Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

On Monday 1st June, the day we'd all awaited finally came: Ikea reopened their doors after 10 weeks of being closed to the public. And if the queues were anything to go by, this was pretty exciting news for everyone.

In fact, it's been widely reported by shoppers at all 19 newly reopened stores, that despite warnings about Ikea limiting the number of shoppers allows in store at one time, queues made up of thousands of keen shoppers snaked around Ikea car parks across the country. From mile long queues in Ikea stores on the outskirts of London, to reports of shoppers queueing from as early as 5:40 in Warrington, to say that Brits were desperate to get back to Ikea is something of an understatement.

There's even a joke circulating the internet about it: 'What's the difference between a kilometre long queue at IKEA and a kilometre long queue at parliament? At IKEA at least you get a decent cabinet at the end.' Boom boom!

Only time will tell how the Ikea shopping experience will evolve over coming weeks particularly with regards to mile long queues. But for now, we've listed details of what to expect should you decide to brave a trip to Ikea and what you should get your hands on if you do make it in. Alternatively, it's worth remembering that you can shop online perhaps this is the one time that the 39 delivery fee actually feels worth it...

You can also check out our deals hub for more advice on making a saving.

Opening hours

Mon-Sat: 10.00-20.00

Sun: 11.00-17.00

(Belfast opening hours are 12.00-18.00)

Come prepared

In order to make the most of your trip to Ikea, it's recommended that you come prepared with a thorough list of everything you might need in order to make the shopping process as seamless as possible.

Ikea suggest that this list should eveninclude product numbers for those seeking the least stressful shopping experience, which had us thinking that for the first time in the history of Ikea visits, it may actually be possible to leave with only the items you came for. Great news for our wallets, we're sure you'll agree.

Social distancing

In store, Ikea are enforcing strict social distancing policies including a one way system, limits to the number of customers allowed in store at one time this is to include only one adult and one child from every household and the installation of glass screens and hand sanitiser to protect customers and employees, alike.

Ikea have also announced plans to station 'social-distancing wardens' throughout the store. Not only will they help to ensure the safety of shoppers, but they'll also be there to ensure everyone understands the new one way system.

Limits to the number of shoppers

There will also be a strict limit to the number of people allowed in store at one time, with a queue system enforced to help stagger entry. This will likely be much like the systems we've seen in place as supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres, though Ikea will be limiting access to just one adult and one child per household. This is a pretty important factor to consider ahead of your shopping trip, especially since all play areas and restaurants are to remain closed at this time.

Bring food and drinks

On which subject... if you're in the car park queue, then the store queue, then the store... you'll need refreshments at some point, so come with food and drink to help you power on through. However, their Bistro will be open for takeaways (except at the Greenwich store), and the Swedish Food Market will be open for those make-at-home meatballs and Swedish favourites.

Toilets?

No info on this online but we're assuming they are open.

Card payments only

Currently, Ikea will only be accepting card payments. So, you'll need to leave your cash at home if you do plan a trip.

Hand sanitising

As well as increasing the frequency of cleaning throughout Ikea stores, there will also be an increased number of hand sanitising stations which should be used by customers.

So, if you're in desperate need of a trip to Ikea, the re-opening of stores is certainly great news. However, if like many of us your Ikea trips are informed by a desire for a browse and a nice day out, it may be worth waiting a little while longer. There is still the option to shop online at Ikea, after all.

You'll likely be wondering which of its nationwide stores Ikea have reopened. Given lockdown measures still in place, stores in Scotland, Wales and Ireland will remain closed for the time being.

Find a full list of stores that reopened on 1 June below, all of which will strictly enforce social distancing.

Here's what we think should be on your list for your first trip:

(Image credit: Ikea)

LINDBYN Mirror | 30Confession: a member of the Real Homes team was so desperate to get their hands on this mirror during lockdown they paid the full whack, 39 delivery for it. But the rationale was even with the delivery this was still way cheaper than anything similar elsewhere. Can confirm it was worth it, it's huge, but also slimline and stylish. But now you can pick it up in-store, making it even more of a bargain!View Deal

Shop more similar mirrors:

(Image credit: Ikea)

SOLLERN 3-seat modular sofa | 459We have had our eye on this outdoor sofa for a while now, but due to delivery restrictions it hasn't been available for home delivery. But now stores are open you can pick up this super practical buy. It's modular, so there are loads of different options and you can find one to suit your space and it has storage too!View Deal

(Image credit: Ikea)

SOLBLEKT Tray | 8Another fab buy we haven't been able to order online, but have been checking every day to see if it changes this gorgeous tray. It would be lovely on a coffee table with some eucalyptus and a nice candle, but we were also thinking it would look great wall mounted too, with a few other rattan pieces to create a gallery wall.View Deal

(Image credit: Ikea)

NILSOVE Chair | 75You can order this online if you just can't wait to make a trip to Ikea. We love the simple style and the fact you could definitely use this as a garden chair too. You can buy a version with a seat pad as well if you want a bit more comfort.View Deal

Shop more rattan dining chairs:

(Image credit: Ikea)

GRNLID 3-seat sofa | 495We know, we know, a white sofa isn't the most practical of options but we just love the look of them. They have been all over Instagram recently, they just add such a cool, laid back, beachy vibe. And a fab thing about Ikea sofas is the cover is removable so you can throw it in the washing machine.View Deal

(Image credit: Ikea )

MASTHOLMEN Outdoor Armchair | 90If, like us, you're a big fan of boho interiors, you'll love this outdoor armchair which aside from offering a peaceful place to relax and soak up the sun also created the laid back, Ibiza vibes that we're all craving about now.

Go here to see the original:
Ikea reopened this week: here's what happened and the best new buys - Real Homes

Vinyl has been the most common siding material used in new home construction for the last 25 years. That means there are tens of millions of existing homes with vinyl siding out there, and many more being built each year. If you're a homeowner with vinyl siding, or considering a vinyl siding replacement or installation, here's what you need to know.

Vinyl is cheap, but not always the cheapest.

Affordability is one of vinyl siding's chief selling points, and it can be very cost-effective. But as with all siding materials, vinyl price goes up with quality. For example, a premium vinyl siding will cost about $16,000 to install, according to HomeAdvisor's True Cost Guide, while a mid-level fiber cement siding will cost around $12,000. So, if you're looking to reside your home on a budget, consider vinyl but don't rule out other materials.

Vinyl is known to yield a high return on investment.

Even with the price variability, vinyl siding has been known to deliver tremendous value, with a return on investment (or ROI) of around 75 percent, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value study. That's because it combines competitive pricing and performance with constantly improving looks, thanks to a wide variety of colors and styles, from beaded seam to board and batten.

It's not right for all climates.

Even with the continued improvements to latest-generation vinyl, it's not the best choice for all regions. For example, the material tends to fade over time, so if you live in a hot, sunny climate, you're probably better off with stucco. Vinyl is also prone to damage from wind and cold-weather impact, so if your home takes a lot hits in the winter, wood or fiber cement siding are better options.

Proper installation is critical.

While vinyl is relatively easy to install, shoddy work can lead to buckling and warping, and it could also allow moisture to find its way into your home. Unless you're a highly experienced DIYer, this project is best left to the pros. For good measure, look for pros who are certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute.

Think twice about working with a pro who recommends applying a new layer of vinyl siding over the existing one on your home. While this is technically possible, it's best to remove the old siding so that you can start fresh and also deal with any underlying issues, such as termite damage or rotted sheathing.

