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Saturday, February 29, 2020

Even as U.S.-Taliban deal looms, Afghans brace for more violence

Fear stalks this city's market stalls, back alleys and dusty roads — fear that an upcoming agreement between the United States and the Taliban will trigger worsening violence and even a new civil war.

Even as the U.S. and the Taliban head toward the deal that could see American troops withdraw from Afghanistan, few people remember what peace feels like after decades of violence.
"If the USA leaves Afghanistan, the Afghan army is not in a position to stand on its own feet," Najeeb Hayat, 61, a tailor from Kabul. "Anyone with weapons in Afghanistan will have power, it will be very difficult to stop them and will result in a civil war again."

Cityblog Education


Cityblog Events Corner


Giridarshan Photography Exhibition


Best Photos of 2019

This image looks almost abstract. Part of a sculpture by Alexander Calder, perhaps? No. It is the bright red stigma of the saffron flower, Crocus sativus. It takes roughly 170,000 flowers and their stigmas to produce one kilogram of saffron. As a result, it is one of the most expensive spices in the world.

Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Maui, Hawaii

Can't decide which Hawaiian island to visit? Maui's home to some of the state's most amazing outdoor adventures, such as kayaking past whales in Makena Bay, hiking or biking Haleakala National Park, and of course plenty of water sports like surfing and snorkeling. We'll be dreaming of pineapples and coconuts.

PJ of the Day

What's green, fuzzy, and would hurt if it fell on you out of a tree? A pool table.

Little Singer


National Network

MPC News

Cityblog Science Club of the Day

Slow Moving Coup

Melting Arctic Ice

Friday, February 28, 2020

Japan to close schools nationwide to control spread of virus

Japan will close schools nationwide to help control the spread of the new virus, the government announced Thursday.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked all elementary, middle and high schools to remain shut until spring holidays begin in late March.
The measure affects 12.8 million students at 34,847 schools nationwide, the education ministry said.

Indian Youth


Budget Highlights 20-21


Cityblog Events Corner


Best Photos of 2019

Andres Pedro Osmolski, who goes by “El Gaucho,” organizes beaver spotting tours on the land behind his home in Argentina. He negotiated an agreement with the government to spare the beavers on his property for now so he can continue showing them to tourists.

Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos has it all. From a buzzing night life scene to sun-soaked beaches, iconic architecture, and unparalleled Greek food, what more could you want out of a European island vacation? There's a reason it's one of the most popular destinations in the world. It's got a party-hard reputation, but the Greek island is also home to some of the most charming buildings around, including an infamous row of 16th-century windmills.

PJ of the Day

Why do you smear peanut butter on the road? To go with the traffic jam.

Clear sight


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Rupees of God

Flam Railway

Thursday, February 27, 2020

At least seven dead including shooter in rampage at Molson Coors Milwaukee WI USA

Seven people were killed including a gunman during a shooting rampage on the Milwaukee campus of Molson Coors on Wednesday afternoon, according to multiple sources.
Employees were notified by email that an active shooter was in or near the second-floor stairwell of the sprawling factory’s Building 4. Police responded at 2:11 p.m.
As of 3 p.m. the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office reported it had not yet been called to the scene, 3939 W. Highland Blvd

Unsung Warriors


Budget 20-21 Highlights


Cityblog Events Corner


Best Photos of 2019

On an assignment about stem cells that forced him to reconsider his life choices, Max Aguilera-Hellweg shot this photo of pathological specimens in Berlin.

Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Patagonia, Argentina and Chile

On the Argentine side, you'll find steppes, grasslands, and deserts, while the Chilean holds glacial fjords and a rainforest. Whether you ski, hike, or just want to behold the incredible beauty, boundless adventure awaits. Located in Chile’s Patagonia region, the park is known for its staggering mountains, icebergs, and grasslands. It's home to several forms of rare wildlife, as well as iconic sites like Cuernos del Paine.

PJ of the Day

What do you tell actors to break a leg? Because every play has a cast!

Jamming


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Carbon DiOxide

Europes Great Wall

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Trump takes aim at Sotomayor, Schiff, CNN and more at New Delhi press conference

President Trump sounded off Tuesday on liberal Supreme Court justices, on CNN's coverage of his administration, on disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's former allies and more at a lively press conference held at the close of his whirlwind first official visit to India.
The president held court in New Delhi following a tour that included a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, a rally in front of over 110,000 people with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a business roundtable earlier Tuesday morning.

Unsung Warrior


Cityblog Events Corner


Batman


Best Photos of 2019

The blue glove hasn’t been in the water long enough to suffer the fate of most ocean plastic, which is to be shredded into small bits, or microplastics, by waves and sunlight. The larval fish below the thumb is a driftfish; the striped one at the base of the index finger is a mahi-mahi.


Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Mostar, Bosnia

It only takes a quick glance to see that Mostar, Bosnia is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But beauty aside, it also has a rich—albeit painful—history. And while it looks like it dates back to the medieval ages, it was actually only erected in 2004 as a reconstruction of the original, which was 400 years old when it was destroyed in the 1990s during the Croat-Bosniak War.

P J of the Day

What's green and has wheels? Grass, I lied about the wheels.

Alexa


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Architecture

Bubble Hotel Iceland

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

With passage to India, Trump following in footsteps of his predecessors

President Donald Trump's "America First" worldview has, at times, shaken the foundation of some of the United States' traditional alliances and earned the 45th president the reputation as a disrupter on the world stage. What makes his approach to India unique is how remarkably consistent he has been in advancing the same core goals of his predecessors in looking to deepen the strategic and symbolic alliance, despite simmering tensions over trades. Trump touched down in India on Monday, he became the fourth consecutive U.S. president to visit the world's largest democracy. The brief, two-day visit is expected to be heavy on ceremony and light on substance, but is a symbolic display of the close alliance between the two nations.

Unsung Warriors


Indian Origin Tech CEOs


Cityblog Events Corner

Sinhagad Climbing Challenge: MTB and Hybrid only
Sat 29th Feb 2020, 5am
www.sahyadriclassic.com

Best Photos of 2019

At 34 weeks pregnant, Brittany Capers, 28, and DeAndre Price, 25, enjoy their baby shower in Washington, D.C. Capers is a perinatal community health worker at Mamatoto Village, a center that supports families during pregnancy and the first six months of a baby’s life. She safely delivered a baby boy last June.

Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil

At first glance, it's hard to tell what you're looking at... These sweeping white sand dunes punctuated by vivid blue rainwater lagoons stretch out forever, and up close, the sharp contrast between the vibrant blue water and pristine white sand is a whole other experience.


PJ of the Day

What did Batman say to Robin before they got in the car? "Robin, get in the car."


Great Britain


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Fish Nailing it

Switzerland

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Infections climb in South Korea as world fights virus

South Korea reported an eight-fold jump in viral infections Saturday with more than 400 cases mostly linked to a church and a hospital, while the death toll in Iran climbed to five and a dozen towns in Italy effectively went into lockdowns as health officials around the world battle a new virus that started in China but has spread globally.
Some virus clusters have shown no direct link to travel to China. The secondary contagions In Italy prompted local authorities in the Lombardy and Veneto regions to order schools, businesses, and restaurants closed, and to cancel sporting events and Masses. Hundreds of residents and workers who came into contact with an estimated 54 people confirmed infected in Italy were in isolation pending test results. Two people infected with the virus have died.

Unsung Warriors


Deserving Padma Winners


Cityblog Events Corner


Best Photos of 2019

At 34 weeks pregnant, Brittany Capers, 28, and DeAndre Price, 25, enjoy their baby shower in Washington, D.C. Capers is a perinatal community health worker at Mamatoto Village, a center that supports families during pregnancy and the first six months of a baby’s life. She safely delivered a baby boy last June.

Best Tourist Destinations of 2020

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Look familiar? Cinderella's Castle at Disney World was inspired by this Bavarian mountaintop marvel. We'll never trash talk you again, winter.

PJ of the Day

What did Winnie the Pooh say to his agent? "Show me the honey!"

Whistlers


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Ali Vs Foreman

King Harshavardhan