Category Archives: Resource Based Economy

Spatial structure of the enzyme AmbDH3.

In the bioeconomy, biotechnological processes are replacing processes that rely on fossil resources. Microorganisms and enzymes are being used in targeted fashion as biocatalysts for industrial production. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have now discovered an enzyme that offers great advantages as a biocatalyst. It is eminently suited for the production of natural product-derived drugs that promise a broad spectrum of medical application. Conventional synthesis processes for these substances are very laborious. In the journal "ACS Catalysis", researchers from the team of Prof. Dr. Frank Hahn present their discovery.

Nature holds a wealth of substances that could be of great medical benefits for humans. Due to their complex structures, however, these natural products can often only be produced at great expense when using conventional chemical processes. One promising approach to this problem is the use of biocatalysts, which often help to markedly simplify production. The new biocatalyst discovered by the Bayreuth researchers is the enzyme AmbDH3. It can be used to produce ring-shaped building blocks of natural products, so-called tetrahydropyrans. They often cause the biological activity of natural products, and therefore play an important role in medical applications.

In their study, the Bayreuth scientists succeeded in proving that AmbDH3 can be used to produce the antibiotically active ()-centrolobin. On the basis of this, the Bayreuth research team intends to tackle the synthesis of further, even more complex tetrahydropyran-containing natural products. One example are the Bryostatins, which are of great interest in drug research due to their antiviral activity. They might even be suitable for the treatment of cancer or Alzheimer's disease.

Tetrahydropyrans are ring-shaped molecules that belong to the chemical group of heterocycles. The research group of Prof. Dr. Frank Hahn at the University of Bayreuth shows, in its new study, that a variety of different heterocycles can be obtained with the help of the biocatalyst AmbDH3. The new biocatalyst has the advantage of allowing the spatial structure of the resulting ring-shaped molecules to be precisely controlled. In addition, AmbDH3 is a very stable enzyme and suitable for the production of large quantities of a desired substance. Until now, no biocatalyst has been known to combine all of these properties.

The scientists discovered AmbDH3 while studying bacteria that use this enzyme to produce ambruticin. This is a potential drug candidate for treatment of fungal diseases.

"I expect future applications for the enzyme AmbDH3 primarily in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, but also in the synthesis of fine chemicals. Our research group is confident that we will be able to discover further enzymes related to AmbDH3, which will further expand the repertoire of these biocatalysts. Our work has proven that biocatalysis can make a significant contribution to establishing a more natural resource-based economy. It thus contributes to solving central social challenges," says Hahn, who, together with his team at the University of Bayreuth, is conducting research into the drug potential of natural products, and the synthetic potential of biosynthetic enzymes.

Industrial (or White) biotechnology is indispensable in the development of a sustainable bio-economy. By allowing microorganisms or enzymes to take over the production of substances that were previously obtained by 'artificial' chemical synthesis processes, energy is conserved and significantly fewer toxic chemicals used. The chemical and pharmaceutical industries are very interested in such gentle processes. "With new biocatalysts, areas that until recently were reserved for traditional chemical synthetic methodology can be opened up to the bio-economy. In future, it will be important to combine the advantages of both research and development approaches in a targeted way," Hahn explains.

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On our way to the bio-economy: High-performance biocatalyst discovered - Chemie.de

Two weeks before Stephen Poloz leaves his position as governor of the Bank of Canada, he's issued an optimistic assessment of Canada's economic potential.

In a May 21 briefing with reporters, he pointed out that the financial markets have improved. And he predictedthat the housing market will also be able to rebound.

That's because it had already stabilized somewhat before the pandemic was declared in March.

In addition, Poloz described media headlines as being "a little too dire"while still acknowledging that the timing of the lifting ofhealth restrictions will play a huge role in any recovery.

His comments contrasted with a bleak assessment delivered by the president of the CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., Evan Siddall.

Speaking before the Commons finance committee on Tuesday (May 19). Siddall talked about a "debt deferral cliff" that will come in the fall. This will occur when those who lost their jobs in the spring will be required to resume making mortgage payments.

As much as one fifth of all mortgages could be in arrears if our economy has not recovered sufficiently, he declared.

Siddall also suggested that home prices could fall by up to 18 percent over the next year in some parts of Canada.

Canadians can be forgiven for feeling confused when hearing such wildly differing perspectives from senior officials.

The reality is that this recovery could take different forms.

Think of it as a series of letters: V, U, W, and L.

The V-shape is the most desirableit begins with a sharp drop, like we've seen in March and April. That's when three million Canadians were thrown out of work.

These economic contractions can be followed by an equally sharp incline, such asoccurred in 1953 in the United States.

The difficulty in replicating that this time around is the high level of consumer debt that preceded the current recession.

Many Canadians were already overextended. That's been compounded by a jobless crisis that has had a disproportionate impact on millennials and Gen Z.

The U-shaped recession involves a longer-lasting trough in which unemployment levels remain high.

In these contractions, it takes a while to wash all the economic issues through the system.

A prime example of this was the 1973 to 1975 recession, which was characterized by "stagflation"stagnation combined with inflation.

This situation was triggered in part by an Arab oil embargo and U.S. president Richard Nixon's decision to cancel the convertibility of the U.S. dollar into gold.

Even though it only lasted a couple of years, it seemed to go on forever. And the economic malaise may have contributed to the overall grumpy mood in the United States that coincided with Nixon being forced to resign.

The W-shaped recession involves a bit of a recovery, followed by another dip, and then prolonged economic growth.

That occurred in the early 1980s when Canada's resource-based economy was thrashed by falling international prices for commodities.

Epidemiologists talk a lot about a second wave of COVID-19 infections. Were that to occur, it might be sufficient to create a W-shaped recession in the western world.

Parts of Europe already experienced the W-shaped economic curve. It began during the 2008 global meltdown, followed by another slowdown from 2011 to 2013 when some of the Eurozone's debt-saddled nations, notably Greece, experienced grave fiscal pressures.

The most frightening economic scenario is an L-shaped recession, which dogged Japan after the crash of the yen in 1991. What followed has been described as the "lost score" as home and stock values remained in the doldrums for 20 years.

The Great Depression of the 1930s was another L-shaped economic disaster.

"L-shaped recoveries are characterized by persistently high unemployment, a slow return of businesses investment activity, and a sluggish rate of growth in economic output, and are associated with some of the worst economic episodes through history," states the Investopedia website.

Canadians who listen to Poloz are likely to conclude that we're in store for a reasonably quick recovery.

But those who paid attention to Siddall's comments might worry about an L-shaped asset crash that could have long-term ramifications.

Those who hear health officials' warnings about a second wave of COVID-19 cases may anticipate a W-shaped curve.

And anyone fixated on resource prices might foresee a U-shaped situation unfolding as the Canadian economy adjusts to a shrinking energy sector.

The challenge for business executives and politicians is to build strategies based on what type of recession we might currently be in. And that could differ, depending where they live.

A prime example is the recession of 1991 and 1992, which hit Central Canada much harder than British Columbia.

It's exceedingly difficult to make predictions, given the plethora of contradictory information out there.

On the one hand, stock markets are doing well and housing prices have held up.

On the other hand, we've seen record job losses, retail sales have crashed, and certain sectors, like hospitality, are on their knees.

It's going to take a while to know for sure which letter of the alphabet will best describe what's unfolding in the Canadian economy.

But it's pretty clear where the governor of the Bank of Canada standshe's looking at a "V"for victory, perhaps, as he's on the way out the door.

