response Navigating uncertainty: Qatar’s response to the global gas boom By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400 Over the past year, much attention has been given to the growing production of shale oil and the challenge that these unconventional sources of energy pose to traditional producers in the Gulf. As the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar faces related concerns – mounting competition from new LNG exporters and more competitive pricing in key Asian gas markets. How will this global gas boom unfold? How can Doha develop a robust response to growing volatility in gas pricing and demand? In a new Brookings Doha Center Analysis Paper, Naser al-Tamimi examines Qatar’s position on the global gas stage and assesses the prospects of new competitors. He argues that new LNG production and exports – from Australia, the United States, and other countries – present a challenge to Qatar’s dominant status in global gas markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, diversification and slowing growth in this region’s major economies, such as China, South Korea, and Japan, may reduce LNG demand across the board. Read "Navigating uncertainty: Qatar’s response to the global gas boom" Ultimately, Tamimi argues that Qatar’s pricing mechanisms and export revenues will come under significant pressure as a result of these developments, posing a potential challenge to Qatari finances. He contends that an effective response from Qatari officials must emphasize greater exports to the Middle East/North Africa region, greater contract flexibility to attract new buyers, and cooperation with other GCC members to improve Gulf bargaining power in key regional markets. Downloads English PDFArabic PDF Authors Naser al-Tamimi Publication: Brookings Doha Center Image Source: © Fadi Al-Assaad / Reuters Full Article
response Public pensions in flux: Can the federal government's experiences inform state responses? By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:20:00 -0400 In many policy-related situations, the states can be useful laboratories to determine the most appropriate federal actions. Variations across states in health care programs, earned income credit rules, minimum wages, and other policies have helped inform debates about federal interventions. In this paper, we reverse that approach. Many state and local governments currently face difficulties financing future pension obligations for their workers. The federal government, however, faced similar circumstances in the 1980s and successfully implemented a substantial reform. We examine the situation the federal government faced and how it responded to the funding challenge. We present key aspects of the situation facing state governments currently and draw comparisons between them and the federal situation in the 1980s. Our overarching conclusion is that states experiencing distress today about the cost and funding of its pension plans could benefit from following an approach similar to the federal government’s resolution of its pension problems in the 1980s. The federal government retained the existing Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for existing employees and created a new Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) for new employees. FERS combined a less generous defined benefit plan than CSRS, mandatory enrollment in Social Security, and a new defined contribution plan with extensive employer matching. Although we do not wish to imply that a “one size fits all” solution applies to the very diverse situations that different states face, we nonetheless conclude that the elements of durable, effective, and just reforms for state pension plans will likely include the major elements of the federal reform listed above. Section II discusses the federal experience with pension reform. Section III discusses the status and recent developments regarding state and local pensions. Section IV discusses the similarities in the two situations and how policy changes structured along the lines of the federal reform could help state and local governments and their employees. Download "Public Pensions in Flux: Can the Federal Government’s Experiences Inform State Responses?" » Downloads Download "Public Pensions in Flux: Can the Federal Government’s Experiences Inform State Responses?"Download the policy brief Authors William G. GaleSarah E. HolmesDavid C. John Image Source: © Max Whittaker / Reuters Full Article
response Figures of the week: The costs of financing Africa’s response to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 16:21:13 +0000 Last month’s edition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s biannual Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, which discusses economic developments and prospects for the region, pays special attention to the financial channels through which COVID-19 has—and will—impact the economic growth of the region. Notably, the authors of the report reduced their GDP growth estimates from… Full Article
response Putting women and girls’ safety first in Africa’s response to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 15:12:51 +0000 Women and girls in Africa are among the most vulnerable groups exposed to the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Although preliminary evidence from China, Italy, and New York shows that men are at higher risk of contraction and death from the disease—more than 58 percent of COVID-19 patients were men, and they had an… Full Article
