hand

Volvo's 2019 V60 wagon handles snowstorms like a champ

Our plane landed in Denver just past midnight. It was April and blizzard season wasn't done yet.




hand

Review: Eureka! Handmade stop-motion 'Strike' is different and good

"Strike," the first feature by Gigglefish Animation Studios, is quirky and charming.




hand

'American Idol' stays safe with remote episode and Katy Perry as hand sanitizer

For the first time ever, "American Idol" put on a quarantined show with judges and contestants appearing from their homes in more than 20 locations.




hand

Celtic handed boost in transfer battle with Chelsea for wonderkid striker



Celtic have entered the race with Chelsea to sign Stoke City striker Mohamed Sankoh.




hand

Steven Gerrard makes honest Rangers admission after Gers hand Celtic major title boost



Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted he is at an all-time low after seeing his side lose to Hamilton.




hand

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho handed transfer demand by QPR over Eberechi Eze move



Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has been told that he'll have to pay at least £20million to complete the transfer of youngster Eberechi Eze by QPR chiefs, with Spurs the favourites to land the in-demand Championship midfielder.




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Tottenham handed major transfer boost in pursuit of £20m QPR star Eberechi Eze



Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has been handed a major transfer boost in the pursuit of QPR starlet Eberechi Eze, after the west London club put a £20million price tag on the midfielder, with both Crystal Palace and Sheffield United dropping out of the race.




hand

Celtic fans rave about Jeremie Frimpong after goal against Aberdeen - ‘star on our hands’



Celtic fans are raving about youngster Jeremie Frimpong, after the 18-year-old scored in the Hoops’ 4-0 win against Aberdeen, with some supporters claiming the former Manchester City youth prospect is going to be a big player for Neil Lennon’s side in the future.




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Celtic handed tougher tie but Hoops and Rangers both score home games in League Cup draw



CELTIC have been drawn to play at home against Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell in the second round of the League Cup.




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Celtic boss Neil Lennon urged to hand out rare start when Hoops play Ross County today



Celtic boss Neil Lennon should replace the suspended Ryan Christie with Scott Sinclair in his starting line-up to face Ross County today, according to Rangers hero Alan Hutton.




hand

Looking for toilet paper, disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer? Try bartering on Facebook and Nextdoor

Welcome to the real sharing economy. Friends and neighbors set up trades on Facebook and Nextdoor for household essentials like toilet paper, eggs and bread.

      




hand

Letters: Help letter carriers stay healthy by sanitizing mailboxes, door handles

Now is the time to stay at home and allow us to bring much needed supplies to your front door.

       




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This non-essential business owner had to close, so he started bottling hand sanitizer instead

When coronavirus precautions forced Shadi Khoury's non-essential business, Indy E Cigs, to stop production, he began bottling hand sanitizer instead.

       




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How Indiana colleges are handling refunds after coronavirus empties campuses

Colleges across Indiana are navigating how to handle refunds for students who have had to vacate residence halls during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      




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Masks, hand sanitizer and closed stores: What malls looked like as Indiana began to reopen

Customers ranged from enthusiastic to wary on first day they were able to shop again at suburban Indianapolis malls during the coronavirus pandemic.

       




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Hand sanitizer company is ordered to stop distribution over questionable claims

The DOJ ordered an Orange County company to stop distributing hand-sanitizer products until it got FDA approval or removed certain claims from its labeling.




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Purdue women's basketball, Food Finders hand out Arni's pizza 'treat'

Purdue women's basketball coach Sharon Versyp purchased 500 Arni's pizza vouchers to distribute Thursday

       




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Malawi's cash handouts and the row about a coronavirus lockdown

Malawi announces cash handouts for the poorest, after the courts blocked the proposed lockdown.




hand

Sophie in ’t Veld: Future of EU in hands of member states

The Dutch politician and MEP Sophie in ’t Veld on the economic impact on the EU of coronavirus.




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Coronovirus: Hand washing and other ways to protect yourself

The BBC Health team talks through the NHS advice about protecting yourself from COVID-19.




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Coronavirus: Why washing hands is difficult in some countries

The World Health Organisation's advice is difficult to follow in some developing countries.





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Coronavirus: Will we ever shake hands again?

Will Covid-19 make handshakes a relic of the past? If so, what might that mean about the future of human touch and interaction?




hand

This robotic hand learned to solve a Rubik’s Cube on its own — just like a human.

The goal, researchers say, was to create a robot that learns the way humans do — through trial and error. Eventually, those robots could be used to complete tasks — in a warehouse or perhaps on the surface of a new planet — with more autonomy.




