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Adjusting your skincare routine to your skin type is significant to finding a workable routine: normal, oily, combination or dry. Likewise, it's similarly important to base it on your skin tone or color.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, for example, people with darker skin tones face a unique set of skincare needs.

Without proper hydration, dry skin can look gray and ashy.

Hyperpigmentation — the overproduction of melanin in the skin — can be caused by UV rays and is probably the most common concern for people of color.

the overproduction of melanin in the skin — can be caused by UV rays and is probably the most common concern for people of color. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — wherein healing skin overproduces melanin — can leave a dark scar where a blemish once lived.

Having said that, there is a slew of skincare products that can help promote healthier skin. To best protect, nourish and treat skin of color, we consulted doctors and experts on some of the best products to get you through your skincare routine.We sorted them through the six essential skincare ingredients experts recommended:

Best SPF skincare for dark skin

Every single dermatologist we consulted emphasized the importance of using sunscreen to promote skin health. Sounds obvious, right? People with darker skin are often told they don’t need sunscreen, which is a deeply incorrect and potentially dangerous piece of advice.

“Daily SPF — at least 30 — is critical for prevention and treatment of hyperpigmentation, as well as for prevention of skin cancer,” Sara Perkins, MD, an assistant professor with the Department of Dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, told NBC News. “This is an absolute must for all skin types, including skin of color.”

Perkins, who’s also the clinical advisor to Hims and Hers, considers EltaMD's SPF offerings her “top choice.”

This tinted, mineral sunscreen protects your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays to prevent early signs of aging and burning.

Hyaluronic acid is the hero ingredient in this moisturizer that doubles as a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

For those prone to acne or hyperpigmentation, this sunscreen includes niacinamide (Vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants — which we'll dive into below. Perkins gave an honorable mention to La Roche Posay Anthelios facial sunscreen, as well.

Jared Jagdeo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Ever/Body’s medical director, recommended SkinCeuticals’ take on SPF.

“This product is outstanding, blends in perfectly to any skin tone and never leaves that chalky look,” said Jagdeo, who added that what really makes for a great sunscreen is your desire to use it everyday.

This sunscreen is beloved by dermatologists because it was formulated to be fail-proof. “This specific sunscreen was studied in the real world and shown to be more effective in preventing sunburn as compared to sunscreens with lower SPF levels,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's dermatology department, told NBC News.

Best retinol skincare for dark skin

Retinol is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to anti-aging skincare.

"This vitamin A derivative truly has clinically-proven anti-aging properties — but it can also help with pigmentation,” Perkins explained. “It's also very effective in the treatment of acne. These can be quite irritating so I recommend starting with the lower concentrations first.”

As with any skincare product, it comes down to how you use it, and when. Over-the-counter retinols are best used in the evening. Irritation and dryness are common side effects. Pairing a retinol product with a moisturizer can help avoid some of that, Perkins said. Or you can use a gentle retinol oil like MARA Evening Primrose Green Tea Algae Retinol Face Oil.

“This budget-friendly night treatment contains both alpha hydroxy acids, which help to unstick and exfoliate dulling, dead skin cells immediately, as well as retinol, which stimulates cell turnover and new collagen production over time,” Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles, told NBC News. “Together, these help to reduce the appearance of fine lines with regular use over two to three months.”

The combo of retinol and hyaluronic acid is what makes this one a game-changer. “This retinoid serum visibly fills and reduces wrinkles, giving skin a smoother and more plumped appearance,” says Howard Sobel, MD, New York City dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin.

Best skincare with hyaluronic acid

Another significant ingredient in skincare for most skin types is hyaluronic acid, “a natural sugar molecule that occurs in our body and helps to attract water, so it functions as a great moisturizer,” said Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.

“It keeps the skin looking fresh and hydrated," Garshick told NBC News.

“In darker skin tones, dryness frequently manifests as an ashy or grayish appearance of the skin,” dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, told NBC News. “Hyaluronic acid is a go-to ingredient to pump all skin types, and is particularly useful in those with darker skin. It acts like a sponge binding to 1000 times its weight in water.”

And let’s not forget dark skinned men who, yes, also need to take care of their skin. Jagdeo recommends the DefenAge Men's Kit, its key ingredients including a proprietary peptide blend, along with soothing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, designed to help users achieve a smooth, well-hydrated and improved complexion.

He says it’s “ideal for the man who wants to look his best with an easy-to-use, all-in-one regimen,” adding that the “comprehensive kit addresses most skin concerns.”

Best skin brightening products

A lot of serums formulated to brighten skin also have the bonus effect of treating hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Zeichner recommended Neutrogena’s Bright Boost Serum. “Pigmentary disorders are extremely common among patients with darker skin types,” he explained. “Turmeric extract has long been used in skin care because of its ability to brighten unwanted pigmentation and even skin tone.”

Bradley Bloom, MD, of Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, recommended SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum. “It combines some of the most effective brightening ingredients, including niacinamide, in a non-irritating formula,” he said.

Jagdeo said he recommends SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense for one specific reason: “Discoloration defense is specially formulated with a combination of anti-pigment agents designed to even out the tone of the skin.”

Best skincare with antioxidants

Another heavily recommended ingredient by the dermatologists we consulted: antioxidants. To briefly summarize: "Antioxidant serums help protect your skin from the free radicals you're exposed to on a daily basis. They also aid in the prevention of fine lines and other visible signs of aging, and can heal and repair skin," Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and author of the book "Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist," told NBC News.

Sapna Palep, MD, of Spring Street Dermatology recommended the ALASTIN Restorative Skin Complex. "It’s chock full of potent antioxidants to help even skin tone while also plumping the skin and combating fine lines and wrinkles.” Palep explained. "It’s so versatile for all skin tones, including darker complexions.”

Hadley King, a board certified dermatologist, is a fan of The Everything Oil. “It contains cold pressed, organic prickly pear seed oil, organic avocado oil, organic sweet almond oil and organic aloe vera. These ingredients both hydrate and moisturize, and they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well. And it's vegan, organic and cruelty-free and it's formulated without water, alcohol or silicone. It's also a great option for brightening, which is often a plus for dark skin tones. The ingredients work together to brighten the skin by offering antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory properties, increased cell turnover, hydration and increased collagen production. There are no potentially irritating ingredients to lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”

Best Vitamin C-infused skincare

Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, is a substantial antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and fights UV damage and pigmentation — not to mention helps stave off colds. You can get your Vitamin C from certain foods — or you can wear it on your face.

“Formulation, packaging and storage are key here as it oxides quickly when exposed to light,” Perkins said about what readers should keep in mind. Vitamin C can go from useable to dysfunction seemingly overnight.

Both Jagdeo and Palep recommended the C E Ferulic serum, which Jagdeo uses for both himself and his clients, and called “the hero product by which the rest of the cosmeceutical industry is measured.”

It’s an investment — one Palep said is worth it, as it remains active for multiple days and the included dropper keeps you using precisely how much you need to with little waste.

“It’s packed with antioxidants that work great on darker skin tones for brightening and destroying free radicals,” she added.

King recommends Schaf Revitalizing Serum, which was formulated specifically for dark spots and fine lines, making it a great fit for dark skin tones.

“Vitamin C boosts brightness through its antioxidant properties, hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, and peptides help stimulate collagen production to diminish fine lines,” she said. It’s also vegan and cruelty free.

The ultimate result everyone wants is one thing: Great skin. Skin care is self-care so treat yourself well.

More skincare shopping recommendations

Because pores exist everywhere on our bodies, there also exists the possibility for breakouts everywhere on our bodies. (Great!) But some of those pores are more prone to acne than others, like those that are more exposed to sweat, bacteria, oil, inflammation, and other pore-clogging, pimple-causing phenomena — and that includes your chest. I reached out to New York City-based dermatologists Dr. Robyn Gmyrek and Dr. Kenneth Howe to understand what causes chest acne in the first place, and how to get rid of chest acne should you want to treat these breakouts.

According to Dr. Gmyrek, chest acne is basically the same thing as facial acne. “When a pore gets clogged by dead skin cells at the opening, sebum gets trapped inside. That creates inflammation, which leads to pimples and an overgrowth of bacteria,” she explains. Also like facial acne, the causes for chest acne are often multi-pronged. Some people have a genetic predisposition to acne, while some might experience hormonal breakouts. But along with biological factors, Dr. Gmyrek says that chest acne can be caused or worsened by excessive sweating, especially while wearing tight-fitting clothing. Occlusive clothing, like sports bras and compression shirts, trap sweat and oil, which leads to more bacteria and inflammation. Et voila: chest acne.

Beyond showering ASAP after a workout, you can also use pimple-fighting products to keep chest acne at bay. But be mindful of the products you’re using to treat chest acne, as Dr. Gmyrek warns that “your chest skin is more sensitive to being dried out or irritated by medicated acne products than facial skin.” So if you’re using a concentrated spot treatment, use it sparingly and occasionally so you don’t exacerbate dryness.

