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What would you do if someone starts coughing next to you in public, says VANESSA FELTZ



Here's the question. With coronavirus raising its ugly head in this green and pleasant land, and with a pressing desire not to catch the horrible bug or pass it on to nearest and dearest - not to mention vulnerable strangers - at which point do we pitch in and speak out?




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What happened to the dreaded Beast from the East?



A FEW days ago the meteorological fraternity was talking about the possibility of a shivering winter blast this week.




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The appetite for state control over what we eat is getting ridiculous, says FERGUS KELLY



Nothing better illustrates than the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health, the relentless appetite for state control and removal of personal choice that exists as much in academic circles as political ones. The report's contents are even more indigestible than its title.




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Grand reopening: What's open, what's closed around St. George as Utah goes 'orange'

Utah gave businesses and facilities the green light to "tentatively" reopen, so here is a look at what is coming back in and around St. George.

       




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Utah and Washington County is reopening in phases. Here's what the plan does.

As Utah begins loosening its most stringent coronavirus restrictions, larger gatherings will be allowed and most businesses can open, within limits.

       




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Southwest Utah communities want a 'yellow' designation: here's what that means

Mayor Jon Pike confirmed southwest Utah communities want a "yellow level," which would have lesser restrictions for the public.

       




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Local saddlemaker discusses the iconic western saddle and what it takes to build it right

Saddlemaker Steve Hafen talks about what it takes to build a saddle to last generations, and how family and hard work are key components in his life.

       




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What St. George reopening amid COVID-19 and moving to 'orange' means for public health

With businesses across Utah reopening on May 1, here is what returning to normalcy might mean for the health of St. George residents in the future

       




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What we know about community where Ahmaud Arbery was shot: 911 caller reported 'black guy' on property

Local officials say the community is shocked that racism could have fueled the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery.

      




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What we learned in Tara Reade's interview with Megyn Kelly about the Biden assault claim

In her first on-camera interview since Joe Biden denied her assault allegation, Tara Reade told Megyn Kelly it "changed everything about my life."

      




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The 'Andy Griffith'-inspired movie exceeded its fundraising goal. Here's what's next.

The "Andy Griffith"-inspired movie "Mayberry Man" reached its fundraising goal. Here are more opportunities to be involved with the film in Indiana.

      




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Here's what visiting museums could be like once they reopen during the coronavirus fight

As The Children's Museum, Newfields and others wait for the OK to reopen, they are strategizing how to keep visitors safe from the coronavirus spread.

       




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What we can learn from Depression-era cooks: 3 recipes to try

Look to those that survived the Depression for survival tips.

      




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Detective begs for help finding 8-year-old's killer: 'I just want to know what you know'

"He was eating dinner in his own home and did absolutely nothing to bring this upon himself," IMPD Detective Chris Edwards said.

       




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What we know about Indianapolis police shooting, possible ties to Facebook Live video

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer shot and killed a man in the area where a man on a Facebook Live video said he was being chased by police.

       




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What Butler basketball gets in grad transfer Jair Bolden: Grit, shooting and leadership

Bolden averaged 8.5 points in 21 minutes a game for South Carolina, starting 15 of 30 games.

       




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What Rob Reiner said on the red carpet at the Heartland Film Festival

Reiner directed the movie "LBJ," which was being screened at the film festival.

      




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Here's what Carmel, Indiana, looks like during the coronavirus pandemic

Carmel, Indiana, copes with closures during the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

       




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'IndyCar Weekly' podcast: What's next for the series?

IndyCar driver Conor Daly and IndyStar's Nathan Brown discuss the iRacing finale, in which Daly finished second, and when real racing might resume

       




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What we know about IndyCar's planned 2020 season opener

The IndyCar Series released details Thursday regarding its 2020 season opener, scheduled for June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway at Fort Worth.

       




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Cartoonist Gary Varvel: What's powering Indiana's Senate race

Braun and Donnelly tout their support for Trump's policies

      




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Cartoonist Gary Varvel: What Democrats want for Christmas

Will the Mueller investigation deliver?

       




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Wild Wednesday drag racing: 'This is a run what you brung night.'

Wild Wednesday drag racing: 'This is a run what you brung night.'

      




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See what Wild Wednesday is all about: 'We come out to hear the music of the motors.'

Ordinary people in their ordinary cars take to the drag strip to get their need for speed.

      




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Avon football finding out about itself — and after 2 games, it likes what it sees

The third-ranked Orioles knocked off Ben Davis 41-17 with strong QB play and a defense that just keeps scoring.

      




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Here's what Danville looks like during coronavirus pandemic

A look at Danville, Indiana, during the coronavirus pandemic

       




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What price a Greek haircut?

One of Europe's most influential bankers said to me the other day that he thought it would be a disaster if any of the eurozone's debt-stretched nations imposed a reduction in the value of their respective sovereign borrowings, or - to use the jargon - took a haircut on their debts.

For him, the eurozone approach of muddling through - providing IMF and eurozone loans to those countries that cannot borrow on markets - is the right approach, even if it hasn't actually solved anything for the eurozone in a permanent sense.

It is curious he should take that view, given that the rescues of Greece and Ireland that took place last year are already having to be renegotiated. And the bailout of those countries didn't stop the rot: Portugal is well into the process of obtaining emergency finance from eurozone and IMF.

Wouldn't it be better to cut what Greece - or Portugal or Ireland - owes down to a manageable size, in tandem with the imposed shrinkage of its public sector, to put its public finances back on a basis that is sustainable for the long term?

The markets are saying that's the only way forward. Over the course of a year, the market price of Greek government debt has fallen by more than half, for example. The yield on 10-year Greek government bonds is well over 15%. Which is an unambiguous statement from investors that there is not the faintest chance that they will lend to Greece again, unless and until its debt burden is reduced to a manageable size.

Or to put it another way, markets are presenting a simple choice to eurozone government heads and the IMF: they can continue to lend to Greece for an indefinite period, in the hope that Greece's economic growth will eventually pick up and generate incremental tax revenues, which would allow the Greek government to perhaps start paying down its debts; or they can bite the bullet and put Greece into the equivalent of what the Americans call Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, to restructure and reduce what Greece owes so that it is consistent with the market price of all that debt.

Now as of this instant, option one looks a bit naive, in that what's happened subsequent to the first bailout of Greece a year ago is that its ratio of debt to GDP has been growing in leaps and bounds to more than 150% of GDP (and for more on the heroic challenges faced by Greece, see reports in the next day or two from Stephanie Flanders, who is in Athens).

So you would have expected my influential banker - who knows a thing or two about the markets - to be in favour of what the markets are saying is inevitable. Surely he should be calling for that most humiliating event for any creditor, a formal admission by Greece that it can't pay what it owes, which goes by the moniker of a haircut, or restructuring, or default?

But Mr Big Banker doesn't think that's the right way forward. His reasoning is that he fears a debt restructuring would weaken many of Europe's banks, such that they would be forced to raise new capital - perhaps from their respective governments. And, for reasons that slightly elude me, he sees that as a worse outcome than leaving Greece trapped in an unbreakably vicious cycle of economic decline.

The odd thing, however, is that the official statistics really don't seem to indicate that a haircut on Greek debt would be Armageddon for Europe's banks.

It would be a disaster for Greece's banks, that's certainly true, given that (according to Bank of England figures) a 50% writedown of Greek sovereign debt would wipe out more than 70% of their equity capital. Or to put it another way, they would be bust and would have to be recapitalised.

But, sooner or later, Greece's banks are going to need strengthening in any case. Fixing Greece's public finances won't fix Greece unless its banks are mended too. So any estimate of the costs of rehabilitating that country will include the price of providing new capital to the banks.

The more relevant question, perhaps, is what a Greek haircut would mean for banks outside Greece.

The latest figures from the Bank for International Settlements, published a few days ago, show that at the end of last year banks outside Greece had lent $146bn to Greek banks, companies and the public sector - down from $171bn three months earlier. And, of this, loans to the public sector (largely holdings of Greek government bonds) were $54bn.

To be clear, this doesn't take account of exposure through derivatives, credit commitments or guarantees. So the world's banks probably have a further $100bn exposure to Greece.

The sums at risk therefore look serious though not - on their own - potentially disastrous for the health of the financial system.

Now as luck would have it, the banks most at risk happen to be those of the eurozone's two largest and strongest economies, Germany and France. The exposure of German banks to Greece is $34bn, including perhaps $20bn of loans to the Greek government, while the exposure of French banks is $57bn, of which again around $20bn is probably sovereign lending

Now because of what some would say is the madness of how the global Basel rules - that measure the strength of banks - are applied, there would be a double whammy for eurozone banks if there were a write-off of Greek sovereign debt.

The banks with Greek sovereign exposure would have to reduce their respective stocks of capital by the amount of the loan loss. And they would have to inflate the size of their balance sheets, because the residual exposure to the Greek government would lose its official (and some would say insane) zero risk weighting. So the fall in the capital ratios of banks with exposure to Greece would be magnified in a painful way.

Of the larger listed banks, only one, the Franco-Belgian group Dexia, looks as though it would be seriously hurt by a Greek debt writedown. According to Morgan Stanley, Dexia has 4.9bn euros of exposure to Greek sovereign debt, equivalent to more than half the value of its equity capital. Dexia would be significantly weakened by a 50% Greek haircut.

Next at risk, according to Morgan Stanley, would be Commerzbank of Germany, with €3bn of Greek sovereign debt, equivalent to 15% of its capital. Meanwhile BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole of France, Erste of Austria, KBC of Belgium and Deutsche Bank of Germany all have meaningful though not devastating exposures.

Less visible is the Greek exposure of Germany's state backed landesbanks - which regulators tell me is considerable. But if they were to incur large losses on it, Germany could afford to recapitalise them.

So what is going on? Why are eurozone governments so wary of a restructuring or haircut of Greek sovereign debt, given that banks in the round won't be killed by the consequential hit?

There seem to be three reasons.

First, in Germany, it is apparently politically more acceptable to provide rescue finance to Greece directly than to rescue German banks that foolishly and greedily bought Greek debt for its relatively high yield.

Second, a Greek debt restructuring would be a severe blow to eurozone pride in the strength of the currency union.

Third, a Greek haircut might be the thin end of a large wedge. If it created a precedent for haircuts in Portugal and Ireland, the losses for the eurozone's banks would begin to look serious. But again, if there were just a trio of national debt haircuts, if the rot were to stop with Ireland and Portugal, eurozone governments could afford to shore up and recapitalise their banks.

That said, what the eurozone could not afford - or so regulators fear - would be haircut contagion to the likes of Spain and Italy.

But Spain and Italy are looking in better shape. Spain, for example, is taking steps to strengthen its second tier banks and its banks in general have become less dependent on funding from the European central bank (which is a proxy for their perceived weakness).

So here, I think, will be what will determine whether Greece gets its haircut in the next two or three months: if eurozone governments come to believe that Spain is well past the moment of maximum risk of financial crisis, there will be a bold restructuring of Greek debt.

But, to use that awful footballing expression, if they do go for a Greek debt haircut or writedown, it will be squeaky bum time in government buildings all over Europe.




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Avon Schools is closing due to coronavirus concerns. Here's what parents need to know.

After a coronavirus update that a second student was showing symptoms, Avon schools decided to close all buildings ahead of spring break.

      




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What Indianapolis-area schools are saying about the coronavirus in Indiana

As the first cases of Hoosiers who test positive for COVID-19 are confirmed, schools in central Indiana are continuing to keep families updated.

      




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Schools are closed in Indiana until at least May 1. What parents need to know.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that all Indiana schools are closed until May 1, possibly beyond that.

      




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Coronavirus in Indiana: What will happen if schools are closed longer than May 1?

Schools across the state are closed until at least May 1, and it's possible that will be extended so students finish the year at home.

      




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With schools closed, day cares step up: What to know about child care as COVID-19 spreads

Indianapolis is partnering with YMCA, At Your School and Early Learning Indiana to provide care for children of first responders at a discounted rate.

      




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Coronavirus pushed school online. But what happens when you don't have internet at home?

The coronavirus outbreak shut down Indiana schools until at least May 1, meaning many are moving online. But not all students have internet access.

      




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Indiana schools are closed for the rest of the semester. What parents need to know

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick announced Thursday that schools will stay closed for the rest of the academic year.

      




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This is what Indiana colleges are saying about their plans for fall classes

Indiana colleges and universities talk plans for the fall as campuses remain empty statewide

       




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When we may know more about what school will be like in the fall

An advisory group from across the state is looking at the challenges and possibilities for bringing students back to campus.

       




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Here's what the fall semester could look like for Indiana's colleges and universities

As colleges look to the fall semester, they're faced with the uncertainty of what it will look like. But plans are underway.

       




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When school resumes in the fall, what will it look like? Here are the possibilities.

The first day of the 2020-2021 school year is just a few months away. Will kids be back in classrooms or continue logging on?

       




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Insider: What IU basketball is getting in 2019 commit Armaan Franklin

Senior combo guard Armaan Franklin, a standout at Cathedral and a four-star prospect, becomes IU's first commitment in the 2019 class.

       




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Preps Podcast: What's happening in recruiting, concerns about fall sports

Kyle Neddenriep and Matt Glenesk discuss sports after the coronavirus hits, what is happening in recruiting, concerns about fall sports and more.

       




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Mother's Day: Here's what loved ones want you to know about some amazing sports moms

For 2020 "Sports Mom of the Year," Kyle Neddenriep received heartfelt nominations from fathers, mothers, husbands, sons, daughters and friends.

