Washington Middle School Student Tests Positive For COVID
MGN ImageJAMESTOWN — A student who last attended Washington Middle School on Monday, has been diagnosed with the COVID19 virus, according to a press release from the Jamestown Public Schools.“The district would like Washington Middle School parents to know that a confirmed case DOES NOT mean that you or your child has been exposed to the individual who has tested positive. The Chautauqua County Department of Health has started contact tracing to determine who may havebeen in close or proximate contact with the student that tested positive.,’ The district said.“The Chautauqua County Department of Health will initiate direct communication with parents and staff who have been identified as a close contact with the positive case as to the next steps they should take. Any individual who has been identified as a close contact must quarantine for 14 days.”Superintendent Kevin Whitaker said the district remains focused on safety for its teachers, students and staff. “The health and safety of our students and staff are our number one priority. I am pleased with the district’s screening process, which worked exactly as designed. As part of our district plan, the student was immediately isolated from contact with anyone at the school and has not been in thebuilding since the identification. A special thank you to our staff screeners who followed the proper protocols to ensure the safety of our school community,” said Whitaker.The district is following all guidelines from the Chautauqua County Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As there is no in-person school today or Monday for the Columbus Day holiday, the district has taken immediate steps to ensure areas identified as having been occupied by the individual are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. No one will occupy an area previously occupied unless sanitized in accordance with applicable CDC and DOH guidelines. The DOH will make the district aware of any individuals in the schools who must quarantine, and thelength of the quarantine, prior to Tuesday to ensure the health and safety of the school community.The District will comply with applicable privacy laws and rules including all HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability And Accounting Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights Privacy Act) rules and guidelines regarding information given to the Chautauqua County Department of Healthor other necessary parties.If someone’s child has any symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, significant diarrhea, sore throat or a fever greater than 100 F or 37.8 C) please contact the care provider and notify the school health office. All students, parents, guardians, and staff shouldcontinue to monitor their health for symptoms of COVID-19.Share:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
A Tree-Sitter’s Perspective From 50 Feet Above the Mountain Valley Pipeline.I’ve lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains for most of my life, often taking for granted the hiking trails, swimming holes, trout streams, and breathtaking beauty. Growing up, I never paused to consider the fragility of our forest ecosystem.I also didn’t know much about the long and prevalent history of extraction and exploitation in Appalachia.As a child, the value of these mountains was not in what could be exploited or made profitable. It was in the sights and sounds and discoveries I made in the forest. It was the first time I saw a brook trout while fishing. It was waking up to birds singing outside my window every morning. It was the speckled salamanders I found wriggling in streams and under logs. It was hearing the spring peepers at night and feeling the cold rush of water over my hands as I looked for smooth rocks at the bottom of streams.I didn’t think about the price of these things. Nor did I know that there were people willing to destroy everything that was above ground in order to get to what was under it.I am 24 years old now, and for over a month, I have been living in a tree platform in the path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Looking back, it is clear to me that this was the only thing left to do. Regulations have been ignored or altered to suit the interests of the pipeline. Our state agencies are not working for the people; they are working for the pipeline. Our governor, a self-proclaimed environmentalist, has turned his back on his own constituents.
