variednews: variednews: Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less ...

variednews: variednews: Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less ...: variednews: Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less Than $240 Mi... : LAS VEGAS, May 29: Virginia sports betting declined month-over-mont...

variednews: Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less Than $240 Mi...

variednews: Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less Than $240 Mi...: LAS VEGAS, May 29: Virginia sports betting declined month-over-month for the first time since launching in January, continuing a nation...

Virginia Sports Betting Drops to Less Than $240 Million in April Betting volume drops as slower summer season approaches, but commonwealth nears $1 billion milestone, according to PlayVirginia

LAS VEGAS, May 29: Virginia sports betting declined month-over-month for the first time since launching in January, continuing a nationwide trend of falling betting volume. The drop in wagering to less than $240 million in April was expected, a product of a slower spring and summer sports schedule, according to PlayVirginia, which tracks the state's gaming industry. "April is a reminder of the seasonality of sports betting, and Virginia is not immune," said Jessica Welman, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayVirginia.com. "In the U.S., there really isn't any way to replace the popularity of the NFL or the NCAA Tournament with bettors. The seasonal slowdown should last until football season, which will almost certainly return the market to significant growth." Virginia sportsbooks attracted $236.4 million in bets in April, according to data released Friday by The Virginia Lottery. That is down 22.2% from $304.1 million in March and the lowest monthly handle of any of Virginia's first full three months of sports betting. With no major sports holiday to spur interest, sportsbooks took in $7.9 million per day over the 30 days in April, down from $9.8 million in March. Sportsbooks still won $19.4 million on April's bets, down from $26.6 million in March. April's win led to $11.4 million in adjusted gross revenue, down from $13.8 million but still a higher share of gross revenue than in March. That yielded $1.7 million in state taxes, including $41,304 for problem gambling support. Every state with legal sports betting has reported a month-over-month decline in April wagering. Of the largest sports betting markets in the U.S. that have already reported April data, Indiana (-25.4%), Iowa (-26.7%), and Michigan (-30.5%) all experienced a more dramatic month-over-month decline than Virginia. New Jersey (-13%), Tennessee (-13.6%), Pennsylvania (-14.4%), and Colorado (-18.8%) were better. "The lighter sports schedule came at a time when the initial enthusiasm from the launch of sports betting naturally began to wane in Virginia, which steepened the monthly decline," said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayVirginia.com and the PlayUSA.com Network. "Still revenue held relatively strong, producing the most tax revenue to date for the commonwealth. That is a good sign heading into summer." Now with $865.2 million in wagering since launching in late January, Virginia is still on the precipice of becoming the quickest state to reach the $1 billion milestone. That distinction is currently held by Tennessee, which reached the mark six months after launch. Assuming Virginia can top $135 million in bets in May, it will have hit $1 billion in the market's fifth month of existence. Even more, Virginia could see a modest boost in the coming months from the NBA playoffs lasting deeper into summer than normal and the Olympics. And more operators are still expected to launch before the beginning of football season, including the expected addition of Penn National's highly popular Barstool-branded app. "Virginia's market remains in an excellent position," Welman said. "In fact, Virginia stands should be able to avoid the worst of the typical summer swoon, which will really set the market up for a huge fall." For more, visit PlayVirginia.com/news. About the PlayUSA.com Network: The PlayUSA.com Network and its state-focused branches is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the U.S.

variednews: variednews: Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Cent...

variednews: variednews: Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Cent...: variednews: Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Century Aviation... : LOS ANGELES, May 29:"...Alan is truly a master at his craft. He...

variednews: Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Century Aviation...

variednews: Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Century Aviation...: LOS ANGELES, May 29:"...Alan is truly a master at his craft. He can design it, plan it and execute it..." Alan Semsar, a mode...

Alan Semsar a Connoisseur of 21st Century Aviation Committed to Delivering the Best Experiences the Private Aviation Community Has to Offer

LOS ANGELES, May 29:"...Alan is truly a master at his craft. He can design it, plan it and execute it..." Alan Semsar, a modern-day doyen in the aviation community, is ushering in a new way of airline travel as we have never seen before. Alan's reputation in the entire transportation industry speaks volumes, which is why the world's biggest brands like Maserati and McLaren partner with Semsar. Since his passion for aviation has been burning for over 20 years, he has undoubtedly become one of the industry's most reliable figures. And today, with his private pilot license that he earned from one of the world's finest aviation academies, Semsar is at the frontline of delivering unprecedented upscale, private flying. Not only is he living his childhood dream of soaring the skies, but helping people reach destinations, meet targets, and live their dreams in the most luxurious, comfortable, and unique way possible. If you are a fan of specific airlines, Semsar knows them all! As a stalwart in the aviation community, it is unsurprising but still impressive that Semsar has gained exclusive access to the majority of the world's best aircrafts available. With a plethora of private jets from renowned jet operators, Semsar is reinventing the private airline community and is committed to ensuring safer and improved traveling. Through years of hard work and innovative contributions to the transportation industry, Semsar has deservedly received backing from the most renowned aircraft and aerospace brands. From Bombardier Challengers to Global Express, Lear Jets, Cessna Citation Jets, and more at his disposal, Semsar assures the best of all worlds. He also maintains close contacts with aviation industry leaders such as Clay Lacy, Honeywell Aerospace, Garmin Aviation, and Bose Aviation, amongst many other household names who rely on him as a connoisseur of aeronautics. Semsar is dedicated his business to providing the wealthiest airline experiences in the aviation community. As a luxury expert for the better part of ten years, Semsar knows what elegance and luxury demand. His partnership with Cirrus Aviation and a handful of other renowned luxury charter flights mirrors his dedication to redefining splendor and grandeur in the airline industry. With valuable connections in the transportation industry, particularly the luxury sector, Alan Semsar knows what you want, how you want it, and will execute it like he always does to your taste and more. An abundance of private jets, a hugely trusted pilot, and the allure of traveling with a famous explorer and lover of the good life are all you need to experience true top-scale and smoother journeys. With assured privacy, optimum safety from the finest aircraft, unparalleled luxury, and a pilot you can trust, you will truly experience the elite quality of flying private. Alan leads the way in delivering a new form of private air traveling that prioritizes optimum comfort, improved security, and unmatched splendor. He has the experience, love for the airline industry, and the backing of giant aircraft companies to boot. The sky is indeed the starting point for Alan, and you can come with him. Alan Semsar keeps working and continues to partner with the best in all industries as he aims to deliver the absolute best. If you want to keep up with his never-ending process and get to see the man in action follow his on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alansemsar/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/6hwY8mCHlnU

variednews: Smart Waste Management to Have Strong Impact on Wa...

variednews: Smart Waste Management to Have Strong Impact on Wa...: NEW YORK, May 29:BizVibe has identified the increasing adoption of the IoT for smart waste management as a major trend for the waste mana...

Smart Waste Management to Have Strong Impact on Waste Management Services | Discover Company Insights on BizVibe

NEW YORK, May 29:BizVibe has identified the increasing adoption of the IoT for smart waste management as a major trend for the waste management services industry. The IoT is increasingly being adopted for smart waste management solutions. For instance, sensors that enable smart bins to alert the garbage collectors once the bin is filled to a certain level are becoming increasingly popular. They also enable organizations that provide remediation and other waste management services to track the location of these bins. This helps waste management companies to improve the efficiency of their services. This trend is expected to have a strong influence on waste management service companies, especially in North America and Europe. Key Insights Provided for Waste Management Service Companies In addition to the impact of emerging trends on businesses, BizVibe company profiles contain numerous high-quality insights to help users discover, track, compare, and evaluate suppliers or sales prospects: Industry challenges with their relevance and influence segmented by geography Risk of doing business score segmented by operational, financial, compliance, and country risk Top company competitors at the global, regional, and national levels Names of top company decision makers, their job titles, and social profiles Company financials such as annual revenue, profitability ratios, and management effectiveness Latest press releases and company information Get Started for Free and Unlock all Insights Waste Management Service Categories BizVibe's platform contains 10M+ company profiles, spanning across 200+ countries, and categorized into 40,000+ products and services. The waste management services industry group features 6,000+ company profiles categorized into 40+ product and service categories. Each category contains detailed insights dedicated to helping procurement and sales teams find trusted suppliers and target sales prospects. The waste management service categories include: Cardboard Recycling Collection Services Air Sparging Remediation Services Commercial Drainage Services Cigarette Smoke Removal Services Get Free Company Profile Access for all Categories BizVibe for Buyers and Sellers BizVibe is the modern B2B platform dedicated to connecting global buyers and sellers. Powered by the latest best-in-class solutions, BizVibe provides outstanding product features for both category managers and sales professionals. For buyers, BizVibe helps companies quickly discover and shortlist suppliers, compare companies, create customized alerts for supplier news, and send RFI/RFPs from pre-built templates. For sales teams, Bizvibe allows users to efficiently build prospects lists, track and evaluate companies, and integrate their CRM. This all-in-one platform was designed to equip users with all necessary tools needed to complete the entire buying/sales cycle in a single workspace. More Information for Buyers: https://www.bizvibe.com/buyers More Information for Sellers: https://www.bizvibe.com/sellers About BizVibe BizVibe has been conceptualized and built by a team based out of Toronto, Bangalore, and London. We are a branch of Infiniti Research and have dedicated units in all three locations. BizVibe helps buyers find the most relevant suppliers from around the world and help sellers target prospects who need their products and/or services. For more information, please visit www.bizvibe.com and start for free today.

variednews: Proactive Talent Expands With Launch of New Retent...

variednews: Proactive Talent Expands With Launch of New Retent...: AUSTIN, Texas, May 29: Proactive Talent has long been a strategic partner in building amazing talent programs for attracting and hiring ta...