Dr. Howe adds that the risk of scarring is greater with chest acne, “particularly deeper acne cysts on the central chest" — so whatever you do, don’t pick at your spots. Dr. Howe says those resulting scabs and scars can take months to clear up. And if over-the-counter remedies aren’t working for you, Dr. Howe recommends paying a visit to your dermatologist. “Probably because the area is covered by clothes, a lot of patients neglect getting treatment for their chest,” he says. “But why continue to suffer, when we can clear it up?”

That said, there are ways to treat chest acne at home. Start with these five dermatologist-approved products, listed ahead, which can help you prevent, treat, and get rid of chest acne for good.

1. Try A Spray-On Exfoliant Paula’s Choice Clear Acne Body Spray $25 | Amazon See on Amazon This Paula’s Choice Clear Acne Body Spray contains 2% salicylic acid, a mainstay ingredient for treating acne. But in this formula, soothing and hydrating ingredients like allantoin, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid counteract salicylic acid's drying effects, which might otherwise be too intense for the thin skin on your chest. Dr. Gmyrek points out that this spray can be helpful for treating hard-to-reach back acne, too, since the pump is designed to spray at any angle. "I love this stuff! This is the 3rd time I’ve repurchased it. I get bad breakouts on my shoulders and chest, and this spray clears them up within a few days and doesn’t dry out my skin," commented one satisfied customer.

2. Use An Acne-Fighting Body Wash In The Shower Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash $38 | Amazon See on Amazon If you have mild to moderate chest acne, Dr. Howe recommends using an acne-fighting body wash since they’re so easy to incorporate into your daily routine. (That said, Dr. Howe says that more severe cases of body acne might not respond to foaming cleansers, since they simply aren't left on long enough to thoroughly penetrate skin.) Like the Paula’s Choice body spray, the Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash contains 2% salicylic acid, which is the highest percentage of salicylic acid permitted in an over-the-counter product. The formula also contains soothing ingredients like aloe, jojoba esters, and camellia leaf extract to keep dryness and inflammation under control. Dr. Gmyrek suggests using this body wash with a gently exfoliating washcloth or body scrubber to maximize its pore-cleansing powers.

3. Always Apply Sunscreen EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 $24 | Amazon See on Amazon I probably don’t need to tell you that tanning is bad for literally everything to do with your skin, but Dr. Howe specifically warns against tanning as a quick fix for body acne. “That might work for a few weeks,” he says, “but once you’re out of the sun your acne will undergo a rebound flare, and come roaring back even worse. Plus, you’ll have caused lifelong sun damage to your exposed skin.” For sun protection, Dr. Gmyrek swears by EltaMD products for acne-prone skin — they’re lightweight, non-comedogenic, and guard your skin against both UVB and UVA rays (the former are responsible for sunburns, the latter cause sun spots, and both can cause skin cancer). Use EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 on your chest (and the rest of your body) for up to 80 minutes of acne-safe, water-resistant sun protection. The non-greasy formula doesn’t leave behind a white cast, so it works beautifully on all skin tones.

4. Keep Pores Clean With Exfoliating Pads Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads $7 | Amazon See on Amazon Using salicylic acid-soaked treatment pads can be an effective, mess-free, and oddly satisfying way to treat chest acne. These Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads clear away dirt, oil, and other bacteria to treat current acne flare-ups and prevent future breakouts. A word of warning: Since they’re intended for treating facial acne, these pads are highly concentrated and might be too drying for run-of-the-mill chest acne. Reserve them for more severe breakouts, or if you have very oily skin.


SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#biotech--NanoSurface Biomedical, a leading provider of biomimetic cell-based assay products and services, announced today the launch of the 384-well NanoSurface Plate™, the newest and highest-throughput offering of the NanoSurface Plates™ product line. NanoSurface Plates™ structure cell cultures into physiologically relevant tissue models by providing biomimetic topographic features that emulate the alignment of the native cellular microenvironment. For example, stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte cells can be cultured in NanoSurface Plates™ to create cardiac microtissues for predictive preclinical drug screening.

Human stem-cell based assays hold great promise for modeling the safety and efficacy of drugs preclinically. However, these models can fail to properly represent human biology when the in vitro environment does not reproduce essential cues. Conventional glass or plastic cell culture dishes fail to imitate critical aspects of the native cellular microenvironment, resulting in cell cultures that do not adequately resemble the structure or function of native human tissues.

NanoSurface Plates™ feature a softer nanopatterned culture surface that mimics the aligned architecture of the native extracellular matrix. Cells on NanoSurface Plates™ exhibit more physiologically representative structural and functional phenotypes. NanoSurface Plates™ can be used to enhance preclinical cell-based assays with a wide variety of cell types, including those with cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells, neurons, migratory cancer cells, and many more.

Dr. Nicholas Geisse, Chief Science Officer of NanoSurface Biomedical, will present data highlighting NanoSurface technologies at the scientific podium session “Cellular Technologies - Application of Organ-on-chips and Micro-Physiological Systems” at the annual Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening Conference on Monday, January 27. The focus of the presentation will be on engineering the cell niche to enhance iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte maturity and predictivity in a high-throughput, assay-agnostic manner.

“At NanoSurface, we strive to make cells in the dish resemble cells in the body,” said Michael Cho, CEO of NanoSurface Biomedical. “The 384-well NanoSurface Plate™ allows drug developers to culture more physiologically relevant cells and tissues in a high-throughput, reproducible, and scalable format that will enhance their drug screening workflows.”

384-well NanoSurface Plates will be available March 2020. Pre-orders are available today via the NanoSurface contact form.

NanoSurface Biomedical will exhibit at SLAS 2020 in Booth 2120.

About NanoSurface Biomedical

NanoSurface Biomedical is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, WA that develops biomimetic technologies to enhance cell-based assays and accelerate drug development. NanoSurface was founded in 2015. www.nanosurfacebio.com

NanoSurface Biomedical

Director of Sales & Marketing: Heejoon Choi, 800-913-4403 x702

heejoon@nanosurfacebio.com

Whether you’re a novice or a grandmaster chess player, you’ll love playing the game on our 2020 Battle for the White House set. Our commemorative chess set spares no detail. Each piece was painstakingly designed for likability and accuracy to enhance your chess-playing experience.

Proudly display on a table in your study or office, or give as a coveted gift to someone special.


Elders Katanning farm supplies merchandise manager Keith Daddow and farm supplies sales person Donna Smith have been jointly recognised for their outstanding performance with the Elders National Sales Performance Award at the annual One Elders Awards in Adelaide.

ELDERS Katanning farm supplies sales person Donna Smith and farm supplies merchandise manager Keith Daddow have been jointly recognised for their outstanding performance with the Elders National Sales Performance Award at the annual One Elders Awards in Adelaide.

The One Elders Awards recognise employees and teams whose performance and safety outcomes significantly contribute to business results, in addition to demonstrating the values of the pink shirt.

This is due in large part to Ms Smith's and Mr Daddow's work on overall sales and significant growth in the Elders Katanning business.

"It is such an honour to be nationalally recognised by our great company," Mr Daddow said.

Elders said the pair's passion and 'can do' attitude made them "stand out from the pack" and seen them both share this prestigious national award for sales performance.

Mr Daddow, who has the gate open at 6.15am (after his morning coffee) to get stuck into be the best he can be for his clients, said "if you love what you do it's an absolute pleasure to come to work".

Mr Daddow is a fourth generation Elders man and Katanning born.He came back to the Katanning branch 18 months ago after previously managing the branch in the 1990s.

He spoke glowingly of the flow-on effect of Ms Smith's enthusiasm within the branch."Donna is a wonderful person and 2IC at the store," he said.

"I draw inspiration from what she and the team have achieved in the past 12 months and it's showing in the growth of the business.

"We love our clients and we love coming to work.

"The Elders Sales Performance Award is presented to an Elders employee that exemplifies the company's core values of innovation, teamwork, accountability, customer focus and integrity.

"Recipients are recognised for their ability to drive safety culture and deliver financial and operational achievements."

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — It was a full house at the Panama City Center of the Arts on Saturday morning, as a local artist announced the winners of his annual student art contest.

The contest, put on by Paul Brent, is in it’s 28th year, celebrating youth art while also spreading awareness on endangered animals.

This year’s contest focused on endangered whales, challenging fourth graders across Bay County to depict the animals through several different mediums.

Brent then judges the art and chooses winners from each school in Bay County, but he said seeing all of the art presented shows great creativity among the area’s children as well as dedication by teachers.

“We have excellent art work and a great deal is due to both the talent of the young artists and the teachers they have,” said Brent. “The teachers get excited about these projects and as you can see we have very imaginative projects and the teachers provide the materials.”