Read more from the original source:

What shape is your economic curveV, U, W, or L? - Straight.com

The COVID-19 crisis is exposing the shortcomings of Canadas economy, particularly when it comes to supply chains and the development of value-added products that would keep the country competitive, innovation experts say.

Dan Breznitz, the co-director of the innovation policy lab at the University of Toronto, said he expects global trade in raw commodities to decline as the novel coronavirus makes it more difficult to move people and goods around the world.

Its a wake-up call for Canadas resource-based industries, he said, noting Canada will have a problem just selling wood and unprocessed oil.

The country must rebuild its capacity to produce sophisticated goods through innovation in those sectors and beyond, said Breznitz, who is also the chair of innovation studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs.

We no longer can actually produce the basic things we need in order to survive under (a) pandemic, and we cannot count on global production networks to do that in times of crisis.

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Alan Winter, British Columbias former innovation commissioner, agrees, saying COVID-19 has further exposed Canadas dependence on purchasing goods and technology offshore with profits from primary resource industries.

The issues that we see today around (personal protection equipment) and getting stuff out of China is all illustrative of the fact that our economy, to some extent, has been totally submerged into other countries in terms of supply chains, he said.

Our strategy of selling raw natural resources doesnt make a lot of sense. We need to have the capability of developing more finished goods ourselves.

Canada lags behind other members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for investing in research and development on new products and technology, said Winter.

In his final report to the B.C. government, released last week, Winter pointed out that about 1.4 per cent of the provinces GDP goes towards research and development, while the OECD average is about 2.4 per cent. Several of Canadas competitors make investments in the 3.5 per cent range, he added.

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Breznitz said Canada lacks policies aimed at creating more small- and medium-sized enterprises and then helping them grow, particularly when it comes to access to capital in the early stages before investments from venture capitalists.

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Right now in Canada, it will be almost impossible to get the finance, just the basic finance for you to be able to scale up, he said, using an example of a family owned, medium-sized business with an idea for a new product or technology.

Canadian entrepreneurs also face regulatory red tape in selling newly developed products in Canada, said Breznitz.

It expensive and each province has its own little quirks. So, its actually easier to sell to the whole United States.

He said the federal government should provide targeted grants and loans directly to entrepreneurs and companies, rather than funnel money into more innovation superclusters, accelerators and incubators.

The silver lining is that Canadas workforce is much more sophisticated than it was 15 years ago, with the proven potential for innovative ideas, Breznitz said.

Others are commercializing those ideas, said Breznitz, pointing to large multinationals that have ramped up operations in Canada including Facebook and Google.

The question is what kind of policies would allow more Canadian entrepreneurs, small businesses and big businesses, old and new, to do exactly what the multinationals are doing.

Private companies operating in Canada have also failed to invest in research and development because innovation is costly and risky, he said.

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You can make easy money with less risk by being less sophisticated.

The need for economic support and opportunities is even more pronounced in rural communities, where Breznitz said the lack of investment has been catastrophic.

Ken Coates, Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation, said many residents lack access to a reliable internet connection, let alone access to start-up capital and training opportunities in science and technology.

We should be delivering basic services at a national level to all Canadians. And were not even close to there right now.

The pandemic may mobilize rural residents to demand the same essential service standards available in urban areas, said Coates, who also teaches at the graduate school of public policy at the University of Saskatchewan.

He said Canadas natural resources have made the country rich and complacent.

The irony is that much of Canadas resource development happens in and around rural and remote communities that should have become prosperous as a result, Coates said.

Economic development in rural and remote areas should capitalize on local strengths, he said.

For example, the capital of Swedens northernmost county was well-suited to become the host of Facebooks European data servers. The city of Lulea has cheap and abundant hydro electricity and cold temperatures for the hot servers, much like parts of B.C., said Coates.

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But it takes a lot of nerve, enthusiasm, commitment and support for a rural or remote community to decide to stand up and fight for new jobs, investors and residents, he said.

Theres no easy solution whatsoever.

2020 The Canadian Press

See the article here:

Innovation experts say COVID-19 exposing vulnerabilities of Canadas economy - Globalnews.ca

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The COVID-19 pandemic is exerting complex impact on global development. The aggravation of negative processes (the growing rivalry of great powers and the struggle for leadership) is accompanied by the emergence of potentially positive ones (the increasing demand for joint response to global challenges) which in the long run will affect the international environment. However, the essence of modern world politics remains unchanged: it is the struggle for positions in building a new order in place of the rapidly collapsing present one and the approaching finale of not only the unipolar moment, but also of the Wests five-hundred-year domination based on military superiority achieved in the 16th-17th centuries. There is a danger that by focusing entirely on the pandemic Russia and the international community might get distracted from addressing fundamental problemsdevising and implementing a new, future-oriented ideological base and agenda for Russias foreign policy.

For several years, the world has been drifting towards a pre-war state as the danger of unintended global war due to the escalation of multiplying crises grew. There are several reasons for that: the fastest ever redistribution of power in the world; degradation of elites in many countries and their despair over the inability to cope with snowballing problems, which has been clearly exposed by the global coronavirus attack; the emergence of a new generation of destabilizing weapons and the expansion of military rivalry into new spheres (outer space, cyberspace, artificial intelligence); the emasculation of previous arms limitation regimes; escalating U.S. rivalry with China and Russia; the blurring of the line between war and peace; and dwindling resistance of societies to the threat of wara kind of strategic parasitism, a habit of peace, utterly unjustified in view of the factors listed above.

The pandemic is dangerous, but by historical standards probably not catastrophic, even though it is perceived as such because it has triggered an avalanche of problems and imbalanceseconomic, financial, and those related to growing inequality, pollution, climate change, migration, intra-European and intra-Atlantic problemswhich kept mounting but were never addressed. Many elites have seized on the pandemic as the equivalent of a relatively safe little war that will write everything off. It may help release the steam, but it is equally likely that it may precipitate a deep global economic crisis, similar to that of 1929 which was one of the causes of World War II, and exacerbate numerous international problems and contradictions. The U.S. has stepped up its confrontational policy towards China and Russia in a desperate attempt to regain global leadership, thus increasing the threat of war between the great powers.

At the same time, the current upheavals cannot but make mankind revise many habitual models of relations and reassess existing values. Issues pertaining to environmental pollution, climate change, natural and technological disasters and pandemics will gain greater importance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also become a powerful catalyst for the growing trend towards renationalization of the world economy and politics. It has shown that anti-epidemic measures are largely being taken at the national level. In fact, it has proven that only sovereign states are able to provide people with public benefits. This generates much stronger demand for sovereignty, rejection of external dominance, and freedom in choosing ones political and cultural path, development models, and foreign policy orientation.

Finally, the pandemic has highlighted the need for a new philosophy of development that would center on the preservation and development of man and protection of nature, not on unbridled consumption.

All these trends require that Russia fundamentally upgrade the ideological framework of its foreign policy and offer its own society and the world attractive and future-oriented ideas.[1]

This need was fairly obvious even before the pandemic. Russias foreign policy of the last fifteen years has been quite successful. The restoration of effective deterrence capability, the creation of highly efficient conventional armed forces and state-of-the-art strategic systems, brilliant diplomacy, and competitors mistakes have let the country return into the top league of world politics. At the same time there are indications showing that the ideological content of Russias foreign policy is lagging behind global development trends and the needs of Russian society, which may cause a loss of some of the regained international positions and may reduce public support for a strong foreign and defense policy.

