Sherman A1
Sherman A1's JournalExtra volunteers recruited to teach Ukrainians English language
Fáilte Isteach, the language support service for migrants has increased the number of trained volunteers in its programmes nationwide, to teach English to those fleeing war in Ukraine.
Over 100 communities are running Failte Isteach programmes in towns and villages across the country, to help those who need support.
The programme is now expanding, creating new groups in new locations to meet and cope with demand.
It has created an online student registration form in the Ukrainian language to help with administration for individuals and groups.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ukraine/2022/0330/1289251-ukraine-refugees-ireland/
Sri Lanka imposing another rolling power cuts
Sri Lanka has started imposing 10-hour power cuts across the country to cope with severe energy shortages amid the worst economic crisis in decades. The war in Ukraine is adding to the uncertainty.
The authorities had been imposing blackouts in most areas since February. But the ones on Wednesday were much longer than the previous ones.
Sri Lanka is at risk of running out of hydro-electric power, as its reservoirs are dangerously low. The country has been unable to import enough fuel for power stations because of a lack of foreign exchange.
The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the nation's finances, as tourism revenue fell by nearly half last year, to about 2.7 billion dollars.
Global oil prices had already been high, and have jumped even more since the Russian invasion.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220330_39/
Swiss chocolate sales pick up again
The sales of Swiss chocolate rose again last year after dipping in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they remain below pre-crisis levels.
The turnover of Switzerland’s 16 chocolate manufacturers hit CHF1.7 billion ($1.8 billion) last year, an increase of 11.8% compared with 2020, the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers (Chocosuisse) reportedExternal link on Tuesday.
However, turnover remains 4.2% below the pre-crisis level of 2019.
Domestic chocolate sales rose by 7.7% in 2021 compared with the previous year, but were still significantly below the level of 2019 (-8.4%).
Meanwhile, export volumes of Swiss chocolate rose 10.8% in 2021, with revenues rising 15.5% to CHF926 million, Chocosuisse said.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-chocolate-sales-pick-up-again/47473814
Ukraine war threatens to derail development of new cancer treatments
The war in Ukraine risks disrupting hundreds of clinical trials taking place in Ukraine and Russia. Swiss pharmaceutical companies are directly impacted. This not only leaves patients without access to treatment but threatens the development of promising new drugs.
This content was published on March 29, 2022 - 09:30
When Incyte’s Chief Medical Officer Steven Stein learned of the invasion of Ukraine, he immediately thought of the people involved in the company’s clinical trials. The US biotech company, with European headquarters in Switzerland, works with ten third-party contractors in Ukraine who do site and data management. As of last week, 78 people in Ukraine were still receiving treatment as part of their trials.
“When the war started, our philosophy as a company was – this is about continuity of care for patients. That's it,” Stein, who is responsible for Incyte's clinical development plans, told SWI swissinfo.ch. “These people are already very brave. They have cancer and they’ve already volunteered to be in the study. What we’ve said to them is that we’re going to do everything for you to continue getting care.”
But continuing to provide treatments and maintain strict clinical trial protocols as hospitals are bombed, millions flee the country, and cancer patients shelter in bunkers is daunting. Incyte confirmed that all of their contract colleagues are safe in Ukraine or neighbouring countries. And, while their trials have been disrupted, they are working with local medical professionals to ensure continuity of care for patients and maintain the integrity of the clinical trials.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/ukraine-war-threatens-to-derail-development-of-new-cancer-treatments/47470752?utm_campaign=teaser-in-channel&utm_content=o&utm_source=swissinfoch&utm_medium=display
Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Included in Biden's Spend Plan
The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project was included in President Joe Biden’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget released Monday under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Coastal Navigation Construction category. The President’s recommended funding targeted project closeout appropriations of $157.3 million. Once approved by Congress, the appropriation would complete the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project, rendering it the most improved ship channel in the entire U.S. Gulf Coast. The Port of Corpus Christi is the largest gateway for U.S. energy exports and the third largest seaport in the nation in total waterway tonnage.