response How Gulf states can lead the global COVID-19 response By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:36:04 +0000 As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, it is becoming clear that no unified international response is in the works. Indeed, international organizations have been undermined by national actions, such as U.S. President Donald Trump’s shortsighted decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). In lieu of global coordination, the buck has been passed down… Full Article
response Webinar: Public health and COVID-19 in MENA: Impact, response and outlook By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 11:47:01 +0000 The coronavirus pandemic has exacted a devastating human toll on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with over 300,000 confirmed cases and 11,000 deaths to date. It has also pushed the region’s public healthcare systems to their limits, though countries differ greatly in their capacities to test, trace, quarantine, and treat affected individuals. MENA governments… Full Article
response Webinar: How federal job vacancies hinder the government’s response to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 20:52:41 +0000 Vacant positions and high turnover across the federal bureaucracy have been a perpetual problem since President Trump was sworn into office. Upper-level Trump administration officials (“the A Team”) have experienced a turnover rate of 85 percent — much higher than any other administration in the past 40 years. The struggle to recruit and retain qualified… Full Article
response How instability and high turnover on the Trump staff hindered the response to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 18:04:06 +0000 On Jan. 14, 2017, the Obama White House hosted 30 incoming staff members of the Trump team for a role-playing scenario. A readout of the event said, “The exercise provided a high-level perspective on a series of challenges that the next administration may face and introduced the key authorities, policies, capabilities, and structures that are… Full Article
response The politics of Congress’s COVID-19 response By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 09:30:25 +0000 In the face of economic and health challenges posed by COVID-19, Congress, an institution often hamstrung by partisanship, quickly passed a series of bills allocating trillions of dollars for economic stimulus and relief. In this episode, Sarah Binder joins David Dollar to discuss the politics behind passing that legislation and lingering uncertainties about its oversight… Full Article
response High quality preschools make good sense (cents): A response to Farran By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:34:00 -0400 In her February 25 Brookings report, Dr. Dale Farran questions the scientific case for endorsing widespread policy in preschool education. Indeed, she argues that enthusiasm for public preschool and its promise is “premature.” Her argument is founded on three points—that the data on impact is mixed, that we do not have scientific direction with respect to the key quality constructs, and that our measurement of these constructs lack empirical validity. There is a grain of truth in each of these statements. Yet, a closer look reveals that when the data are focused on high quality preschools, the weight of the evidence for effectiveness is compelling. The early childhood science is at least evidence informed on the skill sets that will promote later school and life success and valid measures exist for many of the important outcomes. While there is always more to be learned, the bulk of the scientific community contends that high quality preschool programs will play a role in preparing young children for success in school and beyond. A look at the evidence There is no doubt that the literature looking for relationships between preschool access and school readiness outcomes in literacy, mathematics, and other domains are mixed. Both the Head Start Impact Study and recent findings from Farran’s own Tennessee pre-k study (Lipsey et al., 2015) indicate that preschool of less than high quality produce only modest short-term gains. The data do not look bleak, however, when we look across preschool outcomes in the aggregate. And when high quality programs are investigated, whether in well-controlled studies of intensive models (e.g., Perry and Abecedarian) or in studies of strong public programs in Boston (Weiland & Yoshikawa, 2013), Cincinnati (Karoly & Auger, 2016), New Jersey (Barnett et al., 2013), North Carolina (Peisner-Feinberg et al., 2015), and Tulsa (Hill et al., 2015), the results are downright promising (Yoshikawa et al., 2013; Minervino. 2014). Society reaps benefits from fostering early skill development, as children participating in high quality preschool programs had lower rates of grade retention, less need for special education, decreased antisocial behavior, and greater productivity as adults (Reynolds & Temple, 2015; Cunha & Heckman, 2006). In 2014, over 1,200 scientists who work in the area of early education signed the ECE Consensus Letter for Researchers, attesting to the mountains of data in support of the role of preschool education in improving child outcomes in social development, language, pre-literacy, and mathematics. Though Farran’s brief reviews only data from the United States, a growing literature suggests that preschool education has long and lasting and causal effects on outcomes around the globe (Atinc & Gustafsson-Wright, 2013). For example, an impact evaluation of a preschool program in Mozambique found that the program increased on-time enrollment into primary school among beneficiaries by 22 percent relative to the children in the control group. Enrolled children also