Russias foreign policy rhetoric lacks bright, forward-looking ideas that would be consistent with main global development trends and be able to lead. For example, the idea of multipolarity, which still underlies Russian foreign policy rhetoric but actually represents the agenda of the 1990s and 2000s, is no longer attractive to most countries. The unipolar moment is over, and the main question now is not whether or not a multipolar world order will ever become a reality, but what rules and norms will lie at its foundation.

Naturally, Russias foreign policy can boast some promising ideas such as the Greater Eurasian Partnership. However, at the global level, Russias unique contribution to world affairs and its special mission have remained unidentified or inconsistent with the general trends and aspirations of most countries. Russia has often been even wary of talking about its mission.

There is an ideological vacuum in the world, and a fierce struggle is unfolding to fill it. The U.S., while still waving the flag of freedom and democracy and building up its economic and military power, is trying hard to retain dominance while at the same time giving up the liberal approach and displaying Darwinian egoism. China has proposed a Community of Common Destiny, which represents its mission as the promotion of harmony and development. But it is not yet quite clear what exactly this means in practice.

Big ideas, which simultaneously reflect internal identity, make the national existence meaningful and illuminate distinctive contribution that a country could offer for the rest of the world, constitute the defining feature of a great power. If such ideas fade away or are abandoned, great powers become weak and even fall apart. Russia has already gone through that.

We do not suggest adopting a state ideology in the classical sense, an ideology that would claim to elaborate the only correct views on historical development and offer a true and universal system of values, or that would impose its views and values on others. The country and the world had enough of that in the 20th century. The pragmatism of Russias foreign policy, that is, its ability to develop relations with all countries regardless of their internal regimes, must be preserved as it gives great advantages and reduces costs.

But it is necessary to understand what Russia is in the world of today and tomorrow, what its positive contribution to international affairs is in comparison with the role of other powers, and why Russian society and most countries of the world should be interested in preserving a strong Russia and making it even stronger. What role will it play in a world where, on the one hand, two superpowers (the U.S. and China which is turning into a superpower) come to the fore, but, on the other hand, more and more countries do not want to become dependent on them? Can Russia contribute to the fight against epidemics and environmental degradation and how? The answers to these questions will largely determine Russias international position, its influence, its role in shaping a new world order, and even its internal political stability.

The ideas that were proposed by one of the authors of this article in a previous publication (seeNew Ideas for Itself and the World) have not only lost relevance now, in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic, but, on the contrary, have become more pertinent and important. In our opinion, Russias foreign policy should be based on the following ideological triad:

It is desirable that each of these ideas become the basis of the relevant policy, a set of foreign policy initiatives.

Russias mission in this case would be saving the planet from nuclear catastrophe and environmental disaster, protecting sovereignty and freedom of choice for all countries. This is not an urge for Russia to make everyone happy at its own expense, as it was in Soviet times, but a policy that meets the interests of Russian society. Since such a mission cannot be carried out unilaterally, it is necessary to seek maximum cooperation of all countries in order to consolidate peace and protect the environment. One of the slogans for the proposed policy could sound likeLets save the planet together.

These ideas and priorities are,first, fully consistent with global trends. Peace, freedom of choice and sovereignty, the preservation of nature and humans is what is needed everywhere today and will be even more needed tomorrow.

Second, these ideas are akin to domestic identity, to what has always been valued in Russia. Ensuring sovereignty and independence is one of Russias highest priorities; preserving peace has historically been the main pursuit of the country that has survived several devastating incursions and has been existing in a challenging geopolitical environment. The emphasis on the spiritual and cultural development of man and society, not just on material goods and consumption, is also in line with Russias spiritual tradition.

Third, these ideas largely reflect what Russia is de facto already doing but has not yet conceptualized or is not yet been promoting as its own contribution to global development. By pursuing a firm foreign policy and creating new weapon systems that make it impossible for the U.S. and NATO to restore military superiority in the foreseeable future, Russia has reduced the threat of aggression against itself, a large-scale war, and a new conventional and nuclear arms race. This makes such a race too costly, if not completely meaningless, for the other side in the years to come. We have got a window of opportunity for a new policy and domestic development. Having put an end to the Wests military superiority, on which its political, economic, and cultural dominance has rested for the last five centuries, having stopped a series of destabilizing color revolutions and regime change endeavors in Syria, by playing an active role in Asia and the Middle East and maintaining a balanced partnership with all centers of power in these regions, Russia is strengthening the basis for preserving and strengthening the sovereignty of dozens of states. Russian policy guarantees them the freedom to choose a civilizational and cultural path as well as economic and political models of development, thereby allowing them to avoid making the exclusive either-or choice.

Fourth, the proposed foreign policy ideas and priorities are largely low-cost and even economically profitable. The only partial exception is environmental protection, the improvement of the national health system and assistance to the closest partners in modernizing their own health systems. But the development of these spheres will bring economic benefits in the future as well. Besides, this is inevitable anyway. It is always better to lead the way and reap international political benefits than respond to external or internal pressures.

It can encompass three key dimensions.

The first one is reducing the threat of war by easing political confrontation, reducing military activities, and forging dialogue between the military and political leaderships.

It is necessary to improve conflict prevention mechanisms (deconfliction) and to develop rules of conduct in gray zones, where the threat of unintentional military clash is the highest, especially in the cyber sphere.

One step further, when the Americans appear prepared for it, a new round of arms limitation negotiations can be proposed in order to block the most destabilizing directions of the arms race (space-based weapons, medium-range missiles, low-yield nuclear weapons on strategic carriers, precision non-nuclear weapons, etc.). But there must be no hurry so that to avoid falling into the trap of the traditional arms control formula.

It is necessary to propose a multilateral dialogue among all nuclear powers devoted to strengthening strategic stability. The efforts should be aimed at devising new rules of the game in the military-strategic field for the future, which would minimize the possibility of accidental and unauthorized use of nuclear weapons due to a fatal mistake or misjudgment. It would also be desirable to urge all nuclear powers to reject the use of military force, at least against each other, since it risks provoking nuclear escalation and may cause catastrophic consequences for the planet and the whole mankind. Such a statement could be adopted at a meeting of the leaders of the UN Security Council permanent member states.

The second dimension is the strengthening of deterrence. This will remain the main way to prevent the use of force between nuclear powers in the foreseeable future as the world is rapidly restructuring the international system and developing new rules of international co-existence (or restoring traditional ones). When Russia de facto gave up the policy of active deterrence against the West in the 1990s and 2000s, the latter immediately committed a series of aggressive acts (against Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya). A possible slogan for such a policy could beRussianstrengthfor peacein contrast to the American peace through strength.

The strengthening of deterrence means further improvement of Russias nuclear and non-nuclear deterrent capabilities, without getting involved in an arms race. It also means production of the most advanced strategic systems, but keeping them in limited numbers, without building them up in big quantities. It would also be desirable to extend the New START Treaty until 2026 in order to preserve the current mechanisms of ensuring predictability and to have time for developing a new understanding and architecture for maintaining strategic stability.[2]Russia should keep repeating publicly that a limited nuclear war against it is impossible, which would also be true of a nuclear war against Russia in Europe without a retaliatory strike against the United States, or that Russia can be defeated in a large-scale non-nuclear war.

The third dimension is the positioning of Russia as an effective and successful peacemaker, which in fact it already is. Russia should give more importance to peacemaking and the settlement of military conflicts in its foreign policy rhetoric, and to work closely with relevant international organizations and NGOs, engaging more actively with China, as well as BRICS and SCO countries in general, to ensure economic reconstruction in Syria.

