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Chez QUB Musique, Offenbach côtoiera les Rolling Stones

En quoi ce nouveau service d’écoute musicale en continu va se démarquer de ses gigantesques rivaux sur le marché. Explications en cinq points.




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How Waterstones is selling books during the coronavirus lockdown

Waterstones CEO: How I keep selling books while my bookshops are shut down.




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Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Stonescape Pavers LLC to Enforce Employment Rights of U.S. Air Force Reservist

The Department today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas against Stonescape Pavers LLC alleging that the company willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by firing Matthew T. Denning without cause when he returned from active duty.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Black P-Stones Gang Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison on Racketeering Conspiracy and Firearms Charges

Marcellus Williams, aka “Math,” “P-Shooter” and “Manny,” 27, of Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced today to serve 30 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for engaging in numerous gang-related crimes as a ranking member of the Black P-Stones, including shootings of rival gang members, robberies and drug dealing



  • OPA Press Releases

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Black P-Stones Gang Member Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

A 26-year-old man from Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced today to serve 255 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for engaging in numerous gang-related crimes as a member of the Black P-Stones, including the shooting of a rival gang member, marijuana dealing and lying to a federal grand jury.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Monitoring milestones: Financial inclusion progress among FDIP countries


Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series on the 2015 Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) Report and Scorecard, which were launched at a Brookings public event in August. Previous posts have highlighted five key findings from the 2015 FDIP Report, explored financial inclusion developments in India, and examined the rankings for selected FDIP countries in Southeast and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The 2015 Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) Report and Scorecard were launched in August of this year and generally reflect data current through May 2015. Since the end of the data collection period for the report, countries have continued to push forward to greater financial inclusion, and international organizations have continued to assert the importance of financial inclusion as a mechanism for promoting individual well-being and macroeconomic development. Financial inclusion is a key component of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, signaling international commitment to advancing access to and use of quality financial products among the underserved.

We discussed one recent groundbreaking financial inclusion development in a previous post. To learn more about the approval of payments banks in India, read “Inclusion in India: Unpacking the 2015 FDIP Report and Scorecard.”

Below are four other key developments among our 21-country sample since the end of the data collection period for the 2015 FDIP Report and Scorecard. The list is in no way intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a snapshot illustrating how rapidly the financial inclusion landscape is evolving globally.   

1) The Philippines launched a national financial inclusion strategy.

In July 2015, the Philippines launched a national financial inclusion strategy (NFIS) and committed to drafting an Action Plan on Financial Inclusion. The Philippines’ NFIS identifies four areas central to promoting financial inclusion: “policy and regulation, financial education and consumer protection, advocacy programs, and data and measurement.”

 As discussed in the 2015 FDIP Report, national financial inclusion strategies often serve as a platform for identifying key priorities, clarifying the roles of key stakeholders, and setting measurable targets. These strategies can foster accountability and incentivize implementation of stated initiatives. While correlation does not necessarily equal causation, it is nonetheless interesting to note that, according to the World Bank, “[o]n average, there is a 10% increase in the percentage of adults with an account at a formal financial institution for countries  that launched an NFIS after 2007, whereas the increase is only 5% for those countries that have not launched an NFIS.”

2) Peru adopted a national financial inclusion strategy.

With support from the World Bank, Peru’s Multisectoral Financial Inclusion Commission established an NFIS that was adopted in July 2015 through a Supreme Decree issued by President Ollanta Humala Tasso. The strategy contains a goal to increase financial inclusion to 50 percent of adults by 2018. This is quite an ambitious target: As of 2014, the World Bank Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database found that only 29 percent of adults in Peru had an account with a formal financial services provider. The NFIS also commits the country to facilitating access to a transaction account among at least 75 percent of adults by 2021.

Peru’s NFIS emphasizes the promotion of electronic payment systems, including electronic money, as well as improvements pertaining to consumer protection and education. Advancing access to both digital and traditional financial services should boost Peru’s adoption levels over time. As noted in the 2015 FDIP Report, while Peru’s national-level commitment to financial inclusion and regulatory environment for financial services are strong, adoption levels remain low (Peru ranked 15th on the adoption dimension of the 2015 Scorecard, the lowest ranking among the Latin American countries in our sample).

3) Colombia updated its quantifiable targets and released a financial inclusion survey.

