Category Archives: National Vanguard

The Super Eagles of Nigeria line-up at France 98 World Cup. PHOTO: EMPICS SPORTBy Temisan Amoye,

Growing up in the 90s as a young boy, it was almost impossible not to be consumed by the football craze in Nigeria. It always felt like there was a mini-curfew anytime Super Eagles were playing, a goal from our boys and the nation would erupt in unison.

Entertainment on the pitch was rivalled by that off it, the Dr Rafiu Ladipo led-supporter club never disappointed, dishing out tunes that created an incredible atmosphere.

Love for football wasnt restricted to Super Eagles, whenever top teams played, Nigerians were glued to their TV screens.

One popular term of that era i couldnt seem to shake and understand was German machines. I couldnt understand Nigerians referring to the German mens national football team as machines.

I later reckoned it had to do with something about the efficiency and effectiveness of the team, despite not parading a similar number of superstars like their Brazilian, Dutch, Argentine counterparts.

The 8-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia at the Korea/Japan World Cup, furthered my interest in Germany. As my football scope widened, my interest in the German National Team, morphed into German league, The Bundesliga.

There is no dispute that despite being among the Top 5 European leagues, the Bundesliga lags behind its English and Spanish Counterparts in terms of spending power, superstar attraction and publicity. But for what it lacks in glitz, exorbitant wages, it has in abundance incredible coaching and talent development.

The sustained careers of Phillip Lahm, Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, David Alaba, Sami Khedira and a host of others at a top-class level, and the rising careers of Jadon Sancho, Timo Werner, Dayot Upamencano, Kai Havertz, Marcus Thuram, Serge Gnabry is a testament to the meticulous effort and hard work invested into developing future stars in Germany.

The case of Bayerns Thomas Muller is particularly interesting. Despite his lack of flair, dribbling, and imposing presence on the pitch, the world cup golden boot winner has continued to wow spectators and fans since he first came into the limelight.

For all the lack of skill, Muller possesses incredible technique and tactical mind, where his movement on and off the ball, ability to interpret spaces has created a goal-scoring and creating menace for opposing teams. A result of talent and detailed management.

To achieve the success it has, the Germans had to experience failure and humiliation on the world stage, which spurred the implementation of reforms, that yielded great results so far.

Back in 1996, German National team coach Berti Vogts ( remember him? ) called on the DFB (German Football Association) to focus on youth development. But those recommendations were going to wait, the Germans had just triumphed on enemy territory, winning Euro 96 on English soil. The Euro success dampened any enthusiasm for radical change, i mean it wasnt broken, why fix it?

But a shock 3-0 mauling at the hands of a Davor Suker-inspired Croatia at Quarter-Finals of France 98 sent wake up calls, leading to discussions for reforms. Further calamity in Euro 2000 helped hasten the implementation of these reforms.

The results of the reforms were an increased number of coaches to help to enable youngsters to get adequate attention and training through football clinics. A wider scouting network was created, to ensure the most remote areas were covered, leaving nothing to chance, if there was talent, it would be found.

Also, starting from 2002-2003 season, the German Football League comprising the Bundesliga and 1. Bundesliga made it a requirement for all its 36 teams to run academies in order to qualify for an operating licence. The DFB also introduced a special uniformed licence for youth coaches, to ensure an acceptable level of competence.

To paint a picture of how the Germans strive for excellence, UEFA sets a minimum 240 hours of study for its UEFA Pro Licence, In England 256 hours of study is required to obtain the same licence, but at the highly selective Hennes Weisweiler Akademie in Germany, 815 hours of study, and a 15-page dissertation detailing your unique footballing philosophy is required to obtain the equivalent of the Pro licence.

Possession isnt enough, the licence has to be renewed every couple years, through participation in ongoing courses, so as to ensure the holder is up to date.

Bayern great Jupp Huynckes and current coach Hansi Flick, Liverpools Jurgen Klopp, Germanys Joachim Low, PSGs Thomas Tuchel, RB Leipzigs Julian Nagelsmann, and Norwichs Daniel Farke are all graduates of this prestigious academy.

The buzz around German coaches makes more sense when you realise the efforts invested in moulding the modern-day coach. The benefits of an extra five hundred hours have helped create some of the most tactically astute managers in world football. Nagelsmanns Leipzig masterclass against Mourinhos Spurs, in the UEFA Champions League group clash, will go down as one of the highlights of this seasons campaign.

One area that paints a clear picture of how meticulous the Germans are is the coaching licence requirements. To coach in the Bundesliga and its lower divisions, the 1. Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, a UEFA Pro Licence is required. In comparison, in England, only the Premier League requires a UEFA Pro Licence.

Also, club academies are required to have at least two UEFA Pro Licence holders among its coaching staff, with most academies having more than the minimum required. There is a better chance of being coached by a Pro Licence holder in a German football academy, than in the English Championship (Second Division) where merely commencing studies for a Pro Licence is enough to see you through.

It also helps that these managers have no qualms putting their faith in youth. Tuchel, Nagelsmann, Flick have all coached academy teams, an experience which has made them more open to the idea of fielding youngsters. Thomas Muller under Klinsmann at Bayern, Ousmane Dembele excelled under Tuchel at Dortmund, Alexander-Arnold and Christian Pulisic under Klopp, Alphonso Davies under Flick at Bayern, Sule under Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim are major examples.

Nickas Sule, Max Meyer, Timo Werner, Thomas Muller had all made 100 senior caps while still eligible for the U21 teams. The 2019-2020 season has seen U21 players clock more game time in the Bundesliga than in Spain and England.

A decade ago, it would have been unthinkable for top British talents to dump England and move abroad for development, But the likes of Jadon Sancho, Ademola Lookman, Reece Oxford, Ethan Ampadu and Nat Phillips have all flocked to the arch-rival and are beginning to reap the rewards.

The rapid rise of Sancho in just three years helps paint a picture of the possibilities for youngsters coming through the ranks. With latest England rising star, 16-year-old Birmingham midfielder, Jude Bellingham tipped to follow the Sancho route to Dortmund this summer.

Apart from the coaching and scouting methods, the multi-racial society and relatively relaxed immigration laws have contributed to young talents finding a home in Germany. The mens national teams comprising players of Ghanian, Turkish, Polish, Syrian descent helps paint a clear picture of a relatively tolerant and liberal society.

Over time a growing American presence has shown that the US football system has identified the Bundesliga as the ideal destination for development. Schalke midfielder Weston Mckennie, Bremens Josh Sargent, Bayerns Chris Richards, Leipzigs Tyler Adams, Dortmunds Gio Reyna, son of former Man City, USA captain Claudio Reyna have continued the trend of Americans moving to Germany to develop.

It also really helps that no work permit is required to gain a residency permit for athletes in Germany, as long as the individual meets the requirements of being 16 years or older, securing a paid contract with the club, and being recognised by relevant sports body as an athlete. Football Manager players fully understand the frustration of signing some South American wonderkid to your Premier League club, but cant use him because of failure to secure a work permit. There are no such issues managing a German team.

Combine the aforementioned with the fact that the press in Germany plays a more helpful role by being more responsible and professional in its dealings, in comparison with some of its colleagues from elsewhere, you have a near-perfect environment with less pressure for any player to develop into what his potential holds.

Over the coming years, it should be no surprise when the likes of Bayerns Joshua Zirkzee, Bayers Moussa Diaby and Kai Harvetz, Leipzigs Dayot Upamencano, Herthas Arne Maier become household names.

For lasting success to be attained, talent isnt enough, a solid foundation to build upon is needed, and that is what Germany offers to young, talented footballers.

Theres a couple of things Nigeria can pick from the German model. Recently there have been calls for Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr, to patronise the local Nigerian Professional Football League for players, which i think is the wrong discussion to be having, we should be discussing on real efforts and reforms we can embark on to develop our local football.