Another possible dimension is promoting Russia as an exporter of trust and security through the supply of air and missile defense systems, and the protection of digital infrastructure.

By playing the role of an independent global center of power, pursuing active policies in key regions of the world, and maintaining balanced relations with regional players, Russia can counter any attempt to impose universalism, political, cultural or economic hegemony, or put countries in a situation where they would have to make a tough either-or choice. Perhaps Russia, in cooperation with other BRICS and SCO countries, should consider proposing the establishment of a Global Alliance for Sovereignty and Diversity, an informal association of countries advocating the protection of sovereignty as one of the highest values.

Russia can also become a guarantor of a New Non-Alignment, bringing together countries that do not want to side with states seeking global or regional hegemony, and that want to develop independently. Naturally, Russia should maintain friendship and strategic partnership with China and seek to improve relations with the United States. This will strengthen Russias position as a global independent center of power and at the same time make it a desirable partner for countries seeking to avoid an obligatory strategic choice. Russia should also support the existing Non-Aligned Movement. This work is not noticeable in Russias foreign policy rhetoric and practice yet.

It may encompass developing a national and international pollution (and, in the long run, carbon emission) control program, including rejection of household plastic products, limitation of harmful emissions and energy losses, and a massive (and at the same time inexpensive) reclamation and reforestation campaign in areas affected by fires or overexploited. This program should include areas around big cities in order to involve more people in the process.

It is necessary to promote, both inside and outside the country, Russias image as a green country, emphasizing its natures riches and diversity as values, not only as a resource of economic development. The Arctic should become the worlds main platform for scientific cooperation, a natural laboratory for studying climate change.

As a supplier of environmentally-friendly and resource-intensive goods, Russia can help East Asian countries solve ecological and resource problems. Siberia and the Far East should be actively turned into a region for the development of an innovative resource-based economy built on a fusion of natural wealth and high technologies.

There is also an obvious need to provide information support for our readiness to help increase the supply of organic food and water-intensive goods, bringing tens of millions of hectares of idle land into use. For example, during its BRICS presidency, Russia could propose increasing its grain supplies to Africa using Chinese-built infrastructure. There is an obvious need to establish an International Grain Fund to help in case of crop failures.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for international cooperation to combat pandemics, including assistance to the least protected countries with weak health systems. Together with China and other BRICS and CSO countries, Russia could lead the way in the following areas: broadening scientific and technical cooperation in the production of vaccines; coordinating the positions of BRICS and SCO countries in the WHO and promoting increased funding and broader powers for the organization; sharing best practices to strengthen national health systems; coordinating BRICS, SCO and G20 countries policies to assist countries with less developed health systems.

Russia should once again show its readiness to cooperate in dealing with industrial and natural disasters (especially in the most vulnerable countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America). It would be useful to deepen cooperation on these issues within the BRICS and/or SCO framework. Humanitarian assistance offered by China and Russia to a number of European countries opens up opportunities for interaction with them to address these issues.

Russia needs a new humanitarian policy. The Federal Agency for the CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) should turn from an institution organizing relatively low-effective cultural events and seminars abroad into a humanitarian policy coordinating center that would become responsible for the provision of Russian bilateral non-military and non-macroeconomic aid to other countries.

The 75th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War, and Russias chairmanship in BRICS and the SCO, which have coincided with the world-rattling pandemic, can be used for launching new foreign policy initiatives.

The policy of securing peace, protecting the freedom of choice for all, the environment, and human lives must be implemented gradually over a period of 10-15 years, that is, the expected duration of acute struggle for the restructuring of the international system, the development of new (restoration of old) rules, and the establishment of balances.

A new language free from Cold War-era terminology is very important. For example, instead of struggle for peace we should speak of ensuring peace and saving Earth, joint peace creation, and saving Earth and peace as a common cause.

It is necessary to prevent arms race not only in order to reduce the threat of war, but also in order to use the funds thus saved for protecting the environment and reducing social inequality. Russia should propose strengthening not just strategic stability, but multilateral strategic stability. New foreign policy initiatives should grab attention even linguistically.

Priority target audiences must be Russian society, elites and people in the non-WestSCO, BRICS, ASEAN and Arabcountries, and such states as Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. A powerful potential ally is China, a country that sustained the biggest human losses in World War II after the Soviet Union.

The West should be considered a target audience, let alone partner, only on a secondary or even tertiary basis. In fact, Western elites, gripped by a massive anti-Russian information campaign, barely hear Russias reasoning. (Although there is a visible fear of war in Europe and it seems to be more and more willing to cooperate, especially Southern and Central European countries). The obvious inability and unwillingness of the EU and NATO to address the real challenges to European security, migration, and the pandemic will only reinforce this trend. But the desire to take revenge will also grow stronger. It seems that politically the West is already losing the pandemic battle.

Once a tentative Coalition for Peace and Earth is established, it would be possible to engage Western countries and their political forces in the implementation of the new policy. In the meantime, it is worth showing the U.S. that it cannot regain strategic superiority. This, however, does not exclude dialogue, even if it can hardly achieve results but is able to improve the atmosphere, at least in the short term.

There is no need to frighten Europe with the Russian force, it is well aware of Russias capabilities. On the contrary, it should be invited to step up confidence-building measures. It would also be expedient to point out that European NATO countries spend much more on military needs than Russia does today. Dialogues with Europeans should seek to develop common approaches to security challenges, including pandemics, for future. These challenges are not on the East-West axis, on which the North Atlantic Alliance remains stubbornly fixated.

The promotion of these and other ideas for Russia and the world must not be put off until the contours of a new world begin to take shape. The deconstruction of the old and the formation of a new order will occur simultaneously. In this situation one must be not only strong and decisive, but also active and creative.

The sooner Russia shows its own society and everyone else a positive contribution to the world affairs, the more opportunities it will have in building the future world order and the better its chances will be for strengthening itself as one of its founders.

See the article here:

Russia in the post-coronavirus world: New ideas for foreign policy - Observer Research Foundation

by Brighton Kaoma, Alice Ruhweza, and Jeff Worden|May 22, 2020

A herd of elephants in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Photo: World Wide Fund for Nature

Today, as we celebrate International Day of Biodiversity, the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world. We celebrate this day in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that is severely impacting people and organizations around the world, and highlighting the fragility of so much of what we hold dear. We stand in solidarity with all those who are suffering at the hands of this global crisis.

Todays theme,Our solutions are in nature,emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. This message resonates with particular strength today, as the scope and scale of the devastation of COVID-19 to human health and wellbeing becomes increasingly clear. While most African governments have acted expeditiously to contain the spread of this virus across the continent, the economic impacts of the pandemic are both acute and far-reaching. These impacts threaten the very foundation of Africas sustainable development agenda.

The post authors, from left to right: Brighton Kaoma is an alum of Columbia Universitys MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, as well as the WWF International Presidents Youth Awardee and Queens Young Leader. Alice Ruhweza is the Africa Regional Director at WWF International. Jeff Worden is the Africa Conservation Impact Director at WWF International.

One sector where the impacts of COVID are particularly clear is tourism. Estimates by the African Union suggest that the economic impact of COVID-19 on Africas tourism and travel sector alone may be as much as $50 billion USD nearly 7 times greater than the 2008 economic crisis with widespread job losses and the looming threat of food insecurity.