See below for a full list of this year’s winners:


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Want to do more to help the planet?

Retired languages teacher Geoff Jones, 75, of Burton Road in Lincoln, is just the man.

He is so dedicated to saving the planet that he hasn't bought clothes for 20 years - and when knobs break on his pot lids, he replaces it with one from a drawer.

Now the committed environmentalist has shared his ideas of how people can make a big difference.

(Image: UIG via Getty Images)

Grow your own fruit and veg

Geoff says: "The main message about food is grow your own. If you can't or don't have the space at least buy local and seasonal, ideally organic.

"People are used to buying strawberries and tomatoes in the middle of winter, and beans flown in from Kenya, that the pleasure of looking forward to produce coming into season has been lost."

Meat is not off the menu

Geoff does eat meat, although his wife Hilary is vegetarian. There is widespread concern about the harmful effects of clearing trees from large areas of land to raise livestock to supply the demand for meat.

However, Geoff says: "Any meat I buy is locally-sourced, free-range and organic.

"For Christmas I buy a pheasant or if there's a house full of guests I get a brace of pheasants for less than £10."

"There's enough for a roast, a casserole, and a soup if you boil the bones."

Good food does not have to be expensive

Geoff says: "There's a fallacy that people cannot afford to buy good quality food.

"You could buy a burger and chips but compare that to what you could get from the supermarket or market, particularly if you go at the end of the day when fruit, vegetables and meat are reduced."

(Image: Paul Whitelam)

Make your own compost at home

Geoff says that anyone can make compost for the garden even if they don't have a big garden or allotment.

He said: "I do demonstrations of how to make compost from just grass clippings and shredded paper.

"I also use a lot of materials like cardboard and trimmings from my garden.

"I don't have a green garden waste bin as I compost my garden waste and I put my recycling bin out maybe once every two to three months."

Save water in the kitchen

Geoff recommends not completely filling the kettle if you're only making one drink.

He adds: "If you run the hot tap to get hot water, collect the cold water that comes out first before it gets hot and use this for something else like washing vegetables.

"Don't wash up more than once a day. Only use the washing machine once or twice a week."

(Image: Paul Whitelam)

Turn lights off when you leave a room

"This is a simple step towards saving energy," Geoff says.

He also suggests switching to LED lightbulbs and not leaving the telly on standby.

Cleaning products

Geoff believes that having a cupboard full of chemical cleaning products is bad for the environment because they end up in rivers and seas.

He said: "We use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda for cleaning worktops and windows and a bottle of bleach lasts us three years.

"We also buy environmentally friendly washing up liquid and laundry liquid and Greens does refills of these."

Reuse and repair

Geoff says: "If something breaks we mend it. Clothes get mended and socks are darned.

"If the knob falls off the lid of a pan then you can replace it with a knob off a chest of drawers and secure it with a nut and washer.

"You can get your shoes mended at the cobblers. If you wash out a bread bag you can use it again 10 or 20 times. They make good freezer bags.

"We also re-use glass jars and bottles."

Shopping

Geoff said: "Buy secondhand pots and pans and furniture. Charity shops are full of good stuff.

"I have not bought any new clothes for 20 years apart from specialist items like walking boots or safety boots."

You don't need to go everywhere in the car

Geoff rides a bicycle, rides a motorbike and drives a car.

He said: "If a journey is less than a mile or two, I walk. If it's two to three miles we cycle and if we are in more of a hurry we go on the motorbike.

"The car is only used for longer journeys or if we need to transport bulky materials, and it does 2,000 miles a year at the most."

There are times when certain body problems can annoy us to no end because we can't find an obvious fix for them or don't have the kind of time to look for it. However, these issues aren't uncommon and can be easily fixed.

So, here's a quick guide to the most common body issues that most men face and here are some simple solutions to them:

1. Chapped Lips

© Getty Images

Chapped lips are one of those problems that can be very easily overlooked by us. However, amongst all the facial features, the lips are one of the first to get noticed. So, it's always important to keep your lips moisturised so they look and feel healthy.

For this, you need to invest in a lip balm that suits your lips. Try Nivea Moisturising lip balm.

2. Body Odour

Body odour is natural and something everyone tends to have at the end of a tiring day. However, stingy body odour can, in fact, annoy other people.

Here's a tip, instead of a deo, invest in a roll-on that you can keep handy at all times. So, whenever you feel the hint of your stench, you can quickly rush to the washroom, and after two swipes of the roll-on, you'll be as good as new.

© Getty Images

3. Itchy Rashes

© Getty Images

For itchy rashes and painful blisters between the thighs that come from too much friction, gymming, and humid months you can always use a rash cream. While this may strike you as obvious, how many times have you actually gone to get a rash cream at a store? A rash cream takes no time in tackling these blisters leaving your skin as good as new.

4. A Jock Itch

© Getty Images

A jock itch or itchy balls is something you might face with if you don't have an intimate wash at home that you use regularly or if you don't change your underwear that often.

For a natural intimate wash, use natural ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera gel that need to be mixed in the ratio of 1:7 respectively. This will soothe down the itch and nix any bacteria build-up.

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AGRA: An armed man with a criminal background, Subhash Batham, held at least 22 children hostage at his daughter’s birthday party who was later killed in police action in a village located in India’s Uttar Pradesh.

Subhash Batham, an accused in a murder case who was out on bail, held at least 22 children hostage after inviting them to his house for a birthday party of his daughter in Kathariya village in Uttar Pradesh’s Farukkhabad.

One person was injured in his leg by a gunshot when some of the residents tried to open the door. Later, Batham had also hurled a crude bomb and fired gunshots on villagers and policemen rushed to rescue the children.

Some reports said Batham held the children hostages, who were aged between six months and 15 years, for being wrongly framed in a murder case and wanted to pressurise the authorities for dropping the criminal charges against him.

A local police officer told media that security personnel took the action with extreme caution in order to ensure the safety of the children locked inside the house.

After the overnight stand-off, a special team of trained policemen and commandos killed him in a shoot-out, while two officers were also wounded in the operation.

The hostages were rescued by the security team without any injury.

According to the reports, Batham’s wife was also killed on Thursday night, after villagers reportedly beat her to death and threw stones at her when she attempted to run away from the scene.

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Authorities in northern India have rescued 23 children after killing a man who held them hostage for nearly 11 hours after inviting them to his home for his daughter's birthday party.

Officer Mohit Agarwal said two police officers were injured after the man, identified as Subhash Batham, fired at them on Thursday night as they tried to enter his home in Kasaria village in Uttar Pradesh state.

Home Secretary Avanish Awasthi said Batham's wife was also killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Efforts to negotiate Batham's surrender had failed, police said.

Agarwal said he was a suspect in a murder case and had been freed on bail by a court.

The incident occurred in Farrukhabad, a small town 300 kilometres southwest of Lucknow, the state capital.

The motive for Batham taking the children hostage was not immediately known.

Agarwal said he was drunk when the police encounter occurred.


By Kamel Hawwash | @kamelhawwash | –

( Middle East Monitor ) – If any country which claims to be a democracy, its potential prime minister declares that the votes of a significant minority are not part of the democratic ‘equation’, they would be rightly condemned as racists. That is exactly what Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu declared when claiming he had won the recent Israeli elections when he said that he won among the”Zionist” voters because “Arabs are not part of the equation.” Let that sink in. The reason Palestinian citizens of Israel are a minority is only because during its creation, 750,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homeland through Zionist terror.

By ‘Zionist’ Netanyahu refers to Jews, an equivalence we are told should not be made because it is used by some to hide their anti-Jewish sentiments. At a stroke, Netanyahu delegitimised the votes of 300,000 of Israel’s own citizens because they are not Jewish and would not vote for him.

Netanyahu has form when it comes to racism against non-Jewish citizens from his country. In an election day video in 2015 he urged his supporters to go out and vote because “the rule of the right is in danger, Arab voters are coming in droves to the ballot boxes,” Netanyahu declared in the video. “Left-wing NGOs are bringing them in buses.”

However, in quite a hypocritical U-turn after winning the election, Netanyahu decided to reach out to the Palestinian citizens of Israel offering a half-hearted apology. He said “I know the things I said several days ago offended some of Israel’s citizens, hurt the Arab citizens,” Netanyahu told invited representatives of the Arab community at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem. “This was never my intent. I apologize for this.”

This was rejected by Joint List leader Ayman Odeh who called the apology a duplicitous “flip-flop.” So long as Netanyahu “advances racist legislation… and does not promote real equality” for Israel’s Arabs, said the MK, the prime minister’s apology would not be acceptable or credible.