experienced a 6 percent increase in fine motor development, and an 87 percent increase in cognitive development. More importantly, this is not just a story of “everything is bleak in the developing world so the program is bound to have an impact.” With compelling data in the United States and across the globe, one might ask why there is such a great divide between Farran’s interpretation and that of the wider academic community? One reason appears to be that Farran discounts any data that did not emerge from random assignment longitudinal studies. While correlational studies are not the gold standard, they are informative. Surely practitioners and policymakers would not dismiss data on parenting practices because children were not randomly assigned to parents. Further, in the area of preschool education, there is no difference in findings between randomized trials and other methodologies with respect to targeted cognitive, achievement-related outcomes when other study and program features are taken into account (Duncan & Magnuson, 2013; Camilli et al., 2010). Farran also discounts many of the randomized trials because she says they do not tell us enough about cause and effect. She writes of the famous Abecedarian and Perry Preschool studies: The primary difficulty with this approach as a basis for designing interventions is that there is no way to identify what specifically changed about children’s abilities that enabled them to perform better in school or to link those changes to any particular set of active ingredients in the treatment. Neither Perry nor Abecedarian explicitly describes beyond the broadest level the “treatment” that brought about their positive effects. But the children did improve, and at some level—while it would be wonderful to isolate the exact recipe for preschool success—we need not deny children the benefits of preschool while scientists probe for the precise combinations of active ingredients that yield the best results. Consider an analogy: the impact of storybook reading on children. While numerous studies document that reading storybooks with children in a joint way improves vocabulary and early literacy, we have yet to isolate the exact causal factors that matter in book reading. Perhaps it is the cuddling that occurs between child and parent; perhaps this crucial unstudied variable is the key that has not yet been turned. But no one would argue that we should stop book reading as a way to foster young children’s interest in reading. So it is with preschool. A quality preschool can heighten young children’s desire to attend school and prepare them for learning—even if all the ingredients in the magic sauce have not yet been identified. In short, the evidence does provide models of high quality preschool that effectively prepare children for entrée into school and that change a child’s trajectory toward success. Not knowing the exact mechanisms by which preschool exerts its impact is secondary to the fact that poor children need good preschools now and we know how to provide them. But which skills should we support? Farran raises the very important point that a narrow focus on only reading and math outcomes would be misplaced in our quest to build high quality preschool curricula. We could not agree more. She goes on to write, however, that “premature as well is the presumption that solid research exists to guide the content and structure of pre-K programs.” Here we beg to differ. There are thousands of studies that speak to the skill sets children need to achieve success in the changing world. Reading and math are among these skills—collectively bundled under what Golinkoff and Hirsh-Pasek (2016) call “content skills.” But there is overwhelming evidence that children need to master skills that move beyond just reading and math. Content knowledge has, at its base, language and executive function skills. Language is the medium of instruction and executive function skills empower children with the ability to control their impulses and attend. Flexibility and working memory (Galinsky, 2010; Blair, 2016), also part of executive function, enable children to shift gears and remember what they have been told. But even language and executive function are not enough. Children must be prepared to participate alongside others (collaboration), to question when they are unclear (critical thinking) (Kuhn, 1999), and to have the persistence needed to stick with difficult problems—grit (Duckworth et al., 2007). These skills have been tested, are predictive of later achievement, have been shown to be malleable and to relate to academic, social, and learning outcomes in school. Measuring quality Farran argues that we cannot provide high quality preschool because we lack strong measures of quality. Again, there is some truth in her assertion, but it seems to us somewhat confused. Farran mixes together policy benchmarks, measures of classroom practice, and child outcome measures. All are useful, but for different purposes. The first is meant to set a floor across many domains including health and safety. The second is designed for providing feedback on classroom practice. The last allows us to assess children’s wellbeing and progress. Well-designed continuous improvement systems for pre-K have detailed standards for learning and teaching that align with assessments of classroom practice and systems operation as well as with child assessments. Together with program standards these can provide a clear vision of high quality. They set high expectations for children’s learning and development and for pedagogy. Our ability to specify all of this exceeds our ability to measure it