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oscon: Community Management Training - strategic planning, creating buzz, handling conflict + more http://t.co/eHz9h6VfnU @jonobacon #oscon

oscon: Community Management Training - strategic planning, creating buzz, handling conflict + more http://t.co/eHz9h6VfnU @jonobacon #oscon




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Vodafone does a 180 as its 360 handsets are canned – I'm not surprised

The hardware business is a tough one. And in the smartphone space an incredibly crowded, expensive and competitive one. It’s perhaps noble then that Vodafone tried but ultimately failed with its bespoke Vodafone 360 handsets, which were based on the LiMo operating system and manufactured by Samsung. The mobile operator announced this week that while [...]




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Nokia World: Very quick hands-on impressions of Nokia’s three new smartphones

Yesterday was a really fun day spent at Nokia World, the Finnish handset maker’s annual shindig. Conveniently, this year it was held in my home city of London and I got to cover the event for TechCrunch Europe. On day one, Nokia unveiled three new smartphones running Symbian^3, the C6, C7 and E7, which I [...]




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Best sex toys for women: Take pleasure into your own hands

BEST DEALS ON SEX TOYS:


If Instagram is to be believed, then self care for women basically amounts to face masks and daily affirmation apps.

Hot take: Sex toys are the ultimate self-care purchase.

Orgasms release oxytocin, the anti-stress hormone that gets you warm and fuzzy when cuddling, while dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, also makes an appearance. It stands to reason, then, that "I need to get laid" is a thing that actually makes sense to say when you're having a rough week. Read more...

More about Culture, Sex, Sex Toys, Vibrators, and Masturbation
IMAGE: Unbound Babes

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

Squish by Unbound

This adorable, button-free toy has risen to stardom due to simplicity: Harder squeezes equal stronger vibrations.

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 5
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$99 from Unbound Babes

IMAGE: Adam & Eve

BEST RABBIT VIBRATOR

Fifty Shades of Grey G-Spot Vibrator

Rabbit vibrators are the go-to for simultaneous internal and G-spot stimulation and this one packs 36 total vibration modes.

  • Stimulation: G-spot, clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 36
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$99.99 from Adam & Eve

IMAGE: Love Crave

BEST CLASSIC VIBRATOR

Crave Vesper Vibrator Necklace

You can take that tingly feeling wherever you go with this quiet vibrator that's also a statement necklace.

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 4
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$69 from Love Crave

IMAGE: Babeland

BEST COCK RING FOR FEMALE PLEASURE

Je Joue Mio

One of the best cock rings to help you achieve dual pleasure, the Je Joue Mio offers a comfy fit and impressive rumbles.

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 12
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$109 from Babeland

IMAGE: Ella Paradis

BEST ORAL SEX SIMULATOR

Womanizer Premium Clitoral Massager

Get the sensation of oral sex with this erotic combo of air, suction, and pattern randomization.

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 12
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$239 from Ella Paradis

IMAGE: Lelo

BEST FOR THE SHOWER

Lelo Sona Cruise

This ergonomic toy sucks (in a good way) and uses sonic waves to hit interior parts of the clitoris.

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 8
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB-rechargeable: Yes
$99 from Lelo

IMAGE: Lovehoney

BEST BUTT PLUG

Butt Tingler by Lovehoney

Though not the prettiest one out there, it exceeds expectations as a beginner-friendly option.

  • Stimulation: Anal
  • Vibration modes: 10
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: No
$26.99 from Lovehoney

IMAGE: Lelo

BEST WAND

Lelo Smart Wand Medium

A curved handle and naturally-increasing intensity prove that wands made for masturbation are better than your generic "personal massager."

  • Stimulation: Clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 8
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$159 from Lelo

IMAGE: Ella Paradis

BEST FOR USE WITH A PARTNER

We-Vibe Sync

Couples can use the app with this remote-controlled vibrator to up the intimacy, even if you're states apart.

  • Stimulation: G-spot, clitoral
  • Vibration modes: 12
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: Yes
$229 from Ella Paradis

IMAGE: Geeky Sex Toys

BEST FOR HBO AND CHILL

Game of Moans Longclaw Dildo

The eighth season may not be moan-worthy, but this girthy dildo version of Jon Snow's sword is.

  • Stimulation: G-spot, anal
  • Vibration modes: None
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • USB rechargeable: N/A
$130 from Geeky Sex Toys




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Try your hand at becoming a cybersecurity superhero for just $40

TL;DR: Get trained in cybersecurity with The Ultimate 2020 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle for $39.90, a 97% as of May 9.


When you think of superheroes, you probably picture capes and some sort of otherworldly powers. But in the digital world, superheroes are actually normal people like you and me. They just happen to know a thing or two about stopping cybercriminals in their tracks.

These superheroes are in short supply across the world. In fact, there are over half a million cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. alone. That just means this could be your chance to swoop in, superhero style, and save the day. But first things first, you need to learn the ropes and the Ultimate 2020 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle is a great place to start. Read more...

More about Cybersecurity, Online Learning, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Consumer Tech





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Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.





