the total number of cases detected in the building to 16.

The latest cases at the railway headquarters were reported five days after two officials had tested positive on June 4, officials said.

In the present case, a multi-tasking staff of the railways has been found positive. He had last attended office on June 4. Around eight of his contacts have been sent to home quarantine, they said.

A deputy director level official has also tested positive for the disease. He had last come to office on May 20. He tested positive on June 9, the officials said.

The Railway Board has said that all officials who came in contact with the deputy director level official may take precautions and look out for symptoms since the 14-day quarantine period got over on June 3.

The last set of coronavirus cases from the building was reported on June 4 of an official working at Chairman Railway Board V K Yadav’s office. He had last attended office on May 21 and was found COVID-19 positive on June 3.

Another official working on the third floor of the building had also tested positive for the highly infectious disease. He had attended office till June 1.

The building which is the headquarters of the Indian Railways has already been sealed twice last month.

While not many are attending office at the building as the railways is following a staggered attendance policy, these infections have scared officials with many even contemplating applying for long leaves, sources said.

These cases follow a long list of railway officials who have tested positive for the pandemic, including two senior women officers, a contractual worker who drives out ‘langoors’ from the building and several mid level staffers.




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Signs of Thaw as Indian and Chinese Troops Mutually Pull Back in Some Areas Ahead of Talks Today

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Signs of Thaw as Indian and Chinese Troops Mutually Pull Back in Some Areas Ahead of Talks Today

In this September 14, 2018 file photo, Border Roads Organization workers rest near Pangong Lake in Ladakh. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Sources in the Indian Army say that both Indian and Chinese troops have partially disengaged in three of the four areas where they have been eyeball-to-eyeball.

  • CNN-News18 New Delhi

  • Last Updated: June 10, 2020, 12:02 AM IST

A month into the India–China standoff at the Line of Actual Control, there are finally some signs of a thaw on the ground.

Sources in the Indian Army say that both Indian and Chinese troops have partially disengaged in three of the four areas where they have been eyeball-to-eyeball. These are PP14, PP15 and PP17 A in the Galwan Valley and Hot Springs. In these areas, both sides have approximately 1,500 men on each side and have stepped back 1.2 to 2 km from their current positions.

Top level sources in the army claim that in the Galwan Valley, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had never entered Indian territory. Ground commanders have reported seeing 20 lorries ferry Chinese troops and ammunition out.

The problem at Pangong Tso, the sight of maximum number of patrol skirmishes, continues. Thousand troops have been pitted against each other for the last one month after the Chinese came into Finger 4 and built a ‘sangar’ or a temporary fortified position there. The Indian side believes that the LAC runs through Finger 8 and so Finger 4 falls within their territory. In the Pangong Tso area, some soldiers have moved back in boats, but the Chinese continue to hold Finger 4.

Starting Wednesday, there will be multiple rounds of talks at various levels between the Indian and Chinese military on complete disengagement in the Galwan Valley and Hot Springs. Major General officers of both sides will meet on Wednesday to discuss disengagement in Hot Springs.

Resolving the standoff at Pangang Tso will be trickier and will see another level of talks between Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the 14 Corps Commander and his Chinese counterpart Maj Gen Lin Lui, commander of the South Xinjiang Military District. The meeting on June 6 between the two at Chushul–Moldo BPM went on for a marathon six hours where a roadmap for disengagement was discussed.

The Chinese have an infantry division, two artillery regiments, two armoured regiments, fighter jets and AWACS as part of its rear detachment. The Indian military is seeing it as ‘muscle flexing’ say sources.

Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a month-long confrontation since May 5 following violent clashes in Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh and Nakula in north Sikkim. Last week, both India and China had agreed to resolve tensions through talks and maintain peace at the LAC.




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Commission approves acquisition of Bayer’s animal health division by #Elanco subject to conditions

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Commission approves acquisition of Bayer’s animal health division by #Elanco subject to conditions

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Bayer AGs animal health division by Elanco Animal Health Inc. The decision is conditional on the divestment of otitis products and several types of parasiticides in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK and globally.

The transaction would lead to the creation of the second largest animal health company globally. Both Elanco and Bayer’s animal health division (“BAH”) develop and supply pharmaceuticals for pets and livestock worldwide. The Commission found that the transaction, as originally notified, would have raised competition concerns in a number of countries in the EEA/UK in relation to otitis products for pets, as well as several types of parasiticides. In these markets, both companies have strong positions and/or face a limited number of competitors.