The 2015 Maya Declaration Progress Report, published in late August 2015, highlights a number of quantifiable financial inclusion targets set by the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público de Colombia (Colombia’s primary Maya Declaration signatory) relating to the percentage of adults with financial products and savings accounts. For example, the target for the percentage of adults with a financial product is now 76 percent by 2016, up from a target of 73.7 percent by 2015. The goal for the percentage of adults with an active savings account in 2016 is now 56.6 percent, up from a target of 54.2 percent by 2015. To learn more about concrete financial inclusion targets among other FDIP countries, read the 2015 Maya Declaration Progress Report.

In July, Banca de las Oportunidades, a key financial inclusion stakeholder in Colombia, presented the results of the country’s first demand-side survey specifically related to financial inclusion. As noted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, previous national-level surveys conducted by entities such as the Superintendencia Financiera and Asobancaria have identified supply- and demand-side indicators pertaining to various financial services. As discussed in the 2015 FDIP Report, national-level surveys that focus on access to and usage of financial services can help identify areas of greatest need and enable countries to better leverage their resources to promote adoption of quality financial services among marginalized populations.

4) Nigeria’s “super agent” network enables greater access to digital financial services.

In September 2015, telecommunications company Globacom launched a “super agent” network, Glo Xchange, which can access the mobile money services of any partner mobile money operator. The network has been launched in partnership with four banks. Globacom was given approval in 2014 to develop this network; since then, the company has been recruiting and training its agents. About 1,000 agents will initially be part of this system, with a goal to recruit 10,000 agents by September 2016. Expanding access points to financial services by building agent networks is hoped to boost adoption of digital financial services.

Despite having multiple mobile money operators (19 as of October 2015, according to the GSMA’s Mobile Money Deployment Tracker), Nigeria’s mobile money adoption levels have not reached the degree of success of some other countries in Africa: The Global Findex noted that less than 3 percent of adults in Nigeria had mobile money accounts in 2014, compared with over 30 percent in Tanzania and about 60 percent in Kenya. Nigeria’s primarily bank-led approach to financial services, which excludes mobile network operators from being licensed as mobile money operators, is one factor that may have constrained adoption of mobile money services to date. You can read more about Nigeria’s regulatory environment and financial services landscape in the 2015 FDIP Report.

We welcome your feedback regarding recent financial inclusion developments. Please send any links, questions, or comments to FDIPComments@brookings.edu.

Authors

Image Source: © Romeo Ranoco / Reuters
       




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Hawaiian volcano offers gifts of gemstones delivered from the sky

As if to say 'sorry,' Kilauea softens its fury by tossing shimmery green olivine to the humble humans below.





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A Walk Among The Tombstones.

Yesterday I went looking for a homeless person who probably wasn’t going to accept any help.  “Have you seen this person?” I asked two DPW workers doing landscaping in a nearby park.  “Try the supermarket,” one of them told me. “Might be there. Walks around town all day.”  “Thanks.”  I’d parked my car next to […]

The post A Walk Among The Tombstones. appeared first on Waiter Rant.




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South Africa Imports of Semi-precious Stones & Jewellery

Imports of Semi-precious Stones & Jewellery in South Africa decreased to 498.15 ZAR Million in March from 757.05 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Imports of Semi-precious Stones & Jewellery in South Africa averaged 733.38 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2037.70 ZAR Million in August of 2016 and a record low of 286.25 ZAR Million in December of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Imports of Semi-precious Stones & Jewellery.




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United Kingdom Imports Intra Eu - Pearls, Precious Stones & Metals & Coins

Imports Intra Eu - Pearls, Precious Stones & Metals & Coins in the United Kingdom increased to 650.53 GBP Million in February from 462.17 GBP Million in January of 2020. Imports Intra Eu - Pearls, Precious Stones & Metal in the United Kingdom averaged 261.23 GBP Million from 2000 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 972.37 GBP Million in September of 2019 and a record low of 37.69 GBP Million in August of 2002. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom Imports of Intra EU - Pearls, Precious Stones & M.




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India Exports of gems & Jewellery-coloured Gemstones

Exports of gems & Jewellery-coloured Gemstones in India decreased to 124.06 INR TML in February from 302.55 INR TML in January of 2020. Exports of gems & Jewellery-coloured Gemstones in India averaged 193.15 INR TML from 2008 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 1310.56 INR TML in February of 2013 and a record low of -14.18 INR TML in September of 2011. This page includes a chart with historical data for India Exports of :gems & Jewellery-coloured Gemstones.