Low-maintenance doesn't mean no-maintenance

Yes, vinyl siding is easy to care for no periodic painting required, as with wood siding, or the repointing that's needed with a brick facade. But you will have to pay some attention to your vinyl siding, namely by keeping it clean. A simple garden hose will take of dirt and dust. Mildew stains can be removed with soapy water and a scrub brush. A pressure washer will also blast away heavy build-up. Just be sure to use a low-power setting to avoid spraying water and grime up between the siding and the wall, where it can cause mold and rot.

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

Read the rest here:
Things you need to know about vinyl siding - The Providence Journal

GRANGEVILLE A construction project in Grangeville could require you put in new sidewalks, but in not all cases are they warranted or possible. Your lot may slope into a ditch, have no adjoining properties with sidewalks to tie into, or an installation may necessitate you cut down one or more trees.

So, you get a waiver, approved by the city council, a municipally approved delay, that if or when conditions change, youll then be required to put in a sidewalk.

We have a whole list of these waivers, said city administrator Tonya Kennedy, dating back to 1995. In all these years, we havent made anyone go back and put one in.

At the May 18 Grangeville City Council meeting, discussion hashed out problems with the sidewalk rule and how it could be changed. With ideas raised, Mayor Wes Lester scheduled the matter for a September meeting for further determination.

For background, Kennedy explained what triggers the sidewalk ordinance is when a building permit is taken out for a project more than $5,000, then installation is required; exemptions are for installation of windows, roofing or siding. A deposit, based on $2 per foot of frontage, is charged, and the permittee has nine months to finish the sidewalk.

Persons can request the city issue a waiver for sidewalk installation, which is reviewed by the public works department and a recommendation on whether to approve or deny is forwarded to the council for determination.

We need to do something other than collecting waivers after waivers, said public works director Bob Mager, who commented on rule changes to consider that would benefit city streets.

Our streets need curbs and gutters. In a lot of places, the gutter pan has worn away where it meets the asphalt, he said. An option to a waiver could be requiring curbs and gutters, instead of sidewalks, or offering a twofer such as a curb and sidewalk. Theres a lot of different ways to play with it.

Another issue to consider is durability: His department fields many calls through the year on washouts along the curb line, which they fix with asphalt. That washes out; it wont hold. Concrete is the only thing that holds up from erosion along the curb line.

In my mind, said councilor Beryl Grant, Id rather fix what we have. We have a lot of bad sidewalks. Lets go back and get those fixed before we move forward.

On a home project he priced out, councilor Scott Winkler was quoted around $12,000 to complete a curb and gutter project on 112 linear feet.

I want to do curb and gutters, but I dont want to pay that money for that, he said.

Lester said in a rule change, more consideration may need to be given, such as for individuals on corner or as in Winklers case -- three-sided U-lots. The city may need to offer more time for completion, and consider increasing the value to be triggered by new home development or a major remodeling project. One option he doesnt see likely to happen anytime soon is an LID (Local Improvement District), which allows neighborhoods to fund infrastructure projects on a long-term payment plan.

I dont think youd pass an LID in Grangeville. I dont think you ever will, he said. With the federal rules we have continually, and well have bonds to pass for water and sewer, I dont think people can do it all. So, tell them to pass an LID to do curbs, gutters and sidewalks, and you overlay a $12 million water bond and a $15 million sewer bond, youre not going to get them passed.

We do need to make a decision on this, Lester continued, because Tonya is right: This has been going on since 1995 and we keep giving waivers. Its not working. Its just making her list longer.

In other council business:

Benefitting both the city and organizers, council approved classifying the proposed Pioneer Park band shell project as private.

According to Kennedy, running the project as classified doesnt cede municipal control; the project would still have to meet set criteria, plans would require city approval, and it would still require a performance bond and use of a public works contractor. However, as private, the project would not have to go through required bidding requirements, as would a public project, and so reduce costs in areas of planning and construction. Project bills would also be paid directly by project organizers and not be run through the city.

Council approved refinancing $2,130,000 remaining on the citys water bond through the Idaho Bond Bank.

Certainly, we do have a good bird in the hand, so to speak, said Christian Anderson, Zions Bank, in recommendations for the city to refinance at a time when interest rates are at an all-time low. The council was presented the city could realize savings of $239,000 on its bond, Anderson said with rates continuing to drop lower each day, today, thats closer to $284,000.

The $3.9 million revenue bond was originally passed in 2003 to fund water line repairs, system renovations and construction of a 500,000-gallon reservoir.

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Waivers to nowhere Council discusses need to change rule for projects requiring sidewalk installation - Idaho County Free Press

Q: Im building a new home, and I have to make a decision about the siding. I can afford wood shakes and love the look, but I am concerned about long-term maintenance.

Vinyl siding seems to have so many advantages, but it just doesnt look like wood to me.

How would you go about making this decision if you were me? What are all the things I should consider? Would you install vinyl siding on your own home? Margo S., Nashville

A: Choosing between two or three building materials is a common quandary. It could be laminate floor vs. real hardwood. Or you might struggle between treated lumber vs. composite decking. So many products try to mimic the look and feel of wood because manufacturers know we humans have a very deep connection to real wood.

My advice is pretty straightforward, but it takes a little work and honesty. I think that the best way to solve these issues is to make a checklist of pros and cons on a sheet of paper. When you write down an honest comparison this way, you can see the facts in front of your eyes. All too often, if you do this in your mind, one positive or negative thought may unduly influence the decision.

Here are some considerations that might help. Positive attributes of real wood siding include: Its the real deal. Wood is a slightly better insulator than vinyl. Wood shakes have a rich legacy of protecting structures in harsh environments.

Now, lets look at the flip side of wood. If you want the wood to last and look great this is subjective then you need to maintain it. Some love the weathered look of wood shakes and do no maintenance. Shakes require expert installation and the use of high-quality nails, preferably stainless steel. High-quality shakes can be expensive.

Its quite possible you havent seen the latest version of vinyl siding shakes. Just two years ago I was in Downeast Maine visiting builders, and I toured a home that I was positive was covered with real wood shakes. It wasnt until I was nearing the front porch that I realized they were, in fact, vinyl. They were so realistic that I think that most homeowners would never realize they werent wood.

These vinyl shakes are expensive and time-consuming to install, but the fact remains that Margo might have found the Holy Grail shes looking for in this product. Each of the pieces of siding is individual like true wood shakes. They interlock to make a weatherproof barrier.

That said, lets consider traditional vinyl siding that comes in bigger pieces. You can get any number of designs that mimic wood shakes. Vinyl requires no maintenance unless you live in an urban area, where it might require periodic washing to remove dirt. This siding installs so fast that an experienced crew can side an entire house in just a few days. Some smaller houses they might do in less than two days.

The only negatives I can come up with when it comes to traditional vinyl siding, even the lower-cost shake imitators, is they just dont look like real wood up close. You can short circuit this issue to a degree if you use a special window, door and corner trim that has a built-in J channel that hides the open end of the vinyl siding. This trim really looks like traditional painted wood trim and gets rid of the traditional bulky J-channel that makes most wince.

Would I install vinyl on my home? The answer is an unequivocal yes. As with many building products, vinyl siding is far enough down the development timeline that many of the bugs have been worked out. I would choose the shake vinyl siding I saw two years ago.