Proactive Talent Expands With Launch of New Retention Services

AUSTIN, Texas, May 29: Proactive Talent has long been a strategic partner in building amazing talent programs for attracting and hiring talent for startups up to midsize companies. Today, Proactive Talent continues its unprecedented growth with the launch of a third pillar of services aimed at helping companies improve employee retention. The new options for Retain Services are Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Development, and Coaching and Advisory services. "In today's talent market, having a strong strategy around attracting and hiring the best talent for your organization is essential, but it's not enough. Employers need to focus on retaining the best talent by building diverse, inclusive teams, and building a culture that brings out the best in their people while giving them the learning opportunities to grow in their careers with training that meets them where they are. This isn't new for us, as we've always had this infused into our other services, but we now have developed more focused service offerings around DE&I, and hired in some of the best of the best practitioners in the field to help our clients navigate new challenges and opportunities. With Proactive Talent's expanded retention services, we are truly becoming the industry-leading agile talent services partner for progressive companies, helping fill the gaps in their recruiting strategy and helping them execute throughout the talent lifecycle," says Founder & CEO, Will Staney. To assist in these new endeavors, Proactive Talent recently hired Greg Fontus, who will lead both internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and their new Retention Services initiatives. Greg holds graduate degrees from the University of South Florida in Curriculum Instruction and from Vanderbilt University in Divinity. He also holds DEI certifications as a Cook Ross Unconscious Bias Trainer, a Green Dots Bystander Intervention Trainer, and a National Coalition Building Institute Trainer. As someone dedicated to the work of inclusion, equity, justice, and advocacy, Greg has accepted as his personal call to action the words of civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson, who stated: "We are citizens of a country that does not yet exist. It is our duty to usher that country into existence." "At Proactive Talent, diversity, equity, and inclusion is not something that's performative; rather, it is the heartbeat of our organization. It is what we consistently challenge ourselves to be better at as we are all committed to fostering an environment of inclusive excellence not only for ourselves, but for our clients as well," says Greg Fontus, Lead Consultant of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Proactive Talent. Proactive Talent also brings to the Proactive Talent team Angela Schmitt. Angela has been in the DE&I space for over a decade. Her clients range from Fortune 500 and international institutions to startups and government entities. She approaches her work with transparency, curiosity, responsibility, and presence. Angela holds a graduate degree in Organization Development, as well as degrees and certifications in Language, Culture, and Technology Entrepreneurship. "In 2021, it is imperative that companies hold themselves accountable for ensuring they are providing equitable opportunities to their candidates and employees across the employee life cycle. We help you find the gaps in your hiring, promotion, and engagement processes, then assist in implementing strategies to create a more just company and society," says Angela Schmitt, Lead Consultant of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Proactive Talent. As an example of their DE&I work, Proactive Talent recently posted a case study where they were able to accomplish the following for one of their clients -- Postmates. 52% increase in female applicants between Q2 and Q3 of 2020. 93% increase in female applicants in a single year between Sept '19 and Sept '20. 30% increase in minority applicants between Sept '19 and Sept '20. 33% increase in Hispanic or Latino applicants between Q2 and Q3 of 2020. ABOUT PROACTIVE TALENT Proactive Talent is an agile talent management services partner focused on attracting, hiring and retaining talent for small and midsize companies. We're a coalition of recruiting and talent brand practitioners who provide the necessary tools and talent to tighten your hiring gaps, bolster your retention rates and embolden your company mission, giving you the competitive edge needed in the ever-changing recruiting industry. With a holistic approach, we work alongside clients to help them build a powerful recruiting engine that enables them to efficiently attract, recruit, and retain top talent. We specialize in adding power to your full candidate journey from Talent Attraction to Hiring and Retention. Our clients include enterprise companies like GE, Basic American Foods, LegalZoom, GoDaddy, and Realtor.com as well as fast-growing startups like Calendly, Discord, and Postmates. Proactive Talent offers the following: Employer Branding, OnDemand Recruiting, Recruitment Marketing, Recruiting Optimization, Content Development, Technology Integration, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Development, as well as Coaching and Advisory services.

variednews: Successful Launch Brings OneWeb Closer to 'Five to...

variednews: Successful Launch Brings OneWeb Closer to 'Five to...: LONDON, May 29: OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, recently confirmed the next successful launch of 36 sa...

Successful Launch Brings OneWeb Closer to 'Five to 50' Ambition

LONDON, May 29: OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, recently confirmed the next successful launch of 36 satellites by Arianespace from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This launch brings OneWeb a step closer to completing its 'Five to 50' ambition and the start of commercial service by the end of the year. Liftoff occurred on 28 May at 18:38 BST. OneWeb's satellites separated from the rocket and were dispensed in nine batches over a period of 3 hours 52 minutes with signal acquisition on all 36 satellites confirmed. This latest successful launch brings OneWeb's total in-orbit constellation to 218 satellites. These will form part of OneWeb's 648 LEO satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. There is now only one launch to go until the company has the satellites required to enable its connectivity solution to reach all regions north of 50 degrees latitude by June 2021. OneWeb's satellites are built by OneWeb Satellites, a OneWeb and Airbus joint venture facility on Merritt Island, Florida that can produce two satellites a day with an innovative production-line process. Thanks to this advanced manufacturing capability, OneWeb is able to rapidly and reliably build its first-generation fleet for completion of delivery into orbit by mid-2022. With this launch, our Florida team can be proud of the 220 satellites it has built and orbited to date. This launch represents the fourth in a five-launch programme to fulfil the 'Five to 50' service, enabling OneWeb to offer connectivity across the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas and Canada. This service is expected to be switched on before the end of the year and OneWeb intends to make global service available in 2022. Neil Masterson, OneWeb CEO, commented: Today's successful launch is another execution milestone that puts us one launch away from delivering high speed, low latency connectivity to Alaska, Canada, Greenland, UK, and Northern Europe. Today we celebrate and thank our Florida team for their hard work and dedication that has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit. Collaboration and teamwork are vital for OneWeb's mission to succeed. We are grateful to all our partners around the world who are joining us on our mission to deliver global connectivity, starting with everywhere 50 degrees north." OneWeb Satellites CEO James Hinds commented: Today's successful launch highlights the great industrial partnership we have with OneWeb and Airbus. With more than 200 satellites built in our factory, we are extremely proud of our team's high-quality and fast production of satellites. Supporting OneWeb's mission and constellation deployment is creating hundreds of highly skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs in the Space Coast, and we are excited to be a part of the progress made today, bringing us all one step closer to delivering global connectivity." About OneWeb OneWeb is a global communications network powered from space, headquartered in London, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. It is implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites with a network of global gateway stations and a range of user terminals to provide an affordable, fast, high-bandwidth and low-latency communications service, connected to the IoT future and a pathway to 5G for everyone, everywhere. Find out more at http://www.oneweb.world

variednews: ROSEN, A GLOBAL AND LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages C...

variednews: ROSEN, A GLOBAL AND LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages C...: NEW YORK, May 29: WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Canaan Inc. (NASDAQ: C...

ROSEN, A GLOBAL AND LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages Canaan Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action - CAN

NEW YORK, May 29: WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Canaan Inc. (NASDAQ: CAN) between February 10, 2021 and April 9, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important June 14, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Canaan securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Canaan class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2078.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 14, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Canaan had experienced significant ongoing supply chain disruptions during the 4Q20; (2) the introduction of Canaan's next-generation A12 series bitcoin mining machines had cannibalized sales of the older product offerings during the 4Q20; (3) as a result of the foregoing, Canaan's 4Q20 sales and sales revenues had declined dramatically; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Canaan was not on track to achieve the strong financial prospects it had led the market to believe. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Canaan class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2078.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

variednews: ROSEN, A TOP RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages FibroGen,...

variednews: ROSEN, A TOP RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages FibroGen,...: NEW YORK, May 29: WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of FibroGen, Inc. (NASDA...

ROSEN, A TOP RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages FibroGen, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important June 11 Deadline in Securities Class Action - FGEN

NEW YORK, May 29: WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) between October 18, 2017 and April 6, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important June 11, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased FibroGen securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the FibroGen class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2076.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 11, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuits, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) FibroGen's prior disclosures of U.S. primary cardiovascular safety analyses from the roxadustat Phase 3 program for the treatment of anemia certain safety analyses submitted in connection with chronic kidney disease ("CKD") included post-hoc changes to the stratification factors; (2) FibroGen's analyses with the pre-specified stratification factors result in higher hazard ratios (point estimates of relative risk) and 95% confidence intervals; (3) based on these analyses FibroGen could not conclude that roxadustat reduces the risk of (or is superior to) MACE+ in dialysis, and MACE and MACE+ in incident dialysis compared to epoetin-alfa; (4) as a result, FibroGen faced significant uncertainty that its New Drug Application for roxadustat as a treatment for anemia of CKD would be approved by the FDA; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about FibroGen's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the FibroGen class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2076.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

variednews: Eight out of 10 People Who Relocated During the Pa...

variednews: Eight out of 10 People Who Relocated During the Pa...: SEATTLE, May 29: About two-thirds of surveyed Redfin.com users who relocated over the last year have the same or lower housing costs, and...