The South Africans and our North African counterparts dont have the selection issue discussion because they have a more developed football system than ours. It is easy to select home-grown players when you have a well-developed football league system.

There are no doubt incredibly talented players and tactically sound coaches in the NPFL but the lack of proper facilities, administration, coaching methods and training facilities will always work against them realizing their full potential.

The national team is coming up against, at least equally talented players, who have been exposed to advanced coaching and training methods, better training facilities, better welfare. I think it makes sense to select players who have also been exposed to such conditions to help the team in the interim.

Just like Man City did in the Shinawatra and early Mansour era, where the club went about splashing the cash on any player who could help improve their standing until a proper and progressive recruitment strategy was put in place.

We dont need to invent some magic winning formula, The Germans have shown the way, fortunately, there is no penalty for copying.

To develop and maintain a proper football system in Nigeria, the revamping of the National Institute of Sports would go a long way. Chief Segun Odegbami wrote a sorry piece on the decline of the sports institute.

We can replicate the success of the Hennes Weisweiler Akademie through the NIS. There are lots of budding young Nigerians with deep tactical mind and interest, that would benefit massively from such an institution.

The ripple effect will be local clubs being managed by new-generation coaches and administrators, equipped with the latest skill to leave their distinct mark in football.

I like to think Nigerians would prefer, and benefit in the long term, should the N27bn earmarked for NASS renovation, be used to revive and upgrade the NIS into a modern sporting institute amongst other pressing development projects. At least, sports brings joy to Nigerians and improves the image of the nation globally.

Creation of a comprehensive scouting plan and coaching clinic will help discover and nurture young talents scattered across the country. There are tons of incredibly talented Nigerians displaying their talents from estate pitches to under bridges, but unfortunately, theres no one to see them. What chance does a boy in Ilella, Sokoto or girl in Bomadi, Delta have of being discovered?

After discovery, coaching clinics will help train the potential youngsters and give them an introduction to structured football. A massive boost for those unattached to clubs. I imagine the coaches in training (NIS) could be of immense benefit in such clinics.

As always, there is the issue of corruption which will always be a hindrance to achieving wholesale progress. Recently we were re-inundated with tales of Pay-to-play schemes in the national team, combine that with the number of Nigerian sports officials involved in corrupt schemes, it paints a picture of how deep corruption runs in the system.

In a system where money, personal interest instead of skill could be a deciding factor for selection, you can only wonder the incredible talents who have been passed over, and the possible ripple effects.

Germany has massively reaped the benefit of its reforms, the 2014 World Cup victory, the general performance of the team in tournaments, and the steady development of talent is an indicator of a functioning system. In any football tournament, across all age grades and sexes, the German national team, always emerge as strong favourites.

For a football crazy, youth dominated country, it is time to move past round of 16 qualifications as an achievement. To have any hope of achieving that, deliberate steps need to be taken, and fortunately, our German egbons have created a successful blueprint that can help guide Nigeria towards developing and maintaining a functioning football system.

Vanguard

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How Germany revolutionised football, and what Nigeria can learn - Vanguard

Families impacted by police murder from across the country travel to Las Vegas to stand with local families who have lost their loved ones at the hands of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Press Release At 5PM on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at JammyLand, 1121 S. Main Street, a press conference featuring families impacted by police murder from New York, California, Seattle, Atlanta, St. Louis, MO, and North Carolina will join Las Vegas families impacted by police murder to refocus on local efforts for justice and accountability while standing in solidarity with the George Floyd family, all families impacted by police murder, and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Following the press conference, at 6PM, families will march to 920 Events at 920 S. Commerce St., where they will memorialize their loved ones as the community bears witness.

Amongst families present include the cousin of Seattle Police homicide victim, Charleena Lyles, Katrina Johnson, sister of Woodland Police homicide victim, Michael Barrera, Marissa Barrera, and brother of NYPD police homicide victim Delrawn Small, Victor Dempsey, who originated the call for solidarity amongst all families impacted by police violence and for families to step up in leadership in this national movement against police terrorism. Locally impacted families include the family members of Byron Williams, Rafael Olivas, Rex Wilson, Keith Childress, Jr., Joseph Justin, and police abuse survivors Cristina Paulos, Jesus Carvajal, and Lauri Benson, the mother of police shooting victim, Nathan Benson, who remains incarcerated without the proper medical care he needs to heal from his shooting wound from 2013.

For too long the struggle of families whose loved ones have been killed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department have gone unnoticed and unrecognized; their loved ones immediately criminalized by the LVMPD and local media outlets that regurgitate falsified police narratives, turning away any opportunity for the community to be engaged and for the family to garner community support.

As we have learned in far too many cases, the community plays an integral role in the delivery of justice (or lack thereof) . Every year 1000-1500 new families across the nation are inducted into a cohort forced to live with the all too devastating reality of state-sponsored terrorism. Most of these killings receive little to no media attention, creating a complete absence of support, leaving the family stigmatized and isolated. On the other hand, the few nationally-known cases receive all of the publics attention only for families to be tokenized and exploited for one of the most traumatic events of their lives.

This weekend this collective of families will share their experience, strength and necessary wisdom for these challenging and transformative times.

*The families of Nicholas Heyward, Jr., Alberta Spruill, Stephon Clark, Cornelius Kat Davis, Charlie Salinas, Vincent Vermin Valenzuela, Jayvis Benjamin, Mauricio Barron, Santino Trevino, and Keith Trudell will also be present.

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Families of police murder victims and police brutality survivors unite in Las Vegas - The Peoples Vanguard of Davis

Films to stream Clockwise from top left: Joan of Arc; Athlete A; Da 5 Bloods; Irresistible; Immate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo; The Old Guard; The King of Staten Island.

1. The King of Staten Island (Judd Apatow)

Saturday Night Live breakout star Pete Davidson gets his first lead role, in a Judd Apatow-directed comedy that he helped co-write. Its clearly inspired by details of Davidsons own life: he plays a twentysomething whose life has been upended by the death of his firefighter dad; his mothers new relationship forces him out of his slump. Digital platforms, out now

2. Da 5 Bloods (Spike Lee)

Timing is everything: Spike Lees latest is a welcome addition to the Black Lives Matter cause, a Vietnam war film exploring the experience of African-American soldiers in the conflict, as four veterans return decades later to search for the remains of their squad leader. Delroy Lindo and Jonathan Majors star. Netflix, out now

3. Joan of Arc (Bruno Dumont)

Frances national heroine, who saw off the English during the hundred years war before being captured and burned at the stake in 1431, is a hardy perennial of French cinema. This is Dumonts second go at the subject, much more straightforward than his rock music version from 2017, though it has the same teenage star, Lise Leplat Prudhomme. Curzon Home Cinema, 19 June

4. Wasp Network (Olivier Assayas)

Olivier Assayas is the French director who gave us the mammoth Carlos, about the celebrated spy/assassin. Here he returns to not dissimilar territory, with Carloss dgar Ramirez as a Cuban pilot who is charged with infiltrating anti-Castro exiles in Miami, Florida much to the consternation of his wife (Penlope Cruz), who is unaware of the realities of his mission. Netflix, 19 June

5. Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo(Brett Harvey)

Trejo is the instantly recognisable hatchet-faced actor best known for a string of badass roles in films such as Desperado and Machete. This doc chronicles his tumultuous life story, which included several prison spells in California before he got into acting (and, later, restaurant-owning). Digital platforms, 22 June

6. Athlete A (Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk)

Another in Netflixs impressive string of hard-hitting documentaries, this follows the expos (by reporters from the Indianapolis Star) of the sex abuse scandal in US gymnastics. It centres on national team doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to hundreds of years in prison on multiple charges of sexual assault. Netflix, 24 June

7. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (David Dobkin)

Hollywood, it seems, has cottoned on to the rich absurdity of Eurovision, and Will Ferrell is spearheading this comedy from Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin. Its title alludes slyly to Game of Thrones; not surprising, then, that it focuses on Icelands entry into the competition, with Ferrell and Rachel McAdams giving it their all. Netflix, 26 June

8. Irresistible (Jon Stewart)

US satirist and chatshow paragon Jon Stewart makes his second foray into film directing. In contrast to his debut, Rosewater, this takes aim squarely at the right-left political confrontation of the Trump era. Steve Carell is the Democrat political strategist who thinks he can upset the conservative certainties of a small town; Rose Byrne is the Republican rival who takes him on. Digital platforms, 26 June

9. The Old Guard (Gina Prince-Bythewood)

Charlize Theron leads a strong cast (which includes Beale Streets KiKi Layne and Rust and Bones Matthias Schoenaerts) in a comic book-based superhero yarn: she plays an immortal soldier once known as Andromache of Syria, but now the head of a group of mercenaries of similar vintage who are tasked with defending humanity. Netflix, 10 July

10. Boyz in the Wood (Ninian Doff)

An unexpected homegrown success from Scotland: a horror-comedy about a bunch of city-raised teens who are stuck in the Highlands on a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme where they are stalked by sinister mask-wearing poshos. Trainspotting meets The League of Gentlemen is how its being described. Amazon Prime Video, 7 August

AP

11. Phoebe Bridgers: Punisher

Since 2017s intimate Stranger in the Alps, 25-year-old LA singer-songwriter Bridgers has started two new bands (Boygenius and Better Oblivion Community Center) and appeared all over the 1975s latest opus. Here she pulls the focus back in striking fashion, expanding on her alt-rock sound while continuing her knack for transforming melancholia into something beautiful. 19 June

12. Jessie Ware: Whats Your Pleasure?

While 2017s beige Glasshouse was the perfect musical accompaniment to her successful food podcast, Table Manners, this sweatier, sexier fourth album finds Ware channelling her inner dancefloor diva. Excellent recent single Ooh La La references pop outlier Risn Murphy, while the house-y Mirage (Dont Stop) could soundtrack any socially distanced BBQ. 26 June

13. Arca: KiCk i

Bjrk, Rosala and Sophie guest on this fourth album from the pioneering Venezuelan producer Alejandra Ghersi. While her previous efforts sounded as twisted as their disturbing visuals, the more inviting KiCk i (there are apparently three more volumes to come) finds her dabbling in trap, reggaeton and dreamy electro-pop. 26 June

14. Haim: Women in Music Pt III

Everyones favourite Californian sisters return with their pointedly titled third album. Looser and more experimental than their previous collections, the six singles (!) to emerge so far range from I Know Alones UK garage-dabbling, sun-kissed confection (complete with viral dance routine) to the rock sheen of the Sheryl Crow-esque The Steps. 26 June

15. Brandy: B7

In the eight years since her last album, the rightfully nicknamed vocal Bible has seen her influence underlined by the likes of Solange, Kehlani and Frank Ocean. After years of being the muse for songwriters and producers including Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins, the luxuriant, experimental R&B of B7 finds her co-writing and co-producing on every song. 31 July

16. Fontaines DC: A Heros Death

Fifteen months since the release of their Mercury-nominated debut, Dogrel, the Irish post-punkers return with a more expansive follow-up. Recorded quickly with producer Dan Carey (Black Midi, La Roux), A Heros Death apparently draws inspiration from the likes of Suicide, Broadcast and, as hinted at by its title track, the Beach Boys. 31 July

17. Biffy Clyro: A Celebration of Endings

The T-shirt averse Scottish rockers continue their journey from cult concern with a woeful name to X Factor-adjacent chart-toppers on their eighth album, co-produced once again by Muse collaborator Rich Costey. Expect more meaty rock, more stadium-ready ballads and even more chances to see male nipples. 14 August

18. Disclosure: Energy

After a five-year hiatus following second album Caracal, UK dance producers Guy and Howard Lawrence are back with a clutch of summer-ready bangers. Kelis, Fatoumata Diawara and Slowthai are among the vocalists, while the pulsating title track, which features motivational speaker Eric Thomas, suggests the title is 100% apt. 28 August

19. Kelly Lee Owens: Inner Song

Originally scheduled for May, dance experimentalist Lee Owenss second album now arrives in time for sticky, late summer nights. Touching on the personal tactile banger Night focuses on strength in solitude and the political via the climate crisis-citing Melt!, its a dancefloor-ready album for the head and heart. 28 August

20. Lana Del Rey: Chemtrails Over the Country Club

This follow-up to 2019s gorgeous Norman Fucking Rockwell! is already controversial, with its announcement tacked on to the end of a much-critiqued Instagram post that undermined legitimate views on female agency by critiquing mainly black female artists. The album will be joined by two books of poetry, so brace yourselves. 5 September

MC

21. Slow Burn

Slates ever-gripping anthology podcast previous seasons of which have delved into the Watergate scandal, the impeachment of Bill Clinton and the death of Tupac Shakur moves into timely territory with a series on white supremacist leader David Duke. Exploring Dukes manoeuvres into politics and his mainstreaming of far-right ideology, journalist Josh Levin examines the links between organisations including the Ku Klux Klan and the powers that be in the United States. Slate, out now

22. The Special Relationship

This mockumentary pod from duo Alex Owen and Ben Ashenden, AKA The Pin, is sure to be an anarchic listen, as we follow two hopeless British comics trying to make it in the US. Exploring the hilariously unhealthy co-dependence of the delusional pair, it also boasts a cast of comic talents from both sides of the Atlantic, including Lolly Adefope, Jamie Demetriou, Kate Berlant and Saturday Night Lives Cecily Strong. Audible, expected July

23. Rise of the Iron Men

Journalist and McMafia author Misha Glenny follows up his audio series Putin: Prisoner of Power with another podcast, this time charting the rise of other Iron Man political leaders, who espouse the cause of free speech while keeping the firmest of grips on their respective nations. From Erdoan in Turkey to Indias Modi and Bolsonaro in Brazil, Glenny aims to craft a thriller-esque narrative around each of these formidable, populist leaders with nationalist aims. Audible, expected August

24. Sex, Lies and DM Slides

Cook-turned-media personality Gizzi Erskine teams up with multi-hyphenate model, DJ and writer Sydney Lima for a new podcast covering online dating to sex pests, dick pics to porn, which is sure to appeal to fans of The Receipts, The Hotbed and maybe even the New York Timess more earnest Modern Love. With guests ranging from celebrities to sex workers, dominatrixes to comedians, expect a show thats as frank and insightful as it is accessible. Spotify, summer TBC

25. Hear to Slay

Author and cultural commentator Roxane Gay known for her frank dissection of race, body image and feminism and writer and sociology professor Tressie McMillan Cottom are set to return with another series of the black feminist podcast of your dreams. Taking an intelligent, intersectional look at everything from sexual abuse in Hollywood to black women in rap, this is a totally brilliant show that always fizzes with black girl magic. Luminary, summer TBC

HJD

26. The Great

Tony McNamara, co-writer of The Favourite, brings some of the same courtly nincompoopery to a freestyle bio of Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning), who becomes empress of Russia when she marries bonehead ruler Peter (Nicholas Hoult). Presenting a battle against grotesque misogyny as a clever but absurd comedy is a gamble that pays off. Starzplay, 18 June