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When choosing siding, weigh pros and cons - The Columbus Dispatch

NEW YORK, June 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Amid the COVID-19 crisis and the looming economic recession, the Siding Industry market worldwide will grow by a projected US$19.7 Billion, during the analysis period, driven by a revised compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. Fiber Cement, one of the segments analyzed and sized in this study, is forecast to grow at over 3.2% and reach a market size of US$48 Billion by the end of the analysis period. An unusual period in history, the coronavirus pandemic has unleashed a series of unprecedented events affecting every industry. The Fiber Cement market will be reset to a new normal which going forwards in a post COVID-19 era will be continuously redefined and redesigned. Staying on top of trends and accurate analysis is paramount now more than ever to manage uncertainty, change and continuously adapt to new and evolving market conditions.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04159766/?utm_source=PRN

As part of the new emerging geographic scenario, the United States is forecast to readjust to a 1.5% CAGR. Within Europe, the region worst hit by the pandemic, Germany will add over US$443.2 Million to the region's size over the next 7 to 8 years. In addition, over US$483.6 Million worth of projected demand in the region will come from Rest of European markets. In Japan, the Fiber Cement segment will reach a market size of US$2.2 Billion by the close of the analysis period. Blamed for the pandemic, significant political and economic challenges confront China. Amid the growing push for decoupling and economic distancing, the changing relationship between China and the rest of the world will influence competition and opportunities in the Siding Industry market. Against this backdrop and the changing geopolitical, business and consumer sentiments, the world's second largest economy will grow at 5.4% over the next couple of years and add approximately US$6.8 Billion in terms of addressable market opportunity. Continuous monitoring for emerging signs of a possible new world order post-COVID-19 crisis is a must for aspiring businesses and their astute leaders seeking to find success in the now changing Siding Industry market landscape. All research viewpoints presented are based on validated engagements from influencers in the market, whose opinions supersede all other research methodologies.

Competitors identified in this market include, among others, Alside Inc.; American Building Components; Associated Materials Inc.; Boral Limited; Certain Teed Corporation; Designer Panel Systems; Etex; Forterra Building Products Limited; Gentek Building Products Inc.; Georgia-Pacific Corporation; James Hardie Industries PLC; Kaycan Ltd.; LIXIL Group Corporation; Louisiana-Pacific Corporation; Metal Building Components Inc.; National Cladding Wales Ltd.; NCI Building Systems; Nichiha Corporation; Palagio Engineering Srl; Peter L. Brown Co., ; Ply Gem Holdings Inc.; Royal Building Products; Ruukki Construction; Sto Corp.; The Alumasc Group PLC; Wienerberger AG