with reasonable investments of time and money. Nevertheless, classroom observation measures and child assessments as elements of a continuous improvement system help inform teachers and administrators about where they are and what steps they need to take next (Hall et al., 2012; Sylva et al., 2006; Williford et al., 2013). None of us would argue that this is easy, or that any single measure of classroom quality or child development is sufficient. Providing guidance for the improvement of learning and teaching is hard work and domain specific, but it is not futile. Letting science lead the way Farran closes her report by suggesting that “[the] proposition that expanding pre-K will improve later achievement for children from low-income families is premature.” Perhaps instead it is Farran’s prognosis that is overly pessimistic. Research to date indicates that sustained access to high quality preschool does alter the trajectory of low-income children who are otherwise not exposed to early math and to age-appropriate books. In several now classic studies, the effects of a quality preschool education has far reaching consequences linked to not only reading and math, but to fewer incarcerations, teen pregnancies, and higher employment well into adulthood. As economists have shown, high quality early learning programs save money for society—a finding that has been replicated in different programs across the globe—in the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Mozambique. Do we need to know more about what constitutes high quality and how to harness this reliably? Absolutely. But science offers evidence-based and evidence-informed advice on what has worked and what should work when brought to scale. We have an obligation to use the best science to serve our struggling children. Recent surveys indicate that a majority of the American public—Republican and Democrat—agrees that all children deserve a chance to reach their fullest potential. Let the science progress and let us use what we know at this point in time to meet the promise that all children should have a fighting chance to succeed. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Authors Kathy Hirsh-PasekEmily Gustafsson-WrightRoberta Michnick GolinkoffW. Steven BarnettRenee McAlpin Full Article
response Webinar: How federal job vacancies hinder the government’s response to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 20:52:41 +0000 Vacant positions and high turnover across the federal bureaucracy have been a perpetual problem since President Trump was sworn into office. Upper-level Trump administration officials (“the A Team”) have experienced a turnover rate of 85 percent — much higher than any other administration in the past 40 years. The struggle to recruit and retain qualified… Full Article
response The House moved quickly on a COVID-19 response bill. These 4 takeaways explain what’s likely to happen next. By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:08:38 +0000 The House has passed an emergency spending measure supported by President Trump to begin dealing with the health and economic crises caused by the coronavirus. By a vote of 363 to 40 early Saturday morning, every Democrat and roughly three-quarters of Republicans supported the bill to provide temporary paid sick and family medical leave; bolster funding for health, food security and unemployment insurance… Full Article
response The politics of Congress’s COVID-19 response By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 09:30:25 +0000 In the face of economic and health challenges posed by COVID-19, Congress, an institution often hamstrung by partisanship, quickly passed a series of bills allocating trillions of dollars for economic stimulus and relief. In this episode, Sarah Binder joins David Dollar to discuss the politics behind passing that legislation and lingering uncertainties about its oversight… Full Article
response What’s the Fed doing in response to the COVID-19 crisis? What more could it do? By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:40:30 +0000 The coronavirus crisis in the United States—and the associated business closures, event cancellations, and work-from-home policies—has triggered a deep economic downturn of uncertain duration. The Federal Reserve has stepped in with a broad array of actions to limit the economic damage from the pandemic, including up to $2.3 trillion in lending to support households, employers, financial… Full Article
response A Jewish Response to the Energy Challenge? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:09:20 -0500 Jewish leaders met at the beginning of this month in San Francisco for the first conference dedicated to Full Article Business
response Reflections on 9/11 & Our Response to Tragedy By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:40:00 -0400 photo: Rebecca Wilson/CC BY Editors note: The following guest post is by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati an American-born renunciate at Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh, India (full bio below). While this post may be a bit broader than other items in the Full Article Living
response JUPE health is an 'immediate response to hospital overcrowding' By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 11:21:42 -0400 These flat-packed rest-and-recovery units could take the load off hospitals in a hurry. Full Article Design
response Oscar Niemeyer's Bold Response to Latin American Suburban Sprawl in the XX Century By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:52:51 -0500 Of all of Niemeyer's impressive works, the 1960s Copan building in Sao Paulo is the one speaking directly to contemporary urban trends. Full Article Design