27. Insecure

Season four of HBOs emotionally intelligent dramedy finds Issa (Issa Rae) still stumbling towards adulthood, as she and best mate Molly (Yvonne Orji) again threaten to grow apart, and Issas ex continues to live in her head. In its subtle, introspective way, its still TVs sharpest document of the black/millennial/LA experience. Sky Comedy/Now TV, 23 June

28. Celebrity Snoop Dogs

Celebrity property shows reach a new low just above floor level, in fact in a series that straps GoPro cameras to stars best friends. As the mutts nose around, we guess who owns them and the house, in a format that raises the happy possibility of Keith Lemon one day being replaced on Through the Keyhole by a labrador. Channel 4, 26 June

29. Dark

The off-the-chain German sci-fi twister roars back, following a shock season two ending that added parallel worlds to Darks already confusing time loops. Can the forces of evil, or that big wobbly sphere thing, be defeated? Its the final season so the story ends, or begins, or implodes into a humanity-erasing void, here. Netflix, 27 June

30. Dead Still

Focused on crime drama, Acorn TV is a strong new niche streaming player, rich in rights ownership (Foyles War, anything Agatha Christie) and original shows. This droll black comedy stars Michael Smiley as a 19th-century Irish photographer who specialises in snapping the deceased, but ends up having to investigate a serial killer. Acorn TV, 29 June

31. The Luminaries

Eleanor Catton dismantles her own 2013 Booker-winning novel across six episodes, with Eve Hewson (The Knick) as the adventurous young Brit trying to make a new life in New Zealand in the 1860s. Its visual opulence, thwarted romance and layers of cliffhanging mystery should make for a sultry, escapist summer hit. BBC One, June/July TBC

32. Hanna

Season two of a thriller that has successfully spun the 2011 movie about a teen girl raised to be an elite killer spy out into episodic format, while maintaining a sparse efficiency of storytelling as well as a careful balance of tension and action. Esme Creed-Miles is strong as the enigmatic, almost superhero-like lead character, originally played in the film by Saoirse Ronan. Amazon Prime Video, 3 July

33. Little Voice

Not a remake of the 1998 Jane Horrocks Britflick, although the theme of deriving hope from music is similar. Writer-director Jessie Nelson and songwriter Sara Bareilles the team behind the stage musical Waitress team up with JJ Abrams for this love letter to the NYC music scene, starring Brittany OGrady as one of many young hopefuls hoping to sing their way out of obscurity and find themselves while theyre at it. Apple TV+, 10 July

34. Muppets Now

Having lived off The Mandalorian for perhaps too long, Disney+ heralds a new wave of original content by dusting down Kermit and co. As has become the norm with modern Muppets, its well meta: the unscripted show centres on Scooters efforts to deliver the new Muppets TV show so it can be streamed. Disney+, 31 July

35. Mrs America

This nuanced, resonant biographical miniseries has a golden supporting cast Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, John Slattery, Melanie Lynskey, Sarah Paulson, Tracey Ullman backing Cate Blanchetts portrayal of 1970s US conservative Phyllis Schlafly, whose successful efforts to prevent sex-discrimination legislation defined what second-wave feminism was up against. BBC Two, July

JS

36. Valorant

Looking for the next Fortnite? This may well be it. Valorant is attracting huge interest from esports and streaming stars and their millions of young followers. It hinges on characters with different abilities like Overwatch and accurate sharpshooting like Counter-Strike but, happily, its still fun even if youre not the most accurate shot, especially with friends on your team. PC, out now

37. The Sims: Eco Lifestyle

Love The Sims, but find that its ultra-capitalism grates on your leftie sensibilities? To appease todays eco-conscious Gen Z audience, Maxis is giving its long-running, ludicrously compelling life-simulation game a green update. Your little computer people will soon be able to live zero-waste, upcycling, solar-powered, vegan virtual lives, transforming a grimy rundown port town into a futuristic eco-oasis. PC, PS4, XBox One, out now

38. The Last of Us Part II

A tense, terrifying post-apocalyptic drama about a deadly contagion might sound like the last thing you want to play right now, but The Last of Us Part II is an undisputed event in the world of gaming. A horror-tinged action game about a gay 19-year-old and the people around her, it explores some heavy stuff about relationships, revenge and what humans are capable of doing for and to each other in extreme circumstances. PS4, 19 June

39. Ghost of Tsushima

A stunning-looking tribute to 50s and 60s samurai action movies, this takes us to 13th-century Japan to grassy fields, feudal villages and shining blades crashing under falling cherry blossoms. The story plays with themes of honour and responsibility, and is a real showcase for the technical and artistic talents of developer Sucker Punch. PS4, 17 July

40. Paper Mario: The Origami King

If some of the other games sound a bit dark, how about wholesome, lovely Super Mario? Here, everything is made of paper, including Mario and his various cutesy foes. Slapstick humour, applause-worthy puns and a touch of endearing weirdness always make these games worth playing, and you dont need to be overly familiar with Nintendo to enjoy the jokes and the whimsy. Nintendo Switch, 17 July

KD

41. BBC Culture in Quarantine

The BBC is debuting 25 new lockdown-themed works, embracing visual, sonic and performance arts. Premieres include an exploration of African and Caribbean dance, an all-star Swan Lake bath ballet experience and plenty of beat-boxing, puppetry and drama for theatre fans. MGbbc.co.uk/arts, out now

42. Future Threads

This programme of talks, music and multimedia projects will explore how artists across the Arab world are reacting to the crisis. Tune in via Zoom for conversation with Tehran collective New Media Society on the challenges facing Irans art scene, or kick back to live music from Syrian sound artist Hello Psychaleppo. SSmosaicrooms.org, June to September

43. I Should Be Doing Something Else Right Now

This online programme has themed strands, such as Sleep Mode, offering respite from switched-on lives, with performance art and a riff on the Guardians Country Diary column. Plus, for the podcast Coping Mechanisms, artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk to friends including Carol Morley. SSsomersethouse.org, June and July

44. Live from Covent Garden

The Royal Opera House opens its doors for its first live concerts since March but only for the socially distanced performers; the rest of us can watch online. The first concert is free and its a gala of opera and dance, including a world premiere by Wayne McGregor. LWYouTube, 13 June, 7.30pm

45. BBC Proms

So far the Proms have given more of a statement of intent than a full programme. We know they kick off with a new work: Iain Farringtons Beethoven mash-up featuring all the BBC orchestras, with archive concerts on subsequent evenings. For the final fortnight there are hopes for live concerts, performed in an empty Albert Hall. ACRadio 3 and online, 17 July to 12 September

46. Always Be Comedy

The most wonderful comedy night in the world, according to Katherine Ryan, ABC has been a thriving online presence in lockdown, combining big names and new talent. Upcoming shows will include the likes of Mark Steel, Isy Suttie and Ahir Shah, as well as mystery guests. KBalwaysbecomedy.com, June and July

47. Up My Street: Online!

This festival embodies that community spirit weve all located in lockdown, featuring dancers from teens to pensioners, and choreographers such as Temujin Gill. Four episodes feature dance pieces created using Zoom, WhatsApp and gaming techniques. LWfacebook.com/greenwichdance, weekly from 25 June

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The 50 best cultural events to experience at home - The Guardian

Tom Hiddleston as Coriolanus. Photograph: Johan Persson

Neither regularly staged nor loved by many (apart from T. S. Eliot apparently), Coriolanus is the ugly duckling of Shakespeares history plays.

No matter how much imagination you pour into the vessel, the cracks are almost always visible.

Unless youre a fan of the minutiae of 5th-century Roman politics and I cant say I am Caius Marcius Coriolanus may be new to you.

Dear old Will dramatises the life of this proud general, from his unprecedented rise to his subsequent, if rather predictable, fall from power.

The play can be summed up in one quote: You are too absolute. So there you have it, no need for any more conversation, goodnight!