Eight out of 10 People Who Relocated During the Pandemic Are Now in a Similar or Better Financial Position

SEATTLE, May 29: About two-thirds of surveyed Redfin.com users who relocated over the last year have the same or lower housing costs, and almost as many said their new home is the same size or bigger. That's according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Key findings from Redfin's recent survey of Redfin.com users who moved to a different metro area from March 2020 through March 2021: 68% have the same or lower housing costs than before their move. 64% moved into a home that's the same size or bigger than their previous residence. 80% have no regrets about their decision to relocate. 80% are happier post-move. Redfin conducted the survey during the first two weeks of April, surveying about 500 Redfin.com users who moved to a different metro area in the last year or plan to relocate in the next year. While housing costs went down and disposable income went up for many respondents, 64% reported moving into a house that's bigger or at least the same size as their previous home—likely because many homebuyers moved to metro areas with more affordable housing. For 27% of respondents who have either moved in the last year or plan to move in the next year, living somewhere more affordable is a motivating factor in their move, and 21% said they're relocating to live somewhere with lower taxes. "I recently worked with a couple that listed their home in Los Angeles and moved to Ohio because the wife was able to work remotely," said Los Angeles Redfin agent Lindsay Katz. "The house sold for more than $1 million and they bought a nice home in Ohio for around $400,000. The husband had been a teacher in Los Angeles, but now he's able to stay home and raise the kids because they're saving so much money. Their mortgage is half of what it was, taxes are lower, even food costs less. Remote work allowed them to re-evaluate their living situation and their finances." 80% of people who relocated during the pandemic have no regrets There has been a fair amount of speculation about the psychology of pandemic homebuyers, with some wondering whether homebuyers will regret making such a major life decision in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime global crisis. Soaring prices and intense competition have led some homebuyers to do things they wouldn't do in a typical year, like waive inspection and appraisal contingencies and buy homes sight unseen in an area they don't yet live in. While there are stories of certain buyers regretting their home purchases—and 15% of respondents to Redfin's survey have at least some regrets about their moves—it seems that the vast majority of homebuyers feel they made the right choice. "For most people, relocating to a different metro area probably wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to the pandemic," said Redfin lead economist Taylor Marr. "A lot of Americans had already been considering relocating, but they were blocked from actually making the move because they had to stay close to their office or wanted to live near friends or their child's school. The pandemic and resulting work-from-home culture has removed some of those barriers, allowing many people to choose where they live based on factors like affordability, proximity to family and weather. And the loosening of social ties that come with remote work, remote schooling and a lack of in-person events made it somewhat easier for families to leave their comfort zone and try somewhere new. Those people are likely to be satisfied with their moves because the circumstances of the pandemic have allowed them to chase their dreams." About Redfin Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered real estate broker, instant home-buyer (iBuyer), lender, title insurer, and renovations company. We sell homes for more money and charge half the fee. We also run the country's #1 real-estate brokerage site. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Customers selling a home can take an instant cash offer from Redfin or have our renovations crew fix up their home to sell for top dollar. Since launching in 2006, we've saved customers more than $1 billion in commissions. We serve more than 95 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 4,100 people.

variednews: FDA Seeks $6.5 Billion to Further Investments in C...

variednews: FDA Seeks $6.5 Billion to Further Investments in C...: SILVER SPRING, Md., May 29: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requesting a total budget of $6.5 billion as part of the President&#3...

FDA Seeks $6.5 Billion to Further Investments in Critical Public Health Infrastructure, Core Food Safety and Medical Product Safety Programs

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 29: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requesting a total budget of $6.5 billion as part of the President's fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget – a nearly 8% ($477 million) increase over the agency's FY 2021 funding level for investments in critical public health infrastructure, core food safety and medical product safety programs and other vital public health programs. The request includes $3.6 billion in budget authority – including $343 million in increases – and $2.9 billion in user fees – an increase of $155 million. "The investments outlined in the FDA's budget request will advance the agency's immediate priorities and funding needs. This includes important funding for critical public health infrastructure like our data modernization efforts, as well as investments in core safety programs such as our inspection and surveillance work and initiatives to improve maternal and infant health. The budget request also seeks increases to help address complex challenges facing the country such as the ongoing opioid crisis and promoting health equity among underserved communities," said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. "We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to ensure the FDA has the resources it needs to carry out our vital mission to protect and promote public health." The FY 2022 request, which covers the period from Oct. 1, 2021, through Sep. 30, 2022, includes the following budget authority increases: $185 million in additional investments in FDA's Critical Public Health Infrastructure. The FDA's budget includes funding to support critical public health infrastructure needs including enterprise-wide data modernization, improvements to its federal buildings and facilities, expanded laboratory safety efforts and increased internal capacity to support the agency's growing workforce of over 18,000. This funding will provide vitally needed investments to modernize the FDA's outdated data infrastructure, ensure labs and facilities are safe, functional and integrated with program needs and support fundamental FDA operations to keep pace with new requirements, legislation and regulatory responsibilities. $97 million in additional investments in Core FDA Safety Programs. The budget provides increases to core food and medical product safety programs that require significant investments to address unmet public health funding needs, as well as emerging issues of concern. Food safety investments include funding to support implementation of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint to reduce the number of illnesses attributed to FDA-regulated foods; bolstering the funding provided to programs which are responsible for maternal and infant health and nutrition; providing much needed additional funds to address numerous emerging food-related chemical and toxicological issues; and strengthening animal food safety oversight. Medical product safety investments include providing dedicated programmatic funding to strengthen and monitor the supply chain; increasing drug safety surveillance and oversight; and improving animal drug safety and predictive technologies. $61 million in additional investments in Public Health Issues Confronting the U.S. The budget provides increases to address public health needs and key investments to tackle complex challenges facing the country. Investments include increasing safe and secure inspections, promoting health equity and addressing the opioid crisis by supporting development of new therapies and smarter enforcement. To complement the funding requests, the agency's budget proposal also includes a package of legislative proposals designed to bolster the FDA's authorities to further its mission to protect and promote public health. Notable proposals include efforts to: Expand the FDA's authorities for device shortages to assure a more resilient domestic supply chain and help reduce dependence on foreign production; Expand the FDA's authority to explicitly provide for the ability to request records or other information in advance of or in lieu of inspections to help ensure the availability of emerging and medically necessary products that mitigate, diagnose treat, prevent or cure disease when travel to or inspection of an establishment is inadvisable; Expand the agency's authority to require any manufacturer of infant formula, essential medical food for patients with certain inborn errors of metabolism (e.g., phenylketonuria, medium chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency) or other designated category of food to provide shortage notifications, at a reasonable time and manner during a declared public health emergency; Clarify the FDA's authorities to improve the agency's ability to assess human and animal pharmaceutical critical infrastructure as well as manufacturing quality and capacity, particularly around product discontinuances and manufacturing interruptions; Expand the FDA's authorities to require, when likely to help prevent or mitigate a shortage, that a drug sponsor evaluate, submit studies to the FDA and label a product with the longest possible expiration date that the agency agrees is scientifically justified; and Extend current provisions related to counterfeit drugs to include medical devices to help keep counterfeit products out of the United States and facilitate enforcement actions against those that find their way into interstate commerce. These funding and legislative proposals align with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' goals of Strengthening National and Global Readiness for the Next Public Health Crisis, Promoting Health Equity by Addressing Racial Disparities, Providing Funding to Reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate and End Race-Based Disparities in Maternal Mortality, Promoting Biomedical Research and Establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and Advancing the Goal of Ending the Opioid Crisis. The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

variednews: As COVID-19 Recedes, Labor Shortages Return as a K...

variednews: As COVID-19 Recedes, Labor Shortages Return as a K...: NEW YORK, May 29: When COVID-19 entered the US in early 2020, it struck an economy experiencing serious worker shortages, especially in bl...

As COVID-19 Recedes, Labor Shortages Return as a Key Challenge for US Companies--and Opportunity for American Workers

NEW YORK, May 29: When COVID-19 entered the US in early 2020, it struck an economy experiencing serious worker shortages, especially in blue-collar and manual services jobs. Within weeks, pandemic layoffs and restrictions sent unemployment soaring from historic lows to a peak of 15 percent (April 2020). Labor shortages appeared to be a thing of the past for the foreseeable future. One year later, the unemployment rate remains elevated, at around 6 percent. But qualified workers are once again hard to find, with the National Federation of Independent Businesses reporting that 44 percent of firms have job openings that they are unable to fill—an all-time high on their survey. Labor Shortages Are Making a Comeback, a new report from The Conference Board, examines the unique factors and long-run forces driving this return to extremely tight labor markets. "Just as job losses in the COVID-19 recession were unprecedented in speed and severity, the post-pandemic recovery has set off a historic set of recruiting difficulties," said Gad Levanon, Vice President, Labor Markets at The Conference Board. "Some of these reflect unique factors likely to fade by the end of 2021, easing acute hiring troubles. But they are accompanied by a return—or even acceleration—of the same long-term drivers behind extremely low unemployment before the pandemic. Together, these short-run and structural causes will keep labor markets tight until the next recession." Among the report's key findings: Though unemployment rates remain high, labor shortages are already back in many industries—reflecting the unprecedented nature of the pandemic recovery: The combination of a surge in demand with stagnant labor supply created historic recruiting difficulties in April and May of 2021. Usually, businesses form and expand gradually during periods of economic growth, creating a steady demand for workers. Now, however, as the economy reopens all at once, demand for workers is surging across the board in many sectors. The Conference Board®-The Burning Glass® Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) reports rapid growth in the volume of online job ads over recent months. When in-person services reopened in early 2021, demand for labor in food services, tour and travel guides, entertainment attendants, and hotel occupations exploded—pressure that is extending to construction and freight transportation as well. On the supply side, quit rates remain historically high and many working-age adults may be slow to re-enter the workforce because of lingering factors driven by the pandemic—including fear of getting infected, childcare and remote schooling, elder care, and high federal unemployment benefits. Employers are deeply impacted, forcing new strategies on recruiting, retention, and wages: The most basic and intuitive way to solve labor shortages is to raise wages—and according to the Employment Cost Index, Q1 2021 saw the fastest wage growth in 20 years. Beyond pandemic factors, the massive retirement of baby boomers is further reducing labor supply. Because the pandemic was riskier for older workers, some may have had more incentive to leave the labor force. And unlike the 2008–2009 financial crisis, stock and home prices rose sharply during the pandemic, making older workers more financially prepared for retirement. Overall, the working-age population is shrinking for the first time in US history—a force poised to exert long-term downward pressure on the unemployment rate. Labor shortages can be somewhat alleviated—though not completely resolved—by adopting a mix of new recruitment strategies. These include employee referral programs, contracting with staffing firms, employing technology to better find and target candidates, and streamlining the recruitment process with fewer interviews and faster hiring decisions. Recruiting and retention difficulties are more pronounced in blue-collar and manual services jobs—reflecting both short- and long-term trends: While demand for these workers is rapidly growing, blue-collar and manual services labor supply is low: These workers face high infection risk and elevated unemployment benefits are an attractive option for workers with relatively low wages. Unsurprisingly, wage acceleration is fastest in these blue-collar and manual services jobs, with growth already above pre-recession rates. For management and professional workers, wage growth is more moderate (and had already begun to slow before the pandemic). While employers may struggle, the tight labor market is great news for workers —especially those in the lower-paid jobs facing major shortages. Respondents to The Conference Board Job Satisfaction survey who say that openings are "plentiful" in their area are much more likely to be satisfied with their jobs than respondents who say that "jobs are hard to get." About The Conference Board The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

variednews: Nystrom & Associates to Open a New Clinic in Alexa...

variednews: Nystrom & Associates to Open a New Clinic in Alexa...: ALEXANDRIA, Minn., May 28: Nystrom & Associates, Ltd., one of the Nation's largest behavioral health and substance use disorder ...

Nystrom & Associates to Open a New Clinic in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, Minn., May 28: Nystrom & Associates, Ltd., one of the Nation's largest behavioral health and substance use disorder providers announces the opening of its new clinic in Alexandria at 305 30th Ave. W, Alexandria, MN 56308. The clinic is scheduled to open June 23, 2021. Nystrom's new outpatient clinic will serve all ages and will offer the Alexandria Community and surrounding areas services for: Psychiatry/Medication Management, Therapy, Substance Use Disorder treatment (SUD), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). "We're very excited and honored to be expanding these very important services into the Alexandria community and surrounding areas. The need for high quality behavioral health and substance use addiction services persists, in Minnesota and throughout the nation, and we're humbled to create better access and even greater convenience through our expansion. We have a phenomenal team of clinical providers and management who came together to make this possible," Peter Nystrom, Chief Commercial Officer of Nystrom & Associates noted. Founded in 1991, Nystrom & Associates will have 31 clinic locations throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa and is comprised of professional care providers from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, substance use disorder, and nursing who are committed to helping individuals and families that are experiencing personal, emotional, marital, or psychological problems. ABOUT NYSTROM & ASSOCIATES Nystrom & Associates is a group of professional care providers from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, substance use disorder, and nursing. Nystrom employs 1,200+ people throughout 31 clinic locations with a commitment to create access to care help individuals and families struggling with personal, emotional, marital, or psychological problems. Nystrom also offers tele-behavioral health and addiction services: www.nystromcounseling.com Contact Kristyne Schlink, Director of Sales and Outreach, for more information at 763-807-3233. To schedule, call 1-844-NYSTROM.

variednews: Pomerantz LLP and The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Announc...

variednews: Pomerantz LLP and The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Announc...: CHICAGO, May 28: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CHRISTOPHER VATAJ, Individually and on Behalf of All Othe...

Pomerantz LLP and The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Announce a Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action in the Christopher Vataj v. William D. Johnson, et al

CHICAGO, May 28: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CHRISTOPHER VATAJ, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, Plaintiff, v. WILLIAM D. JOHNSON, JOHN R. SIMON, GEISHA WILLIAMS, and JASON P. WELLS, Defendants. Case No. 4:19-cv-06996-HSG SUMMARY NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT TO: All Persons who purchased or otherwise acquired PG&E Corporation ("PG&E") common stock between December 13, 2018, and October 28, 2019, (the "Class Period") inclusive. EXCLUDED FROM THE CLASS ARE DEFENDANTS, THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF PG&E AND PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND AFFILIATES. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and an Order of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, that a hearing will be held on September 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., before the Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam Jr., Oakland Courthouse, Courtroom 2 – 4th Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612. At this hearing, the Court will consider (i) whether the Settlement of the Settlement Class's claims against the Defendants for $10,000,000 is fair, reasonable, and adequate, and should be approved by the Court; (ii) whether the Order and Final Judgment as provided under the Stipulation should be entered, dismissing the Complaint on the merits and with prejudice, and to determine whether the release by the Settlement Class of the Released Persons as set forth in the Stipulation, should be ordered; (iii) whether the proposed Plan of Allocation for the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund is fair and reasonable and should be approved by the Court; (iv) the application of Lead Counsel for an award of Attorneys' Fees and Expenses of no more than 25% of the Settlement Fund, reimbursement of expenses of no more than $100,000, and Awards to Plaintiffs of no more than $5,000 each, or $15,000 in total; (v) Settlement Class Members' objections to the Settlement, whether submitted previously in writing or presented orally at the Settlement Hearing by Settlement Class Members (or by counsel on their behalf); and (vi) such other matters as the Court may deem appropriate.1 If you purchased or otherwise acquired PG&E common stock trading during the Class Period, your rights may be affected by this Action and the Settlement thereof. The detailed Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action (the "Notice"), Motion for Award of Attorneys' Fees and Reimbursement of Litigation Expenses, and Proof of Claim and Release Form are available for download at www.PGESecuritiesSettlement.com or by contacting the Claims Administrator, by mail at: PG&E Corp. Securities Litigation, Claims Administrator, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O Box 173052, Milwaukee, WI 53217; by telephone at (877) 933-2882; or by email at info@PGESecuritiesSettlement.com. If you are a member of the Settlement Class and wish to share in the Settlement money, you must submit a Proof of Claim no later than July 19, 2021, establishing that you are entitled to recovery. As further described in the Notice, you will be bound by any judgment entered in the Action, regardless of whether you submit a Proof of Claim, unless you exclude yourself from the Class, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Notice, by no later than August 26, 2021. Any objections to the Settlement, Plan of Allocation, or attorney's fees and expenses must be filed, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Notice, no later than August 26, 2021. Inquiries, other than requests for the Notice, may be made to Lead Counsel for the Settlement Class: Louis C. Ludwig, Pomerantz LLP, 10 South LaSalle Street, Ste. 3505, Chicago, IL 60603, Telephone: (312) 377-1181 or Jonathan Horne, the Rosen Law Firm, P.A., 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10016, Telephone: (212) 686-1060.

variednews: TOP the organic project Partners with Cushman Neal...

variednews: TOP the organic project Partners with Cushman Neal...: BOSTON, May 28:Today on Menstrual Hygiene Day, TOP the organic project (TOP) announced a partnership with the Cushman Neal Family, De...

TOP the organic project Partners with Cushman Neal Family, Denver Public Schools and Red Equity to Fight Period Poverty Thousands of students stand to gain access to critical period products like never before

BOSTON, May 28:Today on Menstrual Hygiene Day, TOP the organic project (TOP) announced a partnership with the Cushman Neal Family, Denver Public Schools and Red Equity to provide organic period products that will benefit more than 4,800 women and girls in the Denver metro area. This partnership seeks to ensure that those in need who are of menstruating age do not have to worry about access to safe, healthy and environmentally-friendly period products. The donation builds on an announcement by Denver Public Schools in January to begin providing free period products to students. In recognition of the efforts of Senator Faith Winter, Representative Leslie Herod and Representative Brianna Titone to provide free period products for Colorado students, 77,000 TOP organic period products will be provided to Denver Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools for the 2021-2022 school year. The product donation by the Neal Cushman Family enables Denver Public Schools to increase access to period products in their schools and build upon their efforts. "We are so proud to partner with generous donors like the Cushman Neal Family, who are committed to ending period poverty," said Denielle Finkelstein, Co-Founder of TOP. "To ensure this is possible for all girls and women, we donate our products to other local nonprofits and organizations for every purchase made. TOP is also donating a total of 425,000 products nationwide in honor of Menstrual Hygiene Day to further put a spotlight on the compounding impact we can all make together." The Cushman Neal Family also helped the Food Bank of Evergreen purchase 18,000 TOP period products in March. This latest contribution to Denver Public Schools and Red Equity will bring the total number of TOP period products provided to Denver-area organizations to 108,000, impacting more than 6,700 women and girls in 2021. "Women experience period insecurity every day, barring them from work, school and access to their dreams," said Diane Cushman Neal, Donor. "I am proud to partner with TOP to ensure that all women can live with dignity and without shame or stigma. And I know that the products I'm donating are both good for a woman's body and for the earth." Period poverty is an issue that is growing in the United States, with the recent COVID pandemic making access to hygiene products even more difficult for many. The financial strain, reduced access to products and an increase in product pricing poses a threat to girls and women. Since national food stamps do not cover feminine care products, marginalized communities can be at a great loss. As a result, donations are vital to ensure everyone can access the products they need. "The TOP partnership with the Cushman Neal Family and Red Equity is an important step towards eliminating period poverty," said Rep. Leslie Herod. "Together we are raising awareness and working to ensure that every girl and every person has the opportunity to meet any challenge while becoming the best version of themselves. This can only be done through the dignity of never being without menstrual products that are good for our health as well as the environment." "Menstrual inequity is an overlooked and very serious issue," commented Rep. Brianna Titone. "This collaboration makes certain that students without access to period products are no longer forced to skip school due to lack of safe alternatives. The TOP donation makes a huge impact on the lives of all menstruating people in the Denver area." About TOP the organic project TOP the organic project is an emerging, women-owned period product company that educates and empowers women to make better choices about products they consume and the impact they have on their bodies and the environment. TOP off­ers 100% organic cotton, plant-based, hypoallergenic tampons and pads with a give-back model that drives awareness of period poverty in the U.S. works to increase access to better-for-you period products in all communities. To partner with TOP to help end period poverty in your community, visit www.toporganicproject.com or contact Ellen Cynar, Director of CSR and Brand Partnerships at TOP, ellen@toporganicproject.com.

variednews: Distinguished Honorary Committee, Campaign Partner...

variednews: Distinguished Honorary Committee, Campaign Partner...: SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 28: Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, is launching a ...

Distinguished Honorary Committee, Campaign Partners and FOX Sports Assemble to Raise Awareness and Funding of National Dream-Granting Program for Terminally-Ill Veterans

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 28: Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, is launching a campaign in time for this Memorial Day to raise funds for and awareness of its Dreams for Veterans program. The campaign is supported by a highly decorated and distinguished honorary committee and generous campaign partners. Campaign partners will triple one-time gifts and add bonuses for every person who joins Dream Foundation's new Dream Heroes for Veterans monthly giving club, all up to the value of $50,000. Honorary Committee members include GEN (R) Scott Wallace, U.S. Army; Secretary Will Grimsley, MG (R) U.S. Army; CSM (R) Dave Davenport, U.S. Army; Col (R) Nicole Malachowski, U.S. Air Force; COL Scott O'Neal, U.S. Army; John Paul DeJoria, U.S. Navy (R); Chris Freeman, U.S. Army (R); Gregg Bigger, U.S. Marine Corps (R); Sandi & Bill Nicholson, U.S. Air Force (R); Priscilla Presley; Kathy Ireland; Fred Gordon; Greg Kushner and Jillian Muller. Campaign partners Tech SGT Jack Kushner Ret'd Foundation, Inc., JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation, and an anonymous benefactor have committed sums that add up to a total of $50,000. This will be used to triple one-time gifts or add a $100 bonus for every person who signs up for the Dream Heroes for Veterans monthly giving club. Also supporting the campaign and program is FOX Sports, which will highlight Dreams for Veterans during live sports programming across its family of networks beginning Friday and through the Memorial Day weekend. "We are humbled and grateful for the support and passion bestowed upon the Dreams for Veterans program and our Veteran Dream Recipients by such an esteemed group of highly decorated, highly honored, and remarkably kind individuals, foundations, and corporations," says Dream Foundation's Chief Executive Officer, Kisa Heyer. Funds raised by the campaign will help fulfill the final Dreams of terminally-ill veterans across the nation. "Dreams come in many forms," explains Heyer. "Funds raised by the campaign can provide terminally-ill veterans with essential items such comfortable beds for pain-free rest or new dentures to help them eat. And many veterans' Dreams reconnect them with aspects of their military service. Supporters will be helping veteran Dream recipients visit special military monuments to give one last salute or attend pinning ceremonies that honor them for their service, bringing them, their families and their caregivers inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life." Since 1994, Dream Foundation has served more than 32,000 Dreams across the nation, including over 1,400 and counting Dreams for veterans. The Dreams for Veterans program was officially launched in 2015 at a special ceremony supported by First Lady Michelle Obama and late Senator John McCain. The event, held in Washington, D.C., was also attended by U.S. Air Force Col. Nicole Malachowski. At the time, Malachowski was the Executive Director of The White House's Joining Forces Program. She was joined by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), former Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), former Congressman Matt Salmon (R-AZ) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), among other distinguished guests and veteran supporters. Dreams for Veterans Recipients are those who served from World War II to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and every conflict in between; those who served during peacetime or who currently serve on active duty in the Reserve or National Guard. Recipients must be at least 18 years old, have a life expectancy of one year or less, and lack the resources to achieve their Dreams on their own. To make a one-time gift, join Dream Heroes for Veterans or learn more, please visit www.dreamsforveterans.org. About Dream Foundation: Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, fulfills final Dreams that provide inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life. With the support of a nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, health care organizations and committed donors, Dream Foundation has given life to more than 32,000 final Dreams since being founded in 1994. Dream Foundation receives no state or federal funding—we rely solely on private donations. To support our mission, please visit DreamFoundation.org/donate.

variednews: United Airlines to Present at the Bernstein 37th A...

variednews: United Airlines to Present at the Bernstein 37th A...: CHICAGO, May 28: United will present at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, June 3. The presentation will begin at ...

United Airlines to Present at the Bernstein 37th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference

CHICAGO, May 28: United will present at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, June 3. The presentation will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET. The live webcast will be available on the investor relations section of United's website at ir.united.com. The company will archive the audio webcast on the website within 24 hours of the presentation, and the webcast will be available for a limited time. About United United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

variednews: On World No Tobacco Day, Foundation for a Smoke-Fr...

variednews: On World No Tobacco Day, Foundation for a Smoke-Fr...: NEW YORK, May 28:More than 30 years since the first World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), there are still 8 million annual deaths attributed to to...

On World No Tobacco Day, Foundation for a Smoke-Free World Urges Smokers to Quit or Switch to Harm-Reduction Products Decades After Cessation Initiatives Began, 1 Billion Smokers Remain Worldwide

