The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, may prove to be much more than a sporting event. The governments of North and South Korea have agreed to begin formal negotiations and military talks aimed at reducing tensions on the peninsula, while the North has announced its intention to send athletes to the Winter Games for the first time in eight years. World leaders are keeping a close watch on these developments, but whether this case proves to be a successful example of “sports diplomacy” remains to be seen.Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) spoke with John Park, director of the Korea Working Group at the School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, to get his perspective on the complex relationship between the two Koreas.Q&AJohn ParkHKS: Why did Kim Jong-un choose this time, a month before the Winter Olympics begin in South Korea, to agree to inter-Korean talks that could defuse tensions with the South?PARK: Kim Jong-un had mentioned in his New Year’s address that he wished to see South Korea successfully host the Winter Olympics. Kim said he viewed this event as a moment of pride for all Koreans. South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, seized on the opportunity and proposed inter-Korean talks on Jan. 9 in the “truce village” of Panmunjom.North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics offers the Kim regime two major benefits. The first is a significant reduction of tensions in the period leading up to and during the games. After the breakneck speed of ballistic missile and nuclear tests in 2017, this pause provides some breathing space before what many analysts expect will be a resumption of tests after the games.The second is the creation of a buffer. By improving — even temporarily — relations with South Korea, the North is able to have a buffer between itself and the United States. It’s still too early to tell if the inter-Korean talks will grow into a broader engagement, but while they continue, Seoul can make a credible case to Washington to ease off on military pressure and give diplomacy a chance.HKS: What message does it send to the world for North Korea to have a presence at the Winter Olympics? Can this be an effective use of “sports diplomacy”?PARK: Former senior U.S. administration officials are concerned that allowing a North Korean delegation to join the Winter Olympics provides the Kim regime a world stage to unveil itself as a formal nuclear weapons state. Specifically, the concern is that the Kim regime could use the Olympics’ prestige to launder its illicit nuclear weapons program and validate itself as a legitimate world power. After locking that recognition in, North Korea is expected to return to building out its nuclear arsenal to a level that it deems to be sufficient as a minimal nuclear deterrent.On the other hand, many Korea watchers are hopeful that sports diplomacy will provide a face-saving way for the two Koreas to launch a robust dialogue channel. This could start with practical matters, such as the logistical planning for bringing a North Korean delegation to Pyeongchang. The channel would ideally grow to cover sustained military-to-military talks and reunions of divided families from the Korean War period. This diplomatic momentum would then be applied to exploring a potential U.S.-North Korea meeting to work out the details of a package deal, initially centered on a broader freeze.HKS: Will North Korea’s participation in the Olympics help ease the pressure of economic sanctions?PARK: The immediate challenge for the Moon Jae-in government is to pay for agreed expenses for the North Korean delegation’s travel and accommodations. Some of these payments could violate sanctions currently imposed on North Korea — specifically, measures that ban the provision of cash or financial assets to the regime. The Moon government is seeking an interim arrangement to address this issue.Easing sanctions is a different matter, as it would require close coordination with the U.N. Security Council, particularly the U.S. The conditions under which these sanctions resolutions were passed are directly linked to proscribed nuclear and ballistic missile testing activities. So Washington’s position is likely to be that any easing of sanctions would only be possible if the Kim regime commits to denuclearization.HKS: Do you feel that these recent developments will move North and South Korea closer toward a nuclear deal?PARK: While the initial inter-Korean talks are a welcome respite from the harrowing escalation of tensions in 2017, the real test is what happens after the Winter Olympics. We’ll either see the continuation of talks in some form, or a resumption of what technical experts believe to be the final stages of North Korea demonstrating a full nuclear weapons capability that can reliably reach the continental United States.HKS: What role should the United States be playing to help encourage the easing of tensions between the North and the South?PARK: President Moon was able to secure an agreement with President Trump to postpone U.S.