response BPI's Response to Outrage Over Ground Beef? 3 Governors and a T-Shirt By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:30:00 -0400 Beef Products Inc took its best shot at making up for its silence during weeks of public lashing over what has been dubbed “pink slime,” an additive in ground beef made through a high-tech process that BPI invented. Full Article Living
response Obama’s trip to Alaska brings out mixed responses about his climate legacy By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Sep 2015 14:00:58 -0400 President Obama talks about the need for climate action in the state where he recently green-lighted off-shore drilling. Full Article Business
response First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth® Smart-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES - First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth®-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: 06 Jan 2016 17:20:00 EST First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth®-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES Full Article Biotechnology Computer Electronics Consumer Electronics Healthcare Hospitals Household Consumer Cosmetics Wireless Communications New Products Services Trade show news Women-related News Broadcast Feed Announcements MultiVu Video
response First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth® Smart-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES - First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth®-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: 06 Jan 2016 17:20:00 EST First Response™ Unveils First Ever Bluetooth®-Enabled Pregnancy Test at CES Full Article Biotechnology Computer Electronics Consumer Electronics Healthcare Hospitals Household Consumer Cosmetics Wireless Communications New Products Services Trade show news Women-related News Broadcast Feed Announcements MultiVu Video
response Airbnb's future is uncertain as it continues to struggle through its Covid-19 response By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 15:00:02 GMT Airbnb is one of the many businesses in the travel industry that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In March of 2017, Airbnb was valued at $31 billion, but by the end of April 2020 that value dropped to $18 billion. With the threat of more cancelations as the pandemic halts travel, guests, hosts and investors alike are left asking what Airbnb will look like after the novel coronavirus, or whether the company will survive at all. Full Article
response Melinda Gates on US response to pandemic caregiving crisis: 'I'm disappointed in what I've been seeing' By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:59:46 GMT Billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates shares her thoughts about the U.S. response to coronavirus and why solving the current caregiving crisis is crucial. Full Article
response Melinda Gates says US coronavirus response is 'chaos,' gives Trump administration a D-minus grade By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:02:47 GMT Melinda Gates, co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave President Donald Trump's administration a "D-minus" on its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, criticizing lack of leadership on both national and international levels. Full Article
response 'If you're a shareowner in Amazon, you may want to take a seat' — Amazon reports earnings, plans to spend all Q2 profits on coronavirus response By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 18:43:02 GMT Amazon will invest heavily in Covid-19 testing for its employees. Full Article
response Minority job loss requires strong response in next CARES Act: Former New Orleans Mayor By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 19:39:21 GMT Marc Morial, former mayor of New Orleans and CEO and president of the National Urban League, discusses the worst U.S. jobs loss since the end of World War II and the groups that are struggling the most. Full Article
response Dr. Scott Gottlieb on remdesivir rollout and US coronavirus response By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 00:22:24 GMT Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA Commissioner, joins "Closing Bell" to discuss the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
response Airbnb struggles through its Covid-19 response By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 16:02:54 GMT Airbnb is one of the many businesses in the travel industry that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In March of 2017, Airbnb was valued at $31 billion. By the end of April 2020 that value dropped to $18 billion. With the threat of more cancelations as the pandemic halts the travel industry, guests, hosts and investors alike are left asking what Airbnb will look like after the novel coronavirus pandemic, or whether the company will survive at all. Full Article