Both episodes in 2015 and recently show the racism that is at the core of Netanyahu’s and the right-wing coalition ideology. Palestinian citizens of Israel are at best second class citizens. In 2018, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on accused the leader of the Joint (Arab) List MK, Ayman Odeh, and his associates of being a “fifth column” and said they should be “outlawed” for their support of a Gaza solidarity protest in Haifa. Lieberman lamented the “systematic failure” of law enforcement to take action against Odeh “and his friends” and called for them to be “outlawed.”

READ: BDS Movement marks demise of Israel’s culinary propaganda initiative

Current Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennet has also revelled in his racism against Palestinians, claiming in 2013, “I’ve killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there’s no problem with that.” In 2017 as Education Minister, he told MKs of Palestinian origin to choose to be either ‘normal Israelis’ or ‘terrorists’. Bennett also believes that Palestinians ‘already have their state in Jordan’.

Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) leader Benny Gantz would not contemplate forming a government with the Joint Arab List claiming he is not “afraid to speak to any legitimate political party, but the Joint List will not be part of the government I form.” He said, “my disagreements with its leadership on the national and security issues are deep, difficult and unbridgeable,”. He continued, “I intend to implement President Trump’s peace plan, in coordination with all the elements in the region, and see it as a significant milestone.” Israel “cannot tolerate support for terrorism or avoid condemnation,” Gantz said.

Gantz did not object to the inclusion in Trump’s plan a provision to strip 300,000 Palestinian Israeli citizens of their citizenship in ‘land swaps’, that would see the area known as the ‘Triangle’ become part of the so called Palestinian state, without asking that population for it’s views.

None of the above discrimination and shear racism against Palestinians and Palestinian citizens of Israel should surprise us. Israel has over sixty laws that discriminate against its Palestinian citizens and Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. And most were implemented before Israel’s main political leadership either drafted or supported in the Knesset in 2018 the ‘Nation State Law’ or as I called it Israel’s “Jewish State Apartheid Law” when it was passed. At its core is the premise that only Jews have a right to self-determination in Israel, whatever Israel’s borders are. In Trump’s plan it is clear that Israel ‘security border is the whole of historic Palestine, from the river Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea.

The question of whether Israel is an Apartheid state was settled in the ESCWA report, which was commissioned to assess in an academic manner by eminent academics Richard Falk and Virginia Tilley. They concluded in the peer reviewed report that Israel exercised Apartheid against the Palestinian people as a whole. And before the usual suspects rubbish the report’s status because ESCWA was asked to take it down from its website, let me assure them about its status.

READ: Palestinian boycott movement slams Austrian parliament anti-BDS motion

I asked former Under-Secretary-General Dr Rima Khalaf who resigned rather than take it down, she assured me that it is still an official UN report. Therefore, its conclusions stand. Israel is an Apartheid state, which should be isolated and shunned until its racist regime is dismantled, leading either to two independent, sovereign states, an Israeli and Palestinian state, or a single democratic state for all those it rules over between the river and the sea.

Israel cannot for ever continue to rule over half the people whose lives it controls on a daily basis, without giving them their legitimate rights and claim to be a democracy. Judging by the violent past 72 years since its creation, it will not have peace until it either separates Jews from others or accepts that all human beings are entitled to be treated equally and accept it cannot be Jewish and Democratic.

And here it cannot claim the problem is with the Palestinians who will not lie down and surrender. Neither can its backers in the West.

It is the same Western governments which sided with the oppressive Apartheid regime in South Africa that are siding with and protecting the Apartheid regime in Israel. Instead of sanctioning it for its crimes, the West bolsters trade with Israel and simply condemns its criminal actions as an illegal occupier who is commits war crimes almost on a daily basis at least in terms of its settlement enterprise. And when the Palestinians seek redress through peaceful, legal means and take the settlement file to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Israel’s backers the US, Germany and Canada ask it not do so by claiming it does not have jurisdiction over Palestine because it is not a state.

When the Palestinians call for peaceful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), the US and France pass anti-BDS laws and France equates BDS to anti-Semitism. The UK has tried to ban pension funds from divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s crimes and the Conservative Government only had Israel in mind when announcing it would legislate against boycotts by public bodies in its manifesto. It has also committed to forcing public bodies, including universities to adopt the flawed IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism, which has more to do with shielding Israel from criticism than it does protecting British Jews from real anti-Semitism. That is also the reason why Israel’s advocates have tried and failed to cancel Israel Apartheid Week on campuses across the world.

It seems the so-called international community is sending not mixed but rather clear signals to the Palestinians. They stand with Israeli Apartheid and against Palestinian rights. This is hypocrisy on heat.

Professor Kamel Hawwash is a British Palestinian engineering academic based at the University of Birmingham. He is a commentator on Middle East affairs, Vice Chair of the British Palestinian Policy Council (BPPC) and a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and . He writes here in a personal capacity.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Via Middle East Monitor

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

————-

Bonus Video added by Informed Comment:

Al Jazeera English: “Israel election: Party representing Palestinians sees huge gains”

We are about to witness the third Israeli election in the space of one year.

The elections for the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, which are coming in March, are being held after the failure of anyone to either score an overall majority or to forge a coalition government.

Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is holding on for now. His far-right coalition won the most seats in the last election in September, but it was not enough to form a government with a majority.

It is possible that the Blue and White party could win the next election – they actually came one seat ahead of Netanyahu’s party, Likud, in the last election.

READ: US opposes Israel annexation of West Bank before peace plan revealed

But even if they did, so what? For the Palestinians, all Zionist parties in Israel mean the same thing: continuation of the daily, grinding, violent reality of Israeli racism and occupation.

The West Bank is under the boot of Israel’s military dictatorship. Palestinians who dare challenge it are indiscriminately beaten, tortured, abused, have their homes demolished or are even murdered by the Israeli military and settlers.

The Gaza Strip is under constant siege, and the brave unarmed Palestinian demonstrators trying to break out of it since 2018 have been shot down dead by brutal Israeli snipers.

The Palestinians inside ‘Israel’ – the Palestinian territories occupied by Zionist forces, starting in 1947 – are not full citizens of the state. By law and by practice, they have far fewer rights than Jewish citizens of Israel. Israeli courts have consistently ruled for decades that there is no such nationality as ‘Israeli’ and that the state belongs to Jews alone.

Finally, the Palestinian refugees outside Palestine still languish for long decades inside their camps – being denied their most fundamental right to return to the homes they were expelled from.

READ: Netanyahu vows to annex all settlements ‘without exception’

But this totally unjust situation is not enough for Israel – both the state and society wants more.

As I wrote at the time, in the last election, at least 89 per cent of Israelis voted for parties whose policy it was to continue the occupation of the West Bank – military dictatorship with no rights, remember – indefinitely.

And now, with the third election looming, Israel’s two leading parties, Likud and Blue and White, are both ramping up their threats to formally annex large parts of the West Bank.

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip together consist of only 22 per cent of historic Palestine, as it was at the time that the British occupation ended in 1948.

So, 78 per cent is not enough for Israel still. They want it all.

While it seems unlikely for the time being, that they could get away with a mass expulsion, ethnic cleansing-type-event as they did in 1948, victory for Zionism looks like this: maximum land, minimum Arabs.

So, in working towards this end, Israel has been slowly, in the decades since it occupied the remaining 22 per cent, absorbing the entire West Bank through the creation of “facts on the ground”.

#IsraElex19: Israeli Elections 2019 Everything you need to know >>

These “facts” are a slow-motion ethnic cleansing. Palestinian homes are declared to have been built “without permits” (impossible in many areas, since Israel almost always denies such permits to Palestinians – even while granting them to Jews) and are thus destroyed. Industrial-scale colonies for Jews are then built on the ruins.

Annexation will be the formal, post-facto legitimisation of such blatant criminality in Israeli law – and it looks set to be supported by the US.

President Donald Trump has already done this in the case of the Golan Heights. This is a Syrian territory, illegally and violently invaded and occupied by Israel in 1967. Yet Trump (urged on by his number one campaign funder, Sheldon Adelson, a casino billionaire and important US Israel lobbyist), decided to formally recognise the “legality” of this outright criminality – just as he did in moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

So there really was no doubt that the most pro-Israel US president would ever give the green light to any annexation move in the West Bank, even before the latest second-hand reports from anonymous Israeli sources emerged about the latest version of Trump’s ‘deal of the century’.

In the forthcoming election, both main Israeli parties are attempting to outdo one another on how much Palestinian land they can steal, clear out of its Palestinians, and then annex for the purposes of building Israeli colonies.

Last election, Netanyahu promised to annex the Jordan Valley, and Blue and White’s Benny Gantz (a former general), indicated he’d agree to the same.

Now this election, Netanyahu is talking about annexing as much as 40 per cent of the West Bank, while Gantz is now promising to steal the entire Jordan Valley (the part of the West Bank that borders Jordan).

