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Seeing those opt-out messages about your personal information on websites? Thank California's new privacy law

"Do not sell my info" links popped up on websites New Year's Day as companies scrambled to comply with California's sweeping new consumer privacy protection law.




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GCHQ reveals last message from German Second World War network

Historian Tony Comer says it is ‘a small insight into the real people behind the machinery of war’.




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Trump fundraisers embrace anti-China message in pitch for donations

The appeal reflects an increased effort by the Trump campaign to use US-China relations as a campaign issue against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.




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'Point of saturation': distancing messages need update to stifle virus

There were just 26 cases reported on Sunday but photographs from the weekend show people may be socialising too closely, too early.




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'Point of saturation': distancing messages need update to stifle virus

There were just 26 cases reported on Sunday but photographs from the weekend show people may be socialising too closely, too early.




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'Point of saturation': distancing messages need update to stifle virus

There were just 26 cases reported on Sunday but photographs from the weekend show people may be socialising too closely, too early.




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Deepika Padukone’s Message For Irrfan Khan Is What His Fans Want To Tell The Late Actor Right Now




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Chelsea's Pulisic sends message to Liverpool boss Klopp

The American international broke through at Borussia Dortmund when Klopp was still in charge, and was introduced to first-team training by the now Liverpool boss




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Kofi Kingston's message to WWE fans as he opens up on family life

EXCLUSIVE: The WWE star and dad-of-two talks about silver linings of lockdown, keeping in touch with The New Day, how the NSPCC can help families and his plans for fans




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To CIOs: A message from your engine room

CIOs often end up trying to manage complex browsers with traditional management or cobbled-together tools. Why is this a problem?

Keep on reading: To CIOs: A message from your engine room




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Doctors slam 'mixed messages' sent by allowing racing to continue

The WA branch of the Australian Medical Association says horse and greyhound races should be put on hold during the coronavirus outbreak out of respect for the community.




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Attention, graduates: Barack and Michelle Obama have a message for you

Former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver commencement speeches as part of virtual graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020.




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Trump's message to Central America: Want ventilators? Help us with immigration

The Trump administration appears to be conditioning coronavirus assistance in Central America on immigration policy




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Trump team scrambles to refocus message after bleach debacle

The new White House communications team is scrambling to keep Trump on TV but limit his ability to offer dangerous medical advice. The goal is to show him as a leader and push his reelection message. The problem is that Trump almost certainly will sabotage the plan.




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Message from the Attorney General and the President to Employees

The following message from the Attorney General was emailed to Justice Department employees on October 1, 2013.




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Message from the Attorney General to Employees

The following message from the Attorney General was emailed to Justice Department employees on October 10, 2013.




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Attorney General Holder Records Message for Cartoon Network’s “I Speak up” Campaign to Combat Bullying

The Justice Department announced Monday that Attorney General Eric Holder has recorded a video message as part of the Cartoon Network’s “I Speak Up” campaign to combat bullying. The project urges young people to speak up in order to help bring bullying situations to an end.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Trump's new 2020 message — it's not my fault

With the economy in free fall and deaths still rising from the coronavirus crisis, President Trump argued Friday that voters shouldn't hold him responsible.




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With Coronavirus, ‘Nature is sending us a message’, says UN Environment Chief

Prof Andrew Cunningham from the Zoological Society of London said, “The emergence of COVID-19 was not only predictable, but it was also predicted (in the sense that) there would be another viral emergence from wildlife that would be a public health threat.”

 




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Radio message meant to motivate Massa - Ferrari

Ferrari said that the radio message issued to Felipe Massa during the German Grand Prix was merely meant to motivate the Brazilian to drive faster himself




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Foxconn Sends a Manufacturing Message with New Pennsylvania Plant


Last week international electronics mega-manufacturer Foxconn announced plans to invest $30 million in a new robotics plant in Harrisburg, PA. Foxconn, the notorious Chinese low-wage manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone, has become the poster child of U.S. outsourcing in the face of ruinous global labor cost competition. The calculus of manufacturing supremacy is seemingly simple: Low labor costs and taxes, proximity to a large consumer base, and manageable corruption levels equal a sure strategy to attract global firms.

So what’s going on in Harrisburg? Foxconn is beginning to realize what a number of global manufacturers have come to realize: Production sites that can leverage university, government, and private R&D, a market-ready STEM workforce, and a vibrant cluster of global manufacturing supply chains trump cheap labor and tax breaks. In this regard the Harrisburg region is a big win for Pennsylvania as well as Foxconn—a company trying to move away from a legacy of poor working conditions to one of high-value, high-skilled production.   

Harrisburg and the larger Rust Belt Pittsburgh-Youngstown region to the west are hotbeds of advanced manufacturing. Youngstown is home to the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute—an internationally recognized hub for so-called “3D printing” that draws together public- and private-sector resources. Pittsburgh—with the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and firms like Google—has redefined itself from a gilded-era steel town to a modern technology leader in software and robotics. Indeed, Foxconn is investing $10 million in Carnegie Mellon’s world class advanced robotics R&D. Finally, also in the Rust Belt and including Harrisburg, Akron and Cleveland, cheap natural gas has helped push manufacturing job and firm growth in a region that was hit extremely hard by the recession.