response Our commitment to Asia Pacific’s coronavirus response By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 03:00:00 +0000 The COVID-19 pandemic began spreading across Asia Pacific in January, affecting millions of people directly—and billions more through restrictions on the way we live and work and the impact on the regional economy. Throughout the region, we’ve seen people and businesses adapt with resilience, determination and ingenuity, including adopting and developing new technologies. Today, some parts of Asia Pacific are beginning to ease social distancing measures and restrictions on commerce—but we’re still many months away from anything like a return to normal. Google’s focus in Asia Pacific has been on three priorities: contributing to the immediate health response, helping people learn and work from home and supporting the small businesses most affected. We’ll continue to do all we can to help every part of the region get through, and we’re committed to being part of the economic recovery, so Asia Pacific can ultimately emerge stronger. Contributing to the health responseSince January, we’ve worked to share reliable information on Google Search and YouTube, support public health campaigns, inform health officials and curb misinformation. We’ve extended these global efforts with more targeted local initiatives around the region. In India, we’re helping female internet “saathis” (or trainers) share authoritative health advice with their networks in rural villages. In Korea, the Google News Initiative is offering weekly sessions training journalists on how to identify misinformation. In Japan, YouTube creator Hikakin interviewed the Governor of Tokyo to raise awareness of social distancing measures among his youth audience. We’re also helping Asia Pacific governments and institutions make the most of our tools to fight the virus directly. The Philippines’ government is centralizing health communications using an AI system powered by Google Cloud, Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang has used Google APIs to create an app that tracks face-mask inventories, and we’ve worked with Singaporean nonprofit Better.sg to create translation tools for medical professionals caring for migrant workers. We started showing the locations of COVID-19 test centers on Google Maps, Search and Assistant in Indonesia, before extending the feature to other countries around the world, including India, Korea and the Philippines.Alongside responding to the health crisis, we know we need to protect and support people who might be left isolated or vulnerable. Our team in India has helped local governments share the location of night and food shelters on Google Maps, while Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc in Australia is using Meet to help aged care residents stay in touch with their families—two examples of how technology can help. Helping people work and learn from homeIn many parts of Asia Pacific, people have been working and learning from home for months. Wherever possible, we’re adapting our global tools and resources to local needs—like giving 1.8 million students in the Jakarta region access to our G Suite for Education tools. We’ve launched local versions of our Teach from Home resource center—a partnership with UNESCO—across 13 Asia Pacific countries.As teachers and students adjust, we’re seeing new approaches across the region. In Korea, public broadcaster EBS and the Ministry of Education are using YouTube to live-stream daily classes. In Malaysia, Google’s daily webinars for teachershave received more than 250,000 views. And in Australia, the inspirational Eddie Woo—a champion of teaching via YouTube—is sharing his experience and advice to help fellow teachers take their lessons online. Learners from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have their schooling disrupted and their progress held back—so as part of Google.org’s $10 million Distance Learning Fund, we’re extending a $1 million grant to INCO. This funding will support nonprofits in mainland China, Indonesia, Hong Kong and the Philippines as they help underprivileged students with access to home learning. Supporting small businesses and helping local economies recoverCOVID-19 has put many business owners under intense financial pressure, which is why we’re giving Asia Pacific businesses ad credits and other forms of support as part of a US$150 million commitment to the region. We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to adopt new ways of working and manage through uncertainty—creating a dedicated website for Australian and New Zealand businesses, for example, or moving to an online format for Grow with Google skills courses like Indonesia’s Gapura Digital. We’re helping small businesses move their sales online and contribute to the recovery—like Yamaya, a Japanese sock manufacturer which is providing materials to help people make their own masks. And we’re working closely with nonprofits to help businesses most at risk from the economic downturn, including providing Google.org funding to help Youth Business International assist vulnerable small businesses and The Asia Foundation advance digital literacy in marginalized communities in Southeast Asia. Small businesses are an integral part of their communities, but they’re equally critical to economic growth, accounting for the vast majority of all businesses and up to 50 percent of GDP in most Asia Pacific countries. Just in the past few weeks, we’ve launched new programs supporting digital skills in Taiwan, developers in Korea and startups in Japan—and we’ll begin more initiatives like these in the coming months. Economic recovery will start locally and we want to be there to help.In this global pandemic, everyone has a part to play. As Asia Pacific confronts the effects of COVID-19, we will continue to stand by the region’s people, business and communities for as long as it takes, and help rebuild when the time is right. Full Article COVID-19 Google in Asia
response How Blood Sugar Can Trigger a Deadly Immune Response in the Flu and Possibly COVID-19 By rss.sciam.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 11:30:00 GMT Glucose metabolism plays a key role in the cytokine storm seen in influenza, and the link could have potential implications for novel coronavirus infections -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Public Health The Sciences Biology