Annexation, then, is coming. Will this finally spell the long-forecast collapse of Israel’s collaborationist entity, the Palestinian Authority? Time will tell.

One thing is for sure: this situation will not hold indefinitely. Five million Palestinians are being denied even their most basic human rights – systematically, by design of Israel’s racist laws. This cannot be indefinitely sustained.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.


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BOISE — In a statement released Monday, the Idaho Department of Fish and Games announced that hunters who applied for controlled hunts for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts can see if they drew a tag by going to the controlled hunt results webpage.

No luck? You can still apply for a Super Hunt.

Hunters who applied for moose, sheep and goat can not apply for most deer, elk and pronghorn controlled hunts, but they can apply for Super Hunt tags, which include deer, elk, pronghorn and moose.

Anyone who draws a Super Hunt tag can hunt in any open hunt area for the species drawn, including general and controlled hunts.

Entries are $6 each for a single species and $20 for a Super Hunt combo that includes one tag for each species.

Deadline for entries for the first Super Hunt drawing is May 31.

Eight elk, eight deer, eight pronghorn and one moose will be drawn.

One Super Hunt Combo will also be drawn. This winner is entitled to hunt all four species.

Winners will be notified by June 10.

A second drawing is available in August.

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Ascension Via Christi announced Monday some added safety measures in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Hospital volunteers have been told not to come for their scheduled shifts until further notice. This is being done to limit patient exposure by limiting the number of people in the hospital.

Additionally the hospital says it’s suspending hospital-based health education classes, support groups and tours. On-site and off-site hiring events have been suspended and all interviews will take place over the telephone rather than in person. In the hospital cafeterias buffet-style offerings, salad bars and condiments including salad dressings are being replaced with pre-packaged options, utensil dispensers are being replaced with touchless versions. Fountain beverages continue to be available, but refills are not.

Any patient with urgent care needs are encouraged to consider virtual visits through Ascension Online Care, for the reduced cost of $20 through the month of March when you enter the code HOME.


Are you finally in a stable relationship? Here are 8 signs to know if what you have is truly stable or not.

Being in a relationship is always exciting, but the rush of feelings often alters our sense of perception and makes us ignore some serious red flags. A long-term relationship isn’t easy and over the years, you might go through some really tough times when you will feel like that your relationship has finally hit rock bottom. And that’s when you need to look out for signs that your relationship is stable or not.

Stability in a relationship is not an all-time guaranteed offer. Regardless of how stable your relationship really is, there will be arguments, and there will be problems. The foundation of a stable relationship is built on trust, safety and loyalty. And if you guys have that, it doesn’t really matter what hardships life throws at you because together you will make it through.

On that note, let’s look at 8 signs that tell you are finally in a stable relationship.

1. You support each other’s individual growth

Couples in a stable relationship feel confident and safe with each other, which is why they support each other’s accomplishments as individuals. They will feel happy and help with each other’s career and hobbies. On the other hand, when someone in the relationship is insecure, they might spend all their energy to keep their partner from doing what they love by distracting them.

2. You constantly rediscover each other

Couples in a stable relationship connect with each other in more than just one way. The partners like to learn more about each other with each passing day. This has mostly to do with the passion, experiences and interests. From little gestures like asking each other about their day to big changes, they find a way to adapt to each other and they love it. Whereas, in an unstable relationship, these things almost disappear.

3. You are comfortable spending time apart

Being able to do your own thing without worrying that your relationship might suffer is a solid sign that your relationship is stable. When you are in an unstable relationship, there is a constant fear that you will lose your partner if you focus on yourself or think about doing something individually.

4. You express your feelings

This includes love, affection, frustration and anger. You don’t give each other a silent treatment every time you disagree. One of the most important aspects of a stable relationship is that you are able to resolve a conflict without the silent treatment.

5. You don’t play the blame game

In a stable relationship, you’re both able to let go of the unimportant things and don’t fight to get an upper hand in the argument. You will need to feel the need to blame your partner for the mistakes. A stable couple tries to understand each other’s point of view with communicating in a healthy way.

6. You try to make their relationship work

Working on the relationship is a sure-shot sign of being emotionally mature enough to have a healthy bond. It is like providing emotional support to the partner when the going gets tough. It is also about giving up on silly problems and looking at the big picture.

7. You are not the only one making compromises

Compromise is always a two-way street in a stable relationship. You prioritise each other’s needs and accept each other’s decision. There is a balance in your relationship that makes it healthy and stable.

8. You are sure about the future

You met someone. Life is beautiful. You’re happy. Fast forward to a few months and that’s when you start thinking if this relationship is meant to be. But don’t worry! If you are with the right person, then the thought of your partner leaving you will not plague your mind. You will be certain about the future when you’re in a stable relationship.

ALSO READ: THESE are the signs that show you are dating a commitment phobe

ALSO READ: 7 Signs prove that you are in a rebound relationship

Where would we be without our moms? It’s time to appreciate everything she does for us, click here to write her a love letter. #DearMom

This Day That Year 2019 2017 2016 2015

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I am in a very unfulfilling marriage with two lovely children. I got married in a hurry to escape my abusive alcoholic father and my spineless mother who would vent her sorrows with me as a young girl, make me fight with my father for her, but stayed on in the marriage.

A married man from our friends’ group expressed his attraction to me and I got drawn to the attention, as I neither got any attention as a child nor from my dismissive and dominating husband. The sex in our marriage was always rushed and one-sided and I never experienced any pleasure through the years.

When I had sex with ‘this man’ I felt myself as a sensual being for the first time. This gradually became an addiction as I craved to be with him anytime I could.

Over time he became aloof and refused to meet me and asked me to not get attached to him and to get ‘real’ about being married. He then completely stopped contact and has been putting up happy holiday pictures with his pregnant wife.

I feel jealous and crave to hold him again. I am restless, irritable and disinterested in home affairs and aloof from everyone. I want to be able to move on, but the physical memory and craving in my body draws me to fantasising about being back with him. How should I move on?

All human beings have needs. The need to be looked at and paid attention to ranks as one of our most fundamental needs. A young baby first experiences this need as he/she is constantly attended to by a parent figure.

A baby can’t help itself but to rely on others at this point – but learns to cope and live autonomously as he/she grows up. All human beings therefore have a need to be seen, visible, relevant and at best loved. While this need to be ‘heeded’ continues to be much ‘needed’, we must adapt our methods at seeking out ways in which this need can be met.

Children and adults have different ways to seek out the attention of others and therefore the manners in which and measures through which – we like acknowledgement and attention must evolve with us over the years.

Now as an adult woman, you have both emotional and physical needs that harken back to this fundamental need I have just explained. This is important to you.

In the absence of attention given to you by your father (while growing up as a little girl) and as a grown up woman from your dominating husband, this man served the function of a ‘proxy’.

This is not to suggest that what was shared between you both was not real. Only you know what you had shared and based on your question, one may imagine that a mutually gratifying sexual relationship was at the heart of your affair.

Clearly, the sex in your marriage wasn’t enjoyable so you found a partner with whom sex was enjoyable. He fulfilled your need to be looked at and held. However, for some people, having multiple sexual partners or cheating on a spouse can lead to moral dilemmas.

In most cultures, an extramarital affair brings with it both social stigma and scorn of one’s near and dear ones. One way or the other, the emotional ramifications of the phenomenon of infidelity are inescapable.

His wife’s pregnancy may have presented him with the ethical dilemma of whether he wants to be with you or with his pregnant wife who will be mothering his baby. We are all free to make decisions on what we would like to focus on. Sometimes the path of pleasure is directly in conflict with the path of responsibility.

His responsibilities currently involve being there for his wife and baby as the ‘family man’. Your responsibilities currently entail being free of the burden of your past so that you are free to decide what kind of future you like for yourself. If you would really like to move on, you are going to have to be practical about this.

That would also require you to be frank with yourself. You have your children who will look to you for support. You felt unsupported in your childhood by your mother who also relied heavily on you to help her with her own emotional problems.

This was a role you were not prepared to take on. You had neither the resources nor the experience to fully understand your mother’s woes. But times have changed. You will now have to do for yourself what your mother expected you to do for her. Persevere and plan.

The attention of men is a fleeting thing. One moment you will have it and the other moment; they will return to tending to their own lives. Perhaps spend time focusing on your wellness, fitness, emotional growth and learning something that excites you, you will find yourself more fulfilled and clear about what you need from yourself and from life.

A visit to a counsellor may help to improve the relationship between you and your husband – if you would like to come clean with him about your extra-marital affair (in the spirit of honesty) or tell him about how you are not happy with the sex in the marriage.

He needs to do what you are going through if you like for the situation with your husband to improve. Sometimes oblivion is the root cause of discord. Once you have put your cards on the table, a negotiation may occur.


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Even if you have SiriusXM, you may not have access to “The Howard Stern Show” unless you have a top-tier package.

Now, Stern himself has announced that SiriusXM is making his show (on channel 100) free through May 15, along with the rest of the service’s “premier streaming content.”

Stern, 66, shared the news on his show Tuesday morning, which he hosted from home.

Normally, his show is only available to All Access and SiriusXM Select subscribers. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the show and others can be streamed for free online and through the SiriusXM app.

FREE PREVIEW – Listen to @HowardStern and everything on the @SIRIUSXM app for free now until May 15! Tune into the LIVE #SternShow right now on #Howard100.https://t.co/DkVQCBWoo0 pic.twitter.com/TAcS0y3Wtt — Stern Show (@sternshow) March 31, 2020

SiriusXM says the promotion will grant free access to 300-plus channels including ad-free channels like Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Radio and LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Radio. The pandemic is also bringing the return of previously retired artist-centric channels like The Billy Joel Channel (30) and Dave Matthews Band Radio (176).

The service is additionally launching #StayHomeRadio (Ch. 179) on April 1, which will be filled with “happy and uplifting songs from artists like Lizzo and Coldplay to P!nk and Bob Marley.” A new Top 1,000 Channel (177) will play the top songs in multiple genres.

Another new channel launching on April 1 is She’s So Funny (105), a comedy channel featuring female comedians like Tiffany Haddish, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, Whoopi Goldberg, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, Lily Tomlin, Moms Mabley and Joan Rivers.

Free channels will also include news from CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox and BBC World Service.

Get free access to more than 300 channels, featuring the acclaimed @sternshow, exclusive ad-free music channels, and vital news and information sources. Stream free now until 5/15. Details: https://t.co/1OkKhTBzSU pic.twitter.com/ynZ2GEpyGA — SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) March 31, 2020

Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.


(Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the Règlement général of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers

Regulatory News:

Teleperformance (Paris:TEP):

Stock Market: Euronext Paris compartment A

ISIN Code: FR0000051807

As of May 31, 2020:

- Total number of shares composing the share capital of the company: 58,719,000

- Total number of gross voting rights: 59,720,775

Presence in the bylaws of a provision requiring the disclosure of a crossing of threshold in addition to those for which disclosure is mandatory: NO

ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP

Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: TEPRF.PA Bloomberg: TEP FP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model combining three wide, high-value solution families: customer experience management, back-office services and business process knowledge services. These end-to-end digital solutions guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high tech, high touch approach. The Group's 331,000 employees, based in 80 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process.This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence.

In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €5,355 million (US$ 6 billion, based on €1 $1.12) and net profit of €400 million.

Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC Large 60, CAC Next 20, CAC Support Services, STOXX 600, SBF 120, S&P Europe 350 and MSCI Global Standard. They have also been included in the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 index since December 2015 and the FTSE4Good Index since June 2018 with regard to the Group's performance in corporate responsibility.

For more information: www.teleperformance.com

Follow us on Twitter @teleperformance

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200602005823/en/

Contacts:

Teleperformance

Fully engaged to protect employees' health and jobs

More than six million of masks ordered for employees

Quick development of Work At Home: nearly 50% of the production force, target to reach 66% by mid-April

High involvement to guarantee business continuity, while reinforcing financial strength

Global task force strong of top 100 leaders <45 years-old who speed up and control the good implementation of the Group's strategy.

Regulatory News:

Teleperformance (Paris:TEP):

COVID-19 is now hitting hard worldwide and has become an unprecedented global business disrupter, forcing many countries to implement country-wide lockdowns and travel bans. In these extraordinary times, Teleperformance's priority is to ensure safety for employees, support communities and most vulnerable people. The group continues its efforts to guarantee business continuity in order to provide critical services to many essential clients' businesses. Teleperformance is today fully engaged to fight against all the consequences of the pandemic.

Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien said: "At a time of such great human vulnerability, nothing is more important than the safety of our people. The Group is following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and applicable local government agencies. We are implementing internal policies that even go beyond these recommendations in many cases. In this unique context, our group is engaging closely with our clients to ensure they are supported, and we remain committed to keeping our employees, partners, and communities healthy and safe. We recognize and are deeply grateful for the incredible dedication of all our employees worldwide who are performing their jobs with high levels of professionalism during this extraordinary time. Our Group is agile and benefits from a solid financial situation and I am confident about the way-out of this crisis and its future."

A dedicated and efficient organization

Teleperformance has been proactively preparing for the possible spread beyond China since January, and immediately responded with steps to mitigate the threat posed to its employees, business operations for clients, and the cascading economic impact and implications for the wider society. As a result, the Teleperformance Global Business Continuity Model is now implemented worldwide. A global COVID-19 Crisis Committee has been established to closely monitor pandemic-related developments, inform and support key decision-makers, and coordinate rapid response efforts. The Crisis Committee is supported by daily Crisis Executive team calls and weekly executive virtual committee comprising top 22 leaders of the company.

Strong development of Work At Home

Allowing business continuity for clients and making operational sites compliant with social distancing rules, Teleperformance has implemented many emergency responses such as transitioning interaction experts to work-at-home, applying alternative delivery plans, and leveraging digital solutions. Home-based interaction experts have been notably activated within weeks of enacting initial safety measures, in compliance with security standards and certifications. As of today, Teleperformance has deployed around 120,000 interaction experts on a work-at-home model, which represents nearly 50% of the production force. Efforts to further expand this number will continue and the Group targets to achieve 66% by mid-April.

A key role for economies worldwide in crisis period

Around the world, Teleperformance teams have worked tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of all employees, while ensuring business continuity for clients. Teleperformance employees are on the front lines, providing critical customer-facing and back-office services to many essential businesses in industries such as healthcare, finance and banking, food and beverage, communications, transportation and logistics, information technology, energy, utilities, and governments. During the outbreak, Teleperformance is also responsible for supporting many emergency lines of local government around the world.

Recognition in employee safety

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority for Teleperformance, so the company has mandated a strict Safety and Hygiene Policy worldwide, with daily oversight by a dedicated central team to ensure:

Adherence to guidelines and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and close collaboration with local governments and officials.

Social distancing policies following recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Frequent and reinforced cleaning of facilities with disinfection products.

Adequate availability of supplies such as hand sanitizers and, if recommended by the World Health Organization, masks.

Everyone entering a Teleperformance facility is screened for elevated body temperatures.

The implementation of a strict "no travel" policy.

The group has already secured the order of 6.3 million of masks to be delivered on all sites across the world; thus one mask per employee per day for one month working in a brick-and-mortar environment.

Frequent employee communications and updates are delivered through several communication channels, including a weekly CEO address to all staff and weekly interaction with top 100 leaders <45 years-old to be an additional force of change on the ground.

Teleperformance practices, ensuring safety in its European campuses, have been recognized by the European Company Works Council (ECWC), who acted as Independent employee representatives to review individual Teleperformance operating company's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephan Sielemann, Secretary of the European Company Works Council (ECWC) has declared in an official letter: "Teleperformance is, wherever possible, making sure that, our people, our jobs and our entire TP family are protected from the worst effects of this devastating virus. Information gathered by our ECWC members across Europe confirms that Teleperformance management, IT teams, and staff are working together to keep us all safe."

Strongly recognized for employee engagement and CSR practice

Taking care of our employees has always been a top priority at Teleperformance including offering physical and mental health awareness programs. In 2019 alone, the Group received 22 acknowledgements by Great Place to Work and KINCENTRIC Best Employer, encompassing 70% of our total workforce. Teleperformance is also a long-standing participant in the UN's Global Compact Initiatives to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.

In March 2020, Teleperformance was approved at "GC Advanced" level for the quality of its CSR documentation by the UN Global Compact, to which it has been a signatory since 2011. This is the highest level of distinction from the United Nations Global Compact. The group thus enters the closed club "Club GC Advanced".

In 2019, for the sixth year in a row, Verego awarded Teleperformance the SRS (Social Responsibility Standard) certification for all its sites. This certification provides a comprehensive framework for the effective management of social responsibility initiatives. Verego SRS certification is awarded to companies that stand out through the excellence of their policies and practices in five key areas: leadership, ethics, people, community and the environment. Teleperformance has obtained Group-wide certification in all five of these areas, covering all sites worldwide.

Charity and solidarity achievements: a force of good

As one of the largest employers in most of its operating regions, Teleperformance is committed to creating a positive impact on local economies and more generally on people's lives. In the current crisis, the group is supporting communities to help the most vulnerable people, making them safer and healthier. As for examples:

In Tunisia, Teleperformance brought its expertise and resources to help local medical emergency services (SAMU), by implementing a team of interaction experts on site ready to address emergency requests from patients;

In the US, Teleperformance has been partnering with Feed the Children since 2006 by regular donations and exceptional ones during this crisis. Feed the Children is taking action to ensure neighbors aren't forgotten, by supplying community partners (like food pantries and soup kitchens) with the bulk items they need to help people. Work is dramatically increasing during this time of crisis.