These economic impacts reach far beyond the sector itself, however. With the rise of ecotourism over the past three decades, the fate of the industry has become increasingly linked with the wellbeing of rural communities in high biodiversity areas. In many parts of Africa, human health and wellbeing is inextricably linked to sustainable management of their natural resources. The sudden and comprehensive collapse of global tourism has brought to the fore a largely hidden but parallel crisis brewing for Africas conservation landscapes and the people that protect and depend on this rich natural heritage.

In addition to providing alternative livelihoods to vulnerable rural communities, tourism has transformed the very nature of conservation in Africa. It has engendered a revolution in community-based natural resource management through revenue sharing, enabled the expansion of conservation outside of protected areas, and provided a mechanism to fundamentally change the conservation narrative from exclusion to inclusion from government ownership to community rights. Tourism has also demonstrated the potential for channeling resources from wealthy economies to developing countries and communities in support of conservation. Critically, income from tourism has supported conservation both inside and outside of protected areas and provided an incentive for many communities to protect biodiversity.

Mountain gorilla silverback male playing in habitat in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Photo: World Wide Fund for Nature

Furthermore, tourism has created vast multiplier effects across economic sectors. For example, it is estimated that every night that a tourist stays at a high-end wildlife lodge in a remote part of Africa, up to 14 people in the surrounding community benefit indirectly from the income generated. On a macro level, there are numerous examples of countries whose revenue from the tourism sector significantly contributes to the national treasury, with much of this revenue being channeled to other essential sectors such as health and education.

In countries like Uganda and Rwanda, tourism revenue pays for the construction of schools and health care facilities for communities neighboring protected areas. In Kenya, tourism is the third largest source of foreign exchange; it supports 1.5 million jobs (especially in rural areas), and dominates the service sector. In 2018, the World Travel and Tourism Council reported that South Africas tourism sector directly contributed to 2.9 percent of the GDP, and the economic contribution from tourism could be multiplied by a factor of four to include its revenue-generating ability across other sectors, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing.

Tourism also fueled the transition of nations like Cabo Verde, the Maldives and Samoa from what the U.N. defines as least developed countries to middle income countries.

On this International Day of Biodiversity, however, it is equally important that we remember the existential value of nature. Even without tourism, we are completely dependent on nature for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy. The collapse of tourism reminds us to appreciate the other essential services that nature provides, such as reducing vulnerability to climate change; providing food and water security; reducing pollution; ensuring access to important genetic material and traditional medicine; timber production, and carbon storage. All of which are essential to Africas future economic development. A recent report on Global Futures by WWF suggests that a business-as-usual development strategy that fails to protect nature and its essential services could result in an economic loss of nearly $10 trillion USD by 2050. It is therefore imperative that nature is part and parcel of our local and national development plans.

We know that tourism has its challenges, and even as we emerge from this crisis, we will need to critically examine issues such as the negative impacts of carbon emissions from international travel, and the environmental degradation resulting from too many tourists, among other things. We also recognize that it is time to explore new models of sustainable finance for nature that go beyond the current tourism model. But we know fundamentally that the ability of this sector (and our economies more generally) to recover will be based on the health of the product it is selling in this case nature and biodiversity.

Africas tourism industry will be an important launching pad for economic recovery. We call on African leaders and policy makers to consider tourism as one of the key components of stimulus packages and economic recovery plans. Aside from being deeply entrenched in the African continents development DNA, tourism fosters unparalleled positive ripple effects to other sectors of the economy during this recovery phase. But lets not stop there. Even as we build on the social and environmental benefits that tourism can support, lets ensure that biodiversity, and nature more generally, are recognized as key building blocks for a post COVID -19 recovery.

In the spirit of todays theme, our solutions are in nature, let us seize this opportunity to reflect on the central role of nature in our health, wellbeing, and sustainable development. Happy International Day of Biodiversity!

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Africa's COVID-19 Recovery Should Harness the Benefits of Nature and Conservation - State of the Planet

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSX: AOT; OTCQX: AOTVF) (Ascot or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has filed on SEDAR the Premier & Red Mountain Gold Project Feasibility Study NI 43-101 Technical Report (FS) prepared by Sacre-Davey Engineering Inc. as previously announced on April 15, 2020 (see press release at https://ascotgold.com/news-releases/2020/ascot-reports-robust-feasibility-study-with-after-tax-irr-of-51/.)

The FS, prepared for the Companys 100% owned Premier and Red Mountain Gold Project (the "Project") located in the Golden Triangle near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada, supports robust economics including Base case After-tax NPV5%of C$341 million and IRR 51% (based on US$1400/oz gold price, $17/oz silver price and CAD to US exchange rate of 0.76.)The FS is based on a proven and probable reserve of 6.2 million tonnes (Mt) from the Project. In addition to the reserves, the Company has inferred resources of 5.1Mt at 7.25 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at Premier, with approximately 2.2Mt of this resource material at similar grade, near the planned development, which may potentially be converted to reserves during operations.

Ascots President and CEO, Derek White commented, The feasibility study is very robust at the base case assumptions and given the current strong gold price4 environment, the after-tax NPV5% increases to over $600 million and IRR to nearly 80%. This was a huge collaboration and I am proud of the effort put forth to complete the FS and look forward to additional optimizations in the future. We are now focused on advancing our permitting efforts and reviewing various funding proposals for the Project.

Notes1. Fully ramped up yrs. @ 2500 tpd in year 3 2. All in Sustaining Cost ( non GAAP)3. Base Case US$1400/oz. Gold: US CAD 0.764. Spot US$1710/oz Gold, Silver US$15.32/oz :US:CAD 0.71

* Premier & Red Mountain Total Resources M&I of 7.3Mt @ 7.85g/t &Inferred of 5.5Mt @ 7.11g/t

Annual General Meeting - As previously disclosed, with regards to the timing its Annual General Meeting, the Company is relying on temporary relief measures provided by the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") and the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company is also relying on an exemption set out in BC Instrument 51-516 from the requirement under subsection 9.3.1.(1) of NI 51 -102 to file executive compensation disclosure no later than 140 days after the companys most recently completed financial year end.The Company will hold its 2020 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") in the second half of 2020. Management continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and details for the AGM will be communicated in due course.

Qualified Persons and NI 43-101 DisclosureJohn Kiernan, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer of the Company is the Companys Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

ASCOT RESOURCES LTD.

Derek C. White, President and CEO

For further information contact:Kristina HoweVP, Investor Relations778-725-1060 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Ascot Resources Ltd.Ascot is a Canadian-based exploration and development company focused on re-starting the past producing historic Premier gold mine, located in British Columbia's Golden Triangle. The Company continues to define high-grade resources for underground mining with the near-term goal of converting the underground resources into reserves, while continuing to explore nearby targets on its Premier/Dilworth and Silver Coin properties (collectively referred to as the Premier Gold Project). Ascot's acquisition of IDM Mining added the high-grade gold and silver Red Mountain Project to its portfolio and positions the Company as a leading consolidator of high-quality assets in the Golden Triangle.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Companys profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com or visit the Companys web site at http://www.ascotgold.com, or for a virtual tour visit http://www.vrify.com under Ascot Resources.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seek, anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the closing of the Private Placement and the use of proceeds. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Ascots periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs associated with construction of the Project; the timing of the anticipated start of production at the Projects; the ability to maintain throughput and production levels at the Premier Mill; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of Resources and Reserves; the ability of the Company to convert inferred resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Ascots expectations include risks associated with the business of Ascot; risks related to exploration and potential development of Ascots projects; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; risks associated with COVID-19 including adverse impacts on the world economy, construction timing and the availability of personnel; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Ascots filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at http://www.sedar.com). The timing of future economic studies; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, financing or in the completion of Project as well as those factors discussed in the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 13, 2020 in the section entitled "Risk Factors", under Ascots SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, mining loss and dilution. It is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration; however, there is no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied. The mineral resource estimates referenced in this release use the terms "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources". While these terms are defined in and required by Canadian regulations (under NI 43-101), these terms are not recognized by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant reserves as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. Ascot is not an SEC registered company.

