NEW DELHI —Scores of people died in violent rainstorms in northeastern India on Thursday, including many farmers working in their fields and children playing outside who were killed by lightning strikes, Indian officials said.
The storms came as the yearly monsoon rains began in northern India, sweeping across the subcontinent and drenching cities and towns in their path.
“Nature’s fury was at its worst today,†said Manoj Kumar Tiwary, a top police official in the state of Bihar, which reported on its Facebook page that 83 people had died of lightning strikes across the state. Officials also reported widespread damage to property across the state.
“Some were walking, some were working in fields,†he said, adding that the dead included “children playing in the courtyards of their houses.â€
But the high numbers of deaths in such a short time span are much rarer. During a two-day period in 2016, lightning strikes killed at least 70 people in the country. That time, many of the fatalities were also around Bihar.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, expressed condolences in a Twitter message,saying the state government is “engaged in relief work with promptness.â€
“In some districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, heavy rains and lightning caused the death of many people,†Mr. Modi wrote in Hindi, “I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this disaster.â€
The India Meteorological Department said on Thursday thunderstorms are likely to hit flood-prone areas of Bihar and along its long and porous border with Nepal.
Pushpesh Singh, an official in Uchhati village in eastern Bihar, said in a telephone interview that he saw villagers running for their lives after a tree was hit by a lightning bolt. One woman in a nearby field, he said, died while she was planting in her field.
“Some people are still refusing to go back to their homes,†Mr. Singh said, “They are too frightened.â€
Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton | Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images
Ex-senior U.S. official says Johnson’s ‘determination’ to secure Brexit ‘was something that the president appreciated.’
Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton claimed the British prime minister is playing his old boss “like a fiddle.”
In an interview with Channel 4 News Thursday, Bolton also said that there was a “sea change” in president-to-prime-minister relations when Theresa May was replaced by Boris Johnson in July 2019. Bolton knew Johnson from his time as foreign secretary.
Earlier this week Bolton released an explosive account of his time in the Trump White House, with some of the book’s content having leaked to U.S. media the previous week. Among the book’s most striking details was the claim that the president asked China for help with his reelection bid — and that he was unaware the U.K. was a nuclear power.
Bolton told Channel 4 News that Johnson and Trump’s good relationship was positive for the U.K. as “Trump can’t distinguish between his personal relationships with a counterpart leader and the actual state of the national relationships between two countries.”
He added: “I do think that Johnson’s determination to effect Brexit was something that the president appreciated. I don’t think he had confidence in the May government’s negotiating strategy.”
Asked if Johnson did the right thing by “sucking up to” Trump by Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow, something that opposition leaders have often claimed, Bolton implied Johnson was in fact using the president.
“I wouldn’t describe it as sucking up to him. I’ve known Boris before he was prime minister. I think he’s got a good sense of humor and I had the sense that behind those twinkling eyes he was playing Trump like a fiddle.”
The second round of U.S.-U.K. trade talks began June 15.
This webinar was hosted by the Mail & Guardian and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. It featured Hon. Mauwane Rebecca Phaladi-Digamela from Health, Hon. Matome Chiloane from Education, Hon. William Mathafeng Matsheke from Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Hon. Mapiti Matsena from Community Safety. It was hosted by business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo.
The objective of the GPL is to maximise public participation in the provincial government processes. The country is in troubled waters, and to avoid sinking everybody has to come on board. There is widespread poverty and too many people are dependant on social relief. The province is ready to attend to its residents and to ensure that they are safe; for this to happen, people must adhere to the safety regulations and remain home as much as possible during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Gauteng department of education has received a budget of over R50-billion for 2020/21. The mandate has centred around the quality of education, a conducive learning environment, transforming public schooling by lifting barriers to access, equity and redress, and increasing quality pre- and post-school opportunities; but there is a backlog in removing asbestos structures and improving sanitation. Last year 97% of the allocated budget was spent towards these goals, and 33 of 44 projected targets were achieved. This year the department is targeting early childhood development (ECD), safe spaces for learners, ICT in the learner environment and the infrastructure issue. There are still a few asbestos structures left, and the budget for infrastructure has dropped, but overall Gauteng has done well, considering there are over 200 000 matriculants in the province. Most of the budget goes into basic needs, which include feeding programmes and scholar transport.
Hon. Mauwane Phaladi-Digamela serves on the Portfolio Committee on Health
The health budget is R55.7-billion; last year the department executed 98% of its budget, which is great progress. A lot of the budget goes into primary healthcare, TB, Aids and mothers and children; targets are being met and the budget is being used effectively. The province has over 15 million people, which does present challenges, but the health department is delivering quality healthcare, and welcomes participation and criticism from citizens. There are many immigrants; it is estimated that there are over two million Zimbabweans in the province, but nobody is denied healthcare. There are some healthcare workers with bad attitude, but remember that they are under considerable stress. The Coronavirus has been a learning curve and it is a model that we can use for other conditions, as almost everyone knows about sanitation and masks — this awareness must be extended. The public is waiting for National Health Insurance to reduce inequalities; everyone deserves quality healthcare, and the province supports this initiative.
Regarding community safety, last year the department spent 98% of its budget. A lot of money and time has been spent on supporting victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening intervention initiatives. The change must really come from the men committing GBV themselves, but in addition, cases of GBV must be reported and the police must make every effort to arrest the perpetrators. The community policing forums (CPFs) have been re-launched, which is helping reduce crime; these structures need the support of the public. The churches can also be used for education and for mobilising the community to reduce crime.
Hon Mapiti David Matsena is Chairperson of the Social Transformation Cluster Community Safety Portfolio Committee
The department of sports, recreation, arts and culture has realigned its vision, mission and programmes, including the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC), to ensure that it responds to transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation. How can the film sector create export-worthy products for the rest of the continent, be inclusive, and represent South Africans and their stories? About R39-million was allocated to the GFC this year, towards production and post-production, and the department is supporting the Joburg Film Festival, helping to attract investors and international filmmakers, for the purpose of job creation. The department is creating hubs in public libraries so that people can access the services of the GFC and is also engaging the provincial treasury to increase the GFC budget. There are challenges with infrastructure, which affects budget allocation. The sector has been hugely affected by the lockdown, which caused several gatherings to be cancelled, and that also affected how the budget was spent. There are several plans regarding stadiums and monuments in the province.
Hon Matome Chiloane serves as Deputy Speaker of the GPL and chair of the Portfolio Committee on Education
How can citizens of the province work with the departments and the legislature to improve service delivery? Mauwane Phaladi-Digamela said that she is always available for consultation, and if the public’s questions are not relevant to her department, she refers them to the correct people. Meetings are held with the public (when there is no lockdown) and there are also oversight initiatives to address certain issues. Mapiti Matsena said one of the legislature’s mandates is public participation in its oversight work. Regarding crime, the department’s personnel visit police stations, to find out what tactics they are employing. If there are complaints about the police, the community gets consulted, and they end up getting two different stories — one from the community, one from the police. In such instances, the legislature must be prepared to be at the forefront, and for this it requires the aid of the community.
 William Matsheke said there is an extensive programme of public participation, where the legislature convenes public meetings, which requires translators in many instances. Many issues are raised by the communities in these meetings. There is a social contract between government and the people, which was violated, for example, when so many schools were vandalized during the lockdown. Schools belong to the people, not the government. In the public meetings, the people must focus on the agenda so that problems can be efficiently addressed.
More mobile police stations are going to be procured and deployed in Gauteng, but they require human resources, and there are often staff shortages. There has been an increase of police recruits, but there are always areas in the province that are growing in population, so its an ongoing challenge to ensure that all areas are adequately policed.
Business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo
Service delivery can be speeded up by public participation and by the fourth industrial revolution. We can adopt the models that were used for Covid-19. Schools must have connectivity and learning must be able to take place at all hours, and different skills must be taught that can be applied in all spheres. A capable state needs capable people, and we need to move with the times and embrace the new normal. Public participation must be encouraged to build Gauteng, and commitment to serve is essential, particularly regarding the police, and those who prosecute the suspects that the police catch.
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To give your workout an extra edge, it’s time to invest in RMOUR Unfilled Heavy PU Punch Bag with Hanging Chain, which lets you unleash the power within. This punching bag is built with protection design, that lets you practice to your potential, without running the risk of accidental injuries. Made of high quality PU lightweight material, this punching bag won’t just resist your kicks and punches, but also wear and tear that can result from prolonged use. Along with the RMOUR Unfilled Heavy PU Punch Bag, you also get a hanging chain. So you can just hang it on a ceiling hook and get started.