Tom Hiddleston is the aristocratic and unbendable protagonist his performance stern, layered and impressive, wolf-like and clear.

The rest of the star-studded cast are equally deserving of praise.

Deborah Findlay as Coriolanus mother Volumnia is all storm and fury, the classic conniving highborn Roman woman.

Mark Gatiss playing the senator Menenius is as close as the play gets to comic relief and lightens the blood-soaked drama immensely (thank goodness).

Helen Schlesinger and Elliot Levey bring up the vanguard as silver-tongued tribunes.

Josie Rourkes directing brings many shades out of the cast and is equally gritty and deft.

The set at the Donmar is limited, and the choice of keeping it bare, with a brick wall at the back and a reliance on thin potable set pieces and projection, is understood if a bit underwhelming.

Lucy Osbornes choices fail at times to conjure up the world of ancient Rome, or another recontextusied one. The senate scenes feel more like a local villages council meetings. The effect is vaguely ancient and vaguely modern, with admittedly nice use of colour.

Osbornes costumes again are semi-modern, which does sometimes produce a blended aesthetic but doesnt quite work is this piece. Nevertheless, the layered leather jerkins are things of beauty.

Battles are devilishly hard to create in a small space and all the tricks of the trade are pulled out of the hat, to some avail.

The fight choreography of Richard Ryan is swift and brutal and one of the highlights of a play which spends most of the time throwing its characters into sword fights with one another. But the cramped space and lack of theatrical signposts makes for a forgettable physical sense.

Literary scholar A. C. Bradley once said that this play is built on the grand scale, but its the grandness that is lacking in this production.

There is blood, anger, pride and the eventual catharsis within the play and in this rendition, famous actors, punchy action and political turmoil.

The disconnect is somewhere deeper within the piece and maybe hear me out down to the bard himself.

Is perhaps Coriolanus the male counterpart to Cymbeline? If you havent seen the latter, be warned.

The issue stems from Coriolanus himself, the quintessential posh mummys boy. Unlike the other tortured heroes of Shakespeare plays, such as Cleopatra, Hamlet, Lear, we get no window into the soul of this deeply flawed human.

The character is unprotected from the cruel winds of fate and audience apathy. The pain and bloodshed caused by his shocking lack of self-control and militarism is a nice warning on the evils of male arrogance, but at over three hours long, the stony armour of the character becomes a seawall that we beat ourselves against, without ever producing a crack.

Coriolanus is available to watch right now on the National TheatresYouTube channel

To support the theatre through the coronavirus crisis, donate atnationaltheatre.org.ukor text NTATHOME 10 to 70085 to give 10

The coronavirus outbreak sadly means the Hackney Citizen is unable to print a monthly newspaper for the first time in its 12-year history.

At a time when independent and trusted news is more important than ever, this was an incredibly difficult decision to have to make.

Without print advertising, our major source of income, a one-off donation from anyone who can afford it will help our small team keep the website and social media feeds running through this unprecedented crisis.

When Hackneyand the wider world has fought off this virus and we return to some semblance of normality, the print edition will be back.

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Thanks in advance for your support, and stay safe.

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Coriolanus, National Theatre Live on YouTube, stage review: 'Famous actors, punchy action and political turmoil' - Hackney Citizen

Every age has its own fascism, Primo Levi once warned. Levis all-consuming subject was the vulnerability of contemporary liberal society to radical evil, which makes quite a bit of sense since he was a firsthand witness to and victim of the Nazi concentration camps. Levi had already seen liberal society succumb to the deranged fantasies and false promises of demagogues and dictators once, and it was more than enough for a lifetime. For the rest of his days, Levi remained on guard against any recrudescence of totalitarian ideology.

Whats our excuse?

We moderns are guilty of an opposite phenomenon to this kind of fierce anti-fascism, something you might think of as phantom fascism.

Consider the viral image of Hitlers blank visage, with only the elaborate winged coif to indicate it is that of the Nazi leader.

This artwork is courtesy of a Belgian cartoonist, Luc Descheemaeker and it immediately put me in mind of a phrase by the great Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt, who warned against terribles simplificateursterrible simplifiers. When you only know one episode from history, what choice do you have but to confuse everything else with it?

Nearly four years after the inauguration of President Trump, many who oppose him still confuse his authoritarian populism with fascist totalitarianism. This is a mistake, because it is a distinction with a difference.

A more insightful analysis is provided by David Frum in his new book Trumpocalypse.

In a shrewd chapter titled White Terror, Frum explicates the new socio-political movement that Trump belongs to but does not quite command. This movement may like to call itself nationalist, but to Frums mind, this is a misnomer. The most fundamental concept in the politics of the new movement is the divide between friend and enemy, but for the new movement, the divide cuts through nations, not between them. The idea of a civic nationalism that forms the heart of Americas political philosophy is alien to this ideology.

Applying the fascist label to this new movement doesnt really help explain it.

It is true that the same fascination with and sanctification of violence embodied in Trumps GOP and kindred movements around the world is an essential element of fascism. But while all fascist movements are violent, not all violent movements are fascist.

The partisans of Trump look backward to a largely mythical past, not forward to a utopia of national redemption through war. Whatever superficial resemblances this new movement may possess with the fascism of old, it is considerably weaker than the original because, at base, it is not the vanguard of a revolutionary movement, but a rearguard action being fought by a demographic in its twilight.

When scientists examine a species that resembles another, but only incompletely or imperfectly, they add the suffix oid, Frum observes. A chemical compound thats not quite an alkaline is an alkaloid. In the same way Trump and his ilk are fascoidnear it, but not quite the same, a failure even as fascists.

This gulf between fascism and Trumpism has been laid bare in recent weeks. As Ross Douthat observes, across his presidency Trump has been more a Wallace than a Nixon, less law and order than the law for thee but not for me. This insight corresponds to a government that has always been less concerned, as Frum has argued, with persecuting the innocent than protecting the guilty.

As we prepare to enter this election season, theres a wise motto for Trumps oppositionnota bene: not the resistanceto consider:

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

As I was taught long ago, notice that the author did not say optimism of the heart.

The will is something else.

It is active and vigilant, concerned not only with intentions but consequences. Excessive pessimism of the intellect can actually mitigate the will. Against an actual fascist regime, extra-constitutional means must be entertained by the opposition. By contrast, within a democratic system grappling with the authoritarian populism we face now requires a firmly constitutional response: It requires a complete and total victory at the ballot box, not a change in the form of government.

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Trump Is Too Weak to Be a Strongman - The Bulwark

TORONTO A gift of $10 million by the Temerty Foundation was made in April to the University of Torontos Faculty of Medicine to help its partner hospitals respond to the immediate needs of frontline health-care workers, and facilitate research and training in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early April, the Temerty Foundation committed to the donation for the creation of the Deans COVID-19 Priority Fund. The fund directly supports frontline clinical faculty members and trainees who are fighting the pandemic, and researchers at the University of Toronto (U of T) and partner hospitals that are seeking to improve testing, accelerate vaccine research, and create better treatments and prevention strategies.

This investment has already helped to expand the infrastructure required to perform critical research and supply urgent clinical resources, and has enabled exploration of innovative solutions to maximize the use and reuse of personal protective equipment (PPE). It has established urgently required isolation housing for medical residents and fellows, and provided emergency student funds. It has also supported other projects with an impact across the entire Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), the group of research, teaching and community hospitals and health-care centers anchored by U of T.

We are deeply grateful to the Temerty Foundation for their outstanding leadership in responding to this unprecedented global crisis, said President Meric Gertler. Receiving a gift of this magnitude so early in the crisis has helped us meet the urgent needs of our regions frontline clinicians and medical trainees, and will continue to provide vital support to researchers in defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Established in 1997 by James and Louise Temerty, the Temerty Foundation has provided significant philanthropic support to health care, education and culture in Toronto and various other communities.