Photo: Will SolisI sat in these trees through Hurricane Florence. I was fully aware of the irony of enduring a hurricane, which was likely worsened by climate change, while fighting the extractive energy industry that is contributing to climate change. My tree platform and I weathered the storm. But millions of people’s lives have been upended. These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as we charge ahead into a fossil-fueled future.The fossil fuel industry is being allowed to steal shared resources from the rest of society. This industry has historically taken advantage of low-income and minority communities, and as a result, has perpetuated poverty and oppression in Appalachia.So I am standing up for those communities by standing in the way of the pipeline, here in the trees near Elliston, Va, on one of the last sites that the pipeline companies have not cleared. I hope that people will see that we have the power to create change with our voices and our courage. Throughout history, there are countless examples of small-but-dedicated groups of people who managed to create change against seemingly insurmountable odds.At times it may feel easier to look the other way, especially when we realize the magnitude of the environmental and social issues we face today. Being able to sit back and ignore these problems is a privilege that is afforded to you (at least temporarily). Standing up to change them is a responsibility.Many have asked if all of this is worth it—sitting alone on a tiny platform for weeks, trying to find creative ways to stretch my legs swarmed by bugs, drenched by rain, and sleeping on a hard wooden plank.As I sit here, with security camped out in the road below me, the roaring of chainsaws around me, what we’re fighting for sometimes seems impossible and out of reach. What if we fail?But what if we don’t?I’m up here because the alternative is to be complacent, and the cost of complacency is too much. Change is never going to happen if we keep playing by their rules and trying to ask politely. It’s time to stop playing nicely.When we act out, when we don’t fall in line, that spark of resistance can ignite a movement—and those with money and power try everything to extinguish it.I witness their efforts directly each day. When the pipeline companies and their allies send seven police vehicles (including K-9 units) around the clock for only two peaceful protestors, it tells me that they’re scared. If just two people can elicit such a response, imagine what 100 people could do.If you allow yourself to acknowledge what is actually happening with this pipeline, then pretty soon that tug you feel to resist will become a pull. It will become impossible to ignore.It’s hard to acknowledge what is happening here: a pipeline we don’t need, a pipeline that Virginians don’t want, is being built anyway across public and private lands. But we can’t ignore what is happening and just go on with our lives. This world takes so much from us. We can’t also let it take away our compassion, grit, and determination to fight for our future.In these early morning hours, as I listen to the sound of the forest coming alive, I vow to keep fighting for a sustainable future for my Appalachian homeland.We may lose, yes. But we lose so much more if we fail to show up in the first place.You can learn more about Lauren Bowman Clontz’s tree-sit at Appalachians Against Pipelines‘s Facebook page.
Music festivals Outlook and Dimensions announced that this summer will be their last year at the Punta Christo Fortress near Pula – a place they have called home for 10 years, the organizers of the festivals announced. NVS Music Group. Vedran Meniga is one of the owners of the company Pozitivan ritam who are a local technical partner and co-organizer of the festival, in 2015 he told Poslovni.hr that the average consumption of their guests, without the festival ticket, accommodation and travel, is between 500 and 700 euros per person. The last edition of Outlook, the largest European festival of bass music and soundsystem culture at the Punta Christo Fortress, which will take place from 4 to 9 September, will be remembered as the last, at least in Pula. On the other hand, the Dimensions festival, which has positioned itself as one of the world’s most prestigious electronic music festivals, last year as a motive for coming was for more than six thousand visitors from all over the world. Visitors from the United Kingdom are still in the lead, but the festival is visited by more and more French, Italians, Dutch, Irish and Australians, and visitors from the United States were also on the rise. Music festivals are certainly of great importance for the development of culture, the impact on the economy, especially locally, and on the overall promotion of a tourist destination. All the numbers clearly show that, from the number of nights to tourist spending and the huge promotion. Pula is losing millions of euros in tourist spending It is unknown at this time how Brexit will affect Britons’ travel after March 29, when the break-up with the European Union takes effect. There is already a kind of panic among tourist workers because the only thing that is known is that nothing is known. Visa issues and weight loss or strengthening are two main issues. The worst thing is that it is currently booking time, and everything is in the air and the status quo reigns, everyone is on guard, including passengers who are waiting for the outcome of the whole situation. After all, the issue of Brexit is one of the reasons for the cancellation of the two festivals, and various other implications can only be expected. If we look at the numbers, it is a total of ten festival days that attract over 16.000 visitors, and when we multiply by the average consumption it is over 7.6 million euros of minimum consumption, and