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Get the RV Black Strong and Rough Punching Bag for Boxing, KickBoxing, Taekwondo, Muaythai, Mixed Martial Arts, Karate, if you want a bag that can serve most martial arts workouts, giving you the stable platform to test your moves. It’s a great synthetic, leather bag, which is soft to the touch, so you won’t develop abrasions. That also gives this punching bag the tenacity to hold whatever you decide to fill it with. And thanks to its great water resistance, you can also take your martial arts workouts outdoors with the RV Black Strong And Rough Punching Bag. It really is a great choice.
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Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.
A Texas bar owner is becoming increasingly uncomfortable as customers at other Houston establishments aren’t taking the necessary precautions to help stem the spread of COVID-19. (June 25)
Jessie James and Eric Decker have had their hands full with their three children during quarantine. But the country singer just shared that they dealt with a “freak†accident with their 2-year-old Forrest that landed him in the emergency room.
The 32-year-old took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a sweet photo of her youngest son in the hospital where he was treated for a staph infection that resulted from a bug bite.
“The most freak thing happened. Forrest got a bug bite on his hiney and after a few days somehow it turned into a staph which turned into a boil!†Jessie James wrote on Instagram. “It was like a golf ball it was so hard and he was in so much pain. He got a very high fever and we had to take him to the emergency room late night.â€
She went on to explain that she was the only one allowed to accompany Forrest into the hospital while he got sedated and had the boil removed because of protocols from the coronavirus. “He handled it like a champ but it was so sad to see him in so much pain! I could not believe this happened.â€
The youngest of the Decker’s three children — including Vivianne, 6, and Eric II, 4 — looks like he’s already recovering as he’s photographed with a popsicle and some entertainment on a tablet in front of him. “He got in an antiobiotic [sic] and that helped big time,†Jessie James wrote, before asking if other parents have experienced the same thing.
The moment is one of many that the mom has been sharing of her family during the pandemic, which has included a number of impromptu outdoor picnics.
Bollywood actress Riya Sen has revealed that she decided not to work in Hindi films after she was sexualised in movies and music videos.
The actress talked about her decision during an interview in which she said that she was sexualised at a young age and it made her so uncomfortable that she decided not to further work in Hindi movies.
According to Hindustan Times, Riya Sen belongs to a family of artists that includes her grandmother Suchitra Sen, mother Moon Moon Sen and sister Raima Sen.
Riya starred in several movies that include “Dark Chocolate”, “Taj Mahal”, “Zindagi 50-50” and “Style”.
At least 107 people died from lightning strikes in northern and eastern India, officials said, during the early stages of the annual monsoon season.
Some 83 people were killed in the impoverished eastern state of Bihar after being struck by lightning, and another 24 died in northern Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday. Dozens more were injured, officials said.
Lightning strikes during the June-September annual monsoon are fairly common in India.
But Bihar’s Disaster Management Minister Lakshmeshwar Rai told the AFP news agency that this was one of the highest daily tolls from lightning the state had recorded in recent years.
More than half of the deaths were from the flood-prone northern and eastern districts of Bihar, he added.
Rai warned the death toll could rise further as his government was still waiting on casualty reports from the interior parts of the state.
Heavy rain is forecast to hit Bihar on Friday and Saturday, according to the local India Meteorological Department office.
Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of Rajasthan, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh,entire Delhi, some parts of Haryana and most parts of Punjab. pic.twitter.com/0ulftNJ5zr
In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, most of the deaths were reported in Deoria district close to the Nepal border, and the holy city of Prayagraj, authorities said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Thursday tweeted his condolences to the victims’ families, adding that both state governments were carrying out urgent relief work.
More than 2,300 people were killed by lightning in India in 2018 according to the National Crime Records Bureau, the most recent figures available.
The monsoon is crucial to replenishing water supplies in South Asia, but also causes widespread death and destruction across the region each year.
PLT Health Solutions partnered with Nutriati to introduce Artesa Textured Pulse Protein, a new ingredient made from yellow pea protein and Nutriati’s Artesa Chickpea Flour, according to a release.Â
The ingredient is intended for meat analogous solutions ranging from hamburgers and chicken to fish and pork. It can operate as a standalone ingredient and removes the need for manufacturers to use other texturizers and binders like egg whites, wheat gluten and methylcellulose.