NEW YORK, May 28:More than 30 years since the first World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), there are still 8 million annual deaths attributed to tobacco use and more than 1 billion individuals still smoke. These facts are proof that health policies and actions have not been adequate. The challenges that smokers face when trying to quit have been largely ignored. The calls by the World Health Organization (WHO) for smokers to quit using fairly ineffective interventions suggest we need new approaches. Technology innovation, in the form of harm reduction, offers a new way forward for smokers that complements classic cessation efforts. On this WNTD (May 31), the Foundation urges adult smokers to commit to quit smoking combustibles and chewing toxic smokeless tobacco products or switch to a growing range of less harmful nicotine-based alternatives. On World No Tobacco Day, Foundation for a Smoke-Free World Urges Smokers to Quit or Switch to Harm Reduction Products "Since my involvement in the first WNTD in 1988, we have focused narrowly on cessation often without engaging smokers in developing ways they feel work best. Too many efforts have failed because they have not addressed the fact that while many smokers want to quit, they are not being presented with options that appeal to them," said Derek Yach, President of Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. "There is growing evidence that a range of harm-reduction products, including e-cigarettes (vapes), snus, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products, can help smokers quit or at least substantially reduce their harmful exposure to combustible cigarettes. The WHO, supported by heavily funded Bloomberg Philanthropies grantees, continues to blindly ignore scientific evidence, vilifying these products instead of promoting their use to save lives." In a global tobacco smoking trends study published this week in The Lancet, the authors say, "The current level of tobacco control policy implementation is insufficient in many countries around the world" and that evidence-based policies are needed to reduce smoking. However, they never mention a role for tobacco harm-reduction (THR) products as part of tobacco control policy. Yach added, "This study was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which does not support the use of THR products as cessation aides. This is likely one reason why they were not included in the report. Denying the value and benefits of THR products is irresponsible and blatantly discounts the research showing they can help smokers quit." The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) recently released their UK report, Smoking and health 2021: A coming age for tobacco control? This comes 60 years after they issued the world's first authoritative report on smoking and health. The RCP estimates that if the harm-reduction policies they advocated for in 1962 were adopted, smoking would have ended in the United Kingdom by now. Their new report calls for doctors to play a more active role in helping their patients who smoke. RCP says, "We argue that responsibility for treating smokers lies with the clinician who sees them, and that our NHS should be delivering default, opt-out, systematic interventions for all smokers at the point of service contact." The RCP also recommends that the UK government invest in media campaigns to urge smokers to switch from tobacco to e-cigarettes, which are less harmful. Governments and doctors worldwide should heed their advice. A new report by BOTEC Analysis, a public policy research and consulting firm, finds that the availability of regulated alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS) like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), combined with traditional tobacco control efforts such as tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, and cessation services, have helped to lower smoking rates in several countries. The report titled, Investigating the drivers of smoking cessation: A role of alternative nicotine delivery systems?, examines the policies in five countries that have long been considered international leaders in tobacco control: The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. BOTEC's key findings presented interesting results per country, including: United Kingdom: A leader in tobacco control, the country has proactively helped smokers switch to e-cigarettes, which have been shown to be 95% safer. While the country has some of the highest tobacco prices in the world, the government has chosen not to tax e-cigarettes as tobacco products, making them less costly. Access to regulated e-cigarettes appears to also support smoking cessation services. Canada: Following the introduction of e-cigarettes in 2018, there has been a significant decline in conventional tobacco sales. As stringent regulations and higher prices apply more to traditional cigarettes than e-cigarettes, smoking rates and tobacco purchases have collapsed, especially among young Canadians. Still, the country may be poised to reverse these successes with proposed regulations that would implement a new tax on e-cigarettes and cap the nicotine content of e-liquids. Australia: The country succeeded in driving cessation with a combination of health warnings, tax increases, and effective publicity campaigns. The government has implemented de-facto bans on harm-reduction products, but many Australians continue to use smuggled and unregulated e-cigarettes, reporting a desire to quit or reduce smoking as a primary motivation. South Korea: The country has more than 250 public health centers that provide comprehensive clinical services, including counseling, prescription medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and text/email follow-ups. Over 6 months, more than 800,000 adult male smokers used these clinics with an estimated 46.8% quit rate. Despite the South Korean government's disapproving stance toward ANDS, both e-cigarettes and HTPs appear to be aiding cessation. Japan: Although Japan has imposed an excise tax on cigarettes and banned e-cigarettes containing nicotine, HTPs are widely available and increasingly popular. Moreover, the uptake of HTPs appears to be causally associated with a reduction in demand for combustible cigarettes. However, a lack of regulatory distinction between HTPs and combustible cigarettes appears to limit the numbers of smokers who shift to exclusive HTP use, so their effect on cessation may be muted, thus reducing HTP's potential to aid smoking cessation. BOTEC Analysis is one of several Foundation for a Smoke-Free World Foundation grantees who are spearheading research to uncover new solutions to combat this global health epidemic. The Foundation collaborates with other nonprofit, advocacy, and government organizations to advance smoking cessation and harm-reduction science. The Foundation also supports the development of alternative products and methods that may reduce a smoker's health risks and help them to stop smoking entirely. In light of the billion smokers that remain, one may assume that the world has made little progress since the first WNTD three decades ago. Yet, from a scientific and technological perspective, we have seen profound change. As a result of transformational research and development, we now have harm-reduction products that could end death and disease from tobacco. Still, innovation translates into saved lives only when smokers have access to the full range of cessation and harm-reduction options. Thus, in the same way that the Foundation calls on smokers to quit, it also calls on policymakers and physicians to embrace the tools that will help them do so. ABOUT FOUNDATION FOR A SMOKE-FREE WORLD The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is an independent, US nonprofit 501(c)(3) private foundation with the purpose of improving global health by ending smoking in this generation. The Foundation supports its mission through three core pillars: Health, Science, and Technology; Agriculture and Livelihoods; and Industry Transformation. Funded by annual gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. ("PMI"), the Foundation is independent from PMI and operates in a manner that ensures its independence from the influence of any commercial entity. Under the Foundation's Pledge Agreement with PMI and bylaws, PMI and the tobacco industry are precluded from having any control or influence over how the Foundation spends its funds or focuses its activities. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.smokefreeworld.org.

variednews: B2Gold Announces that Independent Proxy Advisory F...

variednews: B2Gold Announces that Independent Proxy Advisory F...: VANCOUVER, BC, May 28: B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold") is pleased to announce that Institut...

B2Gold Announces that Independent Proxy Advisory Firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, Recommend B2Gold Shareholders Vote For All Proposed Items at the Upcoming Annual General & Special Meeting

VANCOUVER, BC, May 28: B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold") is pleased to announce that Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") and Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis") have both recommended that shareholders vote FOR the re-approval of the B2Gold stock option plan as well as vote FOR all other proposed items to be considered at the upcoming Annual General & Special Meeting of Shareholders of B2Gold. ISS and Glass Lewis are two leading independent, third party proxy advisory firms who, among other services, provide proxy-voting recommendations to pension funds, investment managers, mutual funds and other institutional shareholders. B2Gold Annual General & Special Meeting: The Annual General & Special Meeting of Shareholders of B2Gold is scheduled for 2pm PDT/5pm EDT on Friday June 11, 2021, in a virtual-only format conducted online via live video webcast at: https://web.lumiagm.com/?fromUrl=431696046 B2Gold shareholders are encouraged to vote their shares today in advance of the proxy submission deadline on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 2pm PDT/5pm EDT B2Gold's Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR all proposed resolutions B2Gold encourages shareholders to read the meeting material in detail. Copies of the meeting material, including the management information circular, are available under B2Gold's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on B2Gold's website at www.b2gold.com/investors/agm/. How to Vote: Shareholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the meeting using one of the three methods below. Beneficial Shareholders (Shares held with a broker, bank or other intermediary) Registered Shareholders (Shares held in own name and represented by a physical certificate) Internet: www.proxyvote.com www.investorvote.com Phone: Call the number(s) listed on the voting instruction form and vote using the control number provided therein Phone: +1 866-732-8683 Mail: Return the voting instruction form in the enclosed postage paid envelope Return the form of proxy in the enclosed postage paid envelope Shareholder Questions: B2Gold shareholders who have questions about the proposed items to be considered at the Annual General & Special Meeting, or require assistance with the virtual-only format or voting their shares, should contact B2Gold's proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group. Laurel Hill Advisory Group: North America Toll Free: +1 877-452-7184 Collect Calls Outside North America: +1 416-304-0211 Email: assistance@laurelhill.com About B2Gold: B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Finland and Uzbekistan. B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 970,000 and 1,030,000 ounces in 2021. For more information on B2Gold or the 2021 AGM please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release. Production results and production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2021 for a discussion of our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.

variednews: Shanghai Disney Resort and Goodbaby Group Enter Mu...

variednews: Shanghai Disney Resort and Goodbaby Group Enter Mu...: SHANGHAI, May 28: Shanghai Disney Resort and Goodbaby Group, one of the world's leading parenting product companies, jointly announced...

Shanghai Disney Resort and Goodbaby Group Enter Multi-Year Resort Alliance

SHANGHAI, May 28: Shanghai Disney Resort and Goodbaby Group, one of the world's leading parenting product companies, jointly announced today that the two parties have entered into a multi-year resort alliance - introducing Goodbaby as the Official Stroller Sponsor of Shanghai Disney Resort. The brand-new strollers, custom-tailored for Shanghai Disneyland, are now available in the park, providing an even smoother and more enjoyable experience for families with little ones. "We put great importance in delivering an exceptional guest experience and are always looking for innovative solutions to enhance and improve every single detail of our offerings," said Joe Schott, President and General Manager, Shanghai Disney Resort. "With this exciting new alliance, we have spent many months working together with Goodbaby to design and develop a stroller that delivers an elevated park experience for families with young children." Both children and their guardians will find the stroller to be a relaxing and useful aid during their visit to Shanghai Disneyland. The stroller takes advantage of expanded seating space and its adjustable seated and lying-down modes deliver a more comfortable ride for children aged six months to seven years old. With an innovative brake on the stroller's handle and an additional basket under the seat for extra storage, guardians will find the stroller easy and convenient to push or pull around during their visit. As with everything at Shanghai Disney Resort, as well as at Goodbaby, safety was the first priority when designing the new stroller. The design team worked on a range of different aspects to ensure it passed hundreds of rounds of demanding tests before it was finalized. For example, the stroller features a smoothed front edge with a curved surface, to help avoid potential hazards for both users and other guests in the park. "We are thrilled to form an alliance with Shanghai Disney Resort," said Song Zhenghuan, Founder and Chairman of Goodbaby Group. "During the stroller's design process, we worked closely with the resort team to enhance the overall user experience of the stroller. The resort team was deeply involved in every single detail, and we both share the same commitment to delivering a great guest and consumer experience. We are excited that our product is now a part of many guests' experience at Shanghai Disneyland, and we hope that it will make each visit easier and more enjoyable." Following strict eco-friendly standards, material selection and the mass production process of the stroller are reflections of Goodbaby's commitment to the environment, with recyclable components and parts that can be easily swapped out and reused, being used throughout. Following the initial launch of the stroller, Shanghai Disneyland and Goodbaby will continue to introduce new user-friendly functions to further address guests' needs. A Bluetooth lock function will be added by the end of the year, allowing guests to lock and unlock the rented stroller as needed by linking it to their smartphone. About Shanghai Disney Resort Shanghai Disney Resort, comprised of two owner companies and a management company, is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group. Shanghai Shendi Group owns a 57% interest in the two owner companies, and The Walt Disney Company owns the remaining 43% interest. The management company, in which The Walt Disney Company has a 70% interest and Shanghai Shendi Group has the remaining 30% interest, is responsible for operating the resort. About Goodbaby Goodbaby Group is one of the world's leading parenting products company. The Group serves millions of families around the world through design, research and development, manufacture, marketing and sales of children's car safety seats, strollers, apparel and home textile products, feeding, nursing and personal care products, cribs, bicycles and tricycles and other children products. Goodbaby International owns 7 Research & Development Centers globally, located in the U.S., Europe and China, and manages sales, marketing and distribution offices in 11 countries. For information about Shanghai Disney Resort: Please visit the official website (http://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/) Follow updates on Weibo (http://weibo.com/u/5200478600) Follow updates on Shanghai Disney Resort Official WeChat (Search WeChat ID: ShanghaiDisneyResort) For information about Goodbaby: Please visit the official website (https://www.goodbaby.com) Follow updates on Weibo (https://weibo.com/goodbaby) on Goodbaby Official WeChat (Search WeChat ID: goodbaby_fans)

variednews: Canon India Strengthens COVID-19 Relief Efforts In...

variednews: Canon India Strengthens COVID-19 Relief Efforts In...: GURGAON, India, May 28:Supporting the country in the battle against COVID-19, Canon India, one of the leaders in the imaging space, is co...

Canon India Strengthens COVID-19 Relief Efforts In India; Supports With Vaccine Registration In Adopted Villages

GURGAON, India, May 28:Supporting the country in the battle against COVID-19, Canon India, one of the leaders in the imaging space, is conducting a vaccination awareness drive and setting up support camps in its adopted villages- Maheshwari Village (Haryana), Parivali Village (Mumbai), Kalyanpur Village (Kolkata) and Annadodi Village (Bangalore), to help them register for vaccination. Canon India is helping the villagers with the required information on vaccination, its benefits, after-effects, and procedures. Additionally, considering the lack of access of digital resources amongst the villagers for vaccine registration, the organization is also helping them to get registered on the government portals, in case walk-in registration is not available. Keeping in mind the misinformation surrounding the vaccines especially in small villages, Canon India aims to raise awareness in rural India and debunk all myths related to COVID-19 vaccinations and encourage them to book their slot. Apart from volunteers taking individual sessions with villagers at their homes, village authorities and leaders are also supporting the drive by circulating the right information and encouraging the residents to learn about the vaccination process. Within a week of the awareness drive, the organization has helped over 1000 people with vaccination regarding procedures and get them registered on portals. Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President & CEO of Canon India, said, "As a socially responsible corporate entity, it is extremely imperative for us to stand united in our fight against COVID-19, especially now more than ever as we are battling the second wave of this pandemic. At Canon India, the safety and well-being of our people continue to be a top priority and this includes our employees, their families and also our extended families from our adopted villages. In line with our corporate philosophy of 'Kyosei', which is at the heart of Canon India's CSR endeavours, we consider it our responsibility to empower our adopted communities in their fight against COVID-19 in whatever ways we can. With the ongoing vaccination drive in the country, our volunteers are working round the clock to bring in a behavioral change and increase uptake of vaccine in these villages. We expect this awareness to create a ripple effect and increase to larger communities and have more people understand the criticality of COVID-19 vaccination. I am proud to see that within a week, we have been successful in mobilizing over 1000 people through this initiative." Last year, Canon India had commenced its COVID-19 relief efforts by donating essential ration kits to over 12,500 beneficiaries including the daily wagers and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in its adopted villages and sanitation items to children from SOS Children's Village Family homes. Along with distributing essentials such as surgical masks, sanitizers, liquid soap, and home & surrounding cleansing items, informative and awareness sessions were also conducted for the children of SOS Children's Villages in Faridabad & Hyderabad. They also provided over 732 PPE kits for healthcare workers of the country to safeguard the paramedical staff and to the government hospitals near their adopted villages in Mumbai, Haryana, and Bengaluru, ensuring the safety of health workers involved. About Canon's corporate philosophy 'Kyosei' Canon India's CSR endeavours are driven by their corporate philosophy of 'Kyosei', which mean the 'spirit of living and working together for the common good', which is considered foremost in the organization's way of working and day-to-day operations. However, their definition of the word is much broader and encompasses "all people regardless of their race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together for the common good." Moving forward with this philosophy, they believe in standing in unison when it comes to their commitment to the community and strives to make a positive impact on society and the environment. The organization is involved in various community welfare programs aligned with their 4Es CSR policy implying Education, Eye Care, Environment and Empowerment, to build progressive self-reliant communities. Along with the 'Adopt a Village' project, the organization is also associated with SOS Children's Village across the country to encourage and support the overall development of children in these villages. About Canon Group Ever since its foundation in 1937, Canon is guided by the 'Kyosei' philosophy of living and working together for the common good. Canon strives to create and deliver world-class products, becoming a top global corporation by diversifying into new business fields throughout the world. Focusing on optical technologies, Canon produces office equipment, consumer and professional imaging devices, network cameras, healthcare and industrial equipment. Through the close connection between its global head office in Tokyo and regional headquarters in America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and regional headquarters in Japan, Canon combines its global and local operations organically. In 1996, Canon launched its Excellent Global Corporation Plan with the goal of serving the society with advanced technologies and becoming a trustworthy and responsible corporate citizen. The year 2016 was the first year of Phase 5 of the Plan. Currently, Canon boasts a strong global presence of 376 subsidiaries all over the world, supported by 197,776 employees. (Data as of December 31, 2017) About Canon India Canon India Pvt. Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pvt. Ltd., is a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon markets over 200 comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging products and solutions in India. The company today has offices and warehouses in 14 cities across India and employs over 1000 people. Canon has over 500 primary channel partners, 14 National Retail Chain partners, and over 6000 secondary retail points. Canon India till date has opened over 250 retailer stores accredited as "Image Square" across 100+ cities in the country. Canon India's service reach extends to over 632 towns covering 18,230 PIN codes across India - which comprises of 170 Camera collection points, 16 Camera repair centers, 272 Printer repair centers, 191 Copier, Scanner and Large Format Printer Sales & Service dealers. (Data as of April 23, 2021). In sync with its corporate tagline- 'Delighting You Always', reinforced by World class technology, Canon offers an extended product portfolio, including copier MFDs, Managed Document Services, Fax-Machines, Printers, Document and Cheque Scanners, All-in-ones, Digital Cameras, DSLR's, Cinematic Imaging Products, Camcorders, Cable ID Printers and Card printers catering to the multiple market segments of consumer, SME, B2B, Commercial, Government & PSUs. In 2017, the imaging leader recorded a double-digit growth.

variednews: Art Start Program is officially launched to empow...

variednews: Art Start Program is officially launched to empow...: SHENZHEN, China, May 28: The Art Star program team often receives many inquiries from creators in the CG industry. Some of them hope to re...

Art Start Program is officially launched to empower CG dreams

SHENZHEN, China, May 28: The Art Star program team often receives many inquiries from creators in the CG industry. Some of them hope to receive assistance support due to lack of funds and professional equipment, while some creators are in urgent need of resources for professional skills training. Under such circumstances, the program team decided to launch the Art Star program together with partners from various global CG circles to help those who want to achieve their CG dreams. Through this program, the program team hopes to contribute to developing the global CG industry together with all partners. It is initiated by the Art Star program Team, CIOFF, ACM SIGGRAPH Chapters, XP-PEN, Adobe Authorized Training Center China Region, ArtStaion, UGEE, UDM PAINT, China division of 2021 ACA World Championship, WingFox, HuaBan.com, Moho Pro, Kumoricon, and IADGE. Who can apply This program aims to support CG hobbyists, CG professional content creators, and CG studios. As long as the applicants have CG dreams, no matter where and who they are, they have chance to achieve their goals and take part in this activity. What will they get Funds If applicants obtains the support qualification, they can get the corresponding financial support according to actual situation. Equipment Program partners will provide applicants with pen displays or pen tablets to improve their skills and abilities. Traffic Art Star and partners will help amplify artist art and social media accounts. Courses The applicants can receive the course training resources from Art Star program if they pass the evaluation. Software If applicants pass the evaluation, they can get the corresponding CG software supports provided by the program partners. Program Timetable 16th April - 15th September 2021: Application period; 16th September- late October 2021: Evaluation period; Early November 2021: The distribution of support resources. Welcome to go to program homepage to learn more https://bit.ly/art-star-hq

variednews: JD Launches Shenzhen-Bangkok All-Cargo Charter Flight

variednews: JD Launches Shenzhen-Bangkok All-Cargo Charter Flight: SHENZHEN, China, May 28: JD has opened an all-cargo charter flight between Shenzhen and Bangkok on May 28, the e-commerce giant's firs...