the calculation does not include accommodation, travel and all other costs during the stay. Also, the just mentioned festivals were credited with extending the tourist season as they are held in late August and early September. The impact of Brexit on tourism – still the status quo These sister festivals have been operating in Croatia for 12 years, hosting musicians, promoters, visitors and publishing houses from all over the world. Big names like Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Damian Marley, Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones, Massive Attack and Jeff Mills are just some of the musical greats you have performed at the unique fortress and in the Pula Arena. More than a clear argument, that investing in events and festivals is not a cost, but an investment. In 2018, a total of 857.645 arrivals and 4.459.414 overnight stays were made from the UK market, of which about 100.000 were in Istria. According to Thomas research Summer 2017 guests from the UK spend 139 euros a day, right after guests from the USA who are the best consumers. FB Outlook Festival It is not yet known the main reason for canceling the festival in Pula or whether the festival will be held in another location in Croatia, but as we unofficially learn that one of the main reasons is the much mentioned Brexit, which everyone fears in Europe, including Croatia, i.e. weaker booking due to Brexit as the main market. At the Outlook Festival, Europe’s largest celebration of bass music and soundsystem culture, last year alone, ten and a half thousand visitors arrived from all over the world. The British were in the lead, followed by the Germans, Austrians, French, Americans, Australians, French, Belgians, Canadians, New Zealanders and the Dutch. By the way, tourists from Great Britain are among the best consumers, who have just discovered Croatia in the last few years. And a big role has just been played by various festivals along the coast, from Ultra to Garden to Outlook Festival. “We are really sorry for the decision that the organizers of the festival had a hard time encouraging due to numerous factors that they cannot influence. We understand and respect the decision. From the very beginning, we have been in partnership with the organizers, even now when we are trying to find a solution that would allow us to keep these festivals in Pula. Outlook and Dimensions festivals are among the most popular music festivals in Europe and thanks to them Pula has become a recognizable festival destination where tens of thousands of young people from all over the world come every year. ” she stated Head of the Administrative Department for Culture of the City of Pula Jasmina Nina Kamber and added that the City of Pula from the very beginning supported their maintenance precisely because of the great potential and because of their benefits for the entire community. City of Pula: Thanks to Outlook and Dimensions, Pula has become a world festival destination From the city of Pula, they are surprised by the decisions of the organizers, and are aware of the great loss to the entire tourist destination. On the other side of the coast, total consumption generated Ultra Europe the festival in 2017 was estimated at HRK 525,3 million, which is approximately 0,08% of the total GDP of Croatia, while the promotional marketing value is estimated at at least EUR 25 million. “Apart from the great international promotion of Pula, there is also a great financial benefit that the festivals have generated and entailed a number of catering and trade activities which have significantly enriched the tourist offer of Pula. The festivals contributed to the increase in the number of arrivals and overnight stays, but also to the income in many activities during the post season and for many they were an opportunity for employment and additional earnings. In addition, a significant part of the income generated during the festival and which enabled the construction and maintenance of city infrastructure. Nine Kamber points out and concluded that the entire organization of the festival has greatly contributed to the promotion of Pula as a recognized festival destination and that she still hopes for their stay, or soon return. FB Outlook Festival Cover photo: Dimensions festival / Rob Jones
Depok mayor Mohammad Idris Abdul Shomad confirmed separately that the two residents had previously been admitted to Mitra Keluarga Hospital on Feb. 27, where they were suspected of suffering from bronchitis. The two left the hospital on Feb. 29 as they were referred to the RSPI.“On [Sunday], we immediately conducted a thorough check-up on the women […] The daughter is now in a good condition, she only coughs occasionally,” Terawan said after visiting the patients, adding that none of the women had complained about any shortness of breath or fever – known symptoms of COVID-19 — while being treated at the hospital.A statement from Case 1 obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday said that she received a call not from the Japanese patient, whom she did not know, but from her friend in Malaysia who learned about the Japanese patient’s contact history from Malaysian authorities.Case 1 also said that she had attended a dance event at a restaurant in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Feb. 15, not at a club in Kemang on Feb. 14.President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced earlier on Monday that two Indonesians had tested positive for COVID-19, the first two confirmed cases of the disease in the country, after Terawan reported about the tests following the government’s efforts to trace the individuals who had been in contact with the Japanese patient.Terawan said the investigation would now focus on tracking down individuals who had recently come in close contact with