The companies said the textured pulse protein delivers consistent results to improve finished product quality and manufacturability. It is also clean label and can be listed simply as “textured pulse protein.”
Dive Insight:
Pea protein is currently the darling of the plant-based space and is widely used as a base for alternative meat solutions. This new ingredient from Nutriati and PLT Health Solutions jumps on that bandwagon, while adding chickpea flour to improve products’ water holding capacity and contribute to the resiliency of texture throughout processing, according to Food Navigator.
Improving texture is a key component of upgrading a product’s taste, which is of paramount concern to companies in the crowded plant-based meat alternative space. The taste of plant-based protein, according to a white paper from ingredients company Kerry, remains the number one barrier for plant-based substitutes, with 73% of respondents saying alternatives should mimic the taste of meat.
In the taste arena, this new product may have a leg up on some other pulse-based proteins. Many flours made from legumes and pulse crops have tended to taste like their sources:Â gritty and beany. Nutriati’s Artesa flour not only has a lower glycemic index than other wheat or pulse flours, but also a clean, neutral taste and a white color, the company said.
PLT told Food Ingredients First that not only does its new textured vegetable protein improve the taste of plant-based formulations, but it also delivers on quality and consistency. The ingredient’s consistent texture and behavior is derived from Nutriati’s curated list of pulse suppliers, which adhere to tight specifications in order to produce chickpea flour that uniformly provides product functionality.
Because Artesa Textured Pulse Protein omits the need to add a variety of texturizers to the mix, it allows manufacturers to achieve clean label status with their formulations. In Kerry’s white paper, the company noted that almost a third of consumers said natural ingredients are a priority, and an equal amount said organic and no artificial preservatives are vital. This new protein option checks both of those boxes and gives the company a leg up on some of its competition.
The ingredient foregoes the use of any wheat, making it gluten-free. Pulse flours — made from beans, peas and lentils — are a popular gluten-free option, projected to expand at an annual growth rate of more than 12% through 2024, according to Grand View Research.
Even with all the comparative advantages of this textured vegetable protein, this product will face fierce competition. Israel Chemicals, Ltd is developing its Rovitaris protein technology for the meat alternatives market. Ingredion launched Vitessence Pulse 1803, its first pea protein isolate in the pulse protein line. DuPont Nutrition & Health — which will soon be owned by International Flavors & Fragrances — has a line of soy and pea protein nuggets.
Despite the immense competition, there is also a large demand for ingredient solutions from manufacturers looking to release a competitive product onto the market. While big companies in the space have already established their recipes, other companies looking into creating plant-based products may be looking for ingredients that differentiate them.
Nutriati and PLT Health Solutions have the opportunity to put themselves on the map by stepping in and pitching their new product to companies looking for a clean-label protein alternative that will help differentiate product formulations.
Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar promote Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Dil Bechara
Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Dil Bechara will premiere on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar, on July 24. “Sushant was not just the hero of my debut film as a director, but he was a dear friend who stood by me through thick and thin. We had been close right from ‘Kai Po Che’ to ‘Dil Bechara’,” said the film’s director Mukesh Chhabra. Now, several Bollywood celebrities have taken to social media to promote Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Dil Bechara.
Rajkummar Rao, who was Sushant Singh Rajput’s co-star in his debut flick Kai Po Che and later Raabta”, captioned the poster of “Dil Bechara” with a red heart emoji.
Bhumi Pednekar also shared the poster of Bechara Dil on Instagram. She worked with the actor in Sonchiriya.
Bhumi recently shared a picture of all the notes she took when Sushant would introduce her to fascinating concepts of space, science and philosophy.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s co-star in the celebrated film, Chhichhore, Shraddha Kapoor also shared the film’s psoter.
Recently, the actress remembered Sushant Singh Rajput and wrote, “Been trying to accept what has happened and coming to terms with it is very difficult. There is a huge void… Sushant…! Dearest Sush…! Full of humility, intelligence, curiosity about life, seeing beauty in everything, everywhere! He danced to his own tune! I always looked forward to seeing him on set, wondering what captivating interaction we would have next!â€
Dil Bechara is the official remake of 2014 Hollywood romantic drama “The Fault in our Stars”, based on John Green’s popular novel of the same name. Budding actress Sanjana Sanghi stars opposite Sushant in the film.
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