Reinforced financial liquidity

Teleperformance is in the process of securing additional credit lines for above €700 million, on the top of undrawn facilities for €500 million available right now, to allow the group to cope with crisis contingencies.

About Teleperformance Group

Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: TEPRF.PA Bloomberg: TEP FP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model combining three wide, high-value solution families: customer experience management, back-office services and business process knowledge services. These end-to-end digital solutions guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high tech, high touch approach. The Group's 331,000 employees, based in 80 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process.This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €5,355 million (US$ 6 billion, based on €1 $1.12) and net profit of €400 million.

Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC Large 60, CAC Next 20, CAC Support Services, STOXX 600, SBF 120, S&P Europe 350 and MSCI Global Standard. They have also been included in the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 index since December 2015 and the FTSE4Good Index since June 2018 with regard to the Group's performance in corporate responsibility.

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In one of the U.S. Capitol hallways that House members pass through regularly to get to the chambers, there’s an inscription of a comment by Alexander Hamilton. It comes from his 1788 remarks to the New York convention on ratifying the Constitution, and reads simply, “Here, Sir, the people govern.”

I’ve always thought that was a pretty good summation of what Congress represents: it is a repository of the thoughts and will of the American people. And my impression is that a lot of Americans think highly of that idea, too.

I’ve held a lot of public meetings over the years, and even in recent times, when Congress’s public standing has been low, people often speak approvingly of the history of the institution itself; they’re disappointed in how Congress performs, not in its role within our system. In all that time, I can’t ever remember anyone saying we’d be better off without it.

My experience in the House bore that belief out. Though there were always flaws, the process the House followed was focused on deliberation, debate, discussion … and then choosing a solution based more often than not on a rough consensus of its members. Even if I didn’t agree with the results, I’d often listen to the debates and think, “I like the way this institution works.”

I still remember the time that Wilbur Mills, the powerful chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, came before the Democratic caucus to talk about the upcoming vote on establishing Medicare. I was a new, young representative, and when Mills told us that we easily had enough votes to ram the measure through over Republican objections, I and many others thought we should do exactly that.

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Mills, however, did not. He asked us to give him an opportunity to negotiate with Republicans and find ground that both sides could agree on, so that the bill could win support on both sides of the aisle. And that is exactly what he did.

Mills knew something that often gets forgotten these days, which is that the more broadly a piece of legislation reflects the American people, the greater its acceptability, effectiveness and staying power.

If you’re in Congress, you’re reminded pretty much every day that giving a say to this diverse country is a choice. The body is made up of members who fiercely advocate for their views through speeches, contacts of all kinds and descriptions, public appearances and trying to win the media over to their side. And the whole institution is a focal point for competing interests weighing in on difficult problems. It is a real cauldron.

All of these beliefs are represented in the Congress, and the legislative process is a key part of how the country works through that cacophony of competing interests. Debate, deliberation, calculation, compromise — it’s an inefficient process that, for difficult issues, can go on for a long time. But over the course of our history, it’s been reasonably productive.

This is why those of us who value the institution of the Congress — who actually believe in Hamilton’s words — have lamented the trend of recent decades ceding power to the presidency.

The Constitution is explicit: legislative power is vested in Congress. But if that power is not protected or goes unused, it does not merely evaporate; in our system, it flows to the presidency or the judiciary. And in doing so, it passes out of the hands of the body that most closely represents the American people.

When President Trump talks of the presidency as if there were no check on it, as if, as president, he is beyond the reach of the law or of Congress, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle rightly disagree. Sometimes they serve effectively as a check, sometimes not. Sometimes partisanship gets the better of them.

But for better or worse, Congress remains the spot where the cross-currents of American popular opinion have their best chance of being heard, listened to and acted upon. That’s one power members should never give up.

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Lee Hamilton is a senior adviser for the Indiana University Center on Representative Government; a Distinguished Scholar of the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

Marysville, CA (95901)

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Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

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Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.


Trump had a little snit over Playboy reporter Brian Karem and threatened to take his ball and go home.

Karem yelled a question at Trump. "I know you want to blame the WHO, but I've spoken to hundreds of people across the country in the last few weeks who say they still can't get tested, and that they aren't social distancing."

"Excuse me, I know your question. You ready? The governors are supposed to do testing. It's up to the governors," the Orange Cheeto said.

Karem talked over another reporter's question, saying the people who won't observe social distancing "followed his lead."

"I told them when they put this guy here it's nothing but trouble," Trump said. "He's a showboat. If you keep talking, I'll leave, and you can have it out with the rest of these people."

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President Trump had a fiery exchange with CNN analyst and Playboy reporter Brian Karem during the coronavirus press briefing in the Rose Garden on Tuesday, where he announced that the U.S. was halting its funding of the World Health Organization (WHO) for its errors leading up to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I know you want to blame the WHO, but I've spoken to hundreds of people across the country in the last few weeks," Karem began. "They say they still can't get tested and they're not social distancing because --"

"So the governors," Trump interjected, "I know your question. You ready? The governors, the governors are supposed to do testing. It's up to the governors."

As Trump went to move on to the next reporter's question, Karem continued shouting his question.

CNN MISSING IN ACTION ON BIDEN ASSAULT ACCUSER TARA READE'S STORY

"Quiet, quiet," Trump scolded the reporter. "The governors are doing the testing. It's now not up -- and it hasn't been up -- to the federal government."

The president called on the next reporter, but Karem persisted on asking his question, which was disrupting the press conference.

"I told them when they put this guy here, it's nothing but trouble," Trump said about Karem. "He's a showboat. If you keep talking, I'll leave and you can have it out with the rest of these people. If you keep talking, I'm going to leave and you can have it out with them."

"It's just a simple question," Karem said.

"Just a loudmouth," Trump fired back.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Karem, a political analyst for CNN, has made a name for himself for his hostile confrontations at the White House. Last year, his press credential was pulled by the administration after he provoked former White House aide Sebastian Gorka and other Trump supporters who were invited to the White House.

After a legal battle, Karem's press credentials were restored.


The Federation of Associations of Private School Administrators (FAPSA) on Friday expressed dismay on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) that classes should resume in September.

The group said that its member-schools will cease to exist if September opening shall be mandated, noting that if that happens, the problem of private schools may not be the lack of students but lack of teachers.

“It has to be understood that our teachers are hardly included in any amelioration projects of the government,” said FAPSA president Eleazardo Kasilag.

This comes after The IATF-MEID on Friday said that the opening of classes for the next school year should be scheduled in September, except for online learning.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said that higher education institutions in areas under general community quarantine may continue classes to finish the academic year.

The group has asked the Department of Education to help private schools to coordinate with IATF-EID to include teachers from private schools in small business wage subsidy.

“We were left out in COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program, the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Emergency Subsidy Program and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. This is indeed an oasis in the barren desert,” Kasilag said. “The teachers of our small and medium size member schools are crying for their survival right now.”

Kasilag stressed that private schools are not business entities as they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as non-stock, non-profit and they survive on tuition fees.

“We have big collectibles that we missed to get because classes are stopped in March,” Kasilag said. “FAPSA schools did not hold final exams and we did not hold graduation exercises. These two major events in schools are the culmination of school year 2019-2020 but they did not take place and they are also incentives for the indebted parents to pay arrearages.”

He stressed that from March to September are just seven long months when private school teachers will not receive anything.

“How will they survive? These are professional teachers wallowing in poverty. Their counterparts in public schools have no problem. I understand, public school teachers enjoy lavish food on table as seen on Facebooks showing off at the envy of their starving friends from the private schools,” said Kasilag.

A federation of private schools yesterday said it is set to resume classes in June instead of September as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

In a zoom consultation among officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) held under the auspices of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools Administrators (FAPSA), the group declared its intention to open most classes for school year 2020-2021 in June instead of the DepEd decision to resume classes in August or IATF recommendation to hold classes in September.

Eleazardo Kasilag, the group’s president, said FAPSA member-schools can hold online classes for the entire school year, stressing that “private schools have better program in tablet education where teachers are trained to the set up and the connectivity is strong and the modules for the curriculum is available.”

“FAPSA member-schools have sound connectivity and the students have the required gadget to allow them to catch up with modular lessons installed in the gadget. Some private schools have been doing this tablet education almost a decade ago. Our teachers are also exposed to this and may need only refresher course,” he said.

Kasilag noted that early enrolment also facilitates teachers’ financial handicap, which rendered them idle and penniless since the lockdown began in mid-March.

“We need to attend to them subsequently school administrators are also helpless as both of us are victims of COVID-19,” he said.


Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said the patient had returned from the USA on March 15. (PTI photo for representation)

Amid the Covid-19 outbreak and countrywide lockdown, the Indian Army has announced a new set of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus. The measures include shutting of the Canteen Stores Department (CSD), which is a source of essentials, in 82 districts under lockdown across India.

The Army has decided that grocery and essential items will be home delivered to avoid crowding at canteens. In a fresh advisory on Monday, the Army announced that movement will be restricted following the lockdown of the country.

"These restrictions are in place in all establishments, cantonments, formations, units in the 82 districts that are under lockdown," the Indian Army said.

"Only personnel engaged in essential services like medical establishments, fire, electricity, water supply, communication, post offices, and sanitation continue to work," the Army advisory said.

The Army advisory further mentioned that all tasks related to response to Covid-19 should continue without hindrance.

"At the Ministry of Defence and Indian Army Headquarters, only essential sections and offices to function on a daily basis and rest will work from home," the Indian Army said in the statement.

Further, it stated that conferences and seminars would be postponed and routine meetings and movements will also be restricted.

In the advisory, the force has highlighted that personnel attending office will adhere to staggered timings.

Moreover, in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Army has instituted mechanism to trace contact-history. Each individual has been asked to maintain daily contact log.

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NEW DELHI: The restrictions imposed by the army on its personnel and formations in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak is posing challenges to its internal functioning.Extension of leave for soldiers and placing those who recently returned on quarantine have created a shortage of manpower that is affecting the turnover of troops for daily, security and administrative duties. While this is also affecting the training routines of troops, reduction in attendance at the headquarters is set to slow down other work as well, said officials.The steps are aimed at ensuring social distancing and preventing contagion. It has created an unprecedented situation, forcing the army to improvise, especially because troops eat, sleep and train together within confined spaces. For example, one particular unit has now divided troops into teams that live in different areas, while ensuring that only one team uses the common toilets at a time. Training is conducted in small batches, and the equipment is sanitised every time it is used.The army on Monday issued fresh instructions to all its military stations, cantonments, units and formations in the 82 districts under lockdown. These include restricted movements, functioning of only those personnel engaged in essential services and the closure of all CSD canteens Officials said the reduction in manpower in some of the army’s formations was due to the extension of leave of soldiers till April 15 and placing those who recently returned on quarantine. Those who are going on leave due to an emergency in their families will be sent for a minimum period of 30 days. “We are in a situation where we are slightly less in strength. It affects day-to-day functioning, administrative and security duties. There is an increase in the workload of those on guard duties, because there is less turnover of troops,” an official said.The manpower also gets affected because troops are tasked with manning the quarantine facilities setup by the army. However, officials said the situation was not “alarming”, would not affect operational efficiency and that it was necessary due to the pandemic.Work at the army headquarters in Delhi has also started slowing down, following the army’s Friday advisory of reducing attendance in offices and starting the work from home concept. Last week, the army passed instructions that 35% officers and 50% junior commissioned officers (JCO) and other ranks (OR) would work from home for a week from Monday, while the next group would do this starting March 30. The lockdown in Delhi is also affecting the travel of those personnel who stay in Gurgaon and Uttar Pradesh.“Work at the headquarters has slowed, as we are working with bare essentials. The deadline for work such as submitting reports will be extended. Only emergency work will continue as it was,” an official said.The army’s complaints section for now will only be dealing with cases that are urgent. Officials said rosters had been created to divide the staff between those who work at home and those who come to the office. However, it remains to be seen what work will be given to those working from home, because files cannot be taken home due to confidentiality issues. Several issues also cannot be communicated over email due to cybersecurity threats. Moreover, JCOs and ORs are mainly clerks who are part of the filing system for letters and documents, which can be done only from the offices.Officials said training of troops had also reduced. However, this will not affect operational preparedness, because it is for a short duration and can be made up later.In relation to the unit mentioned earlier, training of troops has become more “concentrated”, because smaller batches are being trained. “This has given us an opportunity to train better. Training small groups ensures that everyone’s doubts are cleared and attention is given to each aspect. But due to the pandemic, we have to sanitise an equipment every time it is used,” an official said.This type of training comes after troops were divided into small teams that maintained a distance of 200 metre between each other. It is also being ensured that distances are being maintained between troops of a team. “Only one team can use a bathroom at a time. After the team is done, the bathroom is sanitised and only then can the other team use it. We also have separate timings for eating at the cookhouse for the teams,” the official said.A major concern for the army stations and cantonments, which are isolated areas in a city, is the civilian manpower that is coming from outside. For example, washing points and blow drying of clothes have been setup outside the gates of one of the cantonments for this manpower.


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Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has requested an emergency supply of the drugs President Trump touted as having success treating patients with severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus, in a reversal from the state's directive to medical professionals last week to avoid the medication for this purpose.

Michigan, this week, requested hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine from the Strategic National Stockpile for physicians to use to help treat patients with COVID-19, after the Food and Drug Administration over the weekend granted an emergency use authorization for the anti-malarial drugs.

FDA OKs EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION OF DRUGS TOUTED BY TRUMP TO FIGHT COVID-19

But last week, Whitmer’s administration threatened physicians prescribing the drugs, saying they were subject to “administrative action” should they continue to use the medication.

“The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has received multiple allegations of Michigan physicians inappropriately prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine to themselves, family, friends, and/or coworkers without a legitimate medical purpose,” Deb Gagliardi, the director of the Bureau of Professional Licensing, and Forrest Pasanski, the director of the Enforcement Division, wrote in a letter to “licensed prescribers and dispensers.”

“Prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine without further proof of efficacy for treating COVID-19 or with the intent to stockpile the drug may create a shortage” for those patients who need the drug for its approved use, adding that “reports of this conduct will be evaluated and may be further investigated for administrative action.

“Again, these drugs have not been proven scientifically or medically to treat COVID-19.”

“Michigan pharmacists may see an increased volume of prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine and should take special care to evaluate the prescriptions’ legitimacy,” they continued, warning again that “licensed health professionals are required to report inappropriate prescribing practices.”

Michigan wasn’t the only state last week to threaten physicians using the drugs—Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s administration also restricted the prescription of the medication, after a man died and his wife was hospitalized for using a fish tank cleaning additive with a similar name as a substitute.

"While the two drugs have necessary medical purposes, there is no conclusive evidence at this time among COVID-19 experts or Nevada's own medical health advisory team that the drugs provide treatment for COVID-19 patients," Sisolak said in a statement last week.

But Michigan reversed course, requesting a supply of the medications for physicians to use in treating patients of COIVD-19, after the Department of Health and Human Services received and accepted donations of the medications to the national stockpile to be used for coronavirus treatment.

“President Trump is taking every possible step to protect Americans from the coronavirus and provide them with hope,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. “Scientists in America and around the world have identified multiple potential therapeutics for COVID-19, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.”

He added: “The President’s bold leadership and the hard work of FDA and HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response have succeeded in securing this large donation of medicine. We’ll continue working around the clock to get American patients access to therapeutics that may help them battle COVID-19, while building the evidence to evaluate which options are effective.”

The FDA’s emergency use authorization allows hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate products donated to the national stockpile “to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.”

WHITMER SAYS STATES ARE IN A BIDDING WAR OVER MEDICAL SUPPLIES AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate are oral prescription drugs approved to treat malaria and other diseases. HHS says there currently are no approved treatments for COVID-19, but that both drugs have “shown activity in laboratory studies against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).”

“Anecdotal reports suggest that these drugs may offer some benefit in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients,” HHS said in a statement. “Clinical trials are needed to provide scientific evidence that these treatments are effective.”

Meanwhile, Whitmer, who has been a fierce critic of the president, said last week that states are being forced to bid with one another for personal protective equipment (PPE) and, in some cases, contracts in place have been set aside, delayed or canceled and the goods are instead going to the federal government.

“We the states are trying to actively get every piece of PPE that we can. We're bidding against one another and, in some cases, the federal government is taking priority,” she said.

Whitmer added: “We've got to keep working to get all of these other pieces of equipment and when we're bidding against one another, it's creating a lot of frustration and concern.”

As of Thursday morning, the U.S. reported more than 216,700 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 5,130 deaths.

Fox News' Andrew O'Reilly, Ryan Gaydos, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Ed. – Having trouble making her mind up.]

Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has requested an emergency supply of the drugs President Trump touted as having success treating patients with severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus, in a reversal from the state’s directive to medical professionals last week to avoid the medication for this purpose.

Michigan, this week, requested hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine from the Strategic National Stockpile for physicians to use to help treat patients with COVID-19, after the Food and Drug Administration over the weekend granted an emergency use authorization for the anti-malarial drugs.

But last week, Whitmer’s administration threatened physicians prescribing the drugs, saying they were subject to “administrative action” should they continue to use the medication.

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“The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has received multiple allegations of Michigan physicians inappropriately prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. …