-South Korean military exercises during the Winter Olympics. That arrangement is credited as a major factor in facilitating the inter-Korean talks on Jan. 9. To keep the momentum going, China is calling on the core countries — the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea — to focus on implementing its dual-freeze proposal. Rather than any one country’s role being viewed as the most critical, the dual freeze calls for collective simultaneous action whereby North Korea would freeze its nuclear and ballistic missile development activities, and the U.S. and South Korea would freeze their annual joint military exercises. The Chinese and South Koreans are especially keen to leverage the postponement of military exercises as a catalyst for a larger diplomatic engagement process.However, what’s new in the current phase of the ongoing North Korean nuclear crisis is the Kim regime’s early stage capability to put the continental U.S. at risk. Following significant advancements with landmark intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear tests in 2017, North Korea is no longer viewed mainly as a threat to U.S. allies and interests in Northeast Asia. If diplomatic efforts collapse, we’re likely to see a dramatic increase in U.S. military pressure on North Korea, with the goal of compelling the regime to rapidly denuclearize.This article originally appeared on the Harvard Kennedy School website. read more
Oct 1, 2009Poll: Americans iffy on pandemic flu shotAmericans are uncertain about getting the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, according to a poll conducted in early September by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. Only 34% said they would definitely get the vaccine when it’s available, while 21% said they would decline. Forty-three percent said they will wait and see what happens with flu developments. The nation survey of 1,502 adults found that 35% will have their children vaccinated, 50% are unsure, and 14% will not.http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/09/swine-flu-poll-majority-of-americans-unsure-about-getting-swine-flu-vaccine-preventing-swine-flu.htmlConsumer Reports poll resultsUS Army records H1N1 deathAn apparently healthy 23-year-old soldier may be the US military’s first fatality from the novel strain. Spec. Christopher Hogg of Deltona, Fla., serving at Fort Jackson, S.C., died of flu-related pneumonia Sep 10, 10 days after falling ill. The fort’s commanding general told media that autopsy data confirmed Spec. Hogg had no underlying conditions that would have made him vulnerable. More than 50 soldiers at the 10,000-member base, the Army’s largest training center, currently have flu.http://www.thestate.com/local/story/966039.htmlOct 1 The State (Columbia, S.C.) articleFlu sidelines 1 in 14 on US Navy shipAn outbreak of H1N1 flu aboard the USS Boxer, a Navy amphibious assault ship holding more than 2,200 sailors and Marines, put 166 personnel into isolation for an average of 3.6 days each, according to military medical surveillance. Epidemiologists described the illness, which struck 7.3% of personnel, as mild and brief, with cough, aches, sore throat and fevers less than 102 degrees. The month-long outbreak began after the ship completed a 5-day “liberty port” in Phuket, Thailand.Sanofi warns of delay in seasonal flu shotsA spokeswoman from Sanofi said today that the company is behind on its shipments of seasonal flu vaccine because of pressure to quickly produce the pandemic flu vaccine, the Associated Press (AP) reported today. Sanofi said it has shipped more than half of the 50.5 million doses ordered by US providers, who may face delays into November. Some clinics have had to turn patients away, despite advice to get seasonal flu shots early to make way for the pandemic H1N1 shot.Navy awards $1.25 million for DNA flu vaccineSan Diego biotech company Vical Inc. said Thursday it has received $1.25 million from the US Navy to support a phase 1 human clinical trial of its DNA-based vaccine against H1N1 flu. The company received earlier grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for the technology, which has shown early positive results using strains of H5N1 avian flu.Sanofi study confirms H1N1 vaccine 1-dose efficacySanofi today announced the results of additional trials that confirm the company’s pandemic H1N1 vaccine is effective with just one dose, similar to initial findings from a National Institutes of Health study. Results of the latest trial of 849 adults show that a single 15-microgram dose is protective after 21 days, even in seniors. US regulators approved Sanofi’s vaccine on Sep 15. read more
