#culture at home during the coronavirus

[ukrfeminism]

3 minute read

Schoolboys account for the highest proportion of people considered to be most at risk of radicalisation by the Government’s anti-terror programme, figures suggest.

According to Home Office data published on Thursday, schools are also making the highest number of referrals to the Prevent scheme for the first time.

In the year to March 2022, there were 6,406 referrals to Prevent – which aims to stop people turning to terrorism.

This is up 30% compared to the previous period when 4,915 were made – a rise likely to have been driven by the removal of restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The education sector made the highest number of referrals (2,305; 36%), replacing the police, which made up 28% (1,808) of the total.

The report also notes the figures may have been affected in light of school closures during the pandemic.

Children under the age of 15 made up 1,829 of the referrals (29%) – the second largest proportion where age was known.

Of the referrals where gender was recorded (6,403), most were male (5,725; 89%).

The proportion of males at each stage of the Prevent programme has been on the rise since the 12 months to March 2016 when records began.

Children under the age of 15 made up the largest proportion of referrals from all age groups that were taken forward as “channel cases” under the programme, meaning they are considered most at risk of becoming radicalised and turning to terrorism.

This age group accounted for 37% (299) of the referrals adopted as a channel case, just slightly higher than the 295 in the 15-20 age group.

The majority of referrals which became channel cases were for males (746 out of 804; 93%).

In the year to March, a third of all referrals were made about someone with “a vulnerability present” but no ideology or terrorism risk identified (2,127 or 33%).

The second-highest category was for referrals made amid fears about extreme right-wing radicalisation 1,309 (20%).

This was greater than the number for Islamist-related concerns (1,027; 16%). Some 154 (2%) of the referrals due to concerns about school massacres and 77 (1%) were “incel-related”.

The incel – or involuntarily celibate – subculture involves men expressing hostility and extreme resentment, mainly online, towards those who are sexually active, especially women.

They believe they are unable to have romantic or sexual relationships with women and are often considered to be radical misogynists. Some men linked to the movement have carried out mass shootings in the US and Canada.

It comes as Jake Davison’s incel beliefs have been highlighted during the inquest into Britain’s worst mass shooting in over a decade, after he killed five people in Keyham, Plymouth, in 2021.

Detective Chief Superintendent Maria Lovegrove, Counter Terrorism Policing’s national co-ordinator for Prevent,  said: “One of Prevent’s crucial roles is providing important indicators of emerging risks, particularly in light of incidents in other parts of the world.

“This is demonstrated by the inclusion, for the first time, of referrals relating to the incel sub-culture or school massacres in the 21/22 statistics.

“Whilst not currently considered terrorist ideologies, they have the ability to inspire terrible acts of violence – and it is therefore important that Prevent works to disengage people from these beliefs.

“The number of these cases is very low but it is encouraging that people feel confident to report concerns about risk of radicalisation, wherever this stems from.”

The figures also demonstrate the “increasing complexity of referrals and concerns reported to Prevent”, she said, adding that “young men who are fascinated by, and seek out, all types of extremist or violent content online are increasingly prevalent in referrals”.

An Intelligence and Security Committee report published last year said MI5 acknowledged there is a “growing synergy” between incel and extreme right-wing terrorism ideologies, but cautioned against putting too much emphasis on links between the two.

While incel should not be automatically treated as terrorism, the security service said it should be recognised as a “potential terrorist motivation” and assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to the report.

A long-awaited review of Prevent, led by former Charity Commission chairman William Shawcross, is reportedly due to be published next month.

[scotianostra]

Happy  Birthday the Scottish actor Peter Mullan born 2 November 1959 in Peterhead.

I love Peter’s work and rate him as highly as Brian Cox and If ever there was a story of rags to riches it is Peter Mullan, born in Peterhead the family later moved to Mosspark in Glasgow. Mullans father was a drunken violent man but despite this Peter did well at school, at least till the age of 14 when the climate at home forced him out onto the streets and into a gang, spending less and less time at school. In his own words he was aggressively lobotomising himself but admitted he kept up his reading on the sly “You couldnae tell the gang you were reading Carl Jung.” he said.

I’m not sure his heart was in the gang culture as he says he was “kicked out” after a couple of years, he returned to school and sailed through his Highers and started at Glasgow University at 17. His dad died of lung cancer on his first day. Mullan studied economic history and drama and despite suffering a nervous breakdown in his final year still managed to graduate. He went on to teach drama at Borstals, prisons and community centres while becoming involved in the left-wing theatre movement that flourished in Scotland in the 1980s. In 1987 he made his professional acting debut with the Wildcat theatre company in a political pantomime.

Bit parts in Scottish films and TV series followed, The Steamie, Taggart, of course, and Rab C Nesbitt, as well as The Big Man and in Braveheart, he uttered the words, “We didn’t come here to fight for the” Danny Boyle, Shallow Grave and Trainspotting were another two films that Mullan served his apprenticeship in.

The breakthrough came when Ken Loach chose him in the title role of “My Name is Joe” he gave a brilliant portrayal Jekyll-and-Hyde character , a recovering alcoholic whose humanity and warmth masked a frightening capacity for brutality. He won his first award at Cannes as Best Actor for the role.

Around the same time Mullan was starting to get into directing, three surreal comic dramas set in the Glaswegian working-class world and then his first full length film, he not only directed but wrote the excellent Orphans an odyssey of four