To address these concerns, Elanco and BAH offered to divest to one or more suitable purchasers, Elanco or BAH’s products and/or pipelines in relation to otitis, anticoccidials, parasiticides for pets in the EEA/UK, including all the necessary assets such as applicable licenses, contracts, and brands, as well as relevant studies and data. The proposed commitments remove the entire overlaps between Elanco and BAH in the markets raising serious doubts and fully address all of the Commission’s competition concerns.

The Commission therefore concluded that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns in the EEA. The decision is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy, said: “Veterinaries, pet-owners and farmers count on innovative and competitively priced pharmaceutical products for animals. The acquisition by Elanco of Bayer’s Animal Health division would have significantly reduced the current and future choice of competing and innovative drugs available to vets, pet owners and farmers for certain animal diseases. With the divestment of current and pipeline products treating ear infections and parasites in pets and livestock, the merger can go ahead whilst preserving competition and innovation in these markets.”

The full press release is available online.

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Nigeria to cut healthcare spending by 40% despite coronavirus cases climbing

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Nigeria to cut healthcare spending by 40% despite coronavirus cases climbing

Plans by Nigeria’s government to cut healthcare spending risk undermining the country’s coronavirus response and severely impacting already strained services, health and transparency groups have warned.

Funding for local, primary healthcare services will be cut by more than 40% this year in a revised budget expected to be passed into law in the coming weeks.

The proposed cuts could affect immunisations, childcare, maternal healthcare and family planning services.

Nigeria currently spends less than 5% of its federal budget on health. Dwindling oil sales, the crash in global oil prices and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic are understood to be the reason for the cuts.

According to Prof Innocent Ujah, the head of the Nigerian medical association, the proposed cuts have come just as more investment in health is needed.

“Our budget for health is unacceptably low, under 5%. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it becomes even more serious,” he said. “It will have an impact on our response to the virus.”

Ujah said he was shocked at the announcement of the cuts, as it had been assumed health budgets would be ringfenced during the pandemic.

Fuelling criticisms of the healthcare cuts has been the 37bn naira (£75m) set aside for renovations to Nigeria’s National Assembly buildings. 

“Whatever renovations they want to do in the National Assembly should be suspended,” Ujah said. “This is a global emergency.”

The legislative body is heavily criticised in Nigeria for the lack of transparency in government spending and for the high salaries of lawmakers.

Oluseun Onigbinde, the director of BudgIT, an organisation which tracks government spending, said that the budget cuts were not distributed fairly.

“The National Assembly budget was cut 10%, but the severe cuts were made to education and healthcare,” he said.

“It’s a bit shameful that Nigeria’s allocation for health and education has not gone above 5% of the total budget provision in the last five years. The government has really underinvested in healthcare.”

Nigerian authorities took early steps to try to contain the outbreak of Covid-19. But cases are steadily rising, doubling in the past three weeks to 12,000 infections.

A number of challenges have undermined its test and trace strategy, including too few test kits. Just 80,000 tests have been administered, far lower than the country’s health officials want.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has said 75% of infections are occurring in communities without an identifiable trace.

Adding to the challenges are issues with morale among some health staff.

Fifty doctors and nurses at a key Covid-19 response centre in Lagos University teaching hospital say they have not been paid the allowances promised to workers caring for coronavirus cases since April. The allowances are paid on top of their usual salaries.

According to staff who spoke on condition of anonymity, the delay in receiving allowances was making it difficult to recruit health professionals to fight the virus.

“We were assured payments for the Covid response. We started in April, but we’re in the third month and we haven’t been compensated,” said one member of staff. 

Many had not seen their families in three months to prevent spreading the virus, and were furious that their payments are not being prioritised. 

“We’ve put our lives on the line here, now for us not to be paid is inhumane,” the health worker said.

Government officials said they are working to address the payment delays.

“They have assured us they are working on this but such issues are causing much disillusionment,” said Ujah. “No matter what, in a healthcare emergency, motivation is a very important component.”



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Prince Philip, patriarch of the British royals, quietly turns 99

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Prince Philip, patriarch of the British royals, quietly turns 99

Prince Philip, the husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth for more than seven decades, celebrates his 99th birthday on Wednesday, although there will be little public fanfare to mark the occasion.