response 'Spider-Man' Immune Response May Promote Severe COVID-19 By rss.sciam.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:15:00 GMT Clinical trials have begun to test drugs that counter toxic molecular webs linked to lung distress -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Public Health The Body Biology
response Woman heartbroken by Smithfield Foods' response to grandfather's death from coronavirus By news.yahoo.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:42:00 -0400 “I want you to know he died in the hospital alone, isolated, and scared,” she wrote in an Instagram message to Smithfield Foods. Full Article
response Coronavirus: Theresa May criticises world pandemic response By www.bbc.co.uk Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 08:24:13 GMT Countries have "gone their own way" rather than working together, the ex-prime minister says. Full Article
response Bill Gates: Few countries will get 'A-grade' for coronavirus response By www.bbc.co.uk Published On :: Sun, 12 Apr 2020 05:00:05 GMT The Microsoft billionaire says we find ourselves in uncharted territory with the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
response Arvind Trivedi aka Ravana from Ramayan finally joins Twitter, gets a warm response! By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 20 Apr 2020 07:54:49 GMT Veteran actor Arvind Trivedi, who is best known for his role of Ravana in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, has joined Twitter. His debut on the micro-blogging site comes after his former Ramayan co-stars Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhila made their Twitter accounts. The actors are back in the limelight after Doordarshan started the re-run of the mythological show amid the Coronavirus lockdown. With Arvind's Twitter debut, fans got excited and showered him with love and praise. They even started trending #RavanonTwitter. "Due to my kids and because of your unconditional love, I have joined Twitter. This is my original ID. Whoever retweets my tweet with #RaavanOnTwitter on April 18, I will follow them without second thoughts. Jai Shri Ram. Om Namah Shivaay," Arvind tweeted. He also tweeted a picture of himself from the show as his character and his picture now, rightly captioning it- Then and now, and wrote- "Finally I Am on twitter." (sic) Have a look right here: Finally I Am On twitter#RavanOnTwitter pic.twitter.com/3CqPFAUI3X — Arvind Trivedi (@Arvind_Trivedi_) April 19, 2020 Apart from thanking fans for their love, Arvind also urged people to stay at home. Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article
response Chris Hemsworth 'blown away' by Extraction response By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 4 May 2020 01:58:05 GMT Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth has thanked everyone for loving his digital movie "Extraction", which is on its way to become Netflix's "biggest film of all time". Hemsworth took to Instagram to post a video to express his gratitude about the response to the film, reports hollywoodreporter.com. View this post on Instagram ðÂÂÂðÂÂÂð EXTRACTION @thesamhargrave @therussobrothers @netflix @netflixfilm A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) onMay 2, 2020 at 4:14pm PDT "Hey, what's up guys, I hope you're doing well. I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who checked out 'Extraction', you've made it the number one film on the planet right now," said the actor from his gym. "And it looks like it's going to be Netflix's biggest feature film of all time, which is absolutely mind blowing" he added. The "Thor" star went on to say: "We are blown away by the response and the support. On behalf of myself, the Russo Brothers, Netflix, our director Sam Hargrave, thank you so so much. We love you guys". He also addressed the rumors of a sequel to "Extraction". "There's been a lot of talk and questions about sequels and prequels and all sorts of things, and all I can say is who knows," said the actor, adding: "But with this amount of support, it's something I will be pretty stoked to jump back into." The action thriller released on Netflix on April 24, and attracted viewership from "an estimated 90 million households in the first four weeks" of its release, according to Hemsworth's previous Instagram post. With "Extraction", argrave graduated from being Chris Evans' stunt double in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" for fight scenes and stunt coordinator in "Captain America: Civil War" to a feature director. Hargrave was an additional second unit director in "Avengers: Infinity War". For his first film, Hargrave reunited with his "Avengers" family. He got "Thor" star Hemsworth to lead the film, screenplay of which is done by Joe Russo. The film is produced by Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony Russo), Mike Larocca, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Gitter, and Peter Schwerin. It revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. It has been shot extensively in India, along with other places around the world. Originally titled "Dhaka", the film also stars Indian actors Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, Priyanshu Painyulli, and Rudraksh Jaiswal. Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
response Shahid Afridi backs Shoaib Akhtar's IND-PAK proposal, says Kapil's response surprised him By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 14 Apr 2020 10:09:40 GMT Disappointed with Kapil Dev's response, Pakistan's Shahid Afridi has backed his former teammate Shoaib Akhtar's proposal for an ODI series against India to help raise funds for the less privileged in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Afridi told reporters in Kohat that he was surprised by the comments of Indian great Kapil and former IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla, who outrightly dismissed Akhtar's suggestion. "The entire world is fighting against coronavirus and we need unity in our region to defeat this common enemy. Such negative comments don't help at all," Afridi said. "I don't see anything wrong with Shoaib Akhtar's suggestion for Pakistan and India to play cricket. "Kapil's reaction has surprised me. I expected better from him and feel one should not talk like this in these crisis times." Afridi said that he was also surprised at some of the "negative comments" Indian stars Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh's support for his charity foundation attracted. "Sport is supposed to bring people together and build bridges. It is pretty disappointing." Afridi also urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to order the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to restore departmental cricket in the country to save the livelihood of hundreds of domestic players. "I myself played for the departments and witnessed how departments really salvaged domestic cricket in Pakistan and helped it thrive decade after decade. "Departments take good care of the players and spend lots of money on the development of domestic cricket, so how can departmental cricket hurt Pakistan cricket," questioned Afridi. He also questioned the PCB and the Pakistan team management for making a fitness of players a big issue. "They are always talking about hard training and fitness tests. I have never seen fitness tests taken with such frequency and the result is that many players are getting injured and many of them are also unhappy with the situation." Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
response Tax-News.com: France May Cut Tax In Response To Protests By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that France should prioritize tax cuts following the conclusion of a three-month national consultation on the Government's economic and tax policies. Full Article
response Zika's Immune Response can Harm Fetal Health By www.medindia.net Published On :: Antiviral protein that gives immune response to Zika viral infection in mothers may harm the placenta and fetal development, according to a study led by scientists at Yale. Full Article
response Plant Based Compound Improves Response to Dengue Vaccine: Study By www.medindia.net Published On :: Plant-based compound called halofuginone improves the immune response to a potential vaccine against dengue virus, according to study published in iScience Full Article
response Tax-News.com: USTR Stages Hearing On French Digital Tax Response By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT On August 19, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative held an off-camera public hearing on France's recently introduced digital services tax, attended by three major technology firms. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: Malta Defers Tax Payment Deadlines In Response To COVID-19 By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Maltese Government has announced deferrals for the payment of a number of taxes. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: EU Committee To Consider VAT Response To Paradise Papers By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT Value-added tax avoidance will be considered by a new EU anti-tax avoidance committee, the creation of which is expected to be endorsed at an EU parliamentary plenary on March 1, 2018. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: African States Urged To Consider COVID-19 Tax Responses By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has published a new report titled "Suggested COVID-19 Measures for Revenue Authorities." Full Article
response Tax-News.com: Brazil Adds To COVID-19 Tax Response By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Brazil has announced a number of additional tax payment and filing concessions in response to COVID-19. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: Poland Extends TP Documentation Deadlines In COVID-19 Response By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 1 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT On April 17, 2020, the President of Poland signed legislation into law to extend transfer pricing documentation deadlines, as part of a package of additional COVID-19 economic support measures. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: G7 Backs OECD In Push For Global Digital Tax Response By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT G7 finance ministers have said that there is an urgent need to address the tax challenges posed by the digitalization of the economy. Full Article
response Tax-News.com: USTR Stages Hearing On French Digital Tax Response By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT On August 19, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative held an off-camera public hearing on France's recently introduced digital services tax, attended by three major technology firms. Full Article
response Novel Combination Therapy Boosts Response in HER2- Breast Cancer By www.medindia.net Published On :: Combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab (AstraZeneca's Imfinzi), the PARP inhibitor olaparib (AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza), along with Full Article