While Foxconn may be one of the highest profile foreign firm to relocate to the United States it is certainly not, as we’ve discussed, the first. Again and again, global firms interested in high-end manufacturing are putting a renewed premium on geographic clusters of intensive innovation. To be sure, countries with low labor costs still maintain solid advantages in a number manufacturing industries that will help their economies grow—this is the benefit and reality of a global economy. But when it comes to advanced manufacturing, U.S. metro areas and regions that foster synergies between research, skills, and production will likely continue to be highly sought after from firms looking to move up the global value chain.

Authors

Image Source: © George Frey / Reuters
      
 
 




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New al-Qaida message urges attacks on Israel


Hamzah bin Laden issued a new video message this week, only his second ever, calling for all Muslims to support the Palestinian intifada. The 17-minute message coincided with a longer message from al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri urging support for the Syrian branch of al-Qaida, the Nusra Front.

Hamzah's message says recovering Jerusalem and the al Aqsa mosque is the most important responsibility of every Muslim. He quotes his father Osama bin Laden, stressing that fighting Israel is the fundamental basis of al-Qaida's ideology and narrative. The video shows images of Palestinians clashing with Israeli soldiers. In the message, Hamzah says: "knives are our weapon; you should have no trouble finding your own knives."


Israeli border police run in front of Dome of the Rock during a protest after Friday prayers at a compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City February 22, 2013. Photo credit: Reuters/ Muammar Awad.

Hamzah also urges all Muslims to kill Jews and "their interests worldwide." The United States should be attacked, he says, for providing Israel with $3 billion a year in assistance—which Hamzah predicts will rise to $5 billion a year soon. He says American-Israeli "security collaboration is at its highest level" and Americans "have to pay their bill with blood." Every Muslim "has to personally take part in defending the al Aqsa mosque by waging jihad to avenge our pure sisters who were killed in cold blood" by Israel.

Both Hamzah and Zawahiri laud the Syrian revolution for bringing al-Qaida to the border of Israel. The two messages were released by al-Qaida's media arm, al Sahab, a day apart. Their release ends a seven-month silence by both—they had not released any messages since last summer. Zawahiri has already released a second message lauding the late leader of the Afghan Taliban Mullah Omar and castigating the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

Hamzah's message may be an indication that he is being groomed to be Zawahiri's successor. The 25 year-old favorite son of bin Laden is a charismatic face for the organization, which has been eclipsed in the global media by the Islamic State. By associating himself with Palestinian attacks in Jerusalem, Hamzah is trying to appeal to the widespread support in the jihadist movement for them.


Authors

      
 
 




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Realist or neocon? Mixed messages in Trump advisor’s foreign policy vision


Last night, retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn addressed the Republican convention as a headline speaker on the subject of national security. One of Donald Trump’s closest advisors—so much so that he was considered for vice president—Flynn repeated many of the themes found in his new book, The Field of Fight, How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies, which he coauthored with Michael Ledeen. (The book is published by St. Martin’s, which also published mine.)

Written in Flynn’s voice, the book advances two related arguments: First, the U.S. government does not know enough about its enemies because it does not collect enough intelligence, and it refuses to take ideological motivations seriously. Second, our enemies are collaborating in an “international alliance of evil countries and movements that is working to destroy” the United States despite their ideological differences.

Readers will immediately notice a tension between the two ideas. “On the surface,” Flynn admits, “it seems incoherent.” He asks: 

“How can a Communist regime like North Korea embrace a radical Islamist regime like Iran? What about Russia’s Vladimir Putin? He is certainly no jihadi; indeed, Russia has a good deal to fear from radical Islamist groups.” 

Flynn spends much of the book resolving the contradiction and proving that America’s enemies—North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, and ISIS—are in fact working in concert.

No one who has read classified intelligence or studied international relations will balk at the idea that unlikely friendships are formed against a common enemy. As Flynn observes, the revolutionary Shiite government in Tehran cooperates with nationalist Russia and communist North Korea; it has also turned a blind eye (at the very least) to al-Qaida’s Sunni operatives in Iran and used them bargaining chips when negotiating with Osama bin Laden and the United States. 

Flynn argues that this is more than “an alliance of convenience.” Rather, the United States’ enemies share “a contempt for democracy and an agreement—by all the members of the enemy alliance—that dictatorship is a superior way to run a country, an empire, or a caliphate.” Their shared goals of maximizing dictatorship and minimizing U.S. interference override their substantial ideological differences. Consequently, the U.S. government must work to destroy the alliance by “removing the sickening chokehold of tyranny, dictatorships, and Radical Islamist regimes.” Its failure to do so over the past decades gravely imperils the United States, he contends.

The book thus offers two very different views of how to exercise American power abroad: spread democracies or stand with friendly strongmen...[P]erhaps it mirrors the confusion in the Republican establishment over the direction of conservative foreign policy.

Some of Flynn’s evidence for the alliance diverts into the conspiratorial—I’ve seen nothing credible to back up his assertion that the Iranians were behind the 1979 takeover of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by Sunni apocalypticists. And there’s an important difference between the territorially-bounded ambitions of Iran, Russia, and North Korea, on the one hand, and ISIS’s desire to conquer the world on the other; the former makes alliances of convenience easier than the latter. Still, Flynn would basically be a neocon if he stuck with his core argument: tyrannies of all stripes are arrayed against the United States so the United States should destroy them.

But some tyrannies are less worthy of destruction than others. In fact, Flynn argues there’s a category of despot that should be excluded from his principle, the “friendly tyrants” like President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi in Egypt and former president Zine Ben Ali in Tunisia. Saddam Hussein should not have been toppled, Flynn argues, and even Russia could become an “ideal partner for fighting Radical Islam” if only it would come to its senses about the threat of “Radical Islam.” Taken alone, these arguments would make Flynn realist, not a neocon. 

