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DODDAMANNINA GUDDE (RAMANAGARA): For 14 long years, over 1,400 applicants under an affordable housing scheme, have hung on to hope that one day, a house will finally be theirs. But just like their dreams, the houses too now seem to be crumbling.

In 2006, the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had launched a project to construct affordable houses for the poor in his Assembly constituency Ramanagara. As many as 240 flats were constructed and 1,430 people, who were identified as beneficiaries, even paid up the initial amount of Rs 5,100. The cost of each unit was fixed at Rs 1.35 lakh. While SC and ST beneficiaries were required to pay Rs 13,500, the General category allottees had to pay Rs 15,000.

The eight-acre project site at Doddamannina Gudde in Ramanagara, is about 1 km from the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, close to Janapada Loka, where 240 one-BHK flats have been constructed. There are 30 blocks with each having eight houses (ground plus two floors). The 20x20 sq ft flats/houses have a living room, bedroom, kitchen and toilet-cum-bathroom. The connecting road too is well-asphalted and has streetlights.

The vacant houses now have broken windows, doors and commodes, with cracks in the walls, peeling roofs, electric wires cut and are filled with dust. The sumps for storing water do not have lids as they were stolen by miscreants. Locals also say that the project site has become a den for anti-socialactivities.

Allottees to be picked through lottery

Manyanti-social activities take place here now. Its scary to come here, specially during night. Many people come here to drink and heaps of bottles can be seen inside the rooms, Manjunath, who hails from a nearby village, told TNIE. When Kumaraswamy was CM, the then government directed the Revenue Department to construct the houses, which, in turn, entrusted the work to the Karnataka Slum Development Board.

The Board constructed the houses and thats when the Forest Department came up and said the land belongs to them. Since then, any further construction has been halted. Only a few months ago, the Revenue Department decided to provide alternate land nearby to the Forest Department, said a official source. Slum Development Board officials said that since there are more than 1,400 applicants and only 240 houses, the final allottees will be picked through lottery.

This has to be done under the chairmanship of local MLA Anitha Kumaraswamy. When asked if the initial deposit will be returned to those who are not picked in the lottery, official sources said that houses are being constructed under other schemes and those left out will be allotted houses elsewhere.

Read more from the original source:
14 years on, crushed dreams, cracked houses - The New Indian Express

Issued on: 05/06/2020 - 22:54

Washington (AFP)

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to slash the number of troops it maintains in Germany by more than a quarter in the coming months, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The newspaper said the Defense Department would cut the number of military personnel by 9,500 from the current 34,500 permanently assigned to Germany postings.

The Journal also said a cap of 25,000 would be set on how many US troops could be inside German at any one time, whether in permanent postings or temporary rotations, half of the current allowance.

The move would significantly reduce the US commitment to European defense under the NATO umbrella, though it could also impact Pentagon operations related to Africa and the Middle East.

White House and Pentagon officials declined to confirm or deny the story, which comes amid tensions between the Trump administration and European allies over longstanding cooperation agreements.

Washington in particular does not think Germany spends enough for its own defense.

John Ullyot, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement that as commander in chief, Trump is always reassessing the presence of US forces overseas.

"The United States remains committed to working with our strong ally Germany to ensure our mutual defense, as well as on many other important issues," Ullyot said.

2020 AFP

Read more:
US planning to slash troops in Germany: report - RFI

Our worst-case scenario for a 20% decline in prices and those of others seeing 30% plus falls are unlikely thanks to support measures and the earlier reopening of the economy. To get these worst-case scenarios would require a second wave of coronavirus cases & so a renewed shutdown or another down leg in the economy in response to a surge in bankruptcies.

However, further falls in prices are still likely, as true unemployment (to become clear after September) remains high for several years, government support measures and the bank payment holiday end after September, immigration falls and likely government measures boost housing construction. Our base case is for national average prices to fall around 5-10% into next year. Sydney & Melbourne are likely to see 10% falls as they are more exposed to immigration and have higher debt levels whereas Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth & Hobart are only likely to see small falls and Canberra prices are likely to be flat.

This may be seen as a reasonable outcome in terms of making housing more affordable but without posing a big threat to the economy (via a downwards spiral of falling prices and negative wealth effects on consumer spending) at the same time.

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Excerpt from:
Australian house prices starting to fall - collapse likely averted but expect more weakness ahead - Livewire Markets

Kottayam: The Kerala Police suspect the role of a quotation gang in the murder of a 55-year-old woman, Sheeba Salih, at Thazhathangady in Kottayam district.

Sheeba, 55, was found dead at her house, Shani Manzil, at Parappadath in Thazhathangadi on Monday morning, while her husband, Mohammad Salih, was found unconscious nearby with assault wounds.

The police have found that Sheeba and her husband had financial dealings with several people. It is suspected that a dispute over the financial deal had led to the murder.

The investigation points fingers at a gang, based out of Thazhathangady, and involved in financial dealings.

It was also suspected that the assailants had not plotted the murder. Instead their objective was to extort money from the couple.

The cops reached this conclusion as the assailants had not used lethal weapons to attack the couple. However, when the dispute escalated, the assailants were provoked to attack the couple using the tea table in the room. Though electric wires were tied around the victims' bodies, there was no proof of them being electrocuted.

Attacked & tied up

The assailants had first hit Sheeba and then attacked Salih. Both of them were tied up using electric wires and the assailants ransacked the house. They then left the gas cylinder open. They exited the house through the back door and fled the house in the couple's car. Sheeba's relatives said that the gold bangles, chain and earrings worn by her, and the ornaments stored in the cupboard were missing.

As the victims had suffered grievous injuries, the police suspect that the assailants have a criminal background, or have a history of substance abuse or mental illness.

It is also suspected that the car and gold ornaments were stolen to make it appear as a case of burglary and mislead the investigation.

Meanwhile, the police have found CCTV images of a person, suspected to be the culprit, fleeing in a car from the crime scene. Though images of the car as it passed through Kumarakom and Vechoor were found, the car is yet to be traced. The police have also received information that their car was taken to Kochi, based on CCTV visuals. The probe team hopes to the nab the culprits within two days.

The police, however, suspect the involvement of more than one person as it is unlikely that a lone individual can attack two people in the house and tie them up.

The police are probing the three possible angles of personal enmity, dispute over financial dealings and burglary in the blood-chilling incident.

The heinous manner in which the couple were attacked prompted the police to suspect that the culprits harboured enmity against them. The police team is also checking whether the assailants planned to set the house on fire, by leaving the gas cylinder open.

The police also found blood-stained gloves from the house. Following the scent of the blood-stained glove, the police sniffer dog had run up to near the Arupuzha bridge on Kottayam Road, which is 1km away.

The police recorded the statements of some people who frequently interacted with the couple on Tuesday.

The case is probed by a 13-member team led by DySP R Sreekumar. DIG Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and district police chief G Jayadev are also following-up on the investigation.

Autopsy findings

The post-mortem report has said that Sheeba had died of head injuries. Her skull was fractured in the impact of the attack, leading to haemorrhage. Several wounds were also found on the body. The autopsy also found signs of assault.

Though live electric wires were found on the bodies, the post-mortem report does not say that Sheeba was electrocuted. However, the body parts will be sent to the forensic lab in Thiruvananthapuram for more tests.

Police surgeon Dr Ranju Raveendran, who is also the Kottayam Medical College forensic department chief, carried out the post-mortem.

Sheebas husband continues to be in a critical condition at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The 65-year-old had undergone a surgery at the hospital.

Sheeba's funeral was held at the Taj Juma Masjid in Kottayam on Tuesday evening. Her daughter Shani and her husband, who are in Muscat, watched the funeral proceedings through a video call.

See original here:
Quotation gang behind Kottayam womans murder? - Onmanorama

The plants and saplings I used to care for on our roof are gone. For a week, we had no electricity. We saw the rescuers work day and night though. They said it was too risky to restart supply as a lot of the areas were still submerged and there were torn wires lying all around, she says.

Indrani Roy Mitra Joint Managing Director Mitra and Ghosh Publishers, Kolkata

Ascion of the family that owns one of Bengals biggest book publishing companies with sales of several Crores of Rupees every year, she was working with an international NGO at Gopalpur On Sea in Odisha when the supercyclone struck in 1999.

I have now seen two of the worst ones but this one was definitely the strongest. I have never been so afraid in my life. All of us were huddled in one room in our 100-year-old house. It was like apocalypse. Somehow, our old structure held out, whereas I saw the balcony of a modern apartment in my area collapse. Fortunately, my house had power too though just six houses apart, the neighbourhood did not have any power for over three days.