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will spend the day privately at Windsor Castle, west of London, where he and the 94-year-old monarch have been staying during Britain’s coronavirus lockdown.

That means the rest of the royal family will have to send their best wishes to him by video calls.

“I haven’t seen my father for a long time. He’s going to be 99 next week,” heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and the oldest of his four children told Sky News last week. “Facetime is all very well … You really want to give people a hug.”

The royals make little fuss about their birthdays in public but this year celebrations have been even more muted.

Traditionally, the prince’s birthday would be celebrated with gun salutes in London but with social gatherings banned, the queen felt it would be inappropriate for such royal ceremonies to go ahead and cancelled such tributes for her own birthday in April for the first time in her 68-year reign.

However, Buckingham Palace did release a new photograph of the royal couple to celebrate Philip’s birthday, taken last week at the quadrangle inside Windsor Castle.

Philip, a former naval officer renowned for his sometimes brusque manner and occasional verbal gaffes, married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became queen. He is now by far the longest-serving consort of any British monarch.

He stepped down from royal duties in August 2017 after completing more than 22,000 solo engagements but in recent years he has been increasingly rarely seen in public.

He did, however, break his retirement silence in April to issue a statement thanking those involved in the fight against COVID-19.

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Stalin pens emotional tribute to DMK’s J Anbazhagan who died of COVID-19

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Stalin pens emotional tribute to DMK’s J Anbazhagan who died of COVID-19

By: Express Web Desk | Chennai |

Published: June 10, 2020 11:42:39 am





Stalin added that despite his failing health, Anbazhagan had been actively involved in implementing measures taken by the DMK on the field during the pandemic.

DMK chief M K Stalin penned an emotional tribute to party leader J Anbazhagan, who passed away due to comorbidities while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in Chennai this morning.

Calling the news a ‘bolt of lightning and thunder to the heart,’ Stalin wrote: “My dear brother Anbazhagan, when will I see you again? Does such news have to come in the morning, like a bolt of lightning and thunder to the heart? My heart is not ready to accept that the beloved son of the soldier of the Dravidian movement, Pazhakadai Jayaraman, the one who got the love, affection and support of our Kalaignar, beloved brother, a cadre who worked energetically in the field tirelessly, the District Secretary of Chennai West, MLA J Anbazhagan is gone.”

Stalin added that despite his failing health, Anbazhagan had been actively involved in implementing measures taken by the DMK on the field during the pandemic. “Following deterioration of his health, he was admitted to the ICU of the hospital. Despite receiving the best treatment, he left us on June 10, 2020”, he wrote. Read this story in Tamil

Anbazhagan took part in Covid-19 relief work until the last week of May.

The DMK leader said how he can forget a man who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people, got infected by the disease, and later succumbed to it. “Kazhagam (party) blood flows through his body, Kalaignar was his only leader. He had the courage to implement orders, work tirelessly in the field and in the assembly for the people and dared to express what he felt was right. Anbazhagan was a true brother who worked tirelessly until he last breath”, he wrote. “When I am not in a position to comfort myself, how am I going to console his family, friends and other party cadres? When will I see his lovable face again?” Stalin asked.

As a mark of respect to DMK leader J Anbazhagan, Stalin said DMK flags will fly at half-mast for three days and all party activities will be postponed. “Apart from shedding tears, I don’t know another way to pay my respect for Anbazhagan’s selfless service and his dedication to the party.”

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy said he is deeply saddened by the demise of DMK leader Anbazhagan and offered his condolences to his family.

Anbazhagan with the late Karunanidhi. (Twitter/@KanimozhiDMK)

Offering his sympathy, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran said the demise of Anbazhagan has taught a lesson to all the politicians to be extra careful during public welfare activities. DMDK leader Vijayakant also expressed his sadness.

Congress leader actress Khusbu Sundar took to Twitter and wrote Anbazhagan will be sorely missed. “Extremely saddened to know #DMK leader J Anbazhagan has left us heartbroken. He was a gem. Of my 5 years in DMK, I saw him always hardworking. One who was never afraid to raise questions and stand for the right. Always helping the poor n needy. He will be sorely missed #RIP Anna.”

Anbazhagan, DMK Secretary for Chennai west had been admitted to Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre in Chromepet on June 2 had been on ventilator support throughout his treatment. He had been actively involved in COVID-19 relief work in the city until the last week of May. Anbazhagan died on his 62nd birthday.