More here:

Ascot Resources Files Feasibility Study to Restart the Premier Mill - Junior Mining Network

This post is sponsored by Adobe

Careers no longer progress in a neat line from learning to earning to retirement. Not only are people more likely to change jobs and even career tracks over the course of their lifetimes, freelancers who contract out their skills rather than work for an employer have become a significant portion of the labor market. Nearly half of working millennials fall into this category.

This shift is starting to transform human resource strategy and the traditional job hunt. Whereas candidates used to find jobs based on the institutions they attended and the social networks they developed, skills are the new metric for assessment.

The good news is that a skills-based economy is a more egalitarian one. Relying on pedigree allowed for social inequalities, giving people who had access to elite institutions and networks an unfair advantage while leaving many skilled individuals without access to roles where they would excel. It also led to labor market inefficiencies, as companies made hiring decisions without fully understanding the skills that a candidate brought with them.

The challenging aspect of this transformation is that many learning institutions and companies have still not adjusted to the reality that skills are the new currency. Acknowledging that requires offering working professionals frequent opportunities to add skills on an ongoing basis throughout their careers. Effective training is key to helping people excel today.

Companies must adapt their recruitment and talent strategies as a result of this shift.

Human resource leaders should use skills as the professional currency by which to evaluate candidates, which may mean incorporating more testing and problem solving into the recruitment process.

Managers too should think about forming teams based on skills, rather than job titles. A recent Deloitte report notes that many organizations are restructuring from a hierarchical business model to project-based squads that come together for specific tasks. People are being recruited within their organizations to join projects based on their skills, rather than being assigned jobs by management, and they are being rewarded based on outcomes rather than tenure.

Its not just technical skills that are of value. Problem solving, creative thinking, empathy and communications skills are worth a lot because those are the types of skills that are most difficult to automate. As a result, people who have a hybrid of technical know-how and social skills are in demand.

LinkedIn, which has developed a metric called the Skills Genome to understand labor market trends, used data collected from 630 million members and more than 35,000 global skills to better understand the labor market in China. The resulting report highlights what skills are prominent by region.

In a global economy, companies can harness such data to determine where to recruit talent, outsource work or open offices. Thats just one example of how skills are starting to dominate the conversation when it comes to managing talent.

Findings like these are increasingly valuable as our society prepares for the future of work, Jian Lu, president of LinkedIn China, said in a blog post about the report. Simply put, she added, Skills are the new currency on the labor market.

Deliver modern learning experiences with an LMS thats built using the Skills construct - Adobe Captivate Prime learn more.

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Skills as the new currency - SmartBrief

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. After a challenging couple months, New York state is starting to reopen and Capital Region retailers are ready to get back to business.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Andrew Cuomos New York State on PAUSE executive order closed many of the regions small businesses over the past several weeks, some retail shops recently reopened for curbside pickup.

This curbside concept, a new offering for many stores, was permitted as part of Phase 1 of the governors regional reopening plan, which began on Wednesday, May 20 in the eight-county Capital Region.

While essential retail businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations remained open, thousands of retailers that were not deemed essential lost the majority of their revenue stream during the early stages of the states pause.

This change was most visibly apparent in the Capital Regions downtown districts of cities like Saratoga Springs and Troy. These business-filled neighborhoods typically bustling with pedestrian shoppers in the springtime instead have had empty sidewalks and closed signs hanging in store windows.

Local business leaders and entrepreneurs look forward to the increased spending that is expected along with the regions phased reopening getting underway.

Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association president Deann Devitt said Phase 1 beginning is great news that the area is starting to move in the right direction.

Devitt described how the pandemic has affected the downtown business community in Saratoga Springs.

Initially the retailers completely shut sales down, but as the duration of the lockdown lengthened, many were forced to pivot towards online sales, she said. Using social media creatively, retailers were able to boost awareness of their products and sales giving them the ability to at least stay afloat while their doors were closed.

"So Phase 1 and curbside pickup will certainly help these efforts.

Despite the difficulties COVID-19 had brought upon local businesses, The amount of community support our retailers and restaurants have received through this, is just a reminder of how strong our community is, Devitt said. We truly are stronger together!

Support is coming from local government too.

In the Saratoga Springs City Councils most recent meeting, council members unanimously voted to adopt a resolution in support of the citys businesses. Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton presented this resolution to the council after noticing conversation around the idea that public health is in competition with the economy.

It was really concerning for me and our department because we just love our downtown businesses, and all of our small businesses, and we want them to know that they are supported by us, she said. The only way that we see this moving forward is for both public health and the economy to thrive and win together not one or the other competing.

The resolution referred to the local businesses as the foundation of the citys economy and identity. As we move toward a safe, phased reopening we must provide business owners, their employees and their customers with the security and confidence they need, and the encouragement to move forward.

In discussing the new resolution, Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan said the city is only as successful as its small businesses are.

When they make money, we make money, Madigan said.

Alternatively, When theyre not thriving, were clearly not thriving, she said, mentioning the citys recent decline in sales tax revenue. We really do thrive on unique, specialty downtown stores - and they are suffering. So Im pleased about the reopening and I look forward to them getting a little breathing room.

Commissioner of Public Works Anthony "Skip" Scirocco spoke in support of the resolution as well, calling small businesses the economic engine that keeps things moving in the city.

Dalton agreed. I think its really important for us, as a city, to stand hand in hand with our business community and say, when weve gone through these phases, that were reopen for business and people can come downtown and shop and eat and drink and feel confident about their safety while theyre doing it, she said.

Looking ahead, Devitt said staying on target during the phased reopening is crucial to the continued success of the Spa Citys downtown businesses.

In the Collar City, members of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District are facing similar challenges.

All of the districts businesses have been affected in some way, BID director Katie Hammon said, noting that retail, food and beverage, personal service, hospitality, arts and entertainment businesses have been hit much harder due to the nature of their business structure.

Since many of these industries are gatherers of people providing experiences for people to connect and engage, they are required to pivot their model to remain relevant in a virtual, physically distanced world, she shared. We have an incredibly resilient business community that has been able to innovate and reinvent themselves daily, however with inconsistent income it is a struggle for many businesses to keep up with their monthly expenses.

"Loans and grants, as well as support from the community has been necessary to sustain businesses throughout this time and additional funding remains a need as this return to normal will be a lengthy journey.

She continued, Businesses have been forced to think outside the box and more often than not, throw the box out altogether. They continue to build new structures and processes to sustain through this incredibly difficult period in our history.

To help these businesses, the BID provides guidance through a COVID-19 resource page on its website including state guidelines and reopening best practices for different industries, while connecting businesses with funding resources and other industry-specific resources.

The organization has partnered with fellow BIDs from around the Capital Region and the state to brainstorm ways to support their business communities and re-engage their downtowns in safe ways.

We have found great value in partnering with other organizations and businesses and creating opportunities for the business community to connect over common needs and goals, Hammon said.