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04159766/?utm_source=PRN

SIDING INDUSTRY MCP-1MARKET ANALYSIS, TRENDS, AND FORECASTS, JUNE 2CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW Siding: An Introductory Prelude Recent Market Activity Growing Importance of Building Architecture Drives Significance of Siding Asia-Pacific to Drive Future Growth China Evolves into Most Important Market Developed Regions Remain Prominent Consumers Stable Economic Scenario to Augment Market Prospects Competitive Scenario Siding: A Highly Fragmented Market Product Promotion & Distribution: Key Focus Areas Impact of Covid-19 and a Looming Global Recession Global Competitor Market Shares Siding Industry Competitor Market Share Scenario Worldwide (in %): 2018 & 2029 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS Alumasc Group Plc (UK) Associated Materials, Inc (USA) Alside, Inc. (USA) Gentek Building Products Inc. (USA) BlueScope (Australia) Boral Limited (Australia) Certain Teed Corporation (USA) Designer Panel Systems (Australia) Etex (Belgium) Forterra Building Products Limited (UK) Georgia-Pacific Corporation (USA) James Hardie Industries PLC (Ireland) Kaycan Ltd. (USA) Kingspan Panels (USA) LIXIL Group Corporation (Japan) Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (USA) NCI Building Systems (USA) American Building Components (USA) Metal Building Components Inc. (USA) National Cladding Wales Ltd. (UK) Nichiha Corporation (Japan) Palagio Engineering Srl (Italy) Peter L. Brown Co. (USA) Ply Gem Holdings, Inc. (USA) Royal Building Products (Canada) Ruukki Construction (Finland) Sto Corp. (USA) Toray ACE Co. Ltd. (Japan) Wienerberger AG (Austria) 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Growth in the World Construction Industry Spells Opportunities Key Factors Fuelling Growth in the Global Building Construction Market Brick Siding: The Largest Product Segment Wider Color Palette Drives Consumer Interest in Stucco Siding Fiber Cement Siding Gains Widespread Acceptance Vinyl Siding Emerges as Fastest Growing Product Segment Cost Advantage Fuels Rapid Growth in Vinyl Siding Rust-Resistance Properties of Metal Siding Find Fervor in Coastal Regions Issues & Challenges Fire Safety Emerges as Key Concern Growing Use of Glass for Exterior Walls Color and Styling Innovations in the Siding Industry LP's SmartSide Siding Gains Huge Popularity Hardie Fiber Cement Siding: Another Major Innovation Issues Related to Repainting Kaycan Ocean Park Ultra Vinyl "Lap Siding" Kaycan Montebello Vinyl Log Siding Fiber-Cement Lap Siding and Panels New Siding Products with Improved Design and Durability Nearly Natural Catching Rays Smarter Siding Three-toned Stone Estate-the Royal Offering Game-changing Ultimate Clip Aesthetically Advanced and Easy-to-Install Products Grab Attention 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Table 1: Siding Industry Global Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2020-2027 Table 2: Siding Industry Global Retrospective Market Scenario in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2012-2019 Table 3: Siding Industry Market Share Shift across Key Geographies Worldwide: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 4: Fiber Cement (Material Type) World Market by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2020 to 2027 Table 5: Fiber Cement (Material Type) Historic Market Analysis by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2012 to 2019 Table 6: Fiber Cement (Material Type) Market Share Breakdown of Worldwide Sales by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 7: Vinyl (Material Type) Potential Growth Markets Worldwide in US$ Million: 2020 to 2027 Table 8: Vinyl (Material Type) Historic Market Perspective by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2012 to 2019 Table 9: Vinyl (Material Type) Market Sales Breakdown by Region/Country in Percentage: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 10: Wood (Material Type) Geographic Market Spread Worldwide in US$ Million: 2020 to 2027 Table 11: Wood (Material Type) Region Wise Breakdown of Global Historic Demand in US$ Million: 2012 to 2019 Table 12: Wood (Material Type) Market Share Distribution in Percentage by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 13: Other Material Types (Material Type) World Market Estimates and Forecasts by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2to 2027 Table 14: Other Material Types (Material Type) Market Historic Review by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2012 to 2019 Table 15: Other Material Types (Material Type) Market Share Breakdown by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 16: Residential (End-Use) Worldwide Latent Demand Forecasts in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2020-2027 Table 17: Residential (End-Use) Global Historic Analysis in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2012-2019 Table 18: Residential (End-Use) Distribution of Global Sales by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 19: Non-Residential (End-Use) Sales Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Region/Country for the Years 2through 2027 Table 20: Non-Residential (End-Use) Analysis of Historic Sales in US$ Million by Region/Country for the Years 2012 to 2019 Table 21: Non-Residential (End-Use) Global Market Share Distribution by Region/Country for 2012, 2020, and 2027 III. MARKET ANALYSIS GEOGRAPHIC MARKET ANALYSIS UNITED STATES Market Facts & Figures US Siding Industry Market Share (in %) by Company: 2018 & 2025 Market Analytics Table 22: Siding Industry Market in the United States in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 23: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in the United States in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 24: United States Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 25: United States Siding Industry Latent Demand Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 26: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in the United States by End-Use in US$ Million for 2012-2019 Table 27: Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown in the United States by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 CANADA Table 28: Canadian Siding Industry Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 29: Siding Industry Market in Canada: Historic Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the period 2012-2019 Table 30: Canadian Siding Industry Market Shares in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 31: Canadian Siding Industry Market Quantitative Demand Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 32: Siding Industry Market in Canada: Summarization of Historic Demand Patterns in US$ Million by End-Use for 2012-2019 Table 33: Canadian Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 JAPAN Table 34: Japanese Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 35: Siding Industry Demand Patterns in Japan in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 36: Japanese Siding Industry Market Share in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 37: Japanese Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 38: Japanese Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 39: Siding Industry Market Share Shift in Japan by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 CHINA Table 40: Chinese Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 41: Siding Industry Historic Demand Scenario in China in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 42: Chinese Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 43: Chinese Demand for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 44: Siding Industry Market Review in China in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 45: Chinese Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 EUROPE Market Facts & Figures European Siding Industry Market: Competitor Market Share Scenario (in %) for 2018 & 2025 Market Analytics Table 46: European Siding Industry Market Demand Scenario in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2020-2027 Table 47: Siding Industry Market in Europe: A Historic Market Perspective in US$ Million by Region/Country for the Period 2012-2019 Table 48: European Siding Industry Market Share Shift by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 49: Siding Industry Demand Potential in Europe in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 50: European Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 51: Siding Industry Market in Europe : Breakdown of Sales by Material Type for 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 52: European Siding Industry Addressable Market Opportunity in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 53: Siding Industry Market in Europe: Summarization of Historic Demand in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2012-2019 Table 54: European Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 FRANCE Table 55: Siding Industry Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis in France in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 56: French Siding Industry Market: Historic Review in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 57: French Siding Industry Market Share Shift by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 58: Siding Industry Quantitative Demand Analysis in France in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 59: French Siding Industry Historic Market Review in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 60: French Siding Industry Market Share Analysis: A 17-Year Perspective by End-Use for 2012, 2020, and 2027 GERMANY Table 61: German Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 62: Siding Industry Market in Germany: Historic Demand Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 63: German Siding Industry Market Share Distribution by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 64: Siding Industry Market in Germany: Annual Sales Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 65: German Siding Industry Market in Retrospect in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 66: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in Germany by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 ITALY Table 67: Italian Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 68: Siding Industry Historic Demand Scenario in Italy in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 69: Italian Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 70: Italian Demand for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 71: Siding Industry Market Review in Italy in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 72: Italian Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 UNITED KINGDOM Table 73: United Kingdom Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 74: Siding Industry Demand Patterns in the United Kingdom in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 75: United Kingdom Siding Industry Market Share in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 76: United Kingdom Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 77: United Kingdom Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 78: Siding Industry Market Share Shift in the United Kingdom by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 SPAIN Table 79: Spanish Siding Industry Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 80: Siding Industry Market in Spain: Historic Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the period 2012-2019 Table 81: Spanish Siding Industry Market Shares in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 82: Spanish Siding Industry Market Quantitative Demand Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 83: Siding Industry Market in Spain: Summarization of Historic Demand Patterns in US$ Million by End-Use for 2012-2019 Table 84: Spanish Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 RUSSIA Table 85: Siding Industry Market in Russia in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 86: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Russia in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 87: Russian Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 88: Russian Siding Industry Latent Demand Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 89: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Russia by End-Use in US$ Million for 2012-2019 Table 90: Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown in Russia by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 REST OF EUROPE Table 91: Siding Industry Demand Potential in Rest of Europe in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 92: Rest of Europe Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 93: Siding Industry Market in Rest of Europe: Breakdown of Sales by Material Type for 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 94: Rest of Europe Siding Industry Addressable Market Opportunity in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 95: Siding Industry Market in Rest of Europe: Summarization of Historic Demand in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2012-2019 Table 96: Rest of Europe Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 ASIA-PACIFIC Table 97: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2020-2027 Table 98: Siding Industry Market in Asia-Pacific: Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Region/Country for the Period 2012-2019 Table 99: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by Region/Country: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 100: Siding Industry Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis in Asia-Pacific in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 101: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market: Historic Review in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 102: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Share Shift by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 103: Siding Industry Quantitative Demand Analysis in Asia-Pacific in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 104: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Historic Market Review in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 105: Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Share Analysis: A 17-Year Perspective by End-Use for 2012, 2020, and 2027 AUSTRALIA Table 106: Australian Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 107: Siding Industry Market in Australia: Historic Demand Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 108: Australian Siding Industry Market Share Distribution by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 109: Siding Industry Market in Australia: Annual Sales Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 110: Australian Siding Industry Market in Retrospect in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 111: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in Australia by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 INDIA Table 112: Indian Siding Industry Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 113: Siding Industry Market in India: Historic Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the period 2012-2019 Table 114: Indian Siding Industry Market Shares in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 115: Indian Siding Industry Market Quantitative Demand Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 116: Siding Industry Market in India: Summarization of Historic Demand Patterns in US$ Million by End-Use for 2012-2019 Table 117: Indian Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 SOUTH KOREA Table 118: Siding Industry Market in South Korea: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2020-2027 Table 119: South Korean Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 120: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in South Korea by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 121: Siding Industry Market in South Korea: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 122: South Korean Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 123: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in South Korea by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC Table 124: Rest of Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 125: Siding Industry Demand Patterns in Rest of Asia-Pacific in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 126: Rest of Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market Share in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 127: Rest of Asia-Pacific Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 128: Rest of Asia-Pacific Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 129: Siding Industry Market Share Shift in Rest of Asia-Pacific by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 LATIN AMERICA Table 130: Latin American Siding Industry Market Trends by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2020-2027 Table 131: Siding Industry Market in Latin America in US$ Million by Region/Country: A Historic Perspective for the Period 2012-2019 Table 132: Latin American Siding Industry Market Percentage Breakdown of Sales by Region/Country: 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 133: Latin American Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 134: Siding Industry Historic Demand Scenario in Latin America in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 135: Latin American Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 136: Latin American Demand for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 137: Siding Industry Market Review in Latin America in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 138: Latin American Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 ARGENTINA Table 139: Siding Industry Demand Potential in Argentina in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 140: Argentinean Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 141: Siding Industry Market in Argentina: Breakdown of Sales by Material Type for 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 142: Argentinean Siding Industry Addressable Market Opportunity in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 143: Siding Industry Market in Argentina: Summarization of Historic Demand in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2012-2019 Table 144: Argentinean Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 BRAZIL Table 145: Siding Industry Recent Past, Current & Future Market Analysis in Brazil in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 146: Brazilian Siding Industry Market: Historic Review in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 147: Brazilian Siding Industry Market Share Shift by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 148: Siding Industry Quantitative Demand Analysis in Brazil in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 149: Brazilian Siding Industry Historic Market Review in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 150: Brazilian Siding Industry Market Share Analysis: A 17-Year Perspective by End-Use for 2012, 2020, and 2027 MEXICO Table 151: Mexican Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 152: Siding Industry Market in Mexico: Historic Demand Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 153: Mexican Siding Industry Market Share Distribution by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 154: Siding Industry Market in Mexico: Annual Sales Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 155: Mexican Siding Industry Market in Retrospect in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 156: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in Mexico by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 REST OF LATIN AMERICA Table 157: Siding Industry Market in Rest of Latin America in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 158: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Rest of Latin America in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 159: Rest of Latin America Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 160: Rest of Latin America Siding Industry Latent Demand Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 161: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Rest of Latin America by End-Use in US$ Million for 2012-2019 Table 162: Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown in Rest of Latin America by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 MIDDLE EAST Table 163: The Middle East Siding Industry Market Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by Region/Country: 2020-2027 Table 164: Siding Industry Market in the Middle East by Region/Country in US$ Million: 2012-2019 Table 165: The Middle East Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Region/Country: 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 166: The Middle East Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 167: Siding Industry Market in the Middle East: Historic Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the period 2012-2019 Table 168: The Middle East Siding Industry Market Shares in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 169: The Middle East Siding Industry Market Quantitative Demand Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 170: Siding Industry Market in the Middle East: Summarization of Historic Demand Patterns in US$ Million by End-Use for 2012-2019 Table 171: The Middle East Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 IRAN Table 172: Iranian Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 173: Siding Industry Demand Patterns in Iran in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 174: Iranian Siding Industry Market Share in Percentages by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 175: Iranian Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 176: Iranian Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 177: Siding Industry Market Share Shift in Iran by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 ISRAEL Table 178: Siding Industry Demand Potential in Israel in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 179: Israeli Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 180: Siding Industry Market in Israel: Breakdown of Sales by Material Type for 2012, 2020, and 2027 Table 181: Israeli Siding Industry Addressable Market Opportunity in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020-2027 Table 182: Siding Industry Market in Israel: Summarization of Historic Demand in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2012-2019 Table 183: Israeli Siding Industry Market Share Analysis by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 SAUDI ARABIA Table 184: Saudi Arabian Demand Estimates and Forecasts for Siding Industry Market in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 185: Siding Industry Historic Demand Scenario in Saudi Arabia in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 186: Saudi Arabian Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 187: Saudi Arabian Demand for Siding Industry in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 188: Siding Industry Market Review in Saudi Arabia in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 189: Saudi Arabian Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Table 190: Siding Industry Market in the United Arab Emirates: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2020-2027 Table 191: United Arab Emirates Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 192: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in United Arab Emirates by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 193: Siding Industry Market in the United Arab Emirates: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 194: United Arab Emirates Siding Industry Historic Market Analysis in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 195: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in United Arab Emirates by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 REST OF MIDDLE EAST Table 196: Rest of Middle East Siding Industry Market Estimates and Projections in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 197: Siding Industry Market in Rest of Middle East: Historic Demand Analysis in US$ Million by Material Type for the Period 2012-2019 Table 198: Rest of Middle East Siding Industry Market Share Distribution by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 199: Siding Industry Market in Rest of Middle East: Annual Sales Estimates and Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use for the Period 2020-2027 Table 200: Rest of Middle East Siding Industry Market in Retrospect in US$ Million by End-Use: 2012-2019 Table 201: Siding Industry Market Share Distribution in Rest of Middle East by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 AFRICA Table 202: Siding Industry Market in Africa in US$ Million by Material Type: 2020-2027 Table 203: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Africa in US$ Million by Material Type: 2012-2019 Table 204: African Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown by Material Type: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 Table 205: African Siding Industry Latent Demand Forecasts in US$ Million by End-Use: 2020 to 2027 Table 206: Siding Industry Historic Demand Patterns in Africa by End-Use in US$ Million for 2012-2019 Table 207: Siding Industry Market Share Breakdown in Africa by End-Use: 2012 VS 2020 VS 2027 IV. COMPETITION