the confirmed COVID-19 patients, including the Japanese woman.Read also: BREAKING: Three people in Singapore latest to test positive for COVID-19 after visiting Indonesia“We’ve been checking everything, we’re tracking our leads,” Terawan said, adding that the contact tracing was particularly to find those who had had close contact with the patients.He suggested that those who happened to have passed by the patients were not automatically in danger.The announcement on Monday has added Indonesia to the list of coronavirus-hit countries after the archipelago has claimed zero confirmed cases for almost two months since the virus first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December.The global death toll from COVID-19 soared pass 3,000 on Monday as the virus has now infected more than 89,000 people and spread to more than 60 countries to date, AFP reported.Terawan further conveyed his optimism regarding the situation in the country, saying that the Health Ministry was confident that the coronavirus could be dealt with immediately.“Coronavirus is not an extraordinarily terrifying object. It’s the news that makes it scary,” Terawan said. (mrc/rfa)Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add the patient’s statement about how she came into contact with the Japanese patient.Topics : “On Feb. 16, [the patient] coughed a lot, so she went to a hospital and returned home immediately afterward. She then asked on Feb. 26 to be hospitalized because her coughing hadn’t stopped. On Feb. 28, she received a call from her Japanese friend that [the latter] was being hospitalized in Malaysia after having tested positive for coronavirus,” Terawan said in a press conference at the RSPI on Monday afternoon.The 41-year-old Japanese woman was Malaysia’s 24th coronavirus patient, and had tested positive for coronavirus on Feb. 27 after traveling from Japan in January and to Indonesia in early February, according to the Malaysian Health Ministry on Friday.Read also: Let’s not kid ourselves. Indonesia is unlikely to be COVID-19-free. And that’s not our biggest problem.Terawan said the 31-year-old patient and her mother — who allegedly contracted the virus from her daughter — had both been admitted to a private hospital where they were “treated as patients under supervision” for coronavirus concerns before the two were admitted to the RSPI and tested for COVID-19 on Sunday. One of two Indonesians who have tested positive for coronavirus in Jakarta went dancing with her Japanese friend — now COVID-19 patient in Malaysia — weeks before the two citizens were declared the country’s first two confirmed coronavirus cases, according to authorities.Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto detailed on Monday the chronology of the 31-year-old coronavirus patient’s movement before she and her 64-year-old mother, both of whom are residents of Depok in West Java, were admitted to the isolation ward at Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Suroso) in Jakarta.According to the minister’s account, the 31-year-old patient, who worked as a dance coach, met with the Japanese woman in a club in Jakarta, where the two were dancing together on Feb. 14.
Metro Sport ReporterThursday 2 May 2019 6:00 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link302Shares Luis Suarez fired Barca in front against his former side (Picture: Getty)Liverpool wasted a number of promising openings at the Nou Camp, most notably when Mohamed Salah hit the bar after Roberto Firmino’s initial shot was cleared off the line.Following the defeat, Reds boss Klopp said: ‘Football is like this. It’s about scoring goals, and they scored three and we scored none.‘Our performance was really good, the boys played a super game. But against Barcelona just a few opportunities can be enough [for them].‘I was happy with the performance, not too happy with the result. That’s football. It was a hard result but we have to accept it.’More: FootballBruno Fernandes responds to Man Utd bust-up rumours with Ole Gunnar SolskjaerNew Manchester United signing Facundo Pellistri responds to Edinson Cavani praiseArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira moves ‘But when they get into the final third Barca have that quality. One chance, one goal.‘It is very interesting because Virgil van Dijk [usually] covers, but he should go with Suarez to cover that goal.‘Especially from a centre-back with that quality… he lets him go. At the start his position is not bad, but he refuses to respond.‘It’s a great goal because the cross is fantastic. For a goalscorer it is ideal. It is marvellous football.’ Arsene Wenger shocked by Virgil van Dijk mistake in Barcelona’s victory over Liverpool Arsene Wenger criticised Virgil van Dijk’s defending for Barcelona’s opener (Picture: Getty)Arsene Wenger pointed the finger at Virgil van Dijk for Barcelona’s opening goal against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final.Former Red Luis Suarez lost Van Dijk in the box and deflected Jordi Alba’s cross past Alisson to give Barca the lead at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.A spirited Liverpool performance was stifled by two late Lionel Messi goals as the Argentine legend reached 600 goals for Barcelona.Jurgen Klopp’s side now need a miracle to reach a successive Champions League final, trailing by three goals ahead of next week’s return leg at Anfield.ADVERTISEMENTMore: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CitySpeaking at half-time, Wenger assessed the opening 45 minutes of the match and highlighted Van Dijk’s error which led to Barcelona’s opener.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe former Arsenal manager told beIN Sports: ‘It was a half of top-quality.‘We saw a really high intensity from Liverpool. I feel they are unlucky to be 1-0 down because they are dangerous.‘Physically they are stronger than Barcelona, especially pace-wise. Barcelona made two or three yellow cards because they could not even run with Liverpool’s players.”van Dijk covers but he should go with Suarez to cover that goal!”Arsene Wenger critical of the Liverpool defender for Barcelona’s opener.#beINUCL #beINWenger #BARLIVWatch live ⬇️https://t.co/dJSlr7kXnOLive updates ⬇️https://t.co/m4qXQkEKxP pic.twitter.com/qdBWS2eCTB— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 1, 2019