More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusMotorcyclist injured in Thursday afternoon Schenectady crashSchenectady department heads: Budget cutbacks would further stress already-stretched departmentsSchenectady, Saratoga casinos say reopening has gone well; revenue down 30%Schenectady NAACP calls for school layoff freeze, reinstatement of positions The recent third annual Feigenbaum Forum at Union College was a special event featuring conversations between famed columnist Thomas Friedman of The New York Times and John Kelly III, Union alumni, class of 1976, vice president of IBM.Friedman is world traveled and the best-selling author of “The World is Flat,” and “Thank You For Being Late.”Kelly and his team at IBM developed “Watson” (artificial intelligence) that won over two former “Joe Penny” champions. Both speakers inspired a packed audience at Union’s Memorial Chapel as they traded thoughts on innovation and creativity in our new era of technology.The forum is made possible through a gift from brothers Armand Feigenbaum (Union, class of 1943) and Donald Feigenbaum (Union, class of 1946). Armand was my Kappa Nu fraternity brother and we all recognized his genius, which later resulted in his becoming head of quality control at General Electric. Later, with his brother, Donald, he founded General Systems Co. in Pittsfield, which designs engineering systems for corporations and governments worldwide. The Union forum in the Feigenbaum name had in 2015 as inaugural speaker Howard Gardner, internationally know psychologist who developed the theory of multiple intelligences. Artist and designer Maya Lin spoke in 2016.The forum is just one of Union’s many contributions to the Schenectady environment. Union isn’t only one of the country’s best-known places for liberal arts, but now has entered into the new world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).With all the newly constructed buildings to accommodate this change, Union’s President Stephen Ainlay can be proud of his championing the positive transition, as he retires next year after a well-deserved 12 years of accomplishments.Ted VinickSchenectady[Union Class of 1943] Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion read more
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Share Share LocalNews Inspector Weekes: no decision on reward payment by: – April 12, 2011 Sharing is caring! Tweet 10 Views no discussions Share Inspector Claude WeekesIn an exclusive interview with Inspector Claude Weekesthis morning, Dominica Vibes News learnt that no decision has been made regarding payment of the reward which was offered for missing teen Shanice Jemmot.“While a reward was offered by the members of the family, I think $10, 000.00 and $5000.00 by a private citizen, the Government of Dominica also offered a reward in the sum of $20, 000.00. What we must note here it’s a decision that has to be taken and I’m sure the best decision will be taken as to who will be given that reward, or whoever it is, is deserving of that reward.”Inspector Weekes further explained that the “What is also important is that Shanice has been found alive, that is what is cruicial.”Inspector Weekes made special mention and thanked the Dominican public, Social Welfare agencies and the media for the role they played during the search for the missing teen.He particularly highlighted the role of the Government,”they were very much concerned in fact the Prime Minister and his team visited the Police Headquarters and had a meeting with the top echelon of the Police Department and the other co-ordinating sections who were on the ground. Because I can tell you, the Government’s concern has to be noted, while people were saying negative things about the Police and the Government in fact they were calling for a new commissioner, they were calling for the FBI to come, they were calling for Scotland Yard and they cried down ofcourse with victriolic comments on the Police Department.Inspector Weekes reiterated the commitment of the Police Department to the Commonealth of Dominica, “We want to say that our Police Department continues to be committed in fighting crimes. In fact we have a mandate to fulfill, and even the resources that we have I can tell you that we are doing admirably better than many of our colleagues in other jurisdictions and they are blessed with probably better technology and more advanced resources technology and other resources.Dominica Vibes News read more
RIPLEY COUNTY, IN— INDOT contractor GeoStabilization International will begin slide correction work on C.R. 1150 N. in Ripley County on or after today, weather permitting.Daytime lane closures will be in effect while crews are active at the repair site. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic.The contractor will install soil nails with steel mesh along 130 feet of the roadway, just east of S.R. 129. The project is expected to be complete in approximately two weeks.Motorists should exercise caution near the work zone.
A local pharmacy owner is in trouble with the law, after police say he created fake prescriptions to save money on medications for his dogs.According to the police report, Boynton Beach resident Casey Kelleher created fake labels for amoxicillin and carprovet using his dogs’ veterinarian’s name to save a trip to the vet.The report adds that Kelleher last brought his dogs to the vet in December of last year, which is the last time he was issued a prescription.This time around, Kelleher went to Dog Activity World to have the staff administer the prescriptions. Instead, the staff alerted police when they noticed the dogs had different medications listed in the company’s database.The man is facing fraud charges.