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Amid the COVID-19 crisis and the looming economic recession, the Siding Industry market worldwide will grow by a projected US$19.7 Billion, during the...

So Paulo witnessed a tense standoff for four hours, including a real pitched battle for two hours, between two unequal sides on 31 May.[1] The Military Police of So Paulo, the best trained, best equipped in the country, on one the side. Anti-fascist on the other side organized by soccer fans, mostly from the Corinthians Faithful Hawks club (Gavies da Fiel), but also Palmeiras, So Paulo and antifa Santos fan clubs as well. They decided to demonstrate for democracy near where the So Paulo Bolsonarists usually meet at the same time.

The homies arrived shortly after noon, almost all dressed in black, looking like an old school battalion carrying a huge banner for democracy, drums, and their own security team. They installed themselves in the gap and in front of the Museum of Art of So Paulo Assis Chateaubriand in the middle of Avenida Paulina, So Paulos main drag. From the beginning, they were surrounded by an immense number of military police (MPs) with menacing attitudes. Of course the press said the police were working to prevent the two groups from confronting each other.

Four blocks away, no more than 100 hundred supporters of the neo-fascist president gathered in front of the Chamber of Commerce (Fiesp) headquarters. The Boslonarists were vocal as usual, but demonstrated some innovations by carrying Ukrainian neo-Nazi flags (hello?) and then there was the innocent female baseball fan carrying a bat whose shirt read FASCIST. A video of a policeman escorting this lady out of the area after she tried to provoke a small group of passers-by with the bat spread quickly on social media.

[Read next, Gabriel Santos: What can Brazilian socialists learn from Minneapolis?.]

Around 2:15 pm, the MPs attacked the anti-fascists in front of the Masp. According to a legal observer present on the scene, the pitched battled started because a Bolsonarist, backed up by three others, tried to enter the opposition bloc evidently aiming for a provocation.

The antifascists prevented the Bolsonarists from wading into their group passage, which gave the police an excuse to start raining tear gas bombs and to send in riot police against the demonstrators. (Obviously the So Paulo MPs are giving a diametrically opposed version in which the demonstrators provoked the police.)

Once the resistance began, more than forty Shock Battalion police (with 6 or 8 police vehicles backing them up), armed with shields, clubs, and tear gas grenade launchers tried for 90 minutes to force the anti-fascists to withdraw from the street ironically the length as a regulation soccer game!

In the midst of the pitched battle, the antifascists effected an organized and combative retreat, in which the organization, tenacity, and technique of the team in black were on full display. They had obviously had some experience (and some had a lot of experience) in facing down police violence.

The antifascists threw stones and hurled back tear gas cannisters, defended themselves with movable metal fences, and used pieces of construction siding to the slow down the police they used everything they could get their hands on. In the end, the police failed to disperse them. The five arrests made by police were a small price to pay for the size and duration of the confrontation.

Read next, International open letter: Jair Bolsonaro is a threat to Brazil and global health.]

The result of the Battle of the Paulistas, broadcast live by the media offers some lessons for the social and political opposition to Bolsonaro:

1. The Military Police serve Bolsonarism. Watch out.

2. State governors should be asked by civil society to place limits on police abuses at all levels.

3. It is necessary to face fascism with organized action. There is nothing to dialogue over with people carrying golf clubs and Ukrainian fascist flags, wearing Ku Klux Kan clothing, shouting Nazi-fascist rhetoric.

4. The streets are the most important site for this confrontation, although petitions and institutional actions also have their roles. We must start to reclaim the streets taking all necessary social-distancing and protective measures.

5. We need unity between all Brazilian soccer fans! Between the Greeks and Trojans, the Russians and Bahians to oppose the snake Bolsonaro. If the Corinthians Faithful Hawks were in the majority and dictated tactics on Sunday, there were also rival fans. I only wish that opposition political parties in particular those on the left and social movements throughout Brazil acted like So Paulos soccer fans on this sunny Sunday. Theres still time.

31 May 2020

Source: translated by No Borders News from Insurgncia.