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Mustafi has been one of Arsenal’s best defenders under Arteta (Picture: Getty Images)Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has warned Shkodran Mustafi not to get ahead of himself despite recent improved performances for the Gunners.The German has been in inspired form since the arrival of new boss Mikel Arteta, starting in each of Arsenal’s last five Premier League games at centre-back.Mustafi has turned things around after being told he was free to leave the club by former manager Unai Emery last summer.But regardless of the recent upturn, ex-England defender Dixon told The Handbrake Off podcast: ‘He [Mustafi] seriously needs to have a word with himself and pipe down a little bit.’ADVERTISEMENT Comment Lee Dixon tells Shkodran Mustafi to ‘pipe down’ after Arsenal defender’s resurgence in form Advertisement Several Arsenal players including Mustafi have improved under Arteta (Picture: Getty Images)The 27-year-old sported a striking silver haircut for Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday, and Dixon feels he should focus on football rather than his appearance.AdvertisementAdvertisementHe added: ‘Bang me 25 appearances out and 15 clean sheets then he can do what he likes with his hair and his sunglasses.‘Just sit back down for a bit and carry on churning the results out.’More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing ArsenalThe appointment of Mikel Arteta has brought a new steeliness to the Arsenal side, with Mustafi’s improved form a big factor in that improvement.Since the Spaniard’s arrival in December, the Gunners have kept five clean sheets in his 12 matches at the helm.Mustafi will face increased competition for his place in the side with the signing of Spanish defender Pablo Mari from Brazilian side Flamengo in January.Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.For more stories like this, check our sport page.MORE: Arsenal decide to permanently sign Pablo MariMORE: Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal have the same problem as Manchester City Advertisement Metro Sport ReporterThursday 27 Feb 2020 9:31 pmShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link165Shares
“It will save hundreds of millions in costs, and, crucially, they’ll invest billions in the infrastructure of their regions.”Osborne’s number of asset pools is in line with proposals published by the LGPS Advisory Board.In documents prepared for a meeting in late September, the board suggested that funds could see assets split across seven pools – six for England and one for Wales – and that LGPS that currently employ in-house managers would not be exempted from mergers.The document suggested the South East region of England – spanning from Norfolk Pension Fund in the north to the Hampshire Pension Fund in the west – would be the largest regional pool, capturing £37.8bn in assets.The Midlands region, including Warwickshire, ranked second, with £35bn in assets, followed by the North East with £33.3bn, which would include the Northumberland County Council Pension Fund.The North West asset pool proposed in the board documents would, at £31.2bn, also capture the assets from the Lancashire County Pension Fund’s partnership with the London Pensions Fund Authority, which chose not to be part of the London collective investment vehicle (CIV).A statement by the UK Treasury said that the newly-pooled assets would “follow international norms” and grow their exposure to infrastructure, potentially through the pools building up internal capability to invest in the asset class.The attempt to encourage a greater focus on infrastructure investment comes two years after investment regulations were amended, doubling the potential infrastructure exposure to 30%.At the time, then-communities secretary Eric Pickles predicted the changes would allow the LGPS sector to “pump a further £22bn directly into job-creating infrastructure projects”.Several local authorities have increased their infrastructure exposure in recent years, committing to a number of renewables funds and investing in an infrastructure fund managed by Hermes Investment Management that acquired stakes in Associated British Ports and Eurostar. The announcement comes alongside a promise from current communities secretary Greg Clark to amend regulations to prevent the politically motivated divestment of Israeli holdings and arms companies, seemingly in reaction to a campaign by union Unison calling for LGPS holdings with activities in the West Bank to be sold.Scotland’s LGPS are exempted from the reform proposals, as it is a matter for the devolved Scottish administration. UK chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne has argued that “British wealth funds” could meet England and Wales’s infrastructure needs.According to the finance minister, pooling the 89 local government pension schemes’ (LGPS) £193bn (€264bn) in assets would allow them to increase their exposure to domestic infrastructure.Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, Osborne said the current system was expensive and that the LGPS at present invested “little or nothing in [UK] infrastructure”.“So I can tell you today, we’re going to work with councils to create instead half a dozen British wealth funds spread across the country,” he said. 