The book thus offers two very different views of how to exercise American power abroad: spread democracies or stand with friendly strongmen. Neither is a sure path to security. Spreading democracy through the wrong means can bring to power regimes that are even more hostile and authoritarian; standing with strongmen risks the same. Absent some principle higher than just democracy or security for their own sakes, the reader is unable to decide between Flynn’s contradictory perspectives and judge when their benefits are worth the risks. 

It’s strange to find a book about strategy so at odds with itself. Perhaps the dissonance is due to the co-authors’ divergent views (Ledeen is a neocon and Flynn is comfortable dining with Putin.) Or perhaps it mirrors the confusion in the Republican establishment over the direction of conservative foreign policy. Whatever the case, the muddled argument offered in The Field of Fight demonstrates how hard it is to overcome ideological differences to ally against a common foe, regardless of whether that alliance is one of convenience or conviction. 

Authors

         




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Buhari’s Nigeria: John Kerry’s tough love message

      
 
 




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Realist or neocon? Mixed messages in Trump advisor’s foreign policy vision


Last night, retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn addressed the Republican convention as a headline speaker on the subject of national security. One of Donald Trump’s closest advisors—so much so that he was considered for vice president—Flynn repeated many of the themes found in his new book, The Field of Fight, How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies, which he coauthored with Michael Ledeen. (The book is published by St. Martin’s, which also published mine.)

Written in Flynn’s voice, the book advances two related arguments: First, the U.S. government does not know enough about its enemies because it does not collect enough intelligence, and it refuses to take ideological motivations seriously. Second, our enemies are collaborating in an “international alliance of evil countries and movements that is working to destroy” the United States despite their ideological differences.

Readers will immediately notice a tension between the two ideas. “On the surface,” Flynn admits, “it seems incoherent.” He asks: 

“How can a Communist regime like North Korea embrace a radical Islamist regime like Iran? What about Russia’s Vladimir Putin? He is certainly no jihadi; indeed, Russia has a good deal to fear from radical Islamist groups.” 

Flynn spends much of the book resolving the contradiction and proving that America’s enemies—North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, and ISIS—are in fact working in concert.

No one who has read classified intelligence or studied international relations will balk at the idea that unlikely friendships are formed against a common enemy. As Flynn observes, the revolutionary Shiite government in Tehran cooperates with nationalist Russia and communist North Korea; it has also turned a blind eye (at the very least) to al-Qaida’s Sunni operatives in Iran and used them bargaining chips when negotiating with Osama bin Laden and the United States. 

Flynn argues that this is more than “an alliance of convenience.” Rather, the United States’ enemies share “a contempt for democracy and an agreement—by all the members of the enemy alliance—that dictatorship is a superior way to run a country, an empire, or a caliphate.” Their shared goals of maximizing dictatorship and minimizing U.S. interference override their substantial ideological differences. Consequently, the U.S. government must work to destroy the alliance by “removing the sickening chokehold of tyranny, dictatorships, and Radical Islamist regimes.” Its failure to do so over the past decades gravely imperils the United States, he contends.

The book thus offers two very different views of how to exercise American power abroad: spread democracies or stand with friendly strongmen...[P]erhaps it mirrors the confusion in the Republican establishment over the direction of conservative foreign policy.

Some of Flynn’s evidence for the alliance diverts into the conspiratorial—I’ve seen nothing credible to back up his assertion that the Iranians were behind the 1979 takeover of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by Sunni apocalypticists. And there’s an important difference between the territorially-bounded ambitions of Iran, Russia, and North Korea, on the one hand, and ISIS’s desire to conquer the world on the other; the former makes alliances of convenience easier than the latter. Still, Flynn would basically be a neocon if he stuck with his core argument: tyrannies of all stripes are arrayed against the United States so the United States should destroy them.

But some tyrannies are less worthy of destruction than others. In fact, Flynn argues there’s a category of despot that should be excluded from his principle, the “friendly tyrants” like President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi in Egypt and former president Zine Ben Ali in Tunisia. Saddam Hussein should not have been toppled, Flynn argues, and even Russia could become an “ideal partner for fighting Radical Islam” if only it would come to its senses about the threat of “Radical Islam.” Taken alone, these arguments would make Flynn realist, not a neocon. 

The book thus offers two very different views of how to exercise American power abroad: spread democracies or stand with friendly strongmen. Neither is a sure path to security. Spreading democracy through the wrong means can bring to power regimes that are even more hostile and authoritarian; standing with strongmen risks the same. Absent some principle higher than just democracy or security for their own sakes, the reader is unable to decide between Flynn’s contradictory perspectives and judge when their benefits are worth the risks. 

It’s strange to find a book about strategy so at odds with itself. Perhaps the dissonance is due to the co-authors’ divergent views (Ledeen is a neocon and Flynn is comfortable dining with Putin.) Or perhaps it mirrors the confusion in the Republican establishment over the direction of conservative foreign policy. Whatever the case, the muddled argument offered in The Field of Fight demonstrates how hard it is to overcome ideological differences to ally against a common foe, regardless of whether that alliance is one of convenience or conviction. 

Authors

      
 
 




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Message for Policymakers: Ocean Iron Fertilization Chances of Success Low

Another summary of the potential risks and benefits of ocean iron fertilization--the geoengineering method which proposes seeding oceans with iron so as to stimulate microscopic plants that absorb carbon from the




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Eco Reminders; Wall Stickers with a Poetic Message Help You Get Rid of Bad Habits (Photos)

Stickers can be fun, but how eco-friendly is this new craze for decorating walls? We have found two brands that claim their vinyls to be eco-chic, and some even come with decorative eco-reminders; very clever! Hu2 in the UK has just




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This 2,000-year-old message from Pompeii's ruins is freaking me out

Archeologists unearthed some eerie graffiti in history's most famous graveyard.




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Which message best motivates change: IPCC or the Nobel Prize?

William Nordhaus und Paul Romer




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'Mixed messages': UK government's strategy fuels fears of rule-breaking

Critics of No 10 warn U-turns undermining efforts to keep public safe from coronavirus

First people were meant to stay at home to save lives, and then government sources raised the prospect of picnics with pals and sunbathing in the park just before a sunny bank holiday weekend.

Boris Johnson told the nation that scientists thought face masks might help stop the spread of the disease, but no change was made to the government advice that they were not needed outside medical and care settings.

Continue reading...




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'Never give up, never despair': the Queen's VE Day message

Televised broadcast includes extracts from Churchill’s historic victory speech

The Queen led tributes to the wartime generation on Friday night, recalling the “never give up, never despair” message of VE Day as the country marked the 75th anniversary of victory in Europe.

In a special broadcast, on a unique day of remembrance, reflection and celebration taking place during the coronavirus lockdown, she said: “Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps.

Continue reading...




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This Europe Day we send a message of solidarity and friendship to British people

The UK may no longer be an EU member but, as the current health crisis shows, cooperation continues to be essential

On Saturday, for the first time in almost 50 years, we observe Europe Day without the United Kingdom as a member state of the European Union. As ambassadors and high commissioners representing the EU and its 27 countries in the UK, we are nonetheless very keen to mark the date with all the citizens of this great country and with the millions of EU nationals who live and work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We celebrate Europe on 9 May because on this same day in 1950, exactly 70 years ago, in the aftermath of the devastating second world war, Robert Schuman, the Luxembourg-born foreign minister of France, laid the foundations of our collective endeavour. He said then: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.”

Continue reading...




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Terrifying Signs that make their Message Clear

There are many hazards in this world, and appropriately there are many ominous signs that speak the language of fear. You never know it there could be some hidden mine shaft or risk of monkey attack. Whether they're warning of some totally extreme danger or their scary in their own right, it's usually best to pay attention to spooky signs.




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Earth Day 2020: From Madhuri Dixit to Sara Ali Khan, Bollywood shares important messages on the occasion

We call this planet Mother Earth since it has given us all. And today the world celebrates Earth Day, what people are calling on social media- Earth Day 2020. It's impossible for Bollywood celebrities not to take to their social media accounts and wish their fans and everyone else on any special occasion so how could they stay away today.

Right from Madhuri Dixit to Sara Ali Khan to Sonakshi Sinha to Kajol, they took to their Twitter and Instagram accounts to write some important and inspiring and even insightful messages to wish each one of us. And none of these messages should be skipped! Let's start with Sara Ali Khan since hers was the most unique post out of them all.

She shared a collage of her pictures against the backdrop of the different weathers and wrote a beautiful caption- "Happy Earth Day. About Mother Nature what to say. Snowflakes in December, Jungles in May, On the beach, where the hair can sway. But for now at home we must stay. And with gratitude and appreciation thank Mother Earth everyday." (sic)

Have a look right here:

Madhuri Dixit shared a boomerang video with her family where they all could be seen cycling this is what she wrote- "This lockdown has shown us how little nature needs for it to revive & thrive. On the 50th #EarthDay let us all pledge to #DoOurBit by switching off appliances when not in use, plant trees, use fuel & water conservatively. Together we can build a better world, one we all are proud of!" (sic):

Kajol took to her Twitter and wrote- "The earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to earth. If that has not been proved categorically to us at this time I don't think it ever will be." (sic):

Next in line was Sonakshi Sinha and she also had some wonderful things to say on this occasion as well. Read it right here:

Athiya Shetty also extended her wishes on Earth Day 2020 and wrote- "in a time like now, remember, the earth is what we have in common." (sic):

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

in a time like now, remember, the earth is what we have in common 🌸 #EarthDay2020 #EarthRise #VoteEarth

A post shared by Athiya Shetty (@athiyashetty) onApr 21, 2020 at 11:12pm PDT

Tamannaah Bhatia shared a beautiful picture of herself and wrote an inspiring quote that cannot be missed, have a look right here:

Ileana D'Cruz shared a throwback picture and said- "Grateful, always", have a look at her beautiful picture right here:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Grateful, always. 🖤 #earthday

A post shared by Ileana D'Cruz (@ileana_official) onApr 22, 2020 at 1:20am PDT

And lastly, Dia Mirza announced that she would be going live on Instagram to discuss Earth Day on this occasion and we are looking forward. Here's her story:

We hope more and more Bollywood celebrities come out and wish everyone on Earth Day 2020!

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Sanya Malhotra salutes everyone working on the frontlines in this pandemic and has a message for them

The pandemic has truly bought the world to a standstill and staying at home is the need of the hour. However, some people are still working outside the comfort of their homes in order to fight against Covid-19. Sanya Malhotra expresses her gratitude towards them.

Sanya shares, "All those frontline workers, doctors, nurses and essential service professionals who are putting their lives at stake for us, I salute your efforts and determination towards the citizen and the nation."