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Lessons from The Battle of the Paulistas - International Viewpoint

The history of the LAC goes back to the colonial era of the British when the Qing Dynasty negotiated a vague area border between China and the Indian region. Even today, the border dispute has not been resolved. After repeated diplomatic failures and disagreements, skirmishes and exchange of minor hostilities are a routine matter in the region of Ladakh along the Pangong Lake. But the year 2020, has brought with it the winds of change. On 5th of May, there was a hot engagement between the troops of both countries. In a heated exchange of fighting, pelting and inflicted injuries, a standoff began which has not subsided even after 26 days. Will this lead to all-out war? What would be the consequences? And why this is happening now? These are the questions that are perplexing military and economic strategists all over the world. A war between China and India is the only probable incident that could be more disastrous than Covid-19 pandemic.

The border between China and India is 3400Kms long. It is a tri-juncture with rights being claimed by India, China and Bhutan. India favors Bhutan in the dispute. China and India are both giants and together they are around one third of all human population on the planet. Both are nuclear powers but China is far more superior in defense budget and military technology. The quantum of military budget of China is four times that of India. In 1962, there was a war between the two which ended with humiliation and massive casualties for India. There is no misconception that the result would be the same if a war breaks out now. It will be devastating for India but the benefit will go the economic opponents of China and its attention will be diverted. With being bogged down in Xin Jiang, Hong Kong and a cold war with the US, a confrontation with India is not what the Chinese would want at this time.

Apparently, it seems as if the border dispute was the reason for the military clash and stand-off but matters in diplomacy are always complex. In August, 2019, India altered the disputed status of Indian Occupied Kahsmir and began construction of ambitious infrastructure and military projects in the area. Without consultation, China has taken the construction of air bases and roads connecting military installation as a threat. Safeguarding the borders and physical territory of China is one of the primary manifestos of the PLA(Peoples Liberation Army). Further, India state media and political circles have stressed the need to conduct a military operation, and to capture Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir. Not only does China considers this a threat to a close ally Pakistan but also perceives it as a threat to the One Belt One Road Project. China has based its future progress, prosperity and a foothold in International trade through Pakistan in the shape of Gwadar. Any plan to thwart the CPEC or OBOR is a major challenge to Chinese aims. A military stand-off in the Ladakh region would move the focus of the Indian Army from any intervention into Azad Kashmir and towards the Dolkham Plateau and the Pangong Lake area. In a twenty plus day military buildup, India is clear that it needs to review its military intelligence and strategy in the region. The changing of the status of disputed territory and warming up to US, Japan and Australia is going to have consequences. On the other hands, CPEC and OBOR gives China access to the Arabian Sea, a dream that will unlock limitless possibilities for China and Pakistan.

After the 5th May incident, the Chinese army has moved into over 50 Kms of area which was previously under Indian control. Both armies have been mobilizing. On the Chinese side, over 2500 troops have been brought in. Heavy military equipment, artillery and surveillance technology is being deployed. Such a kind of military formation has not been observed in many decades. The disputes and skirmishes that occurred in the previous years would be resolved through local military commanders but this time the call for military personnel and equipment has come from the highest echelons of the Chinese Army.

China is dealing with multiple fronts at the moment. There is the unrest in Hong Kong, the economic slowdown from corona pandemic, the cold war with the US and now this military stand-off at 14,000 ft with India. It appears that China is prepared for all kinds of scenarios. It is wary of the fact that India under the fascist leadership of Modi is capable of making aggressive moves. It is also considering the fact that this is the time when India has to decide whether it will take a neutral role or lean towards the American Government when a cold war is on the horizon. If the latter is the case, China could engage India in a hostile border dispute which would weaken the economy to the brink that India is no longer a threat, or it can develop a deterrence that if India participates in any anti-China activities under the leadership of the United States, the military front would be the first of many factors that India would have to consider. Also, in the event of India siding with the US against China, would result in cutting of trade ties between India and China which would be a serious blow to an already shaken economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, it is India that has prompted the stand-off, China seems to be determined to use it to its advantage.

The LAC is a loose border with no clear boundaries and vague protocols. If diplomatic means fail, the military options can be catastrophic for the region and for India. It must be kept in mind that if China enters the region along the Pangong Lake and captures the roads built by India to connect Ladakh to IOK, then the grip of the Indian Army in the whole region will be halved. The stakes are high for both countries. With Pakistan moving closer to China with every new step in CPEC and OBOR and India entering military alliances with the United States, a cold war of superpowers can frantically turn into a full blown all out combat. Although, China is keeping a deterrent strategy at the moment, it certainly has the might and the means to initiate and win this fight, only this time with much more sophisticated armaments and strategies compared to those available in 1962. Donald Trump is marching towards the blame game and accusing China of hijacking WHO and the UN, blatantly vilifying Chinese interests in Hong Kong and Taiwan, trying to change the International narrative towards Beijing, perhaps it is through Ladakh that the Chinese Government will show their display of military power instead of the soft power they have communicated Western world for so many decades.

The writer is Chairman of Jinnah Rafi Foundation

Original post:
China and India on the edge - Daily Times

Your medicine cabinet is your first go-to in times of illness, and sometimes it gets a little bare. But we're in the midst of a global health crisis. And whether you get Covid-19 or not, it's important to be prepared.

We know, we know. Some of these may be a little obvious, but go ahead and actually check your supplies now.

Let this be your friendly reminder to confirm you do, in fact, have the basics. If not, add these to your shopping list. Like now.

Here's a list of what you can use to make sure your household's medicine chest is well-stocked for the length of the pandemic.

Pandemic essentials

Do you think you have Covid-19? A fully stocked medicine cabinet can help you make an initial assessment.

"There are certain signs and symptoms that tip people off to whether they have Covid-19," said Dr. Gary LeRoy, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians and an associate professor of family medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

But also know how to use the thermometer right: Timing is everything. Check your temperature first, before you take your pain or fever reducer. "These medicines artificially lower your temperature," LeRoy said. Once you know how bad your fever is, then take your medicine.

Doctors recommend using rectal thermometers for infants. For children and adults, a thermometer under the tongue works just fine.

More advanced no-contact infrared thermometers also have their virtues, especially by eliminating the need to physically touch a symptomatic person.

"Infrared thermometers are easy to use, but they are more expensive," LeRoy said.

Cough drops and cough syrup: These stalwarts of the home health arsenal are a good initial line of defense to help reduce the coughing symptoms that are a key indicator of Covid-19.

Acetaminophen: It helps reduce the muscle ache pains associated with Covid-19 and other viruses, as well as fevers (again, check your or your child's temperature first before administering this pain and fever reliever).

Ibuprofen: This anti-inflammatory is also great for reducing pain and fevers. Use with caution, though, if you have gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux, LeRoy said.

For all of these medications, make sure to read the labels carefully to ensure you take the right dosage.

The new additions everyone should have

"You should also have extra masks for visitors to your house who don't have one," LeRoy said.

Make sure you've got a supply of face masks for your whole family. You might not be doing much flying this summer, but you can still keep in mind a familiar line from flight attendants: Put on your mask before assisting others. We mean this literally.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes: Read the labels and try to focus on products that contain a base of 60% or more of alcohol.

At home, experts say the average person doesn't necessarily need a fancy device to measure blood oxygen levels. If shortness of breath is an issue, call your doctor.

"It is not physically possible to measure SpO2 (oxygen saturation levels) using current smartphone technology," the authors concluded.

More general items are still key in the pandemic

You ought to be keeping a supply of general health items at home, too.

Some of the symptoms of Covid-19 mirror those of other conditions, particularly allergies.

Antihistamines: Spring and summer mark allergy season, so if your symptoms feel a little better when you're not outside, you could be suffering from allergies. If these antihistamines aren't clearing up coughing or congestion, that could be a sign that something else is causing your symptoms.

"If it's not getting better, don't just keep treating it," LeRoy said. "Talk to your doctor."

Calamine lotion: It's a great standby if you're spending more time outdoors this summer and get exposed to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

Check expiration dates and dispose of medicine properly

Use the pandemic as motivation for an overall inventory check. As you're updating your stockpile, it's a great time to get rid of medications or other products past their use-by date. Besides avoiding a stomach ache or other complications, you'll be able to make room for new remedies.

Know when to seek care

Your home medicine cabinet is your first stop for routine scrapes or runny-nose symptoms. But it's no substitute for sound medical advice.

The contents of your medicine cabinet are a "tool, not a replacement for medical intervention or a conversation with your physician," LeRoy said.

Pay close attention to how you're feeling. "Chart what those symptoms are and then treat those symptoms," LeRoy said.

But before any of this gets out of hand, fulfill this homework assignment for us.

Seriously, check your medicine cabinet.

Now add this to your to-do list: Replace those last few items that are missing. You'll be glad you did.

Jen Rose Smith, Sandee LaMotte, Susan Scutti and Harmeet Kaur contributed to this story.

Read the original:
Time to stock your medicine cabinet for the pandemic - CNN

Ocracoke trouble spot along N.C. 12 shown Aug. 29, 2011. Photo: NCDOT Communications

This is the fifth installment in a continuing series on climate change and the North Carolina coast that is part of thePulitzer Centers nationwide Connected Coastlinesreporting initiative.

Twenty-seven years ago, an interagency panel of bureaucrats, politicians and scientists gathered for the first time in Atlanta, Georgia, to study how to save a North Carolina coastal highway skirting the volatile waters of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

No one back then talked about resilience or adaptation, and certainly not retreat. Still, the diverse group turned out to be pioneers of brainstorming and collaborating to solve the multitude of challenges from sea level rise and other climate change impacts.

The Outer Banks Task Force met six times before being shelved after one year for lack of funds and staff. But that was only one iteration of numerous transportation study groups that assembled over the years to address N.C. 12, a sliver of roadway stretching about 65 miles on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.

The two-lane road has been a headache for the state practically from the day the first tire hit the pavement. In 1962, the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm ripped open an inlet in Buxton and destroyed 25% of the dunes that buffered the road from ocean waves.

Still, the extreme and worsening coastal conditions for N.C. 12 serve as both lesson plan and cautionary tale for teams like the Outer Banks Task Force, working against time while begging for funds to maintain vital transportation infrastructure into the future.

Gov. Roy Coopersexecutive orderin 2018 directed 10 cabinet agencies and the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to integrate climate adaptation and resiliency planning into their policies, programs and operations. In response, the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency was created to coordinate agencies and assist communities facing storm recovery and/or risks of future climate change impacts.

But complex problems that involve many players, a slew of stakeholders and tons of money can become unwieldy and paralyzing.

At least 10 government entities federal, state and local were represented on the task force, in addition to several coastal engineers and scientists from different universities.

How do we simplify what were trying to do so that we get something done? former Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Geneva Perry asked the revived task force in November 1998, as quoted then in The Virginian-Pilot. This thing has been going on forever, and unless we keep kicking it, it dies again.

Built in phases during the 1950s, N.C. 12 bisects Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and seven villages. It is also the only route for millions of tourists that contribute to the Outer Banks $1 billion tourism economy.

The roadway, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the massive Pamlico Sound on the other, is inches above mean sea level and crosses numerous weak spots on skinny barrier islands that are subject to severe beach erosion. To add to its vulnerabilities, the islands are close to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the super-highway for Atlantic hurricanes.

Over the decades, the road has been repeatedly over-washed by ocean and sound tide; undermined by ocean surge; inundated by moon tide and rain deluges; buried by mountains of sand from storm-flattened dunes; broken apart by hurricanes and nor-easters; and covered by telephone poles, trees and debris from destroyed buildings.

Sections of road have been replaced, elevated, bridged or moved further from the ocean. Adjacent beaches have been widened and walkways have been built to protect dunes.

And the dunes between the beach and the road have been built, knocked down and rebuilt, higher, longer and stronger. Then flattened again.

Its a very good example of a corridor being impacted by climate, Jerry Jennings, Division 1 engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said in a recent telephone interview. Certainly, from Division 1s perspective, theres not another road that has the challenges that N.C. 12 has.

Located in the northeast corner of North Carolina, Division 1 is a huge, mostly rural territory that encompasses 14 counties. It not only includes the second-largest estuarine system in the nation, its coastal area the Outer Banks is one of the most vulnerable regions in the U.S. to the impacts of sea level rise.

Maintenance and repair of the road from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke village has cost NCDOT about $75 million in the last 10 years, not including N.C. 12 improvements that were part of the recently completed Bonner Bridge replacement project.

Opened last year, the new Marc Basnight Bridge spans the inlet and incorporates phased work on the road to just south of Rodanthe.

The only other comparison in the state to N.C. 12 cited by some transportation officials could be the heavily traveled Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains, which is subject to costly landslides and intense winter weather.

But a lot of environmental changes generally have been observed over time in coastal regions and in low-lying areas, Jennings said. Shoreline erosion along water bodies, for example, can impact roadway shoulders and potentially threaten the road. Flooding is a persistent problem on roads in Mackeys Island, Aydlett and Water Lily in Currituck County and on N.C. 94 at Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County.

Theres a number of those out there, he said. Its not just a beach thing.

An ongoing improvement project on Colington Road in Kill Devil Hills includes elevation of parts of the road vulnerable to tidal flooding, he said, which seems to be a longstanding problem.

That project will attempt to resolve that, Jennings said. Its hard to say what is directly related to climate change.

NCDOT had been working with the new North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, or NCORR. But NCDOTs resiliency work has been suspended indefinitely while the agency addresses severe budgetary shortfalls aggravated by COVID-19 shutdowns.

Unspecified cuts are also expected in NCDOTs Ferry Division, which operates about 20 ferries on seven regular routes on the coast. The passenger ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands has been canceled for the season.

In March, North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies released theNorth Carolina Climate Science Report, an assessment of current and projected climate impacts to the state. The report is a component of the comprehensiveN.C. Risk Assessment and Resilience Planthat is expected to be completed this summer.

The report found that future impacts in the state from climate change some effects are already apparent will likely be more intense storms, increased rain volume, more wildfires and drought, more hot days and higher humidity, increased flooding including sunny day tide and higher sea levels, especially on the northeast coast.

For transportation, it means offering people multiple ways to get around, by better connecting roads and sidewalks and providing quality transit services, the report said.

Jessica Whitehead, chief resilience officer with NCORR, said that NCDOT has been an engaged participant in discussions about such critical needs as building redundancy and updating old infrastructure.

Even with NCDOTs and other state agencies budgetary woes from the pandemic, Whitehead said that resiliency work will continue.

The thing about climate change in any of this, its not going to go away, she said. Were still going to figure out ways to plan for it.

Transportation projects in North Carolina have already been engineered for environmental changes, said Chris Werner, director of technical services at NCDOT.

Resiliency is a critical part of how we design and build our infrastructure, he said. We work with all our partners across the state.

Werner said that the agency has an inbuilt culture that fosters innovative and proactive approaches to problem solving.

Were always looking for cutting-edge analytics and software, he said. Most of us are engineers. The more data we can get, the more analytics we can perform.

One example is application of the states data-richFlood Inundation Mapping Alert Network, or FIMAN, to not only predict flooding on roads and bridges, but also to design for it by looking at trends in the data.

The agency, he said, is in the process of expanding the FIMAN gauge system from a property-impact focus to provide data specific to transportation infrastructure. For instance, data collection can be tailored so it can be used to prevent future road washouts.

Its not just a matter of fixing a damaged structure, he explained, the goal is to keep it from happening again by building redundancy and resiliency.

When severe flooding on U.S. 421 in Wilmington in 2018 during Hurricane Florence damaged the road and cut off traffic, Werner said, the agency took the opportunity to build better and stronger. After analysis of historic and current data, instead of just replacing ruined culverts, the department replaced them with a new bridge. Another bridge was also built nearby, providing the transportation corridor with both redundancy and resiliency in the event of future flooding.

Our goal is to build infrastructure thats durable and safe and resilient as possible, Werner said. As civil engineers, were constantly improving what weve done in the past. Thats what we do. It all stems from field observation and data.

Other measures NCDOT has put in place, he said, are monitors of water levels at low bridges, and identifying alternative travel routes on itsREADY NC app. The department has partnered with Google Maps and WAZE to feed their traffic data into the app. Also,DRIVENC.govshows up-to-date closures and maintenance work on the states roads.

In reality, the feats of engineering for NCDOT are not so much in dramatic crane work at bridge construction sites or road restorations after storms. Its mostly what goes on behind the scene at research centers and laboratories.

We do a lot of work with our universities, said Neil Mastin, NCDOT Research and Development manager. We work with business units and academics.

In May 2019, the department presented its first Research & Innovation Summit at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to discuss transportation-related innovations and research.

Although it is not often a focus of public discussion, NCDOT has been studying numerous issues that could result in transportation improvements, although its research program for 2021 has been postponed, Mastin said.

Ongoing or planned research projects include the following:

Mastin said that NCDOT is also hyper-aware of the public concern about drainage issues. The state is responsible for the ditches and culverts within road right of ways, as well as the nine ocean outfalls in the state, all of which except one is on the Outer Banks.

Water in general, he said, is the enemy of transportation networks.

In the past, locations of all small and medium drainage pipes around the state were mapped, he added, with the ambitious goal yet mostly unfulfilled of eventually replacing them. But thats just pipes and flooding is getting increasingly worse.

Eastern North Carolina in particular, with land as flat as it is, makes it extremely challenging, Mastin said. We can fix one problem somewhere and it makes it worse somewhere else.

Drones are being used more often by NCDOT to provide footage of flooded areas and to help manage flood gates, he said. Theyre also used to build wetlands, to identify plant types, to measure elevation and to help determine where to send crews after disasters. Researchers are also studying development of drones to inspect bridges.

Improvements of material mostly concrete and asphalt are constantly being studied, Mastin said. One example of research results is the proposed bridge replacement on Harkers Island, which would be the states first fully composite reinforced bridge. Rather than using corrosion-prone steel rebar, he said, the structure will be built with a mixture of carbon fiber prestressed strands and fancy fiberglass.

Well be monitoring this closely, he said. This is really exciting.

The new Marc Basnight Bridge over notoriously wild and wicked Oregon Inlet was designed to last 100 years and was built with high-performance, less-permeable concrete made to better endure corrosive salt air and water. It is the first bridge project in the state to use stainless reinforcing steel, and the bridge has longer and deeper pilings to withstand scour.

The Outer Banks Task Force, in a significant way, laid the groundwork for the bridge and the N.C. 12 improvements by determining where the problems were and what to do about them. Most importantly, the panel recognized the need for safety and access for both the bridge and the road and linked them together as a single corridor.

Jennings, the division engineer, said that over the last few years, feasibility studies have been completed looking at long-term options for eroded areas in Buxton, Hatteras and Ocracoke, as well as costs of the alternatives and how long projects would last.

Years before the panel was replaced by a merger team that worked on planning and permitting for the road and bridge projects, the Outer Banks Task Force had designated six vulnerable hot spots between Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke village that were critical to address, and started the planning process on each one.

Predictions about the dire risks at each of the hot spots from storm surge, beach erosion, road loss, dune breaching, even another inlet cutting through have since played out all too often.

In 1999, John Fisher, a N.C. State University civil engineer and then-chair of the task force science panel, called a reconstructed dune lost during Hurricane Dennis at the eroding Ocracoke hot spot a Band-Aid that wouldnt last.

We seriously think you should think about abandoning that whole stretch of road and relocating the ferry system, he told the task force, according to The Virginian-Pilot on Nov. 7. It didnt make sense to us to try to maintain the highway.

That is exactly what NCDOT is now considering. After storm after storm over the last 20 years wiped out dunes in the same hot spot, it seems Hurricane Dorian last September may end up taking that one off N.C. 12s list.

Read more here:
Resilience Bigger Part of Plan to Save NC 12 - Island Free Press

Researchers are learning more about howCovid-19affects children, and a new study finds that among a group of children and adolescents in New York who were hospitalized with the disease, about a fifth 22% had obesity.

The study,published in the journal The Lancet on Wednesday, suggests thathaving obesity could put a child at an increased risk of getting severely ill withCovid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

"Obesity was the most significant factor associated with mechanical ventilation in children 2 years and older," the researchers added. "Contrary to some previous reports, infants seemed largely spared severe manifestations."

More on the study: The study included data on 50 young people, ages 21 and younger, who were diagnosed withCovid-19between March 1 and April 15 and hospitalized for at least a day or longer.

The data, which came from the patients' electronic medical records, showed that about half of the patients 52% had an adult family member or was living with someone with symptoms associated withCovid-19. None of the patients had a history of international travel around the time they were diagnosed.

Most of the patients 80% had a fever, and 64% had some respiratory symptoms, but three of the patients only experienced gastrointestinal problems, the researchers found. Nine of the patients, or 18% of them, needed mechanical ventilation and one patient died.

Overall, the researchers found that obesity was significantly associated with needing mechanical ventilation among children ages 2 or older. Among the patients who required mechanical ventilation, six of them 67% had obesity.

About the study: The study had some limitations, including that the group of patients included in the datawas smalland half of the patients were Hispanic.The researchers noted thatthe hospital serves a predominantly Hispanic community.Somore research is needed to determine whether similar findings would emerge among a more diverse group of patients.

Yet overall, "studies such as this one emphasize that certain groups of children may be disproportionally affected. In this study, 50% were Hispanic,"Dr. Jason Newland of theWashington University School of Medicine in St Louis, and Dr. Kristina Bryant of theUniversity of Louisville in Kentucky, co-wrote in an editorial that accompanied the new study.

"As theCovid-19 pandemic has spread and created adversity for many people physically, emotionally, and economically, the groups most affected have been those of color," Newland and Bryant wrote.

"Going forward, multicenter collaborative studies are needed to define the infectious and postinfectious sequelae ofCovid-19in children in communities across the US, including rural communities, and in all racial and ethnic groups. We also need to understand the association of the pandemic with adverse health outcomes in children beyond the consequences of viral infection," they wrote.

The researchers noted that on May 15, "the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a precipitous drop in the ordering and administration of pediatric vaccines. Are outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases on the horizon? That could be the next important chapter of the evolvingCovid-19story."

Read the original:
WHO says coronavirus is not mutating, but that doesn't mean it is not dangerous - CNN