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Getting a Handle on Obesity

Once a problem only in the developed world, obesity is now a worldwide epidemic. The overwhelming cause of the epidemic is a dramatic increase in the food supply and in food consumption not a surprise. Yet there are still many mysteries about weight change that can.t be answered either inside the lab, because of the impracticality of keeping people isolated for long periods of time, or outside, because of the unreliability of dietary diaries. Mathematical models based on differential equations can help overcome this roadblock and allow detailed analysis of the relationship between food intake, metabolism, and weight change. The models. predictions fit existing data and explain such things as why it is hard to keep weight off and why obese people are more susceptible to further weight gain. Researchers are also investigating why dieters often plateau after a few months and slowly regain weight. A possible explanation is that metabolism slows to match the drop in food consumed, but models representing food intake and energy expenditure as a dynamical system show that such a weight plateau doesn.t take effect until much later. The likely culprit is a combination of slower metabolism and a lack of adherence to the diet. Most people are in approximate steady state, so that long-term changes are necessary to gain or lose weight. The good news is that each (enduring) drop of 10 calories a day translates into one pound of weight loss over three years, with about half the loss occurring in the first year. For More Information: Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight, Hall et al. Lancet, Vol. 378 (2011), pp. 826-837.




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Handling account information in case of an accident




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Online Forum on Public Awareness, Education and Participation Concerning the Safe Transfer, Handling and Use of Living Modified Organisms (4 - 18 June 2012)




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Report of the Africa Regional Capacity-building Workshop on Public Awareness, Education and Participation concerning the Safe Transfer, Handling and Use of Living Modified Organisms




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Report of the Asia-Pacific regional training workshop on public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs is now available.




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CBD Communiqué: Winners announced: Young Hands Together for Diversity International Biodiversity Art Competition.




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CBD News: Statement by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, to the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) All-Hands Meeting, Asilomar, California, 3 December 2012




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CBD News: Fifteen years ago, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force aiming to ensure the safe handling, transfer and use of living modified organisms (or LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.




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Technologists lead crowdsourced Coronavirus Tech Handbook response

A group of technologists has led crowdsourcing efforts to create a single repository of information for specialists fighting the Coronavirus outbreak. Techworld speaks with founder Edward Saperia to hear more about how collaboration tools can help the efforts




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SED on handling of teachers' misconduct




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SED on principals' handing of complaints against teachers' misconduct




hand

Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.




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Episode 26 - The Internet of Small Hands Big Phones (IoSHBP) Galaxy Note7, GDS & Instagram stories

Matt Egan is back in the hosting chair to chat with producer Chris about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and how we feel about phablets. Techworld.com editor Charlotte Jee comes in to explain what is going on at the GDS (government digital service) and why we should care (13:00). Then online editor at Techworld.com Scott Carey chats Instagram stories, why it is a blatant rip off of Snapchat stories and how the social media giant can get away with being so brazen (22:00).  


See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.




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Episode 75 - The Internet of Driverless Pods (IoDP) Hands on with the iPhone X, FairPhone and Driverless Car design

After a lengthy hiatus we are back to FINALLY talk about the iPhone X. Computerworld UK editor Scott Carey is in the hosting chair to chat with Chris Martin, reviews editor at Tech Advisor and Macworld UK, now that we have got our hands on one. Chris talks us through what he likes and dislikes so far about the pricey smartphone.


Then Miriam Harris, staff writer at Digital Arts jumps in to discuss the design principles behind driverless cars and what we can expect in the future (17:00).


Finally, pod debutante Caroline Vanier, senior staff writer at Tech Advisor France talks about the FairPhone and if it is a new model for the smart phone industry (28:00).

 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.




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Episode 105 - The Internet of Good & Bad (IoG&B) Google Rubin scandal and iPhone XR hands-on

It's episode 105, and David Price takes on hosting duties as the team dissect the best and absolute worst of the week's tech developments.


Scott Carey talks us through the troubling and wide-ranging allegations of sexual misconduct at Google, and discusses how this relates to the tech industry's culture of protected privilege, and to the #metoo movement.


Then Henry Burrell, fresh from a briefing at Apple HQ, reports his distinctly positive first impressions of the iPhone XR, which he would gladly recommend to tech newbie grandmas, and also to Scott.

 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.




hand

Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis?

6 April 2020

Dr Mohammed Masbah

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme

Anna Jacobs

Senior Research Assistant, Brookings Doha Center
The Moroccan government is capitalizing on a burst of unity, social solidarity and public support in the face of a crisis. However, if it fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this spirit of solidarity and cooperation will not last long.