       




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Here's what enforcement of coronavirus 'stay at home' order will look like in Indiana

Education will be the key to enforce orders from Gov. Eric Holcomb and Mayor Joe Hogsett to close businesses and to urge people to "stay at home."

      




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Here's what Indiana's 'stay at home order' means during the coronavirus pandemic

Gov. Eric Holcomb's coronavirus "stay at home" executive order generally limits travel to essential trips, allows outdoor activities such as walking.

      




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What a coronavirus executive order means for abortions in Indiana

Holcomb says order included abortion clinics to make medical resources available to fight COVID-19. But letter writing campaign preceded his decision

      




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Pence says national emergency gives president absolute power. Here's what experts say.

Vice President Mike Pence said President Donald Trump has absolute power during a national emergency. Here's what experts say.

       




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'There's no playbook': What local governments can legally limit during coronavirus

The most important decisions during a public health emergency are more likely to be made by Indiana's governor and local officials than the president.

       




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Colts draft pick Dezmon Patmon to Zendaya: 'What's good?'

The Colts' sixth-round pick is trying to catch the attention of actress Zendaya

       




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Insider: Indianapolis Colts scouts divulge what they love about their 9 newest players

Colts scouts dish on what make certain prospects special and what others have to work on to reach their full potential.

       




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What Obama has to tell America about Libya

President Barack Obama tonight makes a speech he'd rather not be making: Explaining to his country, proud of its military but weary of war, why he has decided to bomb the armed forces of another Middle Eastern country.

TV networks are gearing up for live coverage. Mr Obama doesn't want to be a foreign policy president when most Americans are far more interested in the state of the economy, but he may not be able to avoid that fate.

The networks wouldn't dream of breaking into normal programming for one of his frequent economic speeches, so it is as though he never made them. This, on the other hand, could be a defining moment.

Some think it is too late. One usually supportive commentator writes: "This is really, truly unbelievable to me, and the worst thing Obama has done as president."

The man who speaks for House Republicans, John Boehner wrote a letter listing a series of worries, concluding, "all of these concerns point to a fundamental question: what is your benchmark for success in Libya?"

The president has made his task more difficult with an approach that is either sophisticated or confused, depending on your take.

He has to tell America why it is worth taking action. He also has to explain why he doesn't want the US to be in the lead or in charge. It took more than a week of wrangling before Nato agreed to take full control.

Donald Rumsfeld made the point the coalition should be defined by it aims, not the aims by the coalition. This is a real philosophical difference: politics as the art of the possible or an act of will.

America's low profile may be genuine or just spin, smoke and mirrors to disguise America's real role, but either way it is hardly heroic.

But it may be this tepid message reflects the American public's own lukewarm enthusiasm. A Gallup poll finds 74% back action, much lower than support for the Iraq war or Afghanistan at the time.

If I was Mr Obama that wouldn't worry me too much. He doesn't want to be in Libya in 10 years.

Indeed, explaining why this is not a long-term commitment like Iraq or Afghanistan has to be an important part of the message. So does being explicit about the goals. A lot of people have trouble getting their heads around his repeated contention that a Libya without Gaddafi is a political goal of the US but not a military one. The military goal is to protect civilians. The lines may indeed be blurring as the armed rebels advance on cities where some civilians may support Gaddafi.

We will be getting briefings throughout the day, so I will update, but I expect he will start with the latest "good" news.

He will stress that the US is acting as part of an international coalition, with Arab backing, and that the US's aims and commitment are limited. And he'll throw in some stirring rhetoric about the Arab Spring and universal human rights.

I doubt that he will address what to me are the fascinating contradictions at the heart of Obama's dilemma.

  • The tug between not wanting to be the world's policeman and being the only guy with the gun and the muscle to stop a murder.
  • The whole-hearted desire to act in concert with other countries, and the realisation that implies going along with stuff they want to do and you don't. (Being dragged into a war by the French, imagine.)
  • Not wanting to be out front when many world structures are designed in the expectation that like it or not, America will lead.
  • Intellectual appreciation that the ghost of Western colonialism is a powerful spirit never exorcised, and frustration that an untainted liberal interventionism hasn't grown in other countries.
It took a long time for Mr Obama to decide to take action, and the route he has taken, a genuine commitment to acting with other nations with the US in the lead, has made for the appearance of more muddle. Now it is time for clarity.




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'They still want you to come in': Some workers, businesses disagree on what's 'essential'

Some employees disagree with employers who say their businesses are essential. Experts say the definition's gray area makes it hard for workers.