JD Launches Shenzhen-Bangkok All-Cargo Charter Flight

SHENZHEN, China, May 28: JD has opened an all-cargo charter flight between Shenzhen and Bangkok on May 28, the e-commerce giant's first in the Asia-Pacific region. Open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in both countries, the freight-dedicated route will facilitate delivery of goods from mainland China to customers in Thailand and vice versa within 48 hours. "JD is excited for this opportunity to leverage our international supply chain resources to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and China, and to facilitate the transport of high-quality Chinese goods going to Southeast Asia and vice versa," said Stard Huang, head of JD's international logistics business. "We see enormous potential in Southeast Asia, and this is just the first step." Running between Shenzhen Bao'an Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport three times a week with same-day return, this end-to-end fully self-operated and full-link transportation route will not only greatly increase the speed of cross-border freight, but also provide vigorous support for the development of cross-border business through both Thai and Chinese e-commerce channels, including JD.com and JD's joint venture in Thailand, JD CENTRAL. "We're excited that JD and JD CENTRAL can support SMEs to build robust business between China and Thailand," said Korlarp Suwacharangkul, Chief Marketing Officer of JD CENTRAL. "We've seen that cross-border e-commerce between the two countries has huge potential for expansion." Currently goods exported from China to Thailand through JD's route are expected to mainly include daily necessities, small household appliances, 3C products and other e-commerce goods; while goods transported from Thailand will mainly comprise fresh produce, supplemented by industrial products such as auto parts. However, SMEs that aim to expand business into other categories are also welcome to take advantage of JD's all-cargo freight flight. In the past year, China has further opened its market to foreign goods by implementing beneficial policies with an aim to facilitate robust cross-border trade. JD has also ramped up efforts to support cross-border e-commerce. As of December 31, 2020, JD International Logistics has 32 bonded warehouses and overseas warehouses, with a total management area of approximately 440,000 square meters. Through cooperation with international and local partners, JD has established international routes covering more than 220 countries and regions, providing customers with integrated cross-border supply chain services.

variednews: Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus Join ...

variednews: Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus Join ...: PARIS, May 28: Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus have joined forces to carry out the first long-haul flight powered by Sustai...

Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus Join Forces carried out The First Long-Haul Flight Powered By Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced in France

PARIS, May 28: Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus have joined forces to carry out the first long-haul flight powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)[1] produced in France. On 18th May, Air France Flight 342 took off from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport's Terminal 2E for Montreal with its tanks filled for the first time with sustainable aviation fuel produced in Total's French plants. Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus Join Forces to Decarbonize Air Transportation and Carry Out The First Long-Haul Flight Powered By Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced in France Air France-KLM, Total, Groupe ADP and Airbus Join Forces to Decarbonize Air Transportation and Carry Out The First Long-Haul Flight Powered By Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced in France This flight is a tangible result of the four groups' shared ambition to decarbonize air transportation and to develop a SAF supply chain in France, prerequisite to the generalization of their use in French airports. No modifications to storage and distribution infrastructure, aircraft or engines are required to incorporate biofuels. Their gradual introduction worldwide should significantly reduce CO2 emissions from air transportation, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The biofuel used for this flight was made from waste and residue sourced from the circular economy. Total produced the SAF from used cooking oil at its La Mède biorefinery in southern France and at its Oudalle factory near Le Havre, without using any virgin plant-based oil. This first 100% French SAF received ISCC-EU certification from the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification System, an independent organization that guarantees sustainability. The 16% blend on this flight avoided the emission of 20 tons of CO2. By developing and supporting France's first industrial SAF production, Air France-KLM, Total, ADP Group and Airbus are paving the way for France to drive innovation in the energy and environmental transition. French legislation calls for aircraft to use at least 1% SAF by 2022 for all flights originating in France, ahead of the European ambition scheduled to gradually ramp up to 2% by 2025 and 5% by 2030, as part of the European Green Deal. To meet these requirements, Total will also produce SAF at its Grandpuits zero-crude platform near Paris as from 2024. The flight also illustrates the synergy of the different drivers for reducing aviation's environmental footprint, i.e., sustainable aviation fuel, latest-generation aircraft and electrification of ground operations. The Airbus A350 used for the flight consumes 25% less fuel than its predecessor. What's more, the aircraft was serviced by the first 100% all-electric refueling truck, developed in France with Total expertise, and all of the ground support equipment used by Air France was fully electric powered. Air France-KLM is a pioneer in testing sustainable aviation fuels. KLM made its first SAF-powered flight in 2009. Since then, the Group has multiplied the number of innovative programs. Between 2014 and 2016, for example, it carried out 78 Air France flights powered by a 10% SAF blend in collaboration with a Total affiliate. These tests showed that the use of SAF had no impact on the reliability of airline operations. Air France-KLM intends to strengthen its leadership in SAF in the years ahead, while contributing to research on future generations of aircraft. In addition to this flight, Airbus is conducting several series of tests to certify airliners to fly with 100% SAF in the coming decades. Airbus has also installed SAF refueling stations at its industrial facilities so it can be used in production operations, as well as for aircraft deliveries. These installations contribute to Airbus's ambition to decarbonize all of its industrial operations. For this first flight, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, stated: "For many years, the Air France-KLM Group has been committed to reducing its environmental footprint. Together with the renewal of our fleet, sustainable aviation fuels constitute our main lever in the medium-term for reducing our CO2 emissions per passenger/km by half by 2030. These two actions are therefore central to our strategy, alongside eco-piloting and achieving carbon-neutral ground operations. France currently has the opportunity to position itself as a leader in the production and use of sustainable fuels and we are doing everything possible to contribute to this with our partners. Supporting the emergence of an economically viable French aviation biofuel sector for all the parties involved is a strategic priority for the country and the group." Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Total, declared: "The development of biofuels is part of Total's broad-energy strategy for decarbonizing the transportation industry. After successfully launching production of sustainable aviation fuels at our facilities in France last March, we are continuing to adapt our industrial facilities to prepare for the growing demand from the aviation industry in the coming decade. By directly reducing the carbon intensity of the energy products used by our aviation industry customers, we are actively working with them to achieve our ambition to get to net zero by 2050, together with society." Augustin de Romanet, Chairman and CEO of Groupe ADP, stressed: "This first flight from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport is a symbol of our ambition to decarbonize air transport by integrating new sustainable air fuels into aircraft. The European air transport roadmap aims for zero net emissions by 2050, and we are keen, as an airport operator, to support this energy transition and to embark, without delay, on the path of transforming our operation process and infrastructure." And Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus added: "Sustainable fuels are a major lever for achieving our objectives of decarbonizing the aviation sector, and Airbus supports all initiatives that contribute to their development and use on commercial flights. Coordinated action by all stakeholders is needed to increase the share of these sustainable fuels, which can be used today on up to 50% of our aircrafts, without any modification or operational impact, thereby reducing their environmental footprint." [1] Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a blend of conventional aviation fuel (JET-A1) and biojet fuel made from waste and residue sourced from the circular economy (animal fat, used cooking oil, etc.). Biojet fuel has similar properties to JET-A1 and produces up to 90% fewer CO2 emissions over its lifecycle compared with the fossil equivalent. About Air France-KLM A global player with a strong European base, the Air France-KLM Group's main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance. Air France-KLM is a leading airline Group in terms of international traffic on departure from Europe. It offers its customers access to a worldwide network, covering over 300 destinations thanks to Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia, mainly from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Its Flying Blue frequent flyer programme is one of the leaders in Europe with over 17 million members. Together with its partners Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM operates the largest transatlantic joint venture, with more than 275 daily flights in 2019. Air France-KLM is also a member of the SkyTeam alliance which has 19 member airlines, offers access to a vast global network and provides its customers with a seamless and quality travel experience. Air France-KLM is fully committed to sustainability and will accelerate to reduce its environmental footprint. The aim is to make a significant contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in connection with the Group's activities. More information on: www.airfranceklm.com and on Twitter: @AirFranceKLM About Total Total is a broad energy company that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is more affordable, more reliable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major. More information on: www.total.com and on Twitter: @TotalPress About Groupe ADP Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2019, the group handled through its brand Paris Aéroport more than 108 million passengers and 2.2 million metric tons of freight and mail at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and more than 110 million passengers in airports abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading quality of services. The group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2019, group revenue stood at EUR4,700 million and net income at EUR588 million. Registered office: 1, rue de France, 93 290 Tremblay-en-France. Aéroports de Paris is a public limited company (Société Anonyme) with share capital of EUR296,881,806. Registered in the Bobigny Trade and Company Register under no. 552 016 628. More information on: www.groupeadp.fr/en and on Twitter: @GroupeADP About Airbus Airbus is the pioneer of a sustainable aviation and space industry for a safe and united world. The company is constantly innovating to provide efficient and technologically advanced solutions in aerospace, defense and connected services. In commercial aviation, Airbus provides modern, fuel-efficient airliners and related services. Airbus is also a European leader in defense and security, and a major global player in space. In civil and military helicopters, Airbus provides the world's most advanced solutions and services. More information on: www.airbus.com and on Twitter: @Airbus @AirbusPress