GettyImages-1208907580.jpg

A general view of empty stores during curfew as a precaution against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rabat, Morocco on 1 April 2020. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased public trust in government, but people still have doubts about the effectiveness of the healthcare system. According to a recent study conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), the majority of Moroccans surveyed are generally satisfied with the measures taken by the government to battle the coronavirus. However, the same survey also shows that Moroccans do not have confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

The positive perceptions of the government’s response can be explained by the swift and strict measures enacted. King Mohammed VI held a high-level meeting with the prime minister, the minister of health, and top security officials on 17 March and a few days later, on 20 March, the Moroccan government declared a state of health emergency and began to implement aggressive measures to contain the virus.

This has included closing airports, schools, mosques, cafés and shops – with the exception of food markets – preventing large gatherings, as well as strict guidelines to ensure social distancing. As of 2 April, nearly 5000 people have been arrested for violating the state of health emergency.

In order to address urgent medical needs and to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the King ordered the creation of an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The Ministry of Finance will begin to make cash transfers to vulnerable citizens, and especially those who have lost their jobs. However, the stipulations surrounding these cash transfers will be decided in the coming weeks.

Updates about the virus are communicated daily by the Ministry of Health, despite growing criticism of its communication strategy. As of 4 April, Moroccan authorities have confirmed 883 cases and 58 deaths.

Call for national unity

In times like these, there is a call for unity in the face of a national and global crisis, and opposition groups such as Adl wal Ihssan and Rif activists have expressed their support for government measures and have encouraged people to follow the new guidelines and restrictions. However, despite calls to release political prisoners, Moroccan authorities have not indicated that they will do so. This is a missed opportunity vis-à-vis the opposition because it could have served as a way to further strengthen national unity during the crisis.

These are all promising signs and point to what is likely to be a short-term burst in unity and institutional trust. However, the institutional weaknesses in governance and the healthcare system have not disappeared, which is why this increase in institutional trust should be taken with a grain of salt.

Public trust issues

This pandemic poses tremendous challenges for governments across the globe, and this holds especially true for states in the Middle East and North Africa region, where citizens do not approve of government performance and do not trust key state institutions. The 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that Moroccans do not trust most of the country’s political institutions (notably the parliament and the Council of Ministers) and the level of satisfaction with the government’s performance remains extremely low.

On the public health front, as shown in two of MIPA’s recent surveys, trust in the healthcare system is also very low. Around three-quarters of those surveyed do not trust Moroccan hospitals, highlighting the acute structural problems in the healthcare system. In fact, there is a stark divide between private and public healthcare, as well as a huge gap in access to healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas. Most of the country’s hospitals and doctors are located in major urban areas and the only three laboratories with capabilities for COVID-19 testing are located in Rabat and Casablanca, but even there, testing capacity is very limited.

Similar to other countries, there could be a major shortage of doctors and medical equipment throughout Morocco. So far, the Ministry of Finance has said that 2 billion dirhams of the emergency fund will go towards purchasing medical equipment such as beds, ventilators, tests, prevention kits and radiology equipment, but the timeline remains unclear.

A vulnerable economy

There is significant concern about the medium- and long-term economic impact of the virus. Two of the country’s key economic sectors have already been hit hard: agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector was already struggling due to the impact of drought, while the coronavirus pandemic is likely to impact Morocco’s tourism industry not just this year, but well into 2021. In terms of government response, the emergency fund is a strong start, but questions surrounding the management of these funds have already been raised.

The most vulnerable parts of the population have been affected by the economic crisis because of the country’s bulging informal sector – in which most people work - and a very weak private sector. In fact, two-thirds of the workforce are not covered by a pension plan, almost half of the working population does not currently benefit from medical coverage and there is no social care system for vulnerable parts of the population. As of 1 April, more than 700,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Moving forward?

Even if public perceptions of the government’s response are positive at the moment, this is most likely a short-term surge that should not be taken for granted. Despite the efforts made by the government, Morocco’s health system is not equipped to handle this crisis. Even with the new measures that have been implemented, if the spread of the virus gets out of control, more funds, more doctors, and more equipment will be needed. Given the structural weaknesses of the healthcare system, this will be an uphill battle.

Moreover, even if the government manages to mitigate the public health impact, the economic consequences will be dire—especially in the tourism industry—and will severely hurt those workers in the informal sector who are living without a safety net. In Morocco, this category represents most of the working population.

This crisis highlights that the Moroccan government must urgently tackle its large portfolio of unfinished reforms, notably in healthcare, the economy, and labour rights. So far, the government is capitalizing on the spirit of unity, social solidarity and public support. The future trajectory of the pandemic and the effectiveness of governance will determine if this spirit of solidarity will last. If the government fails to effectively mitigate the public health and economic impacts of this pandemic, this solidarity and cooperation will not last long.




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Children on the Run: An Analysis of First-Hand Accounts from Children Fleeing Central America

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ADA releases coronavirus handout for dentists based on CDC guidelines

The handout covers strategies for helping prevent the transmission of suspected respiratory disease in the dental health care setting and answers frequently asked questions related to the virus, based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.