Los Angeles: Kobe Bryant will be honoured by NBA in their All-Star Game in Chicago next month. According to a BBC report, the NBA has announced a new format for the game that will “increase the level of competition, provide additional excitement and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity”.A new fourth-quarter format will honour LA Lakers legend and five-time NBA champion Bryant.Bryant died in a helicopter crash in California. He was 41. He and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in the crash on Sunday. IANSAlso Read: Kobe Bryant: Investigators recovered All 9 bodiesAlso Watch: AJYP launched torch rally to protest against Citizenship Act in Lakhimpur
NEW DELHI: At 6’6″ and 140kg, Rahkeem Cornwall would struggle to fit into anyone’s perception of what a modern day cricketer should look like but the West Indies off-spinner says he knows exactly how to get the best out of his big frame on the pitch. While his talent was recognised early on, the 27-year-old only made his Test debut against India in August last year. Three months later, he claimed his first 10-wicket match haul against Afghanistan and also played in the third and final Test against England last month.”Everybody’s not going to be small,” the towering spinner told Reuters from Trinidad. “I just stick to my strength and do what I know I can do and perform.” With his height, Antigua-born Cornwall generates more bounce than most off-spinners and combines it with his accuracy to trouble batsmen. “I think my height has played a big part … I also have to put the ball in the right areas to get the ball to spin,” said Cornwall, who is considered the heaviest player to have played Test cricket. Blessed with soft hands and sharp reflexes, Cornwall has also grown into a safe slip-catcher, illustrated by his stunning one-handed grab to dismiss England opener Rory Burns in Manchester last month.”I think my hands are good. I think I’m a good catcher of the cricket ball, so fielding in the slip comes easy to me.” “I can field in different positions but I just prefer to be in the slip because I can catch.” Cornwall went wicketless in the Manchester Test, where England triumphed by 269 runs to complete a 2-1 series victory, but he said it was a learning experience. “Patience and adapting to different conditions is key,” said Cornwall, who currently plays for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League. “I think England is one of the toughest place to play cricket. I learned a lot from the Test series.” Agencies Also Watch: BJP’s Bike Rally, Show of Strength read more
For all the Latest Sports News News, Cricket News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lahore: Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur is not surprised by Mohammed Amir’s decision to retire from Tests at the age of 27 as he feels the pacer’s career in the longest format was considerably damaged by the spot-fixing ban he served. Amir was banned for five years for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal in England. He returned to all formats of the game in 2015 but announced his retirement from Tests on Friday after having played 36 Tests with 119 scalps in his chequered career.”He (Amir) had five years out of the game…In those five years, he didn’t do anything. His body was not up to the rigours of day in, day out Test cricket,” Arthur told ‘ESPNCricinfo’. “We pushed him as much as we could during the England and South Africa series, because he is such a good bowler whom we wanted during those tours. We’ve tried everything we possibly could with Amir.”He could have managed those five years better. He’d be the first one to acknowledge that. But I understand where he was in his whole life, so it was a tough period for him. I understand all that,” Arthur said.Arthur felt Amir would have been one of the best Test fast bowlers in Pakistan’s history had he not lost those five years to the spot-fixing ban.”The Amir hype all those years ago was justified because he is a quality bowler. When the ball swings there’s not much better. But he’s not the bowler now that he was in 2009 and 2010. He was different, his body was different,” he said. “Making a connection between the bowler now and then would be wrong. But had he not had those five years out of the game, I think he would be up there with the very best Pakistan have ever had,” he said. The South African said that the left-arm fast bowler had been thinking about it for over a year.”It was on the cards for a long while. Amir had been speaking to me about it with me for some time now. His Test career was taking a strain on his body,” Arthur said. “It’s not about management here. It’s about his desire to play Test cricket and the effects it has on his body… reluctantly I accepted his decision because that’s what he wanted to do and that’s what he thought was best for himself.”Arthur said the management had tried to ease Amir’s workload over the past year, and experimented with the possibility of making him an overseas-only bowler. “Of course there was (a possibility Amir would only play away).We managed him through the South African series. He didn’t play any Test cricket during the UAE last year. That was part of his management, and we started putting that in place because we wanted him for the South African series.”Amir finished as the most prolific Pakistan bowler at the recent World Cup with 17 wickets, which only six bowlers bettered, and Arthur said the team will now have a “rejuvenated” limited-overs bowler in him.”I’ve got a very soft spot for Mohammad Amir. As a person and as a cricketer, I admire him greatly. Yes, I am disappointed he won’t be playing Test cricket for us. But it was made in the best interests of his white-ball cricket in mind,” the head coach said.”We get a white-ball bowler who’s going to be rejuvenated, refreshed, and with a T20 World Cup just around the corner, in 18 months’ time we’ve got a potential match-winner because we know he performs on the big stage.” read more