She was heartbroken though when she finally visited her office in the historic Boi Para (The Books Neighbourhood), the largest book market in the world where thousands throng the length of Kolkatas College Street.

There was waist-high water and the 500 second hand book sellers had lost everything. Their stalls were lying strewn all over the main road, pages wet and tattered. Giant trees had been felled. The College Street like you knew it once has vanished, she says, choking on her own words.

The rest is here:
First person accounts of the devastation by super cyclone Amphan - National Herald

The deal to sell Peterboroughs electricity distribution system to Hydro One is set to close on Aug. 4, states a new city staff report and now city councillors have four new proposals to evaluate as they mull how to use the proceeds.

Councillors had previously considered banking the proceeds in a Toronto investment firm or backing its own renewable energy company, but now they can also think about four new ideas: creating a home energy retrofit program, creating a trust to support renewable energy projects, investing in a local bank or creating a stream of grants for local charities.

City council approved the sale of Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI) more than three years ago after a contentious debate. The deal was finalized in the summer of 2018 and approval from the Ontario Energy Board came in April.

PDI is the wires and poles distribution arm of Peterborough Utilities Inc., which will continue to exist as a power generation company.

The agreement to sell PDI to Hydro One includes the wires, poles and transformers of Peterborough Utilities, which delivers electricity to 37,000 customers in Peterborough, Lakefield and Norwood.

Although the sale price is $105 million, the city is expecting to receive somewhere between $50 million and $55 million once fees and debate are paid.

In a virtual meeting on Monday, councillors will discuss the idea of striking a new group made up of city staff plus three councillors (Andrew Beamer, Gary Baldwin and Dean Pappas) to review all options for use of the sale proceeds and make recommendations to council later.

Councillors will also vote Monday on a staff recommendation to invest 100 per cent of the sale proceeds and spend only the returns from the investment.

At a meeting earlier this year at City Hall, councillors heard two detailed pitches: one to place the money in a bank portfolio with the Toronto non-profit One Investment and the other to invest instead in renewable hydro and solar generation facilities of the municipally owned City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. (CoPHI) in a plan that would return dividends to the city.

But now the city has received four new proposals that merit consideration, states the staff.

Those new proposals include:

Alan Slavin, climate activist and physicist, suggests investing the sale proceeds but using the interest as homeowner loans for energy retrofits.

Fred Irwin, founding director of Transition Town Peterborough, suggests the creation of a trust fund to ensure theres money available to maximize local renewable power generation in the future.

George Ripoll, investment adviser at BMO Nesbitt Burns, suggests investing through a local bank with a Peterborough-based adviser rather than going with the Toronto-based non-profit ONE Investments.

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough suggests banking most of the sale proceeds but setting aside at least 20 per cent or $10 million for a new fund, with interest disbursed as grants for charities.

Although the sale closes Aug. 4, the report states that council may not have settled yet on a final plan by then and if thats the case, the money would be placed in a short-term investment.

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PDI is a branch of Peterborough Utilities Inc., which was founded 105 years ago.

The previous councils decision to sell it wasnt popular with some residents who said at public meetings they didnt want the city to lose control of the asset because electricity rates could increase over time.

But CoPHI, which governs PDI, had advised council at the time that replacement of PDIs aging infrastructure would cost so much it would soon threaten the distribution systems viability and so the city was better off to sell.

joelle.kovach@peterboroughdaily.com

Read more:
Deal to sell Peterborough Distribution Inc. to Hydro One closing in August - ThePeterboroughExaminer.com

New Jersey is home to an array of architectural styles, from historic homes to contemporary builds. Whether you have an antique home with bubble glass or sleek walls of glass in your modern abode, get your windows looking their best with a professional window washer.

The pros will spray a high-grade cleaning solution on your windows, squeegee away, and finish with a microfiber towel. Here's why you should get in on the impressive results.

1. Results Look Better Than DIY

Unlike your average bottle of Windex, professional cleaning services use professional-grade solutions and equipment. Plus, they can safely access all of your windows and their hard-to-reach corners.

2. Pros Don't Cut Corners

If you're DIYing your window cleaning, chances are you want to be done as soon as possible. Professionals take pride in their work and clean your windows thoroughly. That's how good companies uphold their reputation. You can be sure everything will be spotless.

Looking for a window washer? Find a professional in your area.

3. It's Usually Cheaper Than DIY

If you tally up all of the equipment you'd need to DIY the joba hose, spray nozzle, squeegee, ladder, window cleaning solution, rags, and extension polesyou're looking at nearly $300. The average cost to clean windows is around $200.

Of course, the cost of the job will vary based on the number and size of your windows (typically between $150 and $300), but between materials and your own time, hiring a pro is actually a bargain.

4. You Can Get a Package Deal

Many professional window cleaning services provide other services. Oftentimes, they can offer bundle deals. You might be able to add on power washing, gutter cleaning, interior maid services, or even custom work like tinting.

You might want to go the extra mile and have your blinds, screens, sills, and tracks cleaned. Ask your contractor if these additional elements are included or charged separately.

5. It Looks Great!

Of course, squeaky-clean windows make your home look better. They boost your curb appeal from the outside, which can make a big difference if you're trying to rent or sell your spaceor simply want it to look great for passersby.

HomeAdvisor is a Patch promotional partner.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Window Washer In New Jersey - Patch.com

Summer is nearly here, and with this fresh new season comes the chance to spiff up your home. Whether you're looking for ways to improve your home's curb appeal, inspiration to start your spring cleaning or a little direction on seasonal home maintenance projects, these five ideas will help you spring into summer on the right foot.

Repaint your front door

As your yard fills with bright tulips, daisies and daffodils, consider adding a pop of color to your front door to match. This quick project can go a long way in boosting curb appeal and making your home stand out from the others in the neighborhood. It's best to complete this project over a few warm, dry days to make sure the paint adheres and dries correctly. Talk to a painting pro to get the best result.

Wrap up your spring cleaning

It's not too late to finish those spring cleaning projects. Whether you're purging old clothes from the back of your closet, wiping down the refrigerator (and the coils in back) or doing a deep clean of the baseboards, blinds and ceiling fans, a good tidy will get your home shipshape. Be sure to give your home's exterior some TLC as well. A power-washing pro can help you shine things up and ditch grime on your driveway, patio, porch and siding.

Upgrade your landscaping

Now's a great time to clean up the yard and start creating an outdoor space that you can enjoy. Whether you choose to plant a few new trees to your yard or completely overhaul your landscaping, it's a good idea to talk to a professional to make sure your project goes smoothly. If you're not ready to commit to a huge change, you can start small with a container garden or make a few improvements by fixing slopes, reviving dead grass and trimming overgrown shrubs and bushes.

Fix up your fence

An old, damaged or unattractive fence is not an effective (or appealing) barrier for your home. If your fence is looking a little worse for wear, take the opportunity to give it an upgrade this spring. A fencing pro can help you choose the best option for your space. Some popular fencing materials include cedar, vinyl, composite and aluminum. If you're happy with the style of your current fence, restaining or resealing it can make it look like new.

Repair your driveway

Now that we've left freezing temperatures and harsh weather behind, go outside and take a look at your driveway to see if it needs any repairs. Freezing and thawing cycles can cause cracking and damage to concrete and asphalt driveways, so it's important to check for damage in the spring. Damaged pavement can create issues with drainage, and small cracks will only worsen over time. Consult with a professional to correct any issues quickly. If you have a gravel driveway, double-check to make sure water isn't pooling in certain areas, as this can indicate drainage issues as well.

HomeAdvisor is an online marketplace connecting homeowners with trusted service professionals to complete home projects. Visit HomeAdvisor.com.

Go here to read the rest:
Home projects to kick off this summer - The Providence Journal

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released what it calls general considerations on safe actions for reopening houses of worship, but worship communities can accept or reject those considerations.

Religious worship allows tens of millions of Americans to demonstrate devotion to a higher power. It gives people an opportunity to commit and recommit to a set of values. In-person services foster a sense of community and belonging.

Unfortunately for millions whose lives are enriched by communal worship, traditional services are ideal places for virus transmission: lots of people, close together.

As a physician specializing in internal medicine I suggest, for now at least, that we reexamine how we worship. After all, what better way to embody the values of your faith than to take steps to protect one another?

Even with the uncertainty and variability of reopening plans, scientifically and medically sound information is available. For starters, youll want to assess your individual risk, the prevalence of the virus in your area and the availability of testing.

The four pillars

You may consider guidelines suggested by Dr. Atul Gawande, noted surgeon and author. He proposes four essential pillars for safe reentry into communal spaces: hygiene, distancing, screening and mask use.

All four must operate together to minimize transmission. Will your place of worship be able to enact these pillars? For example:

1. Will you have easy access to hand-washing or sanitizing?

2. Will communal surfaces and shared spaces be wiped down?

3. Will attendance be limited to allow distancing, and will attendees be screened with temperature checks and self-screening questionnaires?

4. Will your place of worship enforce mask use and distancing?

Anything short of all four pillars increases transmission risk.

And even with all the precautions, people with infections can be asymptomatic so despite the screening measures, you cant be sure who has the virus and whether you might become exposed.

Short, outdoors

Other factors influence viral spread. The dose you receive is higher when youre close to someone not wearing a face covering. Someone sneezing and coughing increases the number of virus particles near you. Singing or speaking forcefully releases more virus than speaking quietly. Outdoor rates of transmission are much lower than those indoors.

Thats why its best if services are short, outdoors and with no singing or physical contact. Only a limited number of attendees, spaced widely and wearing masks properly, would participate.

Early in the pandemic, faith leaders adapted their services: removing holy water, forbidding handshakes, limiting group size and livestreaming. Buddhist monks seeking alms wore face shields. But others protested any restrictions.

In dealing with the virus, we still have much to learn. But values common to all religions exist compassion, kindness, respect for fellow humans and some variation of the Golden Rule. Until more is known about COVID-19, lets choose a path following one of the major tenets of my profession: First, do no harm.

Dr. Claudia Finkelstein is a medical doctor and associate professor of family medicine at Michigan State University.

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How to be as safe as possible in your house of worship - Longview News-Journal

Tropical Storm Bertha signaled the start of hurricane season when it made landfall last week in South Carolina.Dominion Energy customers in Virginia and the Carolinas can continue to expect excellent response from crews this hurricane season as a result of measures taken to adapt to coronavirus impacts, stated a Dominion Energy press release. Crews have access to resources necessary to respond safely and quickly to storm-related outages.

Our team is prepared for a busy hurricane season and have spent the past three months incorporating new practices and health and safety guidelines that protect us, our colleagues and the public from spreading the coronavirus, said Ed Baine, senior vice president of power delivery. Even with additional precautions necessary during these unprecedented times, our crews will continue to be responsive and prepared to restore power safely and quickly.

Dominion reports that employees are following the hygiene practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the use of face coverings, frequent hand washing and the use of gloves. Workstations and vehicle interiors are wiped down each day. Additionally, employees check their temperature and answer health screening questions at least once every day.

In addition to essential services such ashospitals, fire and police departments, public water systems and 911 call centers, coronavirus testing and treatment centers have also been added to the companys restoration strategy.

As we saw with previous storms, including Hurricane Dorian, we have an experienced power restoration team, as well as a comprehensive plan to respond to the extensive damage that severe weather can cause, said Keller Kissam, Dominion Energy South Carolina president of electric operations. We encourage our customers to be prepared at home to keep their families safe with emergency supplies, including face masks, hand sanitizer and wipes.

There are many ways to begin preparing early. Dominion offers the following tips to prepare for severe weather:

Create an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, cleaning supplies and face coverings.

Prepare a first-aid kit with bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications.

Remember to carry your healthcare information with you and to prepare your medical devices, especially if you are disabled or elderly.

Download the Dominion Energy App to track restoration efforts and report outages quickly and safely.

Prepare a supply of water and non-perishable food.

Charge your phone and other electronic devices fully before the storm arrives.

Make sure your contact information is updated in Dominions system so that they have a way to get in touch with you.

Safety is always our first priority, states Dominion. Heres how you can stay safe during storms:

Beware of downed power lines. Assume they are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and call Dominion Energy immediately.Virginia and North Carolina customers please call 1-866-366-4357. South Carolina customers please call 1-888-333-4465.

Connect your generator properly. Ensure it is fueled and tested before the severe weather arrives. Follow the manufacturers instructions and always operate outdoors with good ventilation.

For more information, visitDominionEnergy.com/outages/outage-safety-and-preparation/hurricane-prep.

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Dominion Energy adapts to ensure quick response to hurricanes during coronavirus pandemic - The Coastland Times - The Coastland Times