In addition to her role as the BIDs director, Hammon is the co-chair of the Economic Development Pandemic Response Committee of Rensselaer County and chair for the Community Activation Subcommittee.

The efforts of these organizations include working to understand business impact and need, connecting businesses with necessary resources, convening businesses and organizations around common industry needs, building out processes for businesses to utilize public space for increased capacity when reopened, and - when the timing is right - creating programming to activate downtowns and main streets throughout the county in safe, physically distanced ways.

As the Capital Region starts to reopen, Hammon emphasized the importance of safety compliance by both businesses and customers.

Reopening with intentional phases is an important step in allowing our businesses to recover from PAUSE while reacting to changes in our regional counts, she said. In order to continue progress in reducing the spread of the virus, it is extremely important that businesses and patrons follow CDC and state guidelines.

"With information changing daily, businesses will stay informed of changes and request that patrons follow guidelines themselves. Everyone must do their part to ensure our economy remains open and is not set back by additional spikes in the virus count.

As part of the states requirements for reopening, each individual business must develop a written safety plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. Companies can fill out a template provided by the state, or write their own safety plan.

This plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the New York State Department of Health or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

In a letter to Troy residents as the reopening phase was about to begin, Mayor Patrick Madden stressed safety as the region entered Phase 1.

"Remember: reopening our regional economy can begin because of the actions weve all taken during the last two months," Madden said. "We followed precautions and practiced social distancing. We wore masks and washed our hands. We avoided large gatherings and stayed home to reduce the spread of the virus.

"However, the ability to stay open is dependent on keeping the infection rate down. Critical to doing that is maintaining practices to continue to protect public health, prevent the overwhelming of local hospitals, support our local businesses, and ensure the Capital Region can proceed to Phase 2.

"Stay safe, be smart, wear a mask, and take care of each other."

Local entrepreneur Heidi West created a consolidated Business Precautions Plan for her three downtown Saratoga Springs apparel-based retail stores Lifestyles of Saratoga, Caroline & Main and Union Hall Supply Company. The plan, reviewed by an attorney, is based on guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Retail Federation.

Its pretty intensive. Its a really comprehensive plan, West said.

Safety is our main priority, for employees, clients, and the community, West said in a post on Facebook sharing the plan and welcoming any fellow small businesses to use it as well, noting that the goal is for all to open safe and open smart together.

Many aspects of the plan, including redesigned sales floors, sneeze-guards installed at checkout counters and shortened store hours to allow for nightly deep cleanings, are for when in-store retail is reopened in Phase 2.

The minute that my doors closed I started the process of figuring out what its going to look like when we open, West said.

Im going to play it very safe and very careful, West continued, sharing that her stores reopening to the public will start with one-on-one appointments.

While income is critical to any business, what many local shop owners are missing most throughout the pandemic is interacting with their patrons.

I just cannot wait to be open again and be able to see my customers, West said. Boy, do I miss the people.

Downtown Troy business owner Bianca Dupuis of The Broken Mold Studio has kept busy creating in her studio solo, but is eager to bring students back for instruction, which will take place in the fourth and final phase of reopening.

For this small business, the COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a full studio renovation that increased its size to allow for more space between visitors. It also sparked the idea for a new take-home clay kit offering.

Furthermore, the situation gave Dupuis more time to focus on her own work than shes had since she started the studio 14 years ago.

Its been a change thats been positive, she said, but I cant wait to get back to the student portion of my day.

Robin McDonough, owner of The Counties of Ireland in downtown Troy and Molly Malone's Irish Gifts in Lake George, feels the same.

I miss my customers. I miss them coming in, even if its just to have a chit chat, she said.

Im looking forward to Phase 2 when we can actually let people back in the store, McDonough said, feeling confident in her stores safety plans. Im ready to open my doors to customers.

"Im just waiting for them to say Go!

More here:

Capital Region retailers welcome start of reopening phase of recovery - The Saratogian

By Kip Tabb | Outer Banks Voice on May 23, 2020

In recent years, the shoulder season has increasingly become an Outer Banks success story. Driven by steady growth in weddings and music festivals like Mustang Spring Jam and the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival, the time between March and May has been a major part of the Outer Banks economic success.

According to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (OVBV), in the 10-year span between 2010-2019, the cumulative growth of the value of meals and occupancy revenues was 78.4%, during those three months surging from $72.9 million in 2010 to $130 million last year.

And then there was COVID-19. No weddings, and the cancellation of the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival and Mustang Spring Jam.

This is really kind of unprecedented areas that were into right now, said Lee Nettles, Executive Director of the OBVB. Newly unveiled March 2020 numbers show occupancy revenue down 62% from the same month last year and meals revenue down by 47%, with Nettles noting that the April numbers are probably going to be worse.

Interviews with those working in the events industry highlight the economic damage done by a pandemic that has shut down virtually all of the business this year.

But there is optimism for the future, based on an anticipated robust rebound of the wedding industry and a faith in the resiliency of those who earn a living through events.

Ashley Earnhardt, incoming president of the Outer Banks Wedding Association (OBWA), sums up the state of her business right now.

I know that the vast majority of everyones weddings locally have been postponed, she said. So obviously everything in April, and the first half of May was a wash,

The effect of the wedding cancellations will ripple throughout the local economy. Hard figures are difficult to find, but including lodging, food and associated services and weddings, a conservative estimate is that they pump over $100 million into the local economy. Almost every wedding includes a photographer, florist, caterer, officiant and event coordinator to bring everything together. And suddenly no one is working.

It isnt only weddings that have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Mike Dianna, owner of Bearded Face Productions, has cancelled two events this spring. His 9th Annual Mustang Spring Jam would have run on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17. An earlier event, An Evening with Mojo Collins, scheduled for March 14 at Roanoke Island Festival Park was also cancelled.

For Collins, who has been involved in music since he was in the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s, it was particularly painful. The headline performance with his band Triple Vision was something he had been working toward for some time.

It hurts, man, he said. Id been working on this for twelve years. Maybe well be able to do this next spring. Ive been doing this [playing professionally] for six decades. Ive never seen anything like this.

In addition to promoting festivals and music, Dianna has also been the organizer of the Outer Banks Food Truck Showdown. The Showdown, scheduled for May 31, has been moved to September 13, but he acknowledges that date is tentative.

At this point, I think everyones going be speculating. And anyone who tells me that theyre not, I think youd have to view that with some skepticism to say the least, Dianna said.

Im just trying to make up the missing fifty-to-seventy grand in income this year. Im just trying to be as resourceful as I possibly can, you know, and its definitely a struggle, he added.

What the Outer Banks is experiencing is part of a broader phenomenon. For local musician and performer Ruth Wyand, the effects have been dramatic. She continues to give lessons via Skype and similar online platforms, but her live performances have been cancelled and none are scheduled.

Ive lost ninety percent of my income, she said. Im working with eight different bands, and my [Mustang Music Program] students, the bands and gigs. This year especially, Ive finally got into some festivals out of town in Florida and North Carolina. They cancelled those.

With North Carolina moving to Phase Two of its reopening plan, the updated guidelines would seem to have little or no effect on events and the music that is so much a part of local events. With restaurants limited to 50% capacity and outdoor gatherings limited to 25 people, Dianna does not believe it is economically feasible to book acts at this time.

I have clients thatare really eager to try to get their entertainment schedules back and one of the big things Ive had to explain to them was, well, youre not going to get the return on your investment, he said.

There is optimism, even in the midst of an unprecedented downturn in weddings, events and entertainment on the Outer Banks.