Through our gift to the University of Toronto, we want to support a local network of heroes fighting on behalf of all of us, to protect us on a day-to-day basis and to discover a long-term solution that can help us stabilize and recover from this devastating crisis, said Leah Temerty-Lord, managing director of the Temerty Foundation. We hope this will help the patients and caregivers who are experiencing this awful virus and give the talented scientists some of the tools they need to accelerate the most promising research.

Meeting urgent needs

Through the Deans COVID-19 Priority Fund, the Temerty Foundations gift has been directed to support the following initiatives:

Immediate expansion of U of Ts Containment Level 3 (CL3) facility and creation of a COVID-19 Biobank to house virus samples a national priority. Infectious agents like COVID-19 require highly secure storage environments. U of T is home to one of only two CL3 facilities in Toronto and is the only one available for research. The foundations support is helping the Faculty expand the facility to provide researchers from across the city with 24/7 access to the samples needed to investigate and test COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and related solutions.

Isolation housing for U of T Medicine residents and fellows who are frontline health-care workers rotating through the Greater Toronto Areas major hospitals. Many of these trainees may be required to isolate as they are tested for, or recover from, COVID-19, while others may need to self-isolate to protect those with whom they live.

Innovative reuse of PPE by employing technologies such as UV light, heat or ozone to potentially disinfect N95 face masks. At U of T, researchers have been testing and implementing protocols that will allow the masks worn by frontline health-care workers throughout the regions hospitals to retain their effectiveness while being thoroughly cleaned. The protocols follow recently released guidelines on the reuse of PPE.

The Toronto COVID-19 Action Fund, a parallel fund created and launched by the University of Toronto to make rapid contributions to the fight against the virus. The fund has already committed grants to support 31 hospital and U of T research projects that expand understanding of the pathogen and have an impact at the vanguard of care. The Temerty Foundation is joining more than 600 other generous donors to support this fund, including critical contributions from the university and 12 of its hospital partners.

Additional critical research projects at U of Ts Faculty of Medicine and partner hospitals that are not fully funded by the Toronto COVID-19 Action Fund. These could include solutions such as diagnostics, anti-viral agents and currently approved drugs that could be potentially repurposed to treat COVID-19.

Emergency Assistance Grants for students who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through loss of income or other unexpected expenses. These grants help students with immediate critical needs such as living costs, helping alleviate this burden while they support the efforts against COVID-19.

Urgent professional development for clinicians and trainees who may find themselves navigating unfamiliar areas of health care due to redeployment, such as the ICU or palliative medicine. U of T Medicine is harnessing its world-class education to offer essential clinical resources for health-care providers and trainees across its hospital-partner network.

The Temerty Foundation truly understands the powerful impact U of T and our partner hospitals can have when we work together, said Trevor Young, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and vice provost for relations with health-care institutions. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and vision. For the trainees, clinicians and researchers battling this virus every day, this is a huge vote of confidence.

Benefitting Torontos health-care system

The TAHSN is a consortium of world-class research, teaching and community hospitals with a single medical school U of Ts Faculty of Medicine serving as its hub. Pushing the boundaries of knowledge and clinical practice, TAHSN delivers high-quality patient care, drives innovative research and advances outstanding medical education, contributing 20 percent of all newly trained Canadian physicians.

The Temerty Foundations remarkable gift supports what is vitally needed across TAHSN during this pandemic: a strong combination of front-line support and critical research, noted Gary Newton, president and CEO of Sinai Health System and chair of TAHSN. There is no one easy solution, but this investment is a terrific catalyst for the innovation and collaboration we need to address the threats of COVID-19.

Around the globe, philanthropists are giving generously to support their communities and help address the COVID-19 crisis. The Temerty Foundation is helping to lead a wider movement of donors who are supporting U of T and its hospital partners during this time of great need.

We are immensely grateful to the Temerty Foundation for their rapid response during this unprecedented global crisis, commented David Palmer, vice-president for advancement at U of T. Their generous and timely donation is having an immediate impact on our collective ability to confront this challenge. Toronto is home to some of the worlds brightest minds in biomedical research and clinical-care innovation, and this gift has already helped us to scale up their work quickly. It also ensures we can effectively support the health-care workers at the center of this global fight.

About the Temerty Foundation

Founded by James and Louise Temerty in 1997, and managed by their daughter Leah Temerty-Lord, the Temerty Foundation has had health care as one of its primary charitable focuses since its inception. Past activities include establishing the Temerty Center for Therapeutic Brain Intervention at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, the Louise Temerty Breast Cancer Center at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, the Temerty Foundation RGNEF (Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor) Research Fund for neurodegenerative disease at Western University, and the worlds first international tele-simulation center in medical education at the University Health Network.

The Temerty Foundation and family have supported the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Canadian Red Cross, The Hospital for Sick Children, North York General Hospital, the Michener Institute and the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. The foundation was instrumental in launching the Kyiv Mohyla Business School, and it also founded the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter Initiative, a multinational project that aims to build a sound foundation for future interaction among Ukrainians and Jews.

Mr. Temerty, a Ukrainian Canadian born in the Donbas region of Ukraine, was the founding chairman of Northland Power Inc. and continues to serve as a director of the company. Northland Power is an independent power-producing company with a focus on clean and green energy. An entrepreneur with over 40 years of business experience, Mr. Temerty was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2008 and awarded the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 for Canada.

Originally posted here:

Temerty Foundation donates $10 M to U of Toronto to combat COVID-19 - The Ukrainian Weekly

COVID-19 Impact Analysis of Canoeing Equipment Market

[Los Angeles], [United States], June 2020, The Canoeing Equipment Market research report includes an in-sight study of the key [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026] market prominent players along with the company profiles and planning adopted by them. This helps the buyer of the Canoeing Equipment report to gain a clear view of the competitive landscape and accordingly plan Canoeing Equipment market strategies. An isolated section with top key players is provided in the report, which provides a complete analysis of price, gross, revenue(Mn), Canoeing Equipment specifications, and company profiles. The Canoeing Equipment study is segmented by Module Type, Test Type, And Region.

The market size section gives the Canoeing Equipment market revenue, covering both the historic growth of the market and the forecasting of the future. Moreover, the report covers a host of company profiles, who are making a mark in the industry or have the potential to do so. The profiling of the players includes their market size, key product launches, information regarding the strategies they employ, and others. The report identifies the total market sales generated by a particular firm over a period of time. Industry experts calculate share by taking into account the product sales over a period and then dividing it by the overall sales of the Canoeing Equipment industry over a defined period.

Download Full PDF Sample Copy of Report: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1839542/global-canoeing-equipment-market

Key Manufacturers of Canoeing Equipment Market include: AIRE, BIC Sport, HYSIDE, NRS, SOTAR, AIRHEAD, Aqua Marina, Ocean Kayak, Malibu Kayaks, Rave Sports, Vanguard Inflatables Canoeing Equipment

The research covers the current market size of the [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026]and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc.,. The in-depth information by segments of Canoeing Equipmentmarket helps monitor performance & make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026].

This study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026]. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study: https://www.qyresearch.com/index/detail/1839542/global-canoeing-equipment-market

Geographically,this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Canoeing Equipmentin these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering

Please Check below Chapters to display the [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026].

There are 15 Chapters to display the [Global Canoeing Equipment Market Insights and Forecast to 2026].

Request for customization in Report and get it within 24 hours in your inbox: https://www.qyresearch.com/customize-request/form/1839542/global-canoeing-equipment-market

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Canoeing Equipment, Applications of Canoeing Equipment, Market Segment by Regions;

Chapter 2, To analyse the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;

Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Canoeing Equipment, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;

Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (AIRE, BIC Sport, HYSIDE, NRS, SOTAR, AIRHEAD, Aqua Marina, Ocean Kayak, Malibu Kayaks, Rave Sports, Vanguard Inflatables Canoeing Equipment), Sales Analysis (AIRE, BIC Sport, HYSIDE, NRS, SOTAR, AIRHEAD, Aqua Marina, Ocean Kayak, Malibu Kayaks, Rave Sports, Vanguard Inflatables Canoeing Equipment), Sales Price Analysis (AIRE, BIC Sport, HYSIDE, NRS, SOTAR, AIRHEAD, Aqua Marina, Ocean Kayak, Malibu Kayaks, Rave Sports, Vanguard Inflatables Canoeing Equipment);

Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc., Canoeing Equipment Segment Market Analysis;

Chapter 7 and 8, to analyse the Canoeing Equipment Segment Market Analysis Major Manufacturers Analysis of Canoeing Equipment;

Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type, Market Trend;

Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;

Chapter 11, to analyse the Consumers Analysis of Canoeing Equipment;

Chapter 12, to describe Canoeing Equipment Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Canoeing Equipment sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

About Us:

QY Research established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact on Canoeing Equipment Market Status, Players, Types, Applications, and Forecast 2020-2026 - Cole of Duty

AGAIN, the Senior Staff Employees of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Branch, has disagreed with the Engr. Christopher Okonkwo-led SSAEAC National body, over the sack of Dr. Usman Gur Mohammed as the Managing Director/CEO of TCN.

The National body of SSAEAC had called for his removal over what it referred to as anti-labour practices at the TCN.

But in a statement obtained by Vanguard, TCN Branch President of SSAEAC, Engr. Dairo Abidemi, stated: SSAEAC TCN Branch wishes to applaud the excellent performance of Dr Usman G Mohammed. His sudden removal from TCN puts the entire workforce in shock. Dr U G Mohammeds works speak volumes of his capacity. He came to TCN at the time the company was referred to as the weakest link. TCN is now the strongest link in the electricity power chain.

Local Content

According to him; he has promoted the local content in-house engineers to a level of envy by the hawks of contractors that had always rip the TCN dry at the expense of the hard-working TCN staff. The in-house engineers are now the ones installing and repairing TCN transformers nationwide as against the practice in the past where millions were spent to install or repair transformers.

Industrial Relations

Abidemi stated: He was able to promote industrial relations between the two in-house unions (SSAEAC/NUEE) to enhance industrial harmony and improve productivity. Staff welfare has improved, as workers are happy doing their jobs. Training of staff has increased and impacted positively on the staff and the union are in a sober mood, even though the MD has a 4-year tenure in TCN we are still in shock, especially as we see him, as a messiah sent to save the power sector.

Containers

He stated: Dr. Mohammed cleared about 800 stranded containers of power equipment from various Nigerian ports and deployed for completion of several transmission projects across the country. Some of these containers were stranded for over 15 years; some were even auctioned and TCN had to buy them back.

Frequency Control, Stability

He maintained: Dr. Mohammed carried out enforcement of Frequency Control and achieved Frequency stability of 49.75Hz 50.25Hz as defined in the Grid Code for 85% of the time and achieved WAPP standard of 49.8Hz 50.2Hz for about 66% of the time in 2019. This earned TCN a commendation letter from West African Power Pool. For the first time, TCN Management focused on quality of power supply in addition to the quantity.

Rehabilitation, Expansion

He stated: Dr. Mohammed completed the Least Cost Transmission Expansion Master Plan study with support of World Bank, which sets out the transmission expansion plan for attainment of 20,000MW transmission wheeling capacity. This was presented to the Minister of Power in January 2019.

Dr. Mohammed initiated the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), with development objectives to rehabilitate; stabilise; provide necessary flexibility and redundancies and as well as expand the Wheeling Capacity of TCN to 20,000MW by 2022. This is to be achieved through four key strategies, viz: (i) enforcement of System Frequency Control; (ii) procurement of adequate Spinning Reserve; (iii) provision of functional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and (iv) Critical Investment in Lines and Substations. The programme has attracted concessionary finances to the tune of $1,661bn from multi-lateral donors including World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AFDB), Agency for French Development (AFD) and Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). All these four strategies are currently on course.

He restructured the projects management functions of the company for effective delivery of projects. This results in taking over and completion of several transmission projects that have lingered for many years (most of them more than 10 years) as well as supporting weak contractors to complete several other projects that have similarly lingered for years.

Empowerment

Similarly, he stated: Dr. Mohammed initiated TCN Engineers Empowerment scheme through which TCN engineers installed several power transformers across the country. Most of these projects were completed at about 10% of the time and 10% of the cost of delivering such kind of projects through contracts.

Contracting, Grant

According to him: He reinvigorated qualification criteria for selection of contractors in order to attract competent and experienced contractors to handle complex project. This is with a view to avoiding failure of projects that characterised the implementation of the past project and achieve cost savings. These objectives are being achieved.

Dr. Mohammed attracted the largest grant in the history of TCN to the tune of $59m from JICA and European Union in two years for specific projects in the system.

Right of Way, SCADA

Furthermore, he stated: He eases the process of acquisition of transmission Right of Way (RoW) through the initiative of collaboration with state governments who are statutory owners of land. Securing RoW is gradually being resolved for the old projects while all new projects are approached through the collaboration from beginning.

Since handover of the privatised companies on the 31st of October 2013, the Market has been characterised by low compliance with various provisions of Industry Ruling Documents leading to unsatisfactory Market performance. Given that the Market Operations sector of TCN is empowered by the Market Rules to enforce compliance with the rules by all market participants, the current management took the decision to strongly support and encourage the MO to enforce relevant provisions of the market rules with a view to instilling discipline in the market. Interestingly, the enforcement, since its commencement in May 2019, has resulted in 100% remittance of the MO invoice by the distribution companies as against the usual poor performance of less than 45% monthly.

He initiated processes for deployment of SCADA and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) to increase System Operations and Market Operations efficiency and visibility.

Welfare, Training

He maintained that, TCN under the U. G. Mohammed leadership has made the welfare of staff topmost priority. Many of the staff allowances that were stagnant since the time of privatisation were at various times increased. Staff salary was also increased by 60%.

Under the U. G. Mohammed leadership, TCN re-introduced the pupillage training program under which young engineers work under the tutelage of senior engineers for a period of one year before they can start work on their own. The pupillage programme existed in PHCN where young engineers were trained for a period of two years. He also structured collaboration with other agencies such as AGIP/NNPC JV, GIZ-NESP, Power Africa/USAID, EU, DFID/NiAF, JICA, Association of Power Utilities in Africa (APUA), etc.

Wheeling Capacity

He added: TCN wheeling capacity has increased to over 8,000MW. WAPP also witnessed tremendous improvement in its activities. TCN led the strategy that resulted in successful commencement of the implementation of the North Core Project. The second Coastal backbone (new 330kV DC from Nigeria to Benin Republic) studies has also been intensified and about to be concluded. WAPP, in collaboration with ERERA, was able to launch the commencement of the 1st phase of the West African Power Market in June 2018.

The Minister of Power, Mr. Mamman Sale, had sacked Mohammed, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Aaron Atimas, while Mr. Sule Abdulaziz was announced as his successor.

Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, in a letter, titled: Re: Aligning the Transmission Company of Nigeria with the Presidential Power Initiative addressed to the Minister of Power, had granted approval for the sack.

However, in a circular, the Secretary to Federal Government, Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha, disagreed with the sack of Mohammed, arguing that no minister had the powers to unilaterally remove CEOs of agencies without going through the disciplinary procedure approved by the President for erring heads of agencies.