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China flexes military muscle amid coronavirus pandemic – CNN Video

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China flexes military muscle amid coronavirus pandemic – CNN Video

As the world is distracted by the Covid-19 pandemic, China appears to be making bold military moves on multiple fronts, causing experts to warn of the tension between the US and China. CNN’s David Culver reports.



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‘Gone With the Wind’ Pulled From HBO Max Library

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‘Gone With the Wind’ Pulled From HBO Max Library


‘Gone With the Wind’ Pulled From HBO Max Library | Entertainment Tonight


































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PFA working on different ways to approach under representation of BAME coaches, says Iffy Onuora

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PFA working on different ways to approach under representation of BAME coaches, says Iffy Onuora

Onuora: “We’ve not been privy to the numbers behind the EFL voluntary code but it certainly has not shifted the dial […] we can do this in a different way.”

Last Updated: 09/06/20 10:56pm


Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is currently the only BAME manager in the Premier League

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is working on new schemes to help increase the representation of BAME coaches in English football because of a continued lack of progress, says Iffy Onuora.

Former Swindon manager Onuora, who has been working at the PFA as an equalities officer and regional coach, says the dial has not shifted enough despite measures such as the EFL Voluntary Code and the Rooney Rule.

Only six of the 91 managers at Premier League and English Football League level would be considered to be from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, despite the percentage being far higher among players.

Only six of the 91 managers at Premier League and English Football League level, including Sol Campbell, would be regarded BAME

Only six of the 91 managers at Premier League and English Football League level, including Sol Campbell, would be regarded BAME

“Our job at the PFA is to lobby the stakeholders who can make a difference,” Onuora told Sky Sports News.

“After spending some time in the United States, Ricky Hill started talking about the Rooney Rule and that was in 2006, it took up until 2017 to get something up and running in this country with the voluntary code in the EFL.

“We’ve not been privy to the numbers behind the voluntary code but it certainly has not shifted the dial at the management end. Maybe we have to give it time to see if through academies, below the top structure, these coaches can filter through.

“But it hasn’t shifted the dial, so even as we speak we are working on different schemes about how we can do this in a different way.”

‘Getting on to a course is easy – it’s what happens afterwards’

Onuora insists the problem is not attracting BAME applicants to coaching in football but the number of opportunities which are disproportionately afforded to BAME coaches once qualified.

Former player and manager Onuora has been working as an equalities officer and regional coach with the PFA since 2011

Former player and manager Onuora has been working as an equalities officer and regional coach with the PFA since 2011

“Getting onto the course is not the problem. [In recent courses] I would say BAME coaches are reasonably well represented, in a course we did in the north we had six or seven out of 30, which is healthy even if there would probably be more in the south,” he said.

“It’s where you go after that, it’s those opportunities. I understand football is a niche industry and there is nothing more volatile than football management but the stats are [clear]. It’s never really wavered from the high watermark of six BAME managers.

“That stat which sits beneath that only four per cent of the senior coaches are BAME – that’s the issue we have to try to address.”

‘Short-term thinking stifles progress’

Onuora says football cannot wait for BAME owners to take charge of football clubs in order to affect change. He argues that clubs need to be bolder with their recruitment and apply long-term approaches to management – which would directly benefit the development of BAME coaches.

“If you look at the Premier League for example, you are looking at billionaires, not millionaires. There’s not too many BAME billionaires around.

“Some clubs have been quite enlightened and employed black managers […] but not many people are prepared to take a chance on them.

“Clubs need to be bolder with their recruitment, they need to think outside the box a little bit. It’s certainly not a blanket criticism but football clubs are short-termist in their thinking.

“Clubs need to do that as a whole and then black players can aspire and black coaches can develop and see the benefit of that as well.”

2:24
Kick It Out’s Troy Townsend say English footballing bodies are failing when it comes to tackling the problem of racism.

Kick It Out’s Troy Townsend say English footballing bodies are failing when it comes to tackling the problem of racism.

‘Ask tough questions of your leaders’

“It’s a leadership issue. Ask your leaders, what are you doing around this subject?” Onuora added.

“Are they in leadership to affect change? Are they in leadership for [financial reward]? These are the opportunities to make that change.

“That’s the challenge for everyone in any organisation, look at the people leading and ask tough questions of them. What’s your motivation to lead?

“This is for sectors all across the country, once we start doing that then we can shift the dial.”

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