At the OBWA, Earnhardt points out that while there have been many wedding postponements, there have been very few cancellations meaning people are rescheduling those special celebrations.

The vast majority of weddings locally up to this point have been postponed. There were some cancellations here and therebut for the most part it was a lot of postponements, she said.

According to Earnhardt there is more than one reason for the low cancellation rate, although most of it is the mystique of the Outer Banks.

I think that the majority sentiment is that they had plannedthis dream Outer Banks wedding, and for most of them, its the vacation of a lifetime. Its not like they want to get married back home in Ohio or Pennsylvania, she said.

There is a financial consideration that she acknowledges also plays a role.

I think that most women sign contracts, so contractually youd have to break contracts [and] lose deposits. Can we get married sooner or do we keep our dream wedding, not lose thousands of dollars, and just postpone? she added, noting that rescheduled and previously scheduled weddings will make for a year like no one has seen before.

I think weve all come to terms with 2021 might be a little bit weird because we have had so many postponements. Theres so much interest from many of our clients that has now shifted, she said. Things are even busier for next year, but not because of popularity, but because of fitting in 2020 brides and 2021 brides into one calendar year.

Earnhardt also points out that because many businesses that are part of the Outer Banks wedding industry are so small sometimes consisting of one person there is the hope they can be resilient enough to survive this challenge.

Dianna makes the same point.

You know, one strong feeling about this is I feel like the entertainment world, the live music business event business, is very resilient, he said.

It is a thought that is underscored by an observation from the OBVB Nettles.

Weve got a lot of smart industrious people and whats the saying, Necessity is the mother of invention? he said. I think thats kind of where we are. People are scratching and clawing to survive, but that makes you reassess the ways in which you can do business. I think that new opportunities are gonna come out of this. It obviously hurts a lot. But I am optimistic for the longer term.

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Division of Waste Management, N. C. Department of Environmental QualityHazardous Waste Section

PUBLIC HEARING FOR DRAFT OPERATIONAL RENEWAL PERMITU.S. COAST GUARD BASE ELIZABETH CITY

This is to notify the public of the issuance by the N.C. Division of Waste Managements Hazardous Waste Section of a draft renewal operating permit for the U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City facility, located at 1664 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. in the Pasquotank County Courthouse, located at 206 East Main Street in Elizabeth City. All attendees will have the opportunity to present five-minute oral statements regarding the draft renewal permit and/or to submit written comments and data. Written comments can also be sent during the public comment period of May 12, 2020 through June 26, 2020 to the following address:Julie Woosley, Hazardous Waste Section ChiefDivision of Waste Management, NCDEQMSC 1646Raleigh, NC 27699-1646

All data submitted by the applicant is part of the administrative record and available at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/laserfiche. Documents may be located by using the EPA ID# NCD2690308232 for the facility. The draft renewal permit and factsheet can also be found online at the following location: https://deq.nc.gov/news/events/public-notices-hearings.

A summary of the draft renewal permit follows: The U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City is granted a renewal operating permit for storage of hazardous wastes at a designated storage building. This permit contains requirements to be followed for storage of up to 6,750 gallons of hazardous waste. The renewal operating permit also requires the U.S. Coast Guard Support Center to remediate contamination resulting from past waste management activities at the facility.

All comments received during the public comment period or at the hearing will be considered in the decision regarding this renewal permit. Comments received after the public comment period ends will not be considered. The statutory authority for calling the permit hearing is G.S. 130A-294(f). Applicable state rules are found in the North Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Rules 15A NCAC 13A .0105, .0109, and .0113. These rules adopt the requirements of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984.

Anyone desiring additional information may contact Mike Babuin at (919) 707-8211 or [emailprotected] or at the address listed above.

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In the OBX events industry, hurt and hope - The Outer Banks Voice

In an international emergency like the present one, you might expect the science of the stars to be the last thing on peoples minds. The problems facing both individuals and governments are infinitely more pressing than events in the depths of space. People are suffering unprecedented hardships.

Yet throughout history, astronomy has shown extraordinary resilience in times of crisis and has kept public support. That resilience will be needed as a major international project, theSquare Kilometre Array(SKA), is on the brink of construction.

The SKA will be the worlds largest radio telescope, and Australia will play a leading role in building and operating it. How can this benefit a nation focused on containing a global pandemic?

History shows the science of the stars is no stranger to crisis. Indeed, modern astronomy was born in a time of deep conflict, when the northern provinces of the Netherlands were engaged in difficult negotiations with Spain after 40 years of war.

In 1608, the fledgling telescope came out of obscurity in the hands ofDutch spectacle-makers, and its possibilities for astronomy were recognised. When news of this optical novelty reached Galileo Galilei in Padua the following May, he set about improving it and the rest is history.

By the turn of the twentieth century, astronomical infrastructure had become big business, but two World Wars caused major disruptions. New telescope proposals were put on hold as manufacturers turned their hands to gunsights, rangefinders, binoculars and other optical munitions.

During the Second World War, one British company actually buried the 1.5-tonne mirror for a newSouth African telescopein a field to avoid possible bomb damage. While delivery of the mirror was delayed until 1948, the telescope was a success, and is still at work today.

Similarly, in the United States, the 200-inch (5.1-metre) mirror for what was to be the worlds largest telescope at the time, at Mount Palomar, California, was cast in December 1934, but the instruments completion wasdelayed until 1949. Although it is no longer the largest in the world, the Palomar telescope remains among the most effective.

While hardly comparable to a world war, the present crisis constitutes an emergency of grave proportions, and it is important to put a project like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) into perspective.

When completed, the telescope will provide radio astronomers with the largest and most advanced facility available to them. With an expected working lifetime of more than 50 years, it will explore the whole 13.8-billion year history of the Universe, yielding many exciting discoveries.

And spin-offs from the technologies under development have huge commercial potential, with tangible benefits for economic recovery.

One of the reasons governments fund research into the study of the Universe is that astronomy pushes technology to its limits whether it be low-noise radio receivers, complex data management systems or sophisticated computer algorithms. Wifi, for example,had its originsin Australian radio astronomy a quarter of a century ago.

More immediately, the construction of the SKA offers significant opportunities for local companies. The low-frequency component of the telescope will be built at theMurchison Radioastronomy Observatoryin Western Australias remote Wajarri Yamatji country, one of the most radio-quiet places on Earth.

The project has so far spent $330 million in funding from the Australian and WA governmentsestablishing the observatoryand building pathfinder instruments.

And on the wider horizon, big science facilities like the SKA require strong international partnerships, with collaboration among the projects 14 member states representing a further positive outcome. Along with South Africa, where themid-frequency componentof the telescope will be located, Australia can expect its scientific standing to be further enhanced as one of the SKA host nations.

Although technological spin-offs are an important outcome of astronomical research, it is pure curiosity that is the ultimate driver. We are an inquisitive species, and the quest to know is what motivates researchers.

But it also inspires the rest of us with the staggering beauty of the universe and the appeal of scientific understanding. For youngsters in particular, that can prepare them for the jobs of the future, shaping an agile knowledge economy for our nation.

If the lessons of history are anything to go by, the SKA will be unlocking the secrets of the universe long after COVID-19 has subsided into memory. And that will be something of which we can all be proud.

Fred Watson, Astronomer-at-Large, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources,Australian Astronomical Observatory

This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.

The Royal Institution of Australia has an education resource based on this article. You can access ithere.

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Why astronomy matters in times of crisis - Cosmos