Global Impact of Covid-19 on Online Gambling Market to Record Significant Revenue Growth During the Forecast Period 20202025 | Bet365, William Hill,…

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Overview Of Online Gambling Industry 2020-2025:

This has brought along several changes in This report also covers the impact of COVID-19 on the global market.

The Online Gambling Market analysis summary by Reports Insights is a thorough study of the current trends leading to this vertical trend in various regions. Research summarizes important details related to market share, market size, applications, statistics and sales. In addition, this study emphasizes thorough competition analysis on market prospects, especially growth strategies that market experts claim.

Online Gambling Market competition by top manufacturers as follow: , Bet365, William Hill, Unibet, 888, Expekt, LSbet, Betsson, Bwin, Royal Vegas

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The global Online Gambling market has been segmented on the basis of technology, product type, application, distribution channel, end-user, and industry vertical, along with the geography, delivering valuable insights.

The Type Coverage in the Market are: PokerCasino

Market Segment by Applications, covers:DesktopsMobiles

Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversNorth AmericaEuropeChinaRest of Asia PacificCentral & South AmericaMiddle East & Africa

Major factors covered in the report:

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The analysis objectives of the report are:

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Global Impact of Covid-19 on Online Gambling Market to Record Significant Revenue Growth During the Forecast Period 20202025 | Bet365, William Hill,...

The best gambling resort casinos ranked #1 across the world – Travel Daily News International

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There are plenty of resort casinos all around the world, but there are definitely few which stand out in terms of amenities, size, customer service, and options for games. If you decide to spend a vacation and enjoy gambling during your holiday, the following list will give you an insight into some great choices. It will make planning the vacation easier, as the list highlights all that these top resort casinos have to offer. So, in case youre feeling lucky and want to spend your money winning at the tables, you can put one or more of these gambling locations as your next destination.

The Venetian Macao: Macau, ChinaThe Venetian Macao is an architectural masterpiece, and it is sure to offer you a great view no matter which deluxe room you decide to book. It is a marvel to look at especially at night. It has approximately 550,000 square feet of gambling and gaming space, making it the largest in the world. There are 3000 gaming machines, and a total of 870 card tables, and a whopping 24 bars. The 3000 room luxury hotel makes the casino gorgeous on both the inside and the outside.

MGM Grand: Las Vegas, USA Located in one of the top destinations for gambling, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas boasts 170,000 square feet of gambling space. It offers 2,300 gaming machines, and 178 card game tables, including poker tables. Apart from this wide variety of gaming options there is a grand total of 20 bars around the hotels. The guests can pick from one of over five thousand hotel rooms. It is considered to be the eighth largest casino around the globe.

Wynn: Macau, ChinaModeled after the one in Las Vegas, Wynn in Macau is more than just a gambling destination. It also has many designer stores, restaurants, a spa, and even a lake. You can enjoy the full experience of being on holiday here, including trying your luck on the gaming floor which spans 250,000 square feet. It has 375 slot machines, and a total of 212 gaming tables, allowing for endless options for its guests. There are 600 rooms and suites available for those who wish to stay.

Foxwoods Resort Casino: Connecticut, USAThe Foxwoods Resort Casino, situated in the Mashantucket Reservation in Connecticut, guarantees a good time with over 340,000 square feet of gaming area. There are over 380 gaming tables, which include all the favorites, such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. For those who dont want to play at the tables, there are 6,300 slot machines available. It is also family-friendly, as there is a two-story arcade that kids and teens can spend their time in.

WinStar World Casino and Resort: Oklahoma, USALocated near the OklahomaTexas state line, WinStar World Casino and Resort is an American tribal gambling destination that is frequently ranked as one of the best casinos in the world by the likes of GamblingNews.com, TripAdvisor.com, Casino.org and more. Until 2013, it functioned as just a casino with 370,000 square feet of gaming space. That year, it expanded to a 1000 room hotel as well. Out of the 100 total table games, 55 of them are poker tables. The poker tables have their own 19,000 square feet room. The table games include keno, off-track betting, and bingo as well. Whats more, there are over 8,500 slot machine games available to play.

Tusk Rio Casino Resort: Klerksdorp, South AfricaWhile many think of the go-to gambling destination usually as Las Vegas and Macao, the Tusk Rio Casino resort in South Africa offers just as much as the ones located in these popular places. It actually ranks as the fifth-largest casino in the world. With around 266,330 square feet of gaming floor, Tusk Rio offers 257 gaming machines. This is a better place to visit if youre less interested in table games, as there are 12 tables including poker, but compared to the other big casinos, this is a small number. However, there is plenty to choose from among the gaming machines. The hotel also has two bars offering a wide range of refreshments to guests.

Bellagio: Las Vegas, USAThe Bellagio has been a popular spot not only for tourists, but it has been featured, especially for its fountain, in many films, including Oceans 11 and The Hangover. The popular spot for gamblers is the room which is termed as The Office. It is a hit with professional players because high stakes are allowed in there. Bets range from $4000 to $8000, and pots often exceed over $1 million. The attractions include several restaurants, the fountains, the botanical gardens, and its 8-acre lake. There is also a Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, which features prominent art collections.

Casino Lisboa: Lisbon, PortugalThe Casino Lisboa in Lisbon ranks as the ninth-largest casino in the world. The gaming floor covers 165,000 square feet is a popular place to visit for anyone looking to vacation in Europe and also try their hand at gambling. There are over 1000 gaming machines on the casino floor. Poker tables are included in the 26 card tables available for playing. Apart from its 1000 hotel rooms, there are also 7 bars.

Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa: Atlantic City, USAAtlantic City is known for its tourists that are looking to get lucky with their money. Borgata offers everything that a guest is looking for in a casino resort. In its 161,000 square feet of gaming floor, there are over 4,000 gaming machines. There are also a wide variety of games to choose from its 285 card tables. Along with around 2000 hotel rooms, the Borgata also has 17 bars.

Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino: Las Vegas, USAAlso known as The Rio, this incredible casino resort in Las Vegas is named after the city in Brazil, and it also integrates several aspects of Brazilian culture. The luxury rooms have floor to ceiling windows, offering a great view to all its guests. All of its 2,522 rooms are suites, and they range between 600 to 13,000 square feet. For those who frequent The Rio and are VIP gamblers, there are separate private rooms.

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The best gambling resort casinos ranked #1 across the world - Travel Daily News International

Austrian authorities raid illegal gambling operations – iGaming Business

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The Austrian Financial Police have shut down a number of illegal gambling operations in the state of Upper Austria, following a series of raids that saw 38 gaming machines and two poker tables confiscated.

The Financial Police, which operate under the Ministry of Finance and deal with tax and social security fraud, illegal gambling, as well as labour rights and employment regulation violations, targeted six locations in the cities of Linz and Wels.

We have ramped up efforts in response to the perpetrators obvious audacity and greed, Austrian finance minister Gernot Blmel said. It should not be forgotten that not only are taxes being evaded, but [the operators] are also playing with the lives of gambling addicts.

One of the locations raided, a restaurant, was targeted for the seventh time in seven weeks, with the Financial Police finding unlicensed gaming machines at the venue each time.

Since the end of May, a total of 20 devices have been confiscated from this restaurant alone. On this occasion, the owners had fixed the machines to the floor in an attempt to prevent their being confiscated.

A second location attempted to prevent the police from entering, forcing the authorities to bring in a locksmith, while an employee was reported to the administrative criminal authority for failing to cooperate with the police.

At a third location, in Wels, police discovered an illegal poker tournament, at a restaurant with around 30 people playing on four slots and two poker tables. This saw two individuals, both illegally in the country, arrested, with investigations against all venues raided ongoing.

I congratulate our colleagues from the Financial Police for this successful large-scale operation, Austrian finance minister Blmel said. This also confirms the recent trend that gambling is now mainly concentrated in metropolitan areas such as Vienna and Linz.

Earlier this year Blmel spoke out in favour of establishing an independent gambling regulatorfor Austria, to take responsibility for overseeing the market from the Ministry of Finance. This, he said, would "untangle" multiple functions currently held within the Treasury.

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Austrian authorities raid illegal gambling operations - iGaming Business

The pandemic seems to be heating up gambling addiction – WGN TV Chicago

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The pandemic is driving new addictions.

Alcohol sales are up more than 60 percent. Opiod overdoses have skyrocketed. And since the casino doors opened after quarantine, a record number of gamblers are rolling the dice on their future. And many are now picking up the phone to say, I need help.

As people belly up to craps tables and throw their cards on the table, no matter what financial windfall a day may bring, in the long run, experts say the cost is great.

Anita Pindiur is the executive director of Way Back Inn.

Anybody can get caught up in this and you dont know when it will go from just fun to a disorder, she said. But gambling or any other form of that entertainment should never be seen as a financial future.

It something Luke knows all too well. He estimates hes lost tens of thousands of dollars.

I found myself spending more and more time gambling, he said. More and more time trying to find ways to get money with which to gamble.

He recalls it all started so innocently.

Probably the first time I gambled was when I was very young playing cards with family, he said. I just thought it was exciting. It was something that made me feel good that I thought was fun.

But the fun with family and friends changed to days alone at the casino.

I like to play blackjack and poker but I think the game I really truly loved was playing craps, Luke said. I dont think anyone really knew the true depths of my gambling addiction. I definitely think it did affect my career, my gambling addiction.

So luke made it his job to get help. He turned to the Way Back Inn and their exclusion program.