Adding a social message for one and all Sanya further adds, "This only goes on to bring us a message that we must cooperate with all these workers and stay at home, until this pandemic is eradicated".

During these tough times, we need to work as one and fight together to eradicate the problem from its roots. This is the time where the the quote "United we stand, divided we fall" fits the situation and we must be one. Sanya Malhotra is putting out a strong message and using her influence in a positive manner.

On the work front, Sanya has a stellar line ups of projects being 'Shakuntala Devi' where the actress will be playing Anupama Banerjee while sharing the screen with Vidya Balan, Guneet Monga's Pagglait and Anurag Basu's Ludo.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

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Message through marionettes

In the seventh-floor auditorium of the YWCA in Andheri, familiar tunes of Boney M's Brown Girl In The Ring and MJ's smash-hit Black or White fill the air. But when you listen in carefully, the lyrics turn out to be, "Rules of the Animal School/ Tra la la la la.../All must do all things." Five women, seated in a circle, are being instructed about whether the squirrel enters before the elephant and when the lion steps in. Once the stage marking is done, they pick up animal marionettes, ready to bring them to life with a pull of strings.

"They have learnt how to manoeuvre the puppets well. We are now working towards helping them internalise their character and the story," Ritika Sahni tells us, as she takes a break from the rehearsal of The Learning Factory, a puppet theatre production by the NGO Trinayani, of which the singer is a founder-trustee. The play marks the organisation's foray into projects around inclusive education; creating awareness about disability being its core area of work. To be staged this Friday, the play revisits George Reavis's classic, The Animal School, which was written as an allegory in 1940, and highlights the plight of children who have unjustly suffered the fate of standardised tests and curricula.


(from right) Shubhada Pawar, Chitra Shirke, Shaifa Mobin Sheikh, Shaikh Saba and Yojana Wavikar have been trained as puppeteers

"We wanted to use a creative medium to start a conversation around education, and that the idea of one size fits all does not work. Puppetry, when used as an educational tool, has done wonders. So we thought why not rope in those individuals as puppeteers who can gain from learning the art?" shares Sahni, who invited educators and professional puppeteers Charu Prasad and Sudipta Mukherjee-Mandal to come on board to teach the art to five women from different walks of life, many of them being community workers with the YWCA.

"Puppetry is a sensory experience, and so little of what we do today is sensory. It tends to calm the body and the soul. It sparks the imagination, boosts confidence, and can even be used as a language learning tool, as was the case with some of the women here, who were not too familiar with English," explains Prasad, referring to the motley group, which includes a Class 10 student, a make-up artiste, a mother who is doing her graduation with her son, and a special educator.

"I have used finger puppets in the past as part of my workshops. But using string puppets at a professional level is a first," says Yojana Wavikar, who acquired her degree in special education after her daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. She adds, "It is easy to capture children's attention with puppets. The message gets through without being preachy." Another puppeteer, Shaifa Mobin Sheikh, tells us that handling 13 puppets among the five of them was a challenging task, while homemaker Chitra Shirke adds how manoeuvring the marionettes was also a lesson in teamwork.

Teamwork is also what has helped bring the production together. Mukherjee-Mandal, for instance, who is also the creative resource person for Trinayani, is behind the aesthetically designed puppets. "Creativity is therapeutic," she tells us, as she gives finishing touches to the bear puppet, for which actor Ashish Vidyarthi has lent his voice. Reavis's story has been adapted for the play by Pune-based Deepak Morris, who has also reworked the lyrics of the popular songs. The songs have been sung by Sahni, some of which she will perform live tomorrow.

"After this public performance, our aim is to take The Learning Factory to as many schools as we can," Sahni shares, "a step closer to our dream of an inclusive education system that celebrates diversity."

ON Tomorrow, 6 pm AT Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Log on to bookmyshow.com
Entry Rs 250

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Coronavirus Lockdown: Mumbai Police has a secret message for you on Instagram

Mumbai Police has been dropping creative posts to spread awareness about the Coronavirus lockdown and why it is best for you to stay home on their social media accounts. After giving its followers who are not abiding the lockdown options to chose from, the police department is back with an interesting post with a twist.

 "Increase your phone's brightness... There's a very bright idea waiting for you!" the police department wrote in the post on Instagram, and shared what appears to be a pitch-black picture. A Baburao-style secret message appears once you increase the brightness of your phone.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mumbai Police (@mumbaipolice) onApr 28, 2020 at 9:25pm PDT

The hilariously interactive post shared a few hours ago managed to garner 18,361 likes with many lauding the creativity. One user who noticed that the word risk was misspelled as 'ricks', the police department was quick in coming up with an apt reply saying, "Yeh Babu Rao ka style hai!"

Another user said, "I read it like Baburao." A user said, "When Mumbai Police is out patrolling, bahar jaaneka bilkul ricks nai leneka."

What do you think about the post?

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Coronavirus Outbreak: This Grim Reaper spreads message of social distancing, wins internet

With the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak prompting governments to impose lockdowns in different parts of the world, officials have been coming up with creative ways to spread awareness and make people stay at home. From cops dressed as Yamraj, the god of death, to some cops wearing helmets with spikes that resemble that of the virus, the internet has seen it all.

Now, a lawyer dressed as the omen of death, ‘Grim Reaper’ has taken it upon himself to make sure people of Florida maintain social distance. Daniel Uhlfelder has been dressing up as the Grim Reaper and taking strolls of the Florida beach, that has been opened to public to ensure people maintain the advised distance from each other, that has also make netizens sit up and take notice of him.

Wearing a black ragged robe, a mask and carrying a long-handled scythe, Uhlfelder has posted photos of himself advising people not only to maintain social distance but also stay at home till the situation improves.

Uhlfelder also announced on his Twitter account that he will be touring the beaches of Florida from May 1 to spread awareness about importance of social distancing, wearing the garb of the Grim Reaper. He has also sharing his experiences, especially his frequent run-ins with the police, while on tour.

His pictures donning the scary garb has garnered more than 13,000 likes on Twitter. The Twitterati has been showering him with praises and support in the comments.

 

What do you think about the posts?

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Coronavirus Outbreak: Mumbai police takes Godfather's help to share this message

'Goodfather' is one of the biggest Hollywood cult classic of all times. The dialogues in the film are so popular that even Mumbai Police, being themselves, played around with words and used it in their latest post on Instagram, to share the importance of wearing masks.

In the post, the police department shared a meme with a still from the film and played around with its famous line, "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse' to 'I'm gonna offer him a mask he can't refuse.' In the captions, the police wrote, "Your enemy 'corona' always gets strong on 'the mask' you leave behind," with a striking hashtag #GodfathersOfSafety.

 
 
 
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A post shared by Mumbai Police (@mumbaipolice) onMay 5, 2020 at 9:05pm PDT

The post, shared on Wednesday garnered 16,459 likes so far. One of the users who double tapped on the post was Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who seemed impressed by the creativity of the police department, just like the users who commenting on the post.

A user said, "Suddenly i can't remember what the original line was. Mumbai Police tum bohot acha kaam karta hai." Another user said, "Mumbai Police are now best police in the world... In making memes too!" One more user said, "These guys keep getting better day by day!!"

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'She regularly sent me good morning messages...'

Dear Diana,
I met this doctor when I was hospitalised. She took care of me and gave me unconditional attention during my stay there. We exchanged our numbers and she promised to keep in touch. After getting discharged from the hospital, she regularly sent me good morning messages. In fact, the first time she came home, we indulged in some physical romance. However, she doesn't communicate much and is always mum when I tell her that I want to take the relationship ahead. I don't know what to do.
– Confused patient


Illustration/Uday Mohite

Dear Confused patient,
It's obvious there is some chemistry between the two of you. However, seeing how she keeps ignoring you advances for a relationship, it only suggests that she isn't interested in one. Don't read too much into her text messages, it could be bulk message that she sends to everyone on her list. As for getting physical with you, well may be that all she wanted from the short relationship. If you are still curious and confused about what to do, then talk and express your desire to take the relationship forward. Tell her that you are serious about her. Chances are that you will never hear from her again or she may respond to your gesture and express her true feelings. This could either be positive or negative, so don't be too heart broken if she tells you that she is just not that into you. Take it in your stride, respect her decision and move on. May be the next time you can check out the patient next to you in stead of the doctor or nurse in charge. Statutory warning: There is no medication prescribed for broken hearts, so don't dwell much on it and look for someone who feels the same way about things the way you do.





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Fans in shock over Irrfan Khan's demise; share condolence messages on Twitter

It's not every day that you find an actor and a human being as fine and brilliant as Irrfan Khan. The Angrezi Medium actor, who had been battling neuroendocrine tumour for the past two years, breathed his last on April 29, 2020. His death has left countless fans reeling and taking to social media to express their sorrow.

One Twitter user shared:

Another fan tweeted, "He had no filmy background. He had no bollywood godfather. He didn't get overnight success. It was never an easy journey for him. You will be missed #IrrfanKhan."

A fan wrote as how Irrfan Khan will always be remembered for his performances. He wrote, "Irfan Khan - an actor beyond compare! May he always be remembered for his beautiful performances and live in our hearts forever!"

Another fan shared a moment from Irrfan's movie, Life Of Pi, that had a poignant quote.

Several other Twitter users remembered Irrfan Khan for the stellar actor he was. Here are some tweets in remembrance of the actor:

"He was the absolute highlight of Jurassic World for me... love you sir #IrrfanKhan"

"Gone too soon, bt love for you will nvr fade away from our hearts. One of the finest actor, India had even produced. Inspirational for everyone around the world. You made people believe Talent >>> Looks."

"The legend #IrrfanKhan was suffering and now he is resting peacefully. You'll be missed."

Irrfan Khan, whose last film was Angrezi Medium, was seen in memorable films like Salaam Bombay!, Maqbool, The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Paan Singh Tomar, Life of Pi, The Lunchbox, Haider, Gunday, Piku, Talvar, and Hindi Medium, amongst others.

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A message from the Kapoor family, as Rishi Kapoor passes away

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who was admitted to H.N Reliance Hospital for the past three weeks, passed away on Thursday morning at 8:45 am. The 67-year-old was suffering from leukaemia, and he died with wife Neetu Kapoor by his side. Amitabh Bachchan was one of the first to confirm the news of Rishi's passing. The Hindi film industry is devasted by his loss, and this came a day after we lost yet another gem - Irrfan Khan.

The bereaved Kapoor family issued a statement on Rishi's passing, which read, "Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45 am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukaemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him."

The statement further said, "He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears."

The Kapoor family has also requested Rishi's fans and well-wishers to abide by the rules, amid the Coronavirus outbreak, "In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force. He would not have it any other way."

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Rahul Bose: Message of a film shouldn't glorify hatred

Bollywood actor Rahul Bose has been foraying the digital entertainment space with a couple of projects lately, and he says his parameter as an actor to give his nod to a story has not changed. For him, it is important that the story should have the essence of humanism and not the glorification of hatred. "Honestly speaking, my rules of saying yes to a project do not change. For me, the story matters and not the length of my character. I think by now people know that. I am not the person running after fame or concern about how many people are watching my work. For me, the story has to be important enough to engage, as an actor and as an audience," Rahul told IANS.

The actor has worked in the Netflix original "Bulbul", besides the web series "Bombay Begums" directed by Alankrita Srivastava. He is also a part of the much-awaited web series, "Baahubali: Before The Beginning". Rahul's film choices have been as varied as "Mr And Mrs Iyer", "Jhankaar Beats", "Chameli", "Shaurya", "The Japanese Wife", "I Am", and "Dil Dhadakne Do". There is an important element he looks for in a film, before committing to it.

"In past, there were films and projects that have been offered to me and I said no to them. You see, the story has to have some amount of humanism. You can show a character as the biggest evil (person) of the world and still can come up with the right message -- not one that is destructive or negative. A message cannot glorify hatred, and if it does, I do not want to be part of that. Of course, my character can be the villain but not the overall message of the film," Rahul said.

He explained: "In the recent past I am offered a film that shows a very, very narrow view of nationalism and it was quite a jingoistic story. I can never be part of that. I am the same actor who was part of a film like "Shaurya" that sent out an absolutely right message -- that is, no matter which religion, caste or region you are from, when you are a man in a uniform, all you are upholding is the security of your country."

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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Gajendra Chauhan: Even Mahabharat has given a message to people to stay at home

The return of Mahabharat and Ramayan on television has really pleased all the people across the nation. As reported, the views have been record-breaking and unheard of in a long time. And speaking about its return on television is veteran actor Gajendra Chauhan, who essayed the role of Yudhishthir in the show.

Talking to Koimoi, he said, "When the show came on TV for the first time, people used to just watch it. It used to come weekly. Now, 2 episodes are aired daily. Currently, people are watching it to learn something out of it. The show teaches a lot in terms of boundaries and India's culture and tradition, the duties of the king and the citizens." His choices of words suggested he was really elated by the fact that he and the entire nation were getting the opportunity to visit and revisit such a classic piece of work.

That's not all, he also spoke about how Mahabharat taught us to stay at home safe and sound. "In the show, Vidur says a few lines to Yudhisthir that are relatable today. The lines are – Vann ki akhir kaun prachit rehta hai? Wahi prachit rehta hai jo ghar mein hota hai'. Even Mahabharat has given a message to people to stay at home."

And lastly, he also shed light on his experience of visiting a school where the children were being shown an episode of the show. "A few years ago, I went to a school in Delhi and they had a lecture on Mahabharat where they would show 45 mins episode from the show. Every year, they used to have one test based on it. These are good steps taken to make sure our future generation is well aware of India's culture. There are a lot of Indians staying abroad who make sure their kids know about Ramayan and Mahabharat through whatever medium is available to them."

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FWICE's president BN Tiwari: JD Majethia has sent a wrong message to the daily wagers

On Monday, JD Majethia, chairman of the TV wing of the Indian Film and TV Producers' Council (IFTPC), stated that he intends to approach the government to seek permission to resume shoots of television shows with small crews from May 4. The move has sent the daily-wage workers of the television industry into a tizzy as they have been relentlessly calling the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to enquire whether they can report to work post-May 3.

BN Tiwari, president, FWICE, says, "[With his statement], JD Majethia has sent a wrong message to the daily wagers who now feel that producers are willing to work, but the FWICE is imposing unnecessary restrictions. That is not the case. Maharashtra is at high risk, and we are only concerned about our workers' safety. We have issued a letter to Majethia, asking him not to make such statements."


BN Tiwari

On March 15, various cine bodies had unanimously decided to suspend all shoots in the wake of the pandemic. "Similarly, the decision to resume work will have to be collectively taken by IFTDA, FWICE, Producers' Guild, and other associations," insists Tiwari.

Majethia was keen to propose the resumption of shoots as it would bring relief to the daily wagers. However, Tiwari points out that the associations are standing by those in need. "The industry — including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty and Yash Raj Films — has come together to help the workers. Even if the lockdown is lifted on May 3, we may not begin work until May 25. In case the stay-at-home orders are extended to June, we will continue to take care of our workers."

When mid-day reached out to Majethia, he agreed that the recommencement of shoots will be "a collective decision of the industry" with the approval of the government. "It is not as if we have already taken a call. We will start shooting only when it is safe for everyone, but we must start planning for it in advance."

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Coronavirus Outbreak: UP Police's message of hope wins hearts online!

At a time when the world is in despair due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown, hope is the only thing one can cling on to. Amid the pandemic that has infected millions of people across the globe and claimed scores of lives, people are hoping for a healthy and safe world and a better tomorrow.

The police department is trying hard to keep the spirits of the people high. From witty posts from the Mumbai Police’s social media pages to viral photos of police dressed as Yamraj, the god of death and some cops wearing helmets with spikes resembling the virus, the police department is pulling all stops to make sure you follow the necessary precautions to keep the illness at bay.

The 112 emergency service wing of the UP Police has garnered praises from netizens for spreading the message of hope amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The police department posted a picture on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, of their Police Response Vehicles of the wing arranged in formation of the word, ‘HOPE’ at Rumi Gate in Lucknow. They spell HOPE as Hold On. Pain Ends as an extended version of the acronym.

The caption written in Hindi reads, The world rests on hope, and we stand to our determination. HOPE keeps us going!

The netizens have praised the police department for their message of hope. Their post shared on Wednesday, has garnered more than 893 likes on Facebook and was shared 113 times. In the comments, users have posted praising their drill. Excellent drill, said a user. Another user said, Desh sewa ke liye abhinandan.

What do you think about the post?

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Jessie J tells ex-boyfriend Channing Tatum: She's 'Grateful' they met in a heartfelt birthday message

English singer-songwriter Jessie J remembered her ex-boyfriend Channing Tatum on his 40th birthday on Sunday, telling him he's "truly one of a kind."

The 32-year-old singer took to Instagram and shared a throwback picture featuring the 'Magic Mike' actor standing in clear blue ocean water. She captioned a throwback photo on her Instagram Stories, "Happy 40th Birthday to this special man right here. You are truly one of a kind. I am so grateful you were born, and even more grateful we met."

Jessie also shared another black-and-white photo of the '22 Jump Street' star in motorcycle gear as he holds a helmet. And posted a video of Tatum taking a leap into the water. "Keep living your BEST life!" the 'Nobody's Perfect' singer wrote.

These sweet messages came by the songstress in less than a month after the pair called it quits on their on-again relationship. Jessie and Tatum had reconciled in January after splitting a month earlier.

At the time, an insider to the outlet told that the couple had worked hard to re-establish their relationship but realised that they were better off as friends.

In October 2018, the outlet broke that the 'Step Up' star and the 'Nobody's perfect' singer had been quietly dating for a couple of months.

The pair connected shortly after Tatum and Jenna Dewan announced their separation in April 2018 after nine years of marriage. The exes, whose divorce was finalised earlier this year, share daughter 6-year-old daughter Everly (Dewan has since moved on with Broadway star Steve Kazee. They got engaged in February 2020 and welcomed son Callum the following month.)

Jessie and Tatum were supportive of each other throughout their relationship, with the actor attending several of her concerts, while she cheered him on at the opening night of his 'Magic Mike' show in London in November 2018.

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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Dwayne Johnson congratulates his teacher on her retirement with surprise video message

Actor Dwayne Johnson just made his teacher's dream come true! The actor sent out a congratulatory message to Carol Propst, an English teacher at Virginia High School, who was retiring after working for 39 years as a teacher. One of her colleagues reached out to Johnson on Twitter and the actor obliged with a video message.

"Today I received the ultimate retirement send-off: a personalized message from Dwayne @TheRock Johnson! Thanks to all my beloved students and colleagues. BVPS, YOU ROCK! #propstrocks," Propst shared on Twitter.

Dwayne was heard saying, "Hey Carole, Dwayne Johnson here. I wanted to take a moment to say congratulations. Congratulations, Carole, for your retirement from Virginia High School after 39 amazing, incredible years. Wow!"

"Carol. Congratulations! I am so happy for you, and I am so proud of you. And, being that this is teacher appreciation week, on behalf of all parents, Carole I say thank you. Thank you and thank all of your fellow teachers for your wisdom, for your love, for your care, for your discipline — which I needed a lot if you were my teacher. But thank you so much for educating and for caring for our kids," he said.

Dwayne Johnson also sent a gift package to her which included a tequila brand as he said that they would share it one day together.

Seeing her reaction, he responded on Twitter by saying, "Awww I love seeing this. Her reaction is just beautiful. Things like this are the best part of fame."

ALSO READ: Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt to reunite for movie adaptation of Ball and Chain




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Coronavirus Outbreak: This artist's book art with a cryptic message is winning the internet!

The novel Coronavirus has been wrecking havoc in the world with scores of people infected and many lives claimed. Amid a time when countries are imposing lockdown on their citizens, restricting their movements, a digital artist posted a cryptic message of hope with a picture that has gone viral.

Phil Shaw, a digital printmaker posted a picture of a stack of books on a shelf, placed in a way that the titles when read together, forms a message about the pandemic and social distancing. He uses bestsellers such as Stephen King’s It, Adam Thorpe’s Still, Ginger Simpson’s Hope Springs Eternal and Mark Billingham’s In The Dark among others.

The UK-born artist posted the picture on his Instagram page last week, captioned, “Shelf isolation 2 - the story so far...” that has received 2,854 likes so far. The cryptic message in the books kept in the first shelf reads, “"The English patient had caught it on the beach. I should have stayed at home she said. Now she was in quarantine in the dark house of splendid isolation.

The books placed in the second shelf reads, “"Still hope springs eternal with a little bit of luck and personal hygiene. The corona book of horror stories must end soon. Always remember clean hands save lives and when in doubt don't go out!"

 
 
 
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A post shared by Phil Shaw (@philshaw775) onApr 10, 2020 at 1:20am PDT

Since it was posted online, it has been received comments of praise from netizens across the globe. One user said, “this is FANTASTIC!” Another user said, “Wow... Did you have all these books already? Perhaps I should try reorganising my bookshelves.” A user said, “I love how the last book on the top shelf promises the hopeful turn that plays out on the bottom. Bravo!

This is not the first time Shaw has posted such a picture. Here’s another picture of a book artwork where he conveys a message about social distancing.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Phil Shaw (@philshaw775) onMar 31, 2020 at 6:45am PDT

What do you think of this post?

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Electric Pill Bottles (and) Text Message Unable to Control Blood Pressure

Electric pill bottle and text messaging appear to keep medication adherence high, but neither of those appeared to low down blood pressure levels. These