Vanguard News Nigeria

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Again, SSAEAC, TCN branch disagrees with national body over allegations against Mohammed - Vanguard

COVID-19 has upended the presidential campaign. The latest chapter: On Monday, President Donald Trump threatened to pull the Republican convention and the jobs and economic development that come with it from Charlotte unless North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper guarantees immediately that Republicans can fully occupy the arena.

The Republican National Committee has continually vowed to have its planned in-person national convention in August, despite public health warnings against large gatherings, and Trumps threat is just the latest sign of Republicans determination to do so. Democrats, in contrast, have delayed their convention from July to the week before the Republican convention and are considering the prospect of remote voting and a more virtual event that would limit in-person interactions. But they, too, seem intent on having some sort of convention.

Realistically, even if health officials give the parties the green light to have their traditional in-person conventions, they will probably insist on unprecedented measures to try to ensure some form of social distancing.

The parties determination is a reminder that even though some have questioned their purpose in the modern era, the nominating conventions remain a key part of our cultural and political fabric. While their impact has been undoubtedly diminished from the days when the parties arrived in the convention city unsure who their nominee would be, these raucous gatherings are still iconic political moments that propel a campaign forward and have long helped to democratize American politics.

The roots of the nominating conventions lie with an increase in political activism spurred by the actions of the controversial Andrew Jackson.

Future president Martin Van Buren had considered the concept of national party conventions in 1828. He envisioned that such an event would help unify the Democrats, quashing sectional divisions and organizing the fledgling group into a coherent party full of experienced politicians. But when Van Burens Democrats failed to act on the idea, it was left to a third party to make it a reality.

In an attempt to challenge the two-party system by employing better grass-roots organization, the Anti-Masonic Party had the first national nominating convention in September 1831. The concept was in keeping with the Anti-Masonic mantra of increasing democratization and grassroots political participation. A convention also promised the added benefit of raising the profile of the party and branding it as far more transparent than its opponents.

This strategy worked. The convention both established the Anti-Masons as an independent party in the 1832 election and led to the widespread acceptance of nominating conventions in both the short and long term.

In the aftermath, grassroots supporters of the National Republican Party (completely unrelated to todays Republicans), encouraged their leaders to have their own national convention in December 1831, at which they nominated Henry Clay to oppose Jackson.

In contrast, despite its name and President Jacksons reputation as a man of the people, the Democratic Party argued there was no need for a convention to nominate Jackson as he was already president. Nonetheless, wanting to preserve the image of the Jacksonian Democrats as being at the vanguard of the movement for increasing democratization, party leaders insisted on holding a national convention for a new vice presidential nominee, a necessity because of the rupture between Jackson and Vice President John C. Calhoun that had come to a head over the brewing Nullification Crisis in Calhouns home state of South Carolina.

The Democratic convention was widely mocked by political opponents, especially when Jacksons confidante Van Buren became the Democrats vice presidential nominee in the face of vast opposition within the party. Van Burens nomination also lent credence to claims that the convention was a farce that promoted neither participation nor transparency.

The mere presence of a convention signaled a significant shift in American politics. Previously, parties had chosen their presidential nominees through the long-discredited caucus system, in which party leaders had picked the candidate behind closed doors.

Increasing angst over a lack of transparency had doomed these party caucuses, whereas conventions allowed for more public discussions of party politics. This brought an air of openness and the potential for greater political participation by voters. Conventions therefore became the lasting replacement for the party caucus, and an ideal way to encourage party unity and activism on behalf of the presidential ticket.

With the addition of the Democrats party platform after their 1840 convention, platforms also became an intrinsic component of unifying a party behind stated values and policies the fervency of sectionalism in the period before and after the Civil War put special emphasis on platforms, making them of equal importance to the choice of a candidate.

Beginning with the Anti-Masons in 1832 and lasting until 1968, the outcome of the party conventions was far from certain. Delegates gathered to select a nominee, often producing great drama and sometimes surprise nominees. Nominees owed their candidacies to wheeling and dealing and active campaigning for delegates on the convention floor. This practice continued long after Florida initiated the presidential primary election in 1901, and often resulted in a nominee who either skipped the primaries or hadnt won any of them.

But after violence, protests and dissension marred the Democratic Partys 1968 gathering, the parties restructured the nomination process, eroding the drama of the conventions. After the Republicans 1976 gathering, filled with suspense as to whether President Gerald Ford would be renominated, the conventions became mere coronations for the partys candidate, an opportunity to unify their parties and build energy and momentum heading into the general election. The choice of a running mate used to be the last remaining element of surprise but in the 21st century, presumptive presidential nominees have consistently chosen to announce their running mate before the convention.

From the 1970s to 2016, the purpose of conventions has primarily been to gain the coveted convention bounce in the polls. Even the platforms have seen their importance shift, as candidates use them as more of a mechanism to appease factions within their party than a binding statement of an agenda. Trumps advisers have even explored replacing the 58-page platform from 2016 with something that can fit on a notecard but this risks alienating key constituencies.

The rise of 24-hour cable news has intensified the unparalleled media coverage given to a party during its convention even as broadcast networks have cut back coverage significantly.

A candidates acceptance speech can make or break a campaign often helping to forge voters impressions of the nominee. Modern conventions focus more on image and inspiring voters than any substantive politics.

Considering the potential for limited in-person interactions during the 2020 conventions, the priority of image and providing inspiration will be all the more critical and possibly harder to achieve if there arent thousands of cheering, sign-waving delegates. This energy might be one reason Republicans are so insistent on having a full arena.

Yet, regardless how many people are in attendance, the conventions will still provide insight into how unified and energized each party is, and how well theyre able to craft a message that connects. While this isnt the only purpose theyve had over time, its still important, and will help signal which party is in better shape heading into November.

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Smith: Trump's demand for a full arena reveals that party conventions still matter - Longview News-Journal

By Jessica Giannino

Public Safety has alwaysbeen one of my top priorities. With National Police Week and InternationalFirefighters Day in our rearview and, of course, a pandemic on our hands forthe unforeseeable future, public safety is on the vanguard. In fact, it may bemore necessary than ever before. It is important to keep in mind that publicsafety is multi-faceted. To be a community with well-rounded public safety, itmeans having the best tools and resources for our police and fire departments,having adequate staffing and ensuring the safety of our community.

Although we are amid ahistoric pandemic, we have made time over the last few weeks to recognize thefirefighters and police officers and first responders that serve, have retriedand those weve lost. As the daughter of a police officer, Ive grown up with adeep understanding of the sacrifices that police officers make when they reportto work each day. Every day when my dad put on his uniform and went to work, heset out to protect not only my family, but our community.As thegranddaughter and goddaughter of 2 firemen, I can understand the unsettlingfeeling when they leave the house not knowing what they are walking into,weather it be a home of someone who could potentially be infected with COVID 19or walking into a blaze. When other people run out, or police and fire run in.The truth is, our loved ones made an oath. They put themselves and their safetyat risk each and every day. That selflessness is something I have the utmostrespect for.

As a Chair of Public Safetyon the Revere City Council, I can assure you that especially during these timeswe are relying heavily on police, fire, municipal, and regional emergencyofficials. I am so very proud of the great work our police and firefightershave accomplished under the leadership of Chiefs Guido and Bright. The samegoes for the community partnerships that have been built and strengthened overthe years with public safety in mind. Through my work in city government, Iveseen how important, and sometimes fragile, the relationship between publicsafety officials and the civilians they serve really is. Its so important tome that I will seek to be a member of the Joint Committee on Public Safety andHomeland Security if elected as your next State Representative.

Jessica Giannino is anCity Councilor At-Large for the City of Revere, as well as a candidate forState Representative, 16th Suffolk District.

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Guest Op-ed: Public Safety Is on My Mind - Revere Journal