And I thought if I would exclude myself from the casino, I wouldnt be able to go without getting arrested. So that would be a barrier for me, he said. I banned myself in Illinois. That didnt stop me from going to Indiana. I banned myself in Indiana, didnt stop me from going to Wisconsin or Michigan. As compulsive gamblers well go to any lengths to find a way to gamble.

Then came the soul searching and the desire for change. Soon Luke was enjoying long walks and the peaceful days free from the thrill of gambling.

I try not to live in the highs because if you have the highs, you have the lows, he said. So I try to maintain a balance now.

But pandemic and quarantine threw the balance of life off for so many. While they were home, addictions didnt shut down. The stress of the disorder spread like a virus.

During the pandemic with the shut down the assumption was no one can gamble, so its all good. Its all solved, Pindiur said. What we saw is changes in peoples moods. There was a steep increase in domestic violence. Weve seen a steep increase in suicides.

Therapists and survivors say more lives can be saved. its about walking away from the table and heading toward help.

When you start noticing that it becomes an obsession, almost where its day-to-day, Pindiur said. Where all you can think is about your next time of gambling, when it starts taking over.

When I first entered recovery, I had a void in my life becasue I couldnt get that rush from gambling and I knew it was bad for me, Luke said. Its a process. I am always going to be a compulsive gambler. I am always going to be a gambling addict. But ifcontinue to better myself through my journey to recovery I wont have to worry about it because I am doing all I can to arrest the disease.

If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling addiction, reach out to the following numbers:

1-800-GAMBLER

1-833-DONTBET

And visit Waybackinn.org

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The pandemic seems to be heating up gambling addiction - WGN TV Chicago

What is the Talmud? Biblical Meaning & Definition

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TALMUD

tal'-mud (talmudh):

I. PRELIMINARY REMARKS AND VERBAL EXPLANATIONS

II. IMPORTANCE OF THE TALMUD

III. THE TRADITIONAL LAW UNTIL THE COMPOSITION OF THE MISHNA

IV. DIVISION AND CONTENTS OF THE MISHNA (AND THE TALMUD)

1. Zera`im, "Seeds"

2. Mo`edh, "Feasts"

3. Nashim, "Women"

4. Neziqin, "Damages"

5. Kodhashim, "Sacred Things"

6. Teharoth, "Clean Things"

V. THE PALESTINIAN TALMUD

VI. THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD

VII. THE NON-CANONICAL LITTLE TREATISES AND THE TOSEPHTA'

1. Treatises after the 4th Cedher

2. Seven Little Treatises

LITERATURE

The present writer is, for brevity's sake, under necessity to refer to his Einleitung in den Talmud, 4th edition, Leipzig, 1908. It is quoted here as Introduction.

There are very few books which are mentioned so often and yet are so little known as the Talmud. It is perhaps true that nobody can now be found, who, as did the Capuchin monk Henricus Seynensis, thinks that "Talmud" is the name of a rabbi. Yet a great deal of ignorance on this subject still prevails in many circles. Many are afraid to inform themselves, as this may be too difficult or too tedious; others (the anti-Semites) do not want correct information to be spread on this subject, because this would interfere seriously with their use of the Talmud as a means for their agitation against the Jews.

I. Preliminary Remarks and Verbal Explanations.

(1) Mishnah, "the oral doctrine and the study of it" (from shanah, "to repeat," "to learn," "to teach"), especially

(a) the whole of the oral law which had come into existence up to the end of the 2nd century AD;

(b) the whole of the teaching of one of the rabbis living during the first two centuries AD (tanna', plural tanna'im);

(c) a single tenet;

(d) a collection of such tenets;

(e) above all, the collection made by Rabbi Jehudah (or Judah) ha-Nasi'.

(2) Gemara', "the matter that is leaned" (from gemar, "to accomplish," "to learn"), denotes since the 9th century the collection of the discussions of the Amoraim, i.e. of the rabbis teaching from about 200 to 500 AD.

(3) Talmudh, "the studying" or "the teaching," was in older times used for the discussions of the Amoraim; now it means the Mishna with the discussions thereupon.

(4) Halakhah (from halakh, "to go"):

(a) the life as far as it is ruled by the Law; (b) a statutory precept.

(5) Haggadhah (from higgidh, "to tell"), the non-halakhic exegesis.

II. Importance of the Talmud.

Commonly the Talmud is declared to be the Jewish code of Law. But this is not the case, even for the traditional or "orthodox" Jews. Really the Talmud is the source whence the Jewish Law is to be derived. Whosoever wants to show what the Jewish Law says about a certain case (point, question) has to compare at first the Shulchan `arukh with its commentary, then the other codices (Maimonides, Alphasi, etc.) and the Responsa, and finally the Talmudic discussions; but he is not allowed to give a decisive sentence on the authority of the Talmud alone (see Intro, 116, 117; David Hoffmann, Der Schulchan-Aruch, 2nd edition, Berlin, 1894, 38, 39). On the other hand, no decision is valid if it is against the yield of the Talmudic discussion. The liberal (Reformed) Jews say that the Talmud, though it is interesting and, as a Jewish work of antiquity, ever venerable, has in itself no authority for faith and life.

For both Christians and Jews the Talmud is of value for the following reasons:

(1) on account of the language, Hebrew being used in many parts of the Talmud (especially in Haggadic pieces), Palestinian Aramaic in the Palestinian Talmud, Eastern Aramaic in the Babylonian Talmud (compare "Literature," (7), below). The Talmud also contains words of Babylonian and Persian origin;

(2) for folklore, history, geography, natural and medical science, jurisprudence, archaeology and the understanding of the Old Testament (see "Literature," (6), below, and Introduction, 159-75). For Christians especially the Talmud contains very much which may help the understanding of the New Testament (see "Literature," (12), below).

III. The Traditional Law until the Composition of the Mishna.

The Law found in the Torah of Moses was the only written law which the Jews possessed after their return from the Babylonian exile. This law was neither complete nor sufficient for all times. On account of the ever-changing conditions of life new ordinances became necessary. Who made these we do not know. An authority to do this must have existed; but the claim made by many that after the days of Ezra there existed a college of 120 men called the "Great Synagogue" cannot be proved. Entirely untenable also is the claim of the traditionally orthodox Jews, that ever since the days of Moses there had been in existence, side by side with the written Law, also an oral Law, with all necessary explanations and supplements to the written Law.

What was added to the Pentateuchal Torah was for a long time handed down orally, as can be plainly seen from Josephus and Philo. The increase of such material made it necessary to arrange it. An arrangement according to subject-matter can be traced back to the 1st century AD; very old, perhaps even older, is also the formal adjustment of this material to the Pentateuchal Law, the form of Exegesis (Midrash). Compare Introduction, 19-21.

A comprehensive collection of traditional laws was made by Rabbi Aqiba circa 110-35 AD, if not by an earlier scholar. His work formed the basis of that of Rabbi Me'ir, and this again was the basis of the edition of the Mishna by Rabbi Jehudah ha-Nasi'. In this Mishna, the Mishna paragraph excellence, the anonymous portions generally, although not always, reproduce the views of Rabbi Me'ir.

See TIBERIAS.

The predecessors Rabbi (as R. Jehudah ha-Nasi', the "prince" or the "saint," is usually called), as far as we know, did not put into written form their collections; indeed it has been denied by many, especially by German and French rabbis of the Middle Ages, that Rabbi put into written form the Mishna which he edited. Probably the fact of the matter is that the traditional Law was not allowed to be used in written form for the purposes of instruction and in decisions on matters of the Law, but that written collections of a private character, collections of notes, to use a modern term, existed already at an early period (see Intro, 10).

IV. Division and Contents of the Mishna (and the Talmud).

The Mishna (as also the Talmud) is divided into six "orders" (cedharim) or chief parts, the names of which indicate their chief contents, namely, Zera`im, Agriculture; Moe`dh, Feasts; Nashim, Women; Neziqin, Civil and Criminal Law; Qodhashim, Sacrifices; Teharoth, Unclean Things and Their Purification.

The "orders" are divided into tracts (maccekheth, plural maccikhtoth), now 63, and these again into chapters (pereq, plural peraqim), and these again into paragraphs (mishnayoth). It is Customary to cite the Mishna according to tract chapter and paragraph, e.g. Sanh. (Sanhedhrin) x.1. The Babylonian Talmud is cited according to tract and page, e.g. (Babylonian Talmud) Shabbath 30b; in citing the Palestinian Talmud the number of the chapter is also usually given, e.g. (Palestinian Talmud) Shabbath vi.8d (in most of the editions of the Palestinian Talmud each page has two columns, the sheet accordingly has four).

1. Zera`im, "Seeds":

(1) Berakhoth, "Benedictions":

"Hear, O Israel" (Deuteronomy 6:4, shema`); the 18 benedictions, grace at meals, and other prayers.

(2) Pe'ah, "Corner" of the field (Leviticus 19:9; Deuteronomy 24:19).

(3) Dema'i, "Doubtful" fruits (grain, etc.) of which it is uncertain whether the duty for the priests and, in the fixed years, the 2nd tithe have been paid.

(4) Kil'ayim, "Heterogeneous," two kinds, forbidden mixtures (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:9).

(5) Shebhi`ith, "Seventh Year," Sabbatical year (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:1); Shemiqqah (Deuteronomy 15:1).

(6) Terumoth, "Heave Offerings" for the priests (Numbers 18:8; Deuteronomy 18:4).

(7) Ma`aseroth or Ma`aser ri'shon, "First Tithe" (Numbers 18:21).

(8) Ma`aser sheni, "Second Tithe" (Deuteronomy 14:22).

(9) Challah, (offering of a part of the) "Dough" (Numbers 15:18).

(10) `Orlah, "Foreskin" of fruit trees during the first three years (Leviticus 19:23).

(11) Bikkurim, "First-Fruits" (Deuteronomy 26:1; Exodus 23:19).

2. Mo`edh, "Feasts":

(1) Shabbath (Exodus 20:10; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14).

(2) `Erubhin, "Mixtures," i.e. ideal combination of localities with the purpose of facilitating the observance of the Sabbatical laws.

(3) Pesachim, "Passover" (Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 28:16; Deuteronomy 16:1); Numbers 9, the Second Passover (Numbers 9:10).

(4) Sheqalim, "Shekels" for the Temple (compare Nehemiah 10:33; Exodus 30:12).

(5) Yoma', "The Day" of Atonement (Leviticus 16).

(6) Cukkah, "Booth," Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34; Numbers 29:12; Deuteronomy 16:13).

(7) Betsah, "Egg" (first word of the treatise) or Yom Tobh, "Feast," on the difference between the Sabbath and festivals (compare Exodus 12:10).

(8) Ro'sh ha-shanah, "New Year," first day of the month Tishri (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 29:1).

(9) Ta`anith, "Fasting."

(10) Meghillah, "The Roll" of Esther, Purim (Esther 9:28).

(11) Mo`edh qatan, "Minor Feast," or Mashqin, "They irrigate" (first word of the treatise), the days between the first day and the last day of the feast of Passover, and likewise of Tabernacles.

(12) Chaghighah, "Feast Offering," statutes relating to the three feasts of pilgrimage (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles); compare Deuteronomy 16:16 f.

3. Nashim, "Women":

(1) Yebhamoth, "Sisters-in-Law" (perhaps better, Yebhamuth, Levirate marriage; Deuteronomy 25:5; compare Ruth 4:5; Matthew 22:24).

(2) Kethubhoth, "Marriage Deeds."

(3) Nedharim, "Vows," and their annulment (Numbers 30).

(4) Nazir, "Nazirite" (Numbers 6).

(5) Gittin, "Letters of Divorce" (Deuteronomy 24:1; compare Matthew 5:31).

(6) Cotah, "The Suspected Woman" (Numbers 5:11).

(7) Qiddushin, "Betrothals."

4. Nezikin, "Damages":

(1) (2) and (3) Babha' qamma', Babha' metsi`a', Babha' bathra', "The First Gate," "The Second Gate," "The Last Gate," were in ancient times only one treatise called Neziqin:

(a) Damages and injuries and the responsibility; (b) and (c) right of possession.

(4) and (5) Sanhedhrin, "Court of Justice," and Makkoth "Stripes" (Deuteronomy 25:1; compare 1Corinthians 11:24). In ancient times only one treatise; criminal law and criminal proceedings.

(6) Shebhu`oth, "Oaths" (Leviticus 5:1).

(7) `Edhuyoth, "Attestations" of later teachers as to the opinions of former authorities.

(8) `Abhodhah zarah, "Idolatry," commerce and intercourse with idolaters.

(9) 'Abhoth, (sayings of the) "Fathers"; sayings of the Tanna'im.

(10) Horayoth, (erroneous) "Decisions," and the sin offering to be brought in such a case (Leviticus 4:13).

5. Qodhashim, "Sacred Things":

(1) Zebhahim, "Sacrifices" (Le 1).

(2) Menachoth, "Meal Offerings" (Leviticus 2:5,11; 6:7; Numbers 5:15, etc.).

(3) Chullin, "Common Things," things non-sacred; slaughtering of animals and birds for ordinary use.

(4) Bekhoroth, "The Firstborn" (Exodus 13:2,12; Leviticus 27:26,32; Numbers 8:6, etc.).

(5) `Arakhin, "Estimates," "Valuations" of persons and things dedicated to God (Leviticus 27:2).

(6) Temurah, "Substitution" of a common (non-sacred) thing for a sacred one (compare Leviticus 27:10,33).

(7) Kerithoth, "Excisions," the punishment of being cut off from Israel (Genesis 17:14; Exodus 12:15, etc.).

(8) Me`ilah, "Unfaithfulness," as to sacred things, embezzlement (Numbers 5:6; Leviticus 5:15).

(9) Tamidh, "The Daily Morning and Evening Sacrifice" (Ex 29:38; Nu 38:3).

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What is the Talmud? Biblical Meaning & Definition

Talmud’s solution to the coronavirus dilemma: Save lives, or the economy? – Haaretz

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Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate in economics, recently wrote that President Donald Trumps policy is Lets die for the Dow! Not long afterward, when Columbia University researchers estimated that an earlier lockdown would have saved the lives of 36,000 people, Krugman criticized the administration for its dumb decision to move to open up for business as usual which was based on cost-benefit considerations.

Krugman is not suggesting that saving lives must always be the top priority. In his view, it is even silly to say that we cant put a price on human life. Whats absurd about Trumps approach, he believes, lies in the presidents refusal to save lives even when the cost-benefit calculation tilts clearly in the direction of life. He notes that economists estimate the value of a statistical life at $10 million, so the economic calculation should have directed that lives be saved.

Krugman is a utilitarian. The utilitarian approach argues that moral action accords the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people. The moral principle that derives from this is the maximalization of happiness. The mainstream economists have adopted utilitarian theory. Another economics Nobel laureate, Kenneth Arrow, has criticized those colleagues for adopting it as an exclusive philosophy.

Utilitarianism in the service of economics has undergone a number of vulgarizations, such as a transition to monetary indices and an aspiration to maximize the national interest, instead of taking a universal human approach. The height of utilitarianism lies in the economic approach to tort law, which recommends coming to terms with damage to body and life, arguing that the goal is not to minimize damages but to arrive at an optimal number of damages.

I would like to point out two additional approaches to this moral dispute. The first is that of philosopher Karl Popper: Instead of asking how to maximize happiness, one can ask how to minimize suffering. Poppers students, in looking at the coronavirus, will therefore seek to minimize both the physical, bodily suffering and the economic suffering that is, mainly the suffering of the individuals who have been afflicted by the virus and its economical consequences.

The second talmudic approach is the polar opposite of Trumps preferring the Dow to human life. It is also very different from the utilitarian-economic approach. According to the Talmud, pikuah nefesh regard for human life must override matters of Mammon. Setting forth the laws of damages, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 74a) states: Let his money not be dearer to him than his body.

Exegetes of the Talmud argued over how to interpret the discussion about whether one is permitted to save oneself by using another persons money. The Tosafists 2nd century C.E. commentators on the Talmud note that its clear that a person is permitted to save his life with anothers money, as theft is not one of the three violations of religious law in which a Jew must give his own life rather than commit the violation (yehareg veal yaavor). The question is only whether he is required to compensate the other.

Of course, contradictions can arise between several situations involving pikuah nefesh. The talmudic approach is that the saving of a close life takes priority over the saving of a distant life. That is a sensible demand: It is difficult to know what will lead to what, and therefore it is important to avert danger to life that is immediate known in legal terminology as clear and present danger.

Its true that the methods being used to cope with the coronavirus epidemic can break people economically. But citizens who suffer financial losses as a result of the publics self-defense measures can be compensated.

In terms of the competition between Trumps approach and the utilitarian approach, we should also include in the discussion the talmudic approach of choose life. Unlike Krugman and other economists who aspire to come up with an arithmetic formula to solve this problem, the Talmud will not quantify life in terms of money. It perhaps rejects certain approaches such as those that do not respect human life sufficiently but leaves the discussion open.

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At the start of the coronavirus crisis, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said that it is better to die on your feet than on your knees. For the macho dictator, caution means a loss of honor, whereas for the Talmud, the choice of life is honor itself.

The Talmud contains brilliant advice about economics. The most important piece of advice is to beware of the human tendency to sometimes prefer money over life and our decision makers should be guided by that humanistic outlook.

The approach favored by Trump and Lukashenko, who have scorned human life, is the outright opposite of the Talmuds approach as opposed to the policy followed by Sweden and Britain, which initially tried to carry on as usual, ostensibly to achieve herd immunity. Surprisingly, Swedens chief epidemiologist said recently that this was not the goal, that the policy had been aimed only at preventing the collapse of hospitals. The Swedes viewed lockdown as an unrealistic policy, because it cannot be extended indefinitely. Strict lockdowns may temporarily contain the virus but wont prevent it from returning, whereas people may suffer and die just from sheer seclusion. The Swedes were not indifferent to human life, but gambled on a different way to protect people, drawing on medical experts. It seems that, for its part, Britain denied that it aimed to achieve herd immunity, even though its prime minister discussed that policy publicly.

The rule in Jewish tradition is that on medical questions, one asks the physicians, and if there is disagreement between them i.e., If, however, two doctors state that the patient must eat [on Yom Kippur], then even if a hundred doctors say that he does not have to eat, and even if the patient himself says that he does not have to eat, he should be given food regard for life is preferred (Shulhan Arukh, Chapter 618).

Its worth bearing that in mind when making decisions about the coronavirus pandemic, which is rife with conflicts between money and life.

Moreover, we need to beware of the influence of Trumpism on Israel, especially when we see Israel adopting a similar policy in other places in connection with the coronavirus crisis (such as by transferring money from the general public to the stockholders). The physicians who specialize in dealing with COVID-19 should be the ones to decide factually, on the ground, what the dangers are and what measures are needed to mitigate them. Society, for its part, needs to be ready to pay with money in order to save lives and not have people die for the stock market. In the long term, societies that respect human life are those where the quality of life will soar.