“The inclusion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project in President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget is a clear signal that the Administration values the American energy sector while recognizing the importance of exporting U.S. energy to our allies and partners. U.S. seaports enjoy widespread bipartisan support and we are grateful to those members of the Texas congressional delegation on both sides of the aisle for their unwavering sponsorship,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. “The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project – once completed next year – will significantly increase U.S. exports of energy and agriculture products from Texas and the United States. This project also supports the U.S. military, whose reliance on our port infrastructure is key to their increased mobility.”
The Channel Improvement Project (CIP) will increase the channel depth from -47 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) to -54 feet MLLW and widen it to 530 feet, with an additional 400 feet of barge shelves. The proposed budget amount of $157.3 million is the largest single-year budgetary allocation from the federal government compared to prior years’ budgets. The CIP has received nearly $250 million in federal appropriations to the USACE thus far, with the Port of Corpus Christi appropriating another $190 million in cost share funds.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/corpus-christi-ship-channel-improvement-495407
Type 23 Frigate HMS Somerset Refit Readies for Return to Royal Navy
Babcock International Group achieved Ready for Sea Date for the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset at Babcock’s Devonport facility.
HMS Somerset started her extensive overhaul at Babcock’s Devonport facility in November 2018. During that time, she has undergone a significant upkeep, which has included repairs and updates to her hull and living spaces, replacement of her Sea Wolf with the new Sea Ceptor weapon system and improvements to key electronic equipment. In addition to this, HMS Somerset’s project team have completed the replacement of her four diesel generators, an enhanced propulsion motor clean and over 500 structural inserts, with the overall project surpassing one million hours of work.
The project team welcomed ship staff back on board at the end of last year and have since completed the final stages of commissioning, before handing her back to the Royal Navy to carry out sea trials.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/type-frigate-hms-somerset-refit-readies-495415
Maersk Warns Shanghai Lockdown to Boost Shipping Costs Further
Danish shipper Maersk said the Shanghai lockdown will severely hurt trucking services and increase transport costs, as China's intensifying efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19 further rattles global supply chains.
The Chinese coastal city, home to some of the world's busiest sea and airports, began locking down half of the city on Monday and intends to do the same to the other half for four days starting Friday in a two-stage testing exercise.
While it has kept its airports and deepwater port open, it has imposed stringent movement curbs, barring unapproved vehicles from streets and telling millions of people not to leave their homes.
"Trucking service in and out (of) Shanghai will be severely impacted by 30% due to a full lockdown on Shanghai's Pudong and Puxi areas in turn until 5th April," Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping company, said in an advisory to clients on Monday.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/maersk-warns-shanghai-lockdown-boost-495408
What is the difference between Iron Man and Aluminum Man?
Iron Man stops the bad guys……..
Aluminum Man simply foils their plans…………..
Hesburger: Closing all outlets in Russia and Belarus "as soon as possible"
The Finnish fast food firm Hesburger said it plans to close all of its outlets in Russia and Belarus "as soon as possible".
In a press statement on Tuesday, Hesburger CEO Kari Salmela said that the chain plans to end operations in both countries during this summer, as many other international firms have done, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, many people in Finland have taken to social media to criticise the fast food chain's timeline as too slow.
"We will do our best to close the doors of the restaurants in Russia as soon as possible," Salmela said.
https://yle.fi/news/3-12381067
Finland's president talks with Nato chief about new member process
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said that on Monday he and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the "principles and procedures involved" in the military alliance's acceptance of new members.
In a post on Facebook on Tuesday, Niinistö said that Finland's security must be further strengthened and that all possibilities and prospects need to be explored.
"To this end, during [Monday's] discussion with Secretary General Stoltenberg, Nato's principles and procedures for accepting new members were thoroughly reviewed," Niinistö wrote on Facebook.
https://yle.fi/news/3-12381821
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