Capital Gas, owned by Greek shipowner Evangelos Marinakis, has signed a letter of intent with Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of up to ten LNG carriers.The LNG carriers would range between 170,000 and 180,000 cbm and would include a firm order for four units and two options containing three ships respectively, based on the data from Asiasis.If the deal gets finalized, the first four ships from the batch will be handed over to Marinakis in 2020 and 2021.The signing of the LoI has resulted in HHI’s stock price jump by 5 percent today.Marinakis-led vessel operator Capital Ship Management Corp has been involved in several sectors including containerships, tankers and bulkers, and the latest deal is seen as the company’s debut on the LNG market.Greek owners seem to be insatiable when it comes to Korean-built newbuilding tonnage. Over the past few days we have seen also Greek shipping companies including Angelicoussis Shipping Group and Top Ships place orders at the Korean Big Three builders.Specifically, data from Asiasis shows that Top Ships has book the construction of two 158,000 dwt tankers at HHI scheduled for delivery in early 2020, bringing its ordering tally to four ships.World Maritime News Staff
JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. – State troopers will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Jackson County between midnight and 2:00 a.m. Sunday.The exact location was not immediately released but police say it will be determined by arrest and crash data. Police offer the following tips in an effort to make Indiana roadways safer:Plan ahead and use a designated driverDon’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been consuming alcoholic beverages.If you are hosting a party, always offer non-alcoholic beverages and make sure all your guests leave with a sober driver or allow them to spend the nightTake the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think that they are about to drive drunk.If you see someone driving in a manner you suspect of being impaired call 911.
Although their 100 per cent home record remains intact after nine matches it was given a severe examination by Liverpool in a 2-1 win on Boxing Day. That moved City into second place in the Barclays Premier League, just a point behind Arsenal, and with Crystal Palace visiting on Saturday there is a chance for them to go top ahead of the Gunners’ Sunday encounter at Newcastle. Defender Pablo Zabaleta has acknowledged the second half of the season is when Manchester City have to step up their game. “It was a massive win. We played against a very strong side in Liverpool and it was really important to get three points and keep the team winning their home games. I think we did a good job,” Zabaleta said. “We have to push even more now. We know December and January is one of the key points for the big teams to make a difference because we play many games and you need to try to keep winning. “At the moment we are doing well, are one point behind the leaders and that is why Crystal Palace is also a key game. “We are very comfortable and we feel good and have huge confidence. “Sometimes there is talk we need to improve our performances away from home but we had a good win at Fulham and now our next game is at home to Crystal Palace so we need to have a good rest and be fit for that game.” City will look to use their dominance at home to overpower Palace but that was far from the case against Liverpool, who were happy to go toe to toe with their hosts. On another day Manuel Pellegrini’s side could have lost as Raheem Sterling had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside and Luis Suarez had claims for a late penalty waved away. The fact City were able to restrict the Premier League’s leading scorer’s chances in front of goal was a key factor in their victory. “They have fantastic players, especially up front with Luis Suarez – who is probably the best striker at the moment, Sterling and (Philippe) Coutinho,” Zabaleta said. “They also try to play good football from the back and I think they did well but at the end we took big chances and it was great to score two goals. “When you play against the best players, you always try to keep them quiet. “If we look at the overall performance of Suarez I think we kept him very quiet and that is why we need to give credit to the back four.” Nine straight wins means the Etihad is a formidable place for opposition teams to go, but Pellegrini is conscious they need to avoid complacency. The Chilean is not happy his side have to play so soon after the Liverpool match and his players unusually underwent a recovery session immediately after the game before all being taken back to the team hotel to prepare for Saturday. “What I think we must have at least 72 hours from this game to another,” he said. “All the other teams at the top of the table apart from Manchester United (and City) play 72 hours after. “These days we play so closely the rest of the teams must be the same, although not a winter break, no.” Pellegrini said of the Palace clash: “Palace are a different challenge but maybe everyone thinks we are going to beat them because it is an easy game. “All the teams in relegation positions provide tough opposition. “We must now try to recover as soon as we can and we will see what happens on Saturday but I don’t think it will be an easy game. “We will start talking about not making a mistake and thinking it will be an easy game.” Press Association