Dr. Uri Weiss, a scholar of law, economics and rationality, is a fellow of the Polonsky Academy at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute.

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Talmud's solution to the coronavirus dilemma: Save lives, or the economy? - Haaretz

Talmud and Midrash | Judaism | Britannica

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Talmud and Midrash, commentative and interpretative writings that hold a place in the Jewish religious tradition second only to the Bible (Old Testament).

The Hebrew term Talmud (study or learning) commonly refers to a compilation of ancient teachings regarded as sacred and normative by Jews from the time it was compiled until modern times and still so regarded by traditional religious Jews. In its broadest sense, the Talmud is a set of books consisting of the Mishna (repeated study), the Gemara (completion), and certain auxiliary materials. The Mishna is a collection of originally oral laws supplementing scriptural laws. The Gemara is a collection of commentaries on and elaborations of the Mishna, which in the Talmud is reproduced in juxtaposition to the Gemara. For present-day scholarship, however, Talmud in the precise sense refers only to the materials customarily called Gemaraan Aramaic term prevalent in medieval rabbinic literature that was used by the church censor to replace the term Talmud within the Talmudic discourse in the Basel edition of the Talmud, published 157881. This practice continued in all later editions.

The term Midrash (exposition or investigation; plural, Midrashim) is also used in two senses. On the one hand, it refers to a mode of biblical interpretation prominent in the Talmudic literature; on the other, it refers to a separate body of commentaries on Scripture using this interpretative mode.

Despite the central place of the Talmud in traditional Jewish life and thought, significant Jewish groups and individuals have opposed it vigorously. The Karaite sect in Babylonia, beginning in the 8th century, refuted the oral tradition and denounced the Talmud as a rabbinic fabrication. Medieval Jewish mystics declared the Talmud a mere shell covering the concealed meaning of the written Torah, and heretical messianic sects in the 17th and 18th centuries totally rejected it. The decisive blow to Talmudic authority came in the 18th and 19th centuries when the Haskala (the Jewish Enlightenment movement) and its aftermath, Reform Judaism, secularized Jewish life and, in doing so, shattered the Talmudic wall that had surrounded the Jews. Thereafter, modernized Jews usually rejected the Talmud as a medieval anachronism, denouncing it as legalistic, casuistic, devitalized, and unspiritual.

There is also a long-standing anti-Talmudic tradition among Christians. The Talmud was frequently attacked by the church, particularly during the Middle Ages, and accused of falsifying biblical meaning, thus preventing Jews from becoming Christians. The church held that the Talmud contained blasphemous remarks against Jesus and Christianity and that it preached moral and social bias toward non-Jews. On numerous occasions the Talmud was publicly burned, and permanent Talmudic censorship was established.

On the other hand, since the Renaissance there has been a positive response and great interest in rabbinic literature by eminent non-Jewish scholars, writers, and thinkers in the West. As a result, rabbinic ideas, images, and lore, embodied in the Talmud, have permeated Western thought and culture.

The Talmud is first and foremost a legal compilation. At the same time it contains materials that encompass virtually the entire scope of subject matter explored in antiquity. Included are topics as diverse as agriculture, architecture, astrology, astronomy, dream interpretation, ethics, fables, folklore, geography, history, legend, magic, mathematics, medicine, metaphysics, natural sciences, proverbs, theology, and theosophy.

This encyclopaedic array is presented in a unique dialectic style that faithfully reflects the spirit of free give-and-take prevalent in the Talmudic academies, where study was focussed upon a Talmudic text. All present participated in an effort to exhaust the meaning and ramifications of the text, debating and arguing together. The mention of a name, situation, or idea often led to the introduction of a story or legend that lightened the mood of a complex argument and carried discussion further.

This text-centred approach profoundly affected the thinking and literary style of the rabbis. Study became synonymous with active interpretation rather than with passive absorption. Thinking was stimulated by textual examination. Even original ideas were expressed in the form of textual interpretations.

The subject matter of the oral Torah is classified according to its content into Halakha and Haggada and according to its literary form into Midrash and Mishna. Halakha (law) deals with the legal, ritual, and doctrinal parts of Scripture, showing how the laws of the written Torah should be applied in life. Haggada (narrative) expounds on the nonlegal parts of Scripture, illustrating biblical narrative, supplementing its stories, and exploring its ideas. The term Midrash denotes the exegetical method by which the oral tradition interprets and elaborates scriptural text. It refers also to the large collections of Halakhic and Haggadic materials that take the form of a running commentary on the Bible and that were deduced from Scripture by this exegetical method. In short, it also refers to a body of writings. Mishna is the comprehensive compendium that presents the legal content of the oral tradition independently of scriptural text.

Midrash was initially a philological method of interpreting the literal meaning of biblical texts. In time it developed into a sophisticated interpretive system that reconciled apparent biblical contradictions, established the scriptural basis of new laws, and enriched biblical content with new meaning. Midrashic creativity reached its peak in the schools of Rabbi Ishmael and Akiba, where two different hermeneutic methods were applied. The first was primarily logically oriented, making inferences based upon similarity of content and analogy. The second rested largely upon textual scrutiny, assuming that words and letters that seem superfluous teach something not openly stated in the text.

The Talmud (i.e., the Gemara) quotes abundantly from all Midrashic collections and concurrently uses all rules employed by both the logical and textual schools; moreover, the Talmuds interpretation of Mishna is itself an adaptation of the Midrashic method. The Talmud treats the Mishna in the same way that Midrash treats Scripture. Contradictions are explained through reinterpretation. New problems are solved logically by analogy or textually by careful scrutiny of verbal superfluity.

The strong involvement with hermeneutic exegesisinterpretation according to systematic rules or principleshelped develop the analytic skill and inductive reasoning of the rabbis but inhibited the growth of independent abstract thinking. Bound to a text, they never attempted to formulate their ideas into the type of unified system characteristic of Greek philosophy. Unlike the philosophers, they approached the abstract only by way of the concrete. Events or texts stimulated them to form concepts. These concepts were not defined but, once brought to life, continued to grow and change meaning with usage and in different contexts. This process of conceptual development has been described by some as organic thinking. Others use this term in a wider sense, pointing out that, although rabbinic concepts are not hierarchically ordered, they have a pattern-like organic coherence. The meaning of each concept is dependent upon the total pattern of concepts, for the idea content of each grows richer as it interweaves with the others.

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A burning house – A universal lesson | Shahar Azani | The Blogs – The Times of Israel

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This week we commemorateTisha BAv, the annual day of fasting when we mourn the calamities which had befallen the Jewish people over the generations. One major catastrophe we lament for, deeply seared into our collective psyche, is the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 C.E. by legions of the Roman Empire. The smoke billowing off the Temple marked the beginning of two thousand years of exile, out of which we only recently emerged, with the re-establishment of the Jewish State in 1948.

Tisha BAv provides us with an opportunity to revisit one of the most famous stories in the Jewish tradition, attached to the destruction of the Temple, that ofKamtza and Bar-Kamtza,told in the BabylonianTalmud,TractateGittin(pages 55b-56a).

Because of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Jerusalem was destroyed,the Talmud tells usand continues: A certain man in Jerusalem had a friend namedKamtzaand an enemy calledBar-Kamtza. He once made a party and said to his servant, Go and bring Kamtza. However, instead of invitingKamtza, the man went and brought the hosts arch-rival,Bar-Kamtza. When the host noticed his arch-rival at the event, he turned to him and exclaimed:what are you doing here? Get out!. Bar-Kamtzalooked around and, fearing the immense embarrassment of his banishment from the party, implored the host and offered to pay. First, he offered to pay for whatever he consumed at the party, then he offered to pay for half the cost of the party, and eventually even proposed to cover the hosts ENTIRE expense. Yet, the host adamantly refused, grabbed him by the arm and threwBar-Kamtzaout, in front of everyone. According to tradition,Bar-Kamtzawas so upset with the sages, who sat at the event, noticed the entire affair and did nothing, that he went and incited the Romans against Jerusalem, thus bringing about its destruction.

Like anything Jewish, and especially Talmudic, there are so many interpretations and directions to this story. However, what remains with me is the simplest of outlooks and most important of lessons the notion ofpersonal responsibility to national catastrophes.What we do as individuals in our personal lives has a direct impact on us as a whole. The way we behave towards one another counts, how we carry ourselves on social media counts. This lesson is so fundamental, so basic, it too often goes unnoticed, almost taken for granted. Year in and year out, it seems we are in constant need of being reminded of it. Hatred barricades us with walls, surrounds us with shadows and fears, prevents us from looking at one another in the eye. It guarantees others are forever remote, distant, not like us. It is the engine of estrangement, in an age when positive proximity is whats needed if we are ever to progress, evolve and develop.

This is a lesson that is not unique to the Jewish people, whose power and value are universal, hence its strength. In July 2007, I stood on stage at the center of a Nairobi megachurch. The topic was ISRAEL, but the lesson was personal. A few months before, Kenya experienced a horrible wave of internal struggle following controversial elections. The violence that killed and displaced many in that peaceful country was mainly between Kenyans of different tribes. It was an inferno of incitement and hatred, out of which the country emerged slowly, painstakingly, yet successfully, carrying with it severe wounds both physical and mental. Standing before the crowd on that sunny Sunday noon, dust filled the air as thousands of hopeful eyes were eager to hear a message from Israel. With a translator by my side on stage, I chose to read them the Talmudic story above, ofKamtza and Bar-Kamtza(Hebrew translated to English translated to Kiswahili if youre curious) and implored: be kind to one another, for you alone hold the key for a better future. The message resonated. It sunk, and so did the understanding that we are all one. We are all human, in our faults and merits, and a Jewish lesson of old resonated with Kenyan Christians in the heart of Nairobi thousands of years later.

So it could, and should, resonate today, in the streets of Israel, where demonstrators are marching every night. So it could, and should, resonate today in the beautiful streets of these United States of America, which have seen enough pain and anger.

We dont have to agree to understand we are one and the same, and our future is in our hands. No matter our views, heed the smoke and flames and remember the universal truth spelled in the Book of Genesis:

By the sweat of your brow, you will eat bread,until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;for dust you are, and to dust, you will return.

Be good, people.

Speaker, Author, JBS Senior Vice President. Formerly Israel's Consul for Media Affairs in NY and diplomat at Israel's Foreign Ministry. Thankful for every day. Hopeful for the future.

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A burning house - A universal lesson | Shahar Azani | The Blogs - The Times of Israel

Love, community, mysticism: The intrigue and observance of Tu B’Av – thejewishchronicle.net

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Tu BAv may not be as well-known as the fast day that immediately proceeds it Tisha BAv but theres more to this minor holiday than you might think.

Imbued with community, romance and a touch of mysticism, Tu BAv might just be the holiday needed in these days of COVID-19 anxiety, racial unrest and pre-election jitters.

To really understand what has come to be known as the Israeli Valentines Day, you must begin several days earlier on the Hebrew calendar, on Tisha BAv, according to Beth El Congregations Rabbi Alex Greenbaum.

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Tisha BAv is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar; Tu BAv is the happiest day of the year, said Greenbaum, noting that modern Judaism marks the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem on Tisha BAv as well as other bad things in Jewish history.

According to a midrash, Tisha BAv is the day that God told the Israelites they would be forced to wander the desert for 40 years and that the adult generation would perish without stepping foot in Israel. On Tisha BAv night, for the next 40 years, Moses commanded the people to dig their own graves and sleep in them. Every year, a number of Israelites died in those graves. On the 40th year, surprisingly, the remainder of that original adult generation did not die. Thinking they had erred in their calculation of the date, the Israelites repeated the process five more times until Tu BAv when they saw a full moon and knew they were correct in their calculations. The Israelites marked the occasion with a celebration.

The holiday of Tu BAv, or the 15th day of the month of Av, is one of the greatest holidays mentioned in the Talmud, explained Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld of Chabad Young Professionals of Pittsburgh. As a matter of fact, the Talmud says that there is no greater festival for the Jewish people than the 15th of Av and, believe it or not, Yom Kippur.

Rosenfeld blames the lack of mention in the Torah for the obscurity of the holiday but notes there is definitely a unique spiritual energy to tap into on the 15th of Av.

During the Second Temple period, that energy was channeled beyond spiritual concerns as well.

All the young women of marriageable age would dress in white, Chabad of Squirrel Hill Co-Director Chani Altein explained. They would dress in white gowns so the boys wouldnt be able to recognize who was rich, who was poor, who had more material value, and they would dance in the fields. The young men would pick a woman and they would get married. It wouldnt fly today but it became a day for group weddings and a day of romance and love.

Tu BAv was also the day members of various Israeli tribes were permitted to marry one another, Altein explained. This was the day we could mingle and marry the men of any tribe. Dropping this ban helped create a sense of community.

While the modern celebration includes romance and community, Altein noted, throughout history there have been mystical events of God showing he still loved us.

One of those moments was during the battle of Betar, the last battle of the Bar Kochba rebellion. During the fighting, thousands of Jews were killed by the Romans, who would not allow the Jews to bury their dead. When the Jews finally were able to recover those killed, their bodies were still fresh and intact, they hadnt rotted, Altein said, despite a 15-year gap. The day of the miracle? The 15th of Av.

Rosenfeld pointed out that in more recent times, Tu BAv has become a day of community and celebration.

Its really the hope for redemption among the exile. Any time you have light in the darkness it causes the light to shine that much brighter. Tu BAv is joy among mourning. Traditionally, it has been celebrated by communities coming together. Its been associated with young people coming together.

In Pittsburgh, the young adults at Moishe House are marking the holiday by coming together (virtually) to read queer Jewish love poems and discuss what love means in the modern age.

Moishe House resident Moses* admitted that no one in the house knew about the holiday more than a month ago. He said it was while planning a Tisha BAv event when they came across this other holiday online. We were intrigued by it because none of us were aware of it. We thought it was a cool opportunity to share it with our community.

Love is a fun topic for people, he added.

Greenbaum pointed out that for centuries the holiday was observed only by skipping the tachanun prayer in morning services. It wasnt until modern Israel that people started to embrace it. Its become a Jewish Valentines Day, but I dont know if people are giving flowers to their spouses.

Raimy Rubin, who lives in Israel, noted that while Hallmark cards, chocolates and flowers dont yet mark the holiday in the Jewish state, over the last several years its been harder to get a restaurant reserved, especially at the nice restaurants.The holiday is a popular day for people to get engaged, added Rubin, manager of impact measurement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. In fact, he proposed to his wife within a day of the holiday.

Despite COVID-19 forcing social distancing there are ways to celebrate the holiday, according to Rosenfeld.

I would say people can get together with a couple of friends in a safe manner and celebrate your Judaism, have a couple, three or four friends over on your deck, share some drinks, talk about what Judaism means to you, he said. Talk about why you are Jewish, why you are proud to be Jewish. And then when you all leave, dont just stop there, each of you pick up the phone and call a friend and share your conversation with them so that we can continue spreading that community warmth.

And, if you decide to make Tu BAv a night of romance, Altein pointed out that theres no social distancing required with your spouse. Make your own little romantic getaway in the backyard, carve some time out for each other. PJC

Moses last name was withheld by request.David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Love, community, mysticism: The intrigue and observance of Tu B'Av - thejewishchronicle.net

SentryHealth Partners with Prescient Medicine to Offer Pharmacogenetic Testing – PR Web

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Using the insights gained from pharmacogenetic testing, we can help individuals achieve significantly better outcomes, both physically and financially, often in a shorter timeframe.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PRWEB) July 29, 2020

SentryHealth, an industry leader inworkplacehealthmanagement, today announcedits partnership with Prescient Medicine to include LifeKit PreScript pharmacogenetic testing as part of its WellOnMyWay health and wellness program.

"Pharmacogenetics, or PGx, testing is proven to support efforts to improve employee health and lower health care costs for both employees and their employers, said Terry Minton, Prescient Medicines COO-Louisville. Its quickly becoming a new standard of care when prescribing, enabling health care providers to choose the best, most appropriate medications specific to an individual.

With a DNA sample from a quick cheek swab, the Prescient Medicine LifeKit PreScript analyzes an individuals genetic makeup to determine the most effective medications and optimal dosing levels. The test report also informs their health care providers of harmful or ineffective medications to avoid adverse reactions.

LifeKit PreScript will serve as an integral component of WellOnMyWay, targeting critical health care areas such as behavioral health, pain management, cardiac health, and other chronic illnesses. Individuals with these types of issues will benefit from greater support to manage their conditions through better care coordination and tailored health and wellness guidance.

As part of our initiative to guide advanced, hyper-personalized health and wellness journeys, we are pleased to partner with Prescient Medicine, commented J. Kevin Porter, CEO of SentryHealth. Using the insights gained from pharmacogenetic testing, we can help individuals achieve significantly better outcomes, both physically and financially, often in a shorter timeframe.

About SentryHealth

SentryHealthdrives better health and wellness nationwide through personalized, full-service well-being management solutions. Their unique, technology-driven approach redefines employee wellness through a unique fusion of advanced analytics, industry-leading wellness programs, and high-touch employee outreach and incentive management.Learn more by visitinghttps://www.sentryhealth.com.

About Prescient Medicine Holdings, Inc.

Prescient Medicine is a privately held company focused on developing diagnostic tools that advance the precision healthcare movement. Prescient Medicine's mission is to accelerate the development, commercialization and deployment of advanced clinical diagnostics to address the most pressing public health issues in the U.S. Prescient Medicine builds powerful tests and analytic solutions to offer deep predictive insights so doctors and patients have the data they need to make better, more informed clinical decisions, and achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

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J.C. Penney looks to sell company in bankruptcy to avoid liquidation – USA TODAY

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J.C. Penney has filed for bankruptcy and is closing their doors after being around for almost 120 years. So why does it hurt to see them go? USA TODAY

J.C. Penney is looking to go forward with a sale of the business to avoid a brush with liquidation.

The retailer's attorney, Joshua SussbergofKirkland& Ellis, saidduring a bankruptcy court hearing Wednesdaythat the sale should be completed by the fall under an expedited process and rebuffed rumors of a liquidation of the entire chain.

"We have had not one discussion with our lenders or any other stakeholders about a liquidation. That is simply not in the cards," Sussberg said.

The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-May with846 stores and 85,000employees at the time of the filing.J.C. Penney has said it hopes to emerge from bankruptcy with about 600 stores and has begun liquidation sales at around 150 stores.(See the latest list here.)

Thanksgiving Day 2020 store closures: Holiday shopping is changing amid COVID-19 pandemic with Best Buy, Kohl's, Walmart, Target closed Thanksgiving

New York & Company store closings: All stores to close in bankruptcy, going-out-of-business liquidation sales now underway

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, J.C. Penney was already dealing with declining sales amid digital competition, sizable debt andfalling foot traffic to shopping malls. The pandemic forced the retailer to temporarily close all of its locations, cratering sales and triggeringthe bankruptcy filing in May.

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All stores have reopened but Sussberg said the company's 173 off-mall locations continue to perform better than the 520 mall locations since reopening.

In mid-July, the company received an extension from certain lenders until July 31 to secure their approval for a business plan to restructure its operations in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to cut 1,000 jobs.

Sussberg said Wednesday there are three separate bids being considered for sale of the company's real estate and other assets. He did not name the bidders and called the proposals confidential.He said they were actively in negotiations ahead of the Friday deadline.

During the hearing, Sussberg lambasted an article published earlier this week by The New York Post that reported a $1.75 billion bid by private equity firm Sycamore Partners to buy J.C. Penney and merge with another struggling chain Belk Inc. Sussberg called the report ill-informed."

We are moving forward with a sales process," Sussberg said. We are hopeful."

A spokesperson at Sycamore Partners declined to comment.

The coronavirus has deepened the ongoing troubles for department stores, which have had a difficult time adjusting to the rise of digital threats and nimble physical competitors that offer affordablefast-fashion apparel.

As many as25,000 stores could shutter this yearas businesses continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic, according to a recent report from Coresight Research.

Ascena Retail Group,Brooks Brothers,Lucky Brand, J.C. Penney,Neiman Marcus,Sur La TableandJ. Crew have all filed for Chapter 11 since May.

Other retailers that haven't filed for bankruptcyalso plan to shutter locations, includingVictoria's Secret,NordstromandSignet Jewelers, parent company ofKay, Zales and Jared. Tailored Brands, parent company of Men's Wearhouse, said it will close up to 500 stores.

Bankruptcy is designed to give struggling companies a second chance, so J.C. Penney could survive as a smaller, nimbler retailer with financial sustainability.

Call shopping malls survive?: Coronavirus pandemic calls experiential model into question

Contributing: Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY; Associated Press

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter:@KellyTyko

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Harvey Weinstein Wants Bankruptcy Court to Take Over Rejected Sexual Misconduct Settlement – Billboard

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After a New York federal judge blasted a proposed settlement that sought to resolve a host of legal claims brought by women who accuse Harvey Weinstein of varying levels of sexual misconduct, his legal team is taking a shot at getting a revised plan approved this time in bankruptcy court.

The original proposed settlement, which prompted swift backlash from accusers, included: an $18.875 million victims' fund to be paid by insurance companies; no admission of wrongdoing by any of the defendants; a defense fund to cover costs of defending suits from accusers who don't participate in the settlement; a perpetual release of claims against the defendants, who include Harvey Weinstein, TWC board members and execs and Bob Weinstein; and a provision that bars New York Attorney General Letitia James' office from prosecuting any related action.

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein during a July 14 hearing rejected the proposed settlement, calling it "obnoxious" and questioning whether the claims were even appropriate for class action. On Friday, he followed up with a written opinion.

In addition to finding that the proposed class is both too broad (potentially including women who weren't injured by Weinstein) and too narrow (potentially excluding women who were injured), he takes major issue with the fairness of the financial structure of the deal, including that it's impossible to calculate how much the women would receive because there are too many unknown variables.

"The Bankruptcy Agreement proposes major deductions from the amounts that otherwise would be available to claimants: $13,716,000 to defray the litigation costs of the TWC officers and directors, and $1,500,000 to defray the litigation costs of the Weinstein Brothers," writes Hellerstein. "At the preliminary approval hearing, I observed that favoring these groups at the expense of the people suffering sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein was 'obnoxious.' I continue to hold to that view. Furthermore, I cannot fully assess the numerous factors related to the size of the potential awards because the proposed class is too indefinite, and the parties proposed process gives insufficient clarity regarding how funds would be allocated."

Now, attorneys for TWC's estate want to take a revised plan directly to federal bankruptcy court judge Mary F. Walrath and remove Hellerstein from the equation.

"The revised framework provides that, in lieu of class action treatment of the sexual misconduct claims, such claims will be placed into a single class in a chapter 11 plan of liquidation and administered in much the same way that many other mass tort cases are handled in bankruptcy cases without the need for a certified class in a class action lawsuit," states the filing. "While this is not the appropriate pleading to describe the full terms of the Revised Plan, for present purposes it is important to note two things about it: first, under the Revised Plan, releases will be granted in favor of Harvey Weinstein only on an affirmative opt-in basis; and second, the global settlement embodied in the Revised Plan will be implemented solely through the Bankruptcy Court-supervised plan process, with no further involvement of the District Court in the pending class action."

Douglas H. Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who represent several women with claims against Weinstein and have been vocal critics of the settlement, issued a statement Tuesday in response to the filing. "It appears that Harvey and Robert Weinstein, their insurers and corporate enablers are so desperate to secure the deal that Judge Hellerstein immediately rejected as 'obnoxious' that they are now going to ask the bankruptcy court to approve what Judge Hellerstein would not," the statement reads. "This conduct is downright offensive and the New York Attorney General should immediately make it clear that she will refuse to endorse this end-around scheme."

Two of their clients, Dominique Huett and Wedil David, on July 21 filed a motion to convert TWC's chapter 11 bankruptcy to a chapter 7, which would liquidate the remaining assets. According to their motion, it would also allow "tort victims [to] seek relief from the automatic stay to prosecute their claims, have their day in court before a jury, and pursue recoveries against insurance proceeds."

Weinstein's filing asks the court to hold off ruling on that motion to give them time to hammer out the finer points of a new deal. The hearing is currently scheduled for August 4, and they think they can work out the details of the revised plan by August 31.

"This is a case where all parties to the settlement are continuing to engage in good faith discussions and are working feverishly to develop a mutually acceptable alternative path to consummate the global settlement," states the filing, which is posted below. "This should not be a case where two individual sexual harassment victims pursuing their own agenda should be permitted to hijack the process and deny all other stakeholders, including dozens of sexual harassment victims, an opportunity to settle and develop an alternative plan with wide support, including from the Committee that owes fiduciary duties to all unsecured creditors."

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Weinstein's lawyer Imran H. Ansari of Aidala Bertuna & Kamin defended the agreement. "While there are those who continue to rail against the settlement, the practical reality is that outside the settlement the plaintiffs face an uncertain financial recovery, with The Weinstein Company bankrupt, and Mr. Weinstein incarcerated and defending legal matters, facing debt and judgments, frozen assets, and a line of creditors looking for compensation," Ansari said. "Mr. Weinsteins current and future financial state is far from healthy, not only has his personal liberty been taken from him, but his financial liberty as well. Those yelling loudly seem to ignore that many parties want this settlement to succeed, importantly, it is not just the Weinstein defendants, but the plaintiffs themselves, who likely recognize that it is the route to a realistic recovery."

Thomas Giuffra, the attorney for former TWC employee Alexandra Canosa who's suing Weinstein for sexual assault, also sent THR a statement in response to the filing.

"After being thwarted by Judge Hellerstein who recognized the 'global' settlement was a phony class and a settlement which was unfair to the survivors, the class action lawyers, NYAG and the insurance companies are trying to do an end run to try to force this obnoxious and unfair settlement through the bankruptcy court," said Giuffra. "They are repackaging the same lousy deal to try a second time to get judicial approval. I suspect the bankruptcy court will recognize this shameful scam for what it is and prevent a grave injustice from occurring. It is so obvious that the class action lawyers have no interest in actually litigating these cases. But are only concerned with chasing a payday at all costs. I am appalled that AG James who claims to be an advocate for women would continue to put the power of her office behind a deal which is abusive to the rights of the survivors and puts money in the hands of a convicted rapist. I cannot say that I am surprised by this. It is what I would expect of these self-interested money grabbers."

This article originally appeared in THR.com.

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Harvey Weinstein Wants Bankruptcy Court to Take Over Rejected Sexual Misconduct Settlement - Billboard

Using the Federal Reserves discount window for debtor-in-possession financing during the COVID-19 bankruptcy crisis – Brookings Institution

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This paper outlines how the Federal Reserve can use its non-emergency statutory authority to substantially improve the functioning of debtor-in-possession financing markets during the bankruptcy crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue that, contrary to restrictions on the Feds emergency lending authority in Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act, Section 10B permits the Fed to increase support for bank-led debtor-in-possession financing sufficient to meet the scale that this crisis presents. After explaining in detail the Feds statutory authority to intervene in these markets, the authors discuss several important benefits and manageable costs of this approach. The benefits include, first, better facilitation of bank-based financing for bankrupt firms and the reciprocal reduction of financing from the shadow banking sector and, second, better insight for the central bank into this important sector of the financial system for macroeconomic and financial stability purposes. The costs include perceptions of illegality given the limitations on the Feds emergency lending authority, the risk of undermining the Feds independence for monetary policy, and concerns about central bank meddling in the political prerogatives of Congress and the President. They argue that these costs, though real, are manageable and in any case less than the benefits of intervention.

Read the full paper here

The authors did not receive financial support from any firm or person with a financial or political interest in this article. Neither is currently an officer, director, or board member of any organization with an interest in this article.

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Using the Federal Reserves discount window for debtor-in-possession financing during the COVID-19 bankruptcy crisis - Brookings Institution

Elliott Hits PG&E With New $250 Million Claim Tied to Bankruptcy – Yahoo Finance

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(Bloomberg) -- Elliott Management Corp. is claiming PG&E Corp. cost the activist investor $250 million by breaking a promise to help the hedge fund get rights to buy equity in the utility giant during its massive bankruptcy case.

PG&E was supposed to help Elliott gain access to as much as $2 billion in equity commitments, as part of a settlement struck in January to resolve competing and sometimes contentious restructuring plans, according to a court filing by Elliott.

Elliott said PG&Es failure to follow through resulted in damages of up to 19.8 million shares valued at about $250 million. Thats based on prices as of June 8, so damages could be higher, Elliott said.

Because PG&E allegedly breached its obligation, and concealed that breach until after the evidence had closed with respect to the confirmation hearing, Elliott is now entitled to seek payment of this administrative expense claim, the firm said.

PG&E emerged from Chapter 11 earlier this month after settling wildfire claims tied to its equipment for $25.5 billion. The company raised more than $5 billion in common shares and equity units in a public offering to finance its bankruptcy exit.

Were aware of the lawsuit and are currently reviewing, according to a PG&E representative. Representatives for Elliott -- founded by billionaire investor Paul Singer -- werent immediately available to comment. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Elliott was part of a group of PG&E bondholders that tried to wrest control of the power company in bankruptcy court last year. The noteholders agreed to back PG&Es bankruptcy exit plan after the company offered the group favorable treatment of its debt in its reorganization.

Backstop Equity

Elliott complained that PG&E failed to use its best efforts to persuade other investors involved in the companys reorganization to give Elliott the investment rights.

PG&E breached its promise when it failed to quickly disclose certain details about new financing parties involved in PG&Es plan to raise money for its bankruptcy exit, Elliott said in court papers.

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Elliott Hits PG&E With New $250 Million Claim Tied to Bankruptcy - Yahoo Finance

Bitcoin Rides to Year High on Back of Gold Rally, Dollar Slump – Bloomberg

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Mining machine at a Bitfarms cryptocurrency farming facility.

Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg

Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg

Bitcoin surged to the highest in almost a year as the slump in the dollar and rally in gold bolstered the notion that cryptocurrencies will emerge as a viable alternative to traditional monetary systems.

The largest digital token climbed as much as 15% to $10,944, the highest price since August. The rally accelerated after the coin breached $10,500, a level that it had failed to sustain gains after surpassing in June and February.

Bitcoin, which crypto fans have often touted as digital gold, is in favor as the yellow metal hits record levels, concerns rise about the health of the world economy and the dollar falls. Advocates tout cryptocurrencies as a way to protect wealth from government action such as stimulus measures, which are often viewed in inflationary.

Its attracting the momentum players, said Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak + Co. And of course, the momentum players play such a big role nowadays that its giving Bitcoin the big move.

Also, last week, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said American banks can provide custody services for customers crypto assets, which could help boost the asset classs appeal with some investors.

The cryptocurrency had been hovering near its 50-day moving average for weeks before pulling above it in the past couple of days.

Bitcoin has enjoyed above-average flows this year, and those flows are relatively high versus their five-year average when compared with those of exchange traded funds in other asset classes, according to a report from JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategist John Normand on Friday.

With assistance by Kenneth Sexton

Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.

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Bitcoin Rides to Year High on Back of Gold Rally, Dollar Slump - Bloomberg

$11,000 Bitcoin Just Happened: Whats Fueling the Massive Pump? – CCN.com

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Bitcoins price blew past $11,000 Monday for the first time since 2019, signaling the end of a multi-year downtrend and pointing to further gains over the horizon.

The bitcoin price peaked at $11,417.11 Monday evening, up more than $1,500 on the day. At the time of writing, the digital asset was sitting on a gain of 13% at $11,233, according to TradingView.

From a technical standpoint, bitcoins price far exceeds the 50-period and 200-period moving averages. The relative strength index on the hourly chart points to overbought conditions.

A similar observation is made on the daily chart:

At its current price point, bitcoin has a total market cap of nearly $205.2 billion. That accounts for 63.1% of the overall crypto market, which is presently worth almost $327 billion.

The rally caught the attention of mainstream media and casual traders who have grown accustomed to seeing bitcoin rejected in and around the $10,500 mark. After months of lateral moves, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is finally breaking out.

Bitcoin is surging at a time when goldthe worlds most trusted haven asset is trading at all-time highs against the U.S. dollar.

In both cases, investors appear to be hedging their bets against a shaky economic recoveryone that could dismantle the stock-market rally over the medium term.

While bitcoin still has a long way to go to prove its an established store of value like bullion, the digital currency continues to defy the odds with jaw-dropping returns.

Despite being written off in mainstream circles due to its volatility and regulatory scrutiny, bitcoin is up nearly 60% year-to-date. It remains the best-performing asset of the past decade.

If bitcoins proponents are correct, the digital currency is about to enter another bullish cycleone that could end with 10x returns by the end of 2021. For that to happen, adoption will have to keep growing in the face of record central-bank stimulus, ballooning budget deficits, and worsening economic conditions.

Although central banks like to pretend inflation doesnt exist, investors flocking bitcoin and gold are preparing for an alternate scenario where the value of their local currency depreciates rapidly.

The inflation story has a lot of merits, according to Gavin Smith, the chief executive of crypto consortium Panxora.

In an email interview with Billy Bambrough of Forbes, Smith said:

Our view is that we still believe the markets are pulled on the one hand by the inflation hedge story driving bitcoin higher

But thats only one part of the story. Smith added:

while at the same time the global economy is suffering a massive demand shock with the potential to drive bitcoin lower.

He believes bitcoin will end the year sharply lower before resuming its uptrend next year. Smiths view still lines up with the four-year-cycle theorists (video above) who believe we will see a new, parabolic high by the end of 2021.

Disclaimer: This article represents the authors opinion and should not be considered investment or trading advice from CCN.com. The author owns bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Last modified: July 28, 2020 12:50 AM UTC

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Militias’ warning of excessive federal power comes true but where are they? – Houston Chronicle

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(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Amy Cooter, Vanderbilt University

(THE CONVERSATION) Militias and many other Second Amendment advocates have long argued that their primary desire to own firearms often, many of them is rooted in a need to protect themselves and their families from a tyrannical federal government, or to discourage the government from becoming tyrannical in the first place.

But with the mayor of a major U.S. city warning that tyranny and dictatorship have already arrived on the streets in the shape of unidentified federal troops using questionable tactics militia groups appear reluctant to throw their lot in with protesters. In fact, many have been supporting government action to suppress peaceful demonstrators.

Certainly the scenes in Portland have alarmed civil liberties groups:Heavily armed and camouflaged federal officers, wearing no name tags or other insignia, are on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and have teargassed and arrested seemingly peaceful protesters with little or no provocation. President Donald Trump has said similar forces are coming to other cities many run by Democrats.

To some, it may look exactly like what the militias have been warning of.

As a scholar of the U.S. domestic militia movement, I have seen in recent months a new divide emerging in these groups.

Some, often calling themselves the boogaloo movement, see the current political unrest as an opportunity to wrest power from an overbearing federal government. Others support police and their enforcement of strict law and order, even if that means authorities using powerful weapons and overwhelming force.

Shifting online dynamics

Assessing what these groups are doing, and how they are discussing recent events, has become more difficult for observers like me in recent weeks. On June 30, Facebook announced it had removed hundreds of accounts and groups allegedly related to the boogaloo movement.

The move came in the wake of several arrests of alleged boogaloo adherents across the country, including three in Nevada accused of plotting to firebomb federal land and one in Texas accused of killing one police officer and critically injuring another.

Boogaloo groups still have a social media presence and, until recently when the portion of the site they used was closed, a large presence on the Reddit discussion site, where comments are loosely regulated and people can post anonymously.

Now the movements public face is smaller and harder to find without insider knowledge. For instance, until recently it was common to see groups with the words big igloo in their names, a play on the word boogaloo. After Facebooks crackdown, some groups are using the word icehouse or other synonyms that may not be as obvious. They are therefore harder for algorithms to find, but also for people to find whether to observe or to join in.

Backing the boog

The groups who back the boogaloo imply, or even outright declare, that the U.S. is no longer a free country, and generally call for supporters to oppose, violently if necessary, federal forces and the government they represent.

In the days after George Floyds death, I saw some of these groups call for members to participate in protests opposing police violence. But I have not seen similar calls in response to federal officers violence in Portland.

That may change if federal forces do appear in other places, especially areas geographically closer to active back the boog supporters. It is also possible that the groups are discussing protests or other actions in less public ways, in private messages or on platforms like Parler, that have marketed themselves as friendlier toward a variety of conservative views.

Backing the blue

There are still militia members who support police, often called back the blue groups. Commentators have observed that silence from them and other Second Amendment supporters certainly seems to be hypocritical, at best, and possibly supportive of tyranny in the current context.

Thats not the way they see it. They argue that one of the few legitimate functions of the federal government is to protect citizens from others who might infringe on their rights or safety. They support police who say that Portland authorities have failed to protect regular people from violent protesters.

Thats also what these groups claimed happened in Seattles autonomous zone though they rely on news sources that describe the protesters as inherently dangerous and hampering business and free association. They seemingly ignore or discount other reports that these characterizations are exaggerated. In my research, I found that militia members were likely to exclusively trust sources like Fox News or even more conservative sites for their information, and recent data confirms that such sources may strongly shape viewers understanding of political and other events.

Mistaken perceptions?

This view of protesters as violent is amplified by some back the blue members belief that the demonstrators are Marxist members of antifa, a mostly nonviolent leaderless collective movement generally opposing fascism.

For example, one Facebook group shared a video of Christopher David, the Navy veteran beaten by federal officers in Portland, talking about his experience. A commentator responded, The end of the video tell[s] the tale, hes going to raise money for [Black Lives Matter]! He is a liar he went there to stand with his commie comrades.

Scholarship on conservative groups argues that they use anti-communist language to cast political opponents as not real Americans who have thus have forfeited any protections U.S. citizens should have.

Anti-liberal rhetoric

Some other back the blue members see hypocrisy in liberals, noting that few, if any, on the left objected when federal officers killed LaVoy Finicum during the 2016 standoff between federal officials and armed supporters of rancher Cliven Bundy during a land dispute elsewhere in Oregon.

There are sharing pages like one on a well-known conservative satire site that suggests the same Oregon authorities opposing federal officers tolerate violent behavior from protesters because of identity politics the idea that certain groups favored by liberals, in this case, Black people, are held to a different and more lax standard.

Several Facebook pages shared an image of a modified Gadsden flag, with a Black Lives Matter fist and promising we will tread as proof that Portland protesters would take away others rights, including the right to bear arms, if given the chance and thus do not deserve protection themselves. One comment in support of such a post read, I[m] glad to see Im not the only person happy to see these commies being snatched up and dragged away. Yes, I know that this could just as easily be turned around and that we could also be dragged away in broad daylight. But if they arent stopped now, and they do somehow manage to gain complete power, well get dragged away anyways. Better them than us, before its too late.

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Federal intervention has not stopped the Portland protests from growing, but some analysts expect Trump to increase the response in an attempt to appeal to his supporters as the country heads into the November election. Many people fear that move would spark violence.

The back the blue militia members generally respect law and order enough to not fulfill their threats of violence or criminal action but the back the boog groups may not be so restrained. The back the blue groups may also act if federal action escalates, and members believe they are needed or useful to help defend the interests of average citizens.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/militias-warning-of-excessive-federal-power-comes-true-but-where-are-they-143333.

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Militias' warning of excessive federal power comes true but where are they? - Houston Chronicle

Smith, Hawley author bill to safeguard Service Members’ Right to Carry – MDJOnline.com

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Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the U.S. Military Right to Carry Act to allow members of the United States Armed Forces to renew their concealed carry permit by mail if they are stationed outside of the state. States that fail to comply run the risk of losing federal funding.

Smith was notified of this problem by an active duty service member from southern Missouri who was stationed at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. After reaching out about how to renew a concealed carry permit, he was told by county officials he had to visit the office in person and be physically living in the state of Missouri to complete his renewal. This was not possible. Often, because of their service in uniform, military members are unable to travel back to their home state to take care of these types of personal matters.

Smith was seriously concerned about any impediment standing in the way of an Americans Second Amendment rights, let alone those of our service members. He introduced this legislation to make it absolutely clear that the burden is on the states, not on our service members.

The brave men and women of the United States military should not face any discrimination when it comes to their concealed carry permits, said Congressman Smith. If a member of the U.S. Armed Forces holds a concealed carry permit, they should be able to renew that permit by mail or be treated as a resident of the state in which they are stationed. My bill is a critical step in ensuring the constitutional rights of our military members are protected regardless of where theyre stationed, allowing them to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Senator Hawley joined Congressman Smith, introducing the legislation in the Senate. He talked about his commitment to standing up for our men and women in uniform.

The military men and women who serve our country shouldnt face endless red tape in order to exercise their constitutional right to carry firearms and maintain their concealed carry licenses, said Senator Hawley. Im proud to stand up for our service members and for their Second Amendment rights with this legislation.

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Smith, Hawley author bill to safeguard Service Members' Right to Carry - MDJOnline.com

Hong Kong wants a massive new island, but where will it get the sand? – Nikkei Asian Review

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Award-winning writer Vince Beiser is the author of The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization.

Plagued by a shortage of land on which to house its swelling population, Hong Kong has come up with a simple-sounding solution: make more! That's the central idea behind "Lantau Tomorrow," a plan to build 1,700 hectares (17 sq. kilometers) of artificial land with housing for up to one million people in the ocean waters off of Lantau.

The project's multibillion-dollar price tag and its potential impact on local residents and the environment have sparked plenty of controversy. Much less attention is being paid to the crucial question of where and how to obtain the project's most vital component: sand.

Trivial though it seems, sand is actually the most important solid substance on Earth. We humans consume 50 billion tonnes of this natural resource every year -- more than any other except water. It is the main ingredient inthe concrete and glass that our cities are made of, and the silicon chips that our computers and cellphones run on. And it is the go-to raw material for building artificial land, a practice that is surging all around the world.

In recent years, advancing technology has enormously increased our power to "reclaim" land by dredging titanic volumes of sand and silt from the ocean floor to create new land where there was no land before.

For coastal megalopolises long on population but short on physical space, land reclamation offers an easy way to make room and profits. Dubai's famous palm-tree shaped "islands" are the most famous example, but cities from Lagos to Copenhagen to Singapore are similarly expanding their physical footprints. All told, according to the Dutch research group Deltares, since 1985 human beings have added 5,237 sq. miles (13,563 sq. kilometers) of artificial land to the world's coasts -- an area about as big as Jamaica.

China is a major contributor to that total. From 2006 to 2010, cities on China's coast built an average of 700 sq. kilometers of new land each year. In 2010 alone China created the equivalent of two Manhattans worth of new real estate. Hong Kong has a long history of land reclamation. The international airport, the local Disneyland, and the 34-mile bridge connecting Hong Kong to the mainland all sit on human-made land. In fact, some 6% of Hong Kong's total area, housing one-quarter of the population, was reclaimed from the sea.

Development Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun has claimed that locally sourced construction waste will provide "a considerable percentage of the amount of fill" for the Lantau land. That seems unlikely, given that Hong Kong produces only enough construction waste each year to reclaim about 60 hectares (0.6 sq. kilometers). Sand dredged from the ocean will have to provide most of the rest. All told, the Lantau project will require an estimated 260 million cubic meters of material.

Sucking that much sand from the ocean floor can inflict calamitous damage on the environment. First off, the habitat of whatever marine life was living down there will be annihilated. The stirred-up sediment also clouds the surrounding water, which can suffocate fish, crustaceans, and other creatures, and block sunlight from reaching plants below the surface. All of which can affect people, too. Fishers and environmentalists in Indonesia are currently trying to shut down a sea-sand mining operation they fear will wipe out local fish stocks.

Where and how the sand gets dumped back in the water to create new land can also be devastating. Land reclamation along China's coasts has decimated fish and bird populations, increased water pollution, and destroyed mangrove forests.

Those hazards can be reduced by carefully scouting out less vulnerable areas of the ocean from which to dredge. But the further the sand has to be transported, the more it costs. So where will Hong Kong's sand come from, and at what cost -- both financial and environmental? The nonprofit news agency Factwire recently reported that Guangxi Province, one potential source relatively nearby, is currently facing its own shortage of marine sand, which could send the cost of the Lantau project skyrocketing. The bill to mine and haul the sand alone could reach $60 billion Hong Kong dollars ($8 billion), according to Factwire.

That increases the temptation for unscrupulous developers to traffic in grayer markets. The Philippines has long accused Chinese dredgers of stealing their sand. And a recent report by the U.S.-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies found that Chinese ships are likely dredging sand from North Korean waters in violation of international sanctions.

If Hong Kong really needs to build new land -- and there's a strong argument that it doesn't, with more efficient and smarter use of existing territory able to provide plenty of space for more housing -- it must do so carefully, without inflicting the kind of damage to the environment that so many other such projects have. Lantau Tomorrow must not come at the expense of the ocean today.

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East Kilbride hairdresser is delighted to be back doing what she loves – Daily Record

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An East Kilbride hairdresser whose family have run a salon for nearly 40 years were among the businesses finally allowed to reopen last week.

It came with the easing of lockdown and the country moved in to Phase 3.

Nikkola Steele, who runs Red Heads in Greenhills Shopping Centre, is delighted to be back.

She told us: I must have had about 70 clients wanting booked in when we had to go into lockdown.

Obviously we have had to change how we work, which isnt easy when you are a small operation like this.

Despite the lay-off in between appointments, Nikkola was overwhelmed at the response from her clientele.

Not only the kind messages of support throughout lockdown, but by talking with their feet.

Exclusive peek inside new East Kilbride shopping development

Thankfully the salon is fully booked until the middle of August with clients desperate to get their unruly locks under control after months of salons being closed.

But the return to work isnt without its challenges and Nikkola admits its been one of the hardest periods she has faced in business.

She added: There is only myself and my assistant and when the business was closed I had nothing business owners, unfortunately, dont get furloughed.

On the positive side of things my phone has been ringing non-stop as people are desperate for a hair cut.

But everything is now in place, we have disposable gowns, towels and aprons, the cleaning regime has increased everything is cleaned and sanitised after every client.

However, all of that takes time which makes the day-to-day running more difficult but it has to be done.

Its harder for us as there is only myself and my assistant.

The new way of working means that, at most, Nikkola can take just two or three clients at a time because of the social distancing that includes the seats at the reception.

She added: Everyone has been really understanding though and I have to thank folk for their support at such a challenging time.

My mum ran the salon before me and we have had our ups and downs for sure.

But these last few months have been the most difficult we have faced and I am just so glad we are back up and running.

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East Kilbride hairdresser is delighted to be back doing what she loves - Daily Record