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India Exports of gems & Jewellery-synthetic Stones

Exports of gems & Jewellery-synthetic Stones in India increased to 0.55 INR TML in February from 0.36 INR TML in January of 2020. Exports of gems & Jewellery-synthetic Stones in India averaged 44.92 INR TML from 2008 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 281.82 INR TML in May of 2019 and a record low of 0 INR TML in September of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for India Exports of :gems & Jewellery-synthetic Stones.




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England set to rotate for clash against Switzerland with John Stones' role under scrutiny

England manager Gareth Southgate plans to make some changes for Sunday's Nations League third-place play-off against Switzerland, with defender John Stones' role under scrutiny.




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Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: Tones and I and Chris Hemsworth represent Australia

It's the fun-packed awards show notorious for covering its celebrity guests in green slime.




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Singer Tones insists that fame has not made her life easier as she smashes Ed Sheeran record

Earlier this month, Tones And I beat the record set by Ed Sheeran for the most weeks in the number one position on the ARIA Singles Chart. 




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Tones and I sets sights on breaking Ed Sheeran's record of longest running No.1 artist in Australia

She went from busking in Byron Bay to topping the charts with her catchy tune Dance Monkey in just a matter of months.




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John Stones wants the Premier League to restart 'more than anyone' but says stars must be protected

The defender has been training at home since March with the nation lockdown down during the coronavirus outbreak, and now many teams are preparing to return to training with their clubs.




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Eric Stone Stonestreet says he feels 'so lucky' to have girlfriend Lindsay Schweitzer

While Eric Stonestreet often shares snaps from Kansas City Chiefs' games, the Modern Family star took a sweet moment to express his gratitude to the girl who sits by his side at most football games.




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Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not chase milestones after 700th goal

The Portugal captain scored a second-half penalty against Ukraine to reach the milestone - his 95th strike for his country and the 700th goal of his career. He said afterwards: 'Records come naturally!'




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Pep Guardiola insists John Stones missing out on England's Euro 2020 squad would not be his fault

Pep Guardiola has maintained he cannot be held responsible if £49million defender John Stones misses out on Euro 2020 due to a lack of game time at Manchester City.




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Jeremy Corbyn: Meghan Markle criticism has 'racial undertones'

Jeremy Corbyn waded into the furious row over the royal couple with a spokeswoman saying he understood how coverage could have a 'negative impact on people'.




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Anorexic who hid stones in her trousers to hide weight loss said exercise saved her life

Talia Bentley, 23, from Lancaster, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa aged 16 and spent four years restricting her calorie intake to as little as 500 a day - meaning even 'the smallest' clothes didn't fit.




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Tesco becomes first UK supermarket to sell plasters for different skin tones

The new diverse range of plasters come in dark, medium and light shades and will be available online and in all 741 Tesco UK stores nationwide from Monday, costing £1.




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From Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker to The Snow Queen ballet and Sticks And Stones on TV, 7 Events

Here's hoping The Force is still with them as Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie and the rest of the Resistance face the First Order once more in the final film of the epic Skywalker saga.




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Tones and I rivals Whitney Houston and Rihanna for most successful female artist on UK Singles Chart

Australian singer-songwriter Tones and I (aka Toni Watson) has become the third female artist to ever stay on top of the UK charts for 10 consecutive weeks.




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Eric Stonestreet talks about new woman and man in his life

The 46-year-old star was on the show to talk up his sitcom, which kicks off its tenth season Wednesday. But he also spilled the beans abou girlfriend Lindsay Schweitzer and new rescue dog Roscoe.




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One World: Together at Home: Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Lizzo and Lady Gaga unite

Gaga, 34, who curated the event, kicked things off with a stirring rendition of the Nat King Cole classic Smile.




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Harry Styles strips off as he graces the cover of Rolling Stones

The One Direction singer, 25, is set to bare all in the September issue of Rolling Stone magazine as he strips off for the cover of the glossy American monthly publication.




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ASK DR ELLIE: Will dieting make my gallstones even worse?

DR ELLIE CANNON: Frustratingly, gallstones are associated with being overweight, so many sufferers may already be in the process of attempting to lose a few pounds.




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'I'll beat Rooney's England record': Harry Kane on milestones, Mourinho and why he might leave

JAMIE REDKNAPP: Harry Kane is at home, in self-isolation, with a series of Tottenham Hotspur shirts on the wall behind him and Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp on the screen in front.




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Viral eight-year-old Malea Emma covers Dance Monkey by upcoming Australian artist Tones and I

She's the eight-year-old singer who was featured on American Idol, Good Morning America and many other shows after going viral on YouTube.




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Do the Ecclestones have a hunch whodunnit?

ALISON BOSHOFF: Tamara believes the £50 million raid on her home in Kensington Palace Gardens on Friday night in which she lost 'almost every piece' of jewellery was an inside job.




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Footage emerges of Tones and I performing Dance Monkey before stardom

Toni 'Tones and I' Watson shot to fame with the catchy hit Dance Monkey, which has topped the charts in more than 30 countries.




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Chris Hughes reveals he's been rushed to A&E with suspected kidney stones

The Love Island star, 27, has revealed he's been rushed to A&E with suspected kidney stones ahead of his upcoming hosting stint with ITV at this year's Cheltenham Festival.




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Tones and I ditched an 'LA party' for a night of 'Uber Eats and Netflix'

Tones and I has revealed she once ditched a party in Los Angeles after an awkward run-in with a Teen Wolf star. 




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'I'll beat Rooney's England record': Harry Kane on milestones, Mourinho and why he might leave

JAMIE REDKNAPP: Harry Kane is at home, in self-isolation, with a series of Tottenham Hotspur shirts on the wall behind him and Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp on the screen in front.




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Ivan Cordoba on Jose Mourinho's angry streak at Inter Milan and why John Stones is 'one of the best'

EXCLUSIVE BY ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Cordoba, a powerful centre-back, won 15 honours overall during a stellar career in Italy before eventually calling it a day in 2012.




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Serbian bus hit by stones thrown by Albania fans one year after reverse fixture was abandoned amid drone chaos

A bus carrying the Serbia squad was hit by stones within hours of the team arriving in Albania on Wednesday for a Euro 2016 qualifier, a year after their previous encounter was abandoned in chaos.




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Tones and I reveals why she ditched a rooftop party in Beverly Hills to Netflix and chill instead 

Australian singer Tones and I has revealed she once ditched an exclusive party in Los Angeles.




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Otters juggle with stones as a sign they are hungry

British scientists claim juggling is likely because the otters are hungry and excited to eat. Whether rock juggling is beneficial or a random hobby is yet to be determined.




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John Stones wants the Premier League to restart 'more than anyone' but says stars must be protected

The defender has been training at home since March with the nation lockdown down during the coronavirus outbreak, and now many teams are preparing to return to training with their clubs.




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Mosque pelted with stones




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Mob Hurls Stones at Police in Ahmedabad amid Covid-19 Lockdown, 15 Detained

Shahpur, a minority community-dominated area, is in 'Red Zone' as several coronavirus cases have been found in the locality.




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Police Use Tear Gas as Residents Pelt Stones in Ahmedabad After Stricter Coronavirus Lockdown

Clashes erupted in the Shahpur locality of Ahmedabad when police and paramilitary forces tried to enforce the lockdown, asking people to stay indoors.




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Migrant workers throw stones at police in Gujarat in protest against lockdown

Hundreds of migrant workers in Gujarat have clashed for a second day with authorities, hurling stones at police trying to enforce a lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.




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Migrant workers throw stones at police in Gujarat in protest against lockdown

Hundreds of migrant workers in Gujarat have clashed for a second day with authorities, hurling stones at police trying to enforce a lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.




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Visible light-mediated ring-opening polymerization of lactones based on the excited state acidity of ESPT molecules

Polym. Chem., 2020, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D0PY00369G, Paper
Xun Zhang, Siping Hu, Qiang Ma, Saihu Liao
A visible light-regulated ring-opening polymerization of lactones has been developed based on the excited state acidity of ESPT molecules.
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry




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Turning natural δ-lactones to thermodynamically stable polymers with triggered recyclability

Polym. Chem., 2020, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D0PY00270D, Paper
Open Access
  This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
Linnea Cederholm, Peter Olsén, Minna Hakkarainen, Karin Odelius
Extending the use of natural δ-lactones in circular materials via a synthetic strategy yielding thermodynamically stable polyesters with triggered recyclability.
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry




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Organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization of regio-isomeric lactones: reactivity and thermodynamics considerations

Polym. Chem., 2020, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C9PY01777A, Paper
Marie A. F. Delgove, Ola Wróblewska, Jules Stouten, Christian A. M. R. van Slagmaat, Jurrie Noordijk, Stefaan de Wildeman, Katrien V. Bernaerts
Organocatalysts are increasingly gaining attention for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones due to numerous advantages. In this work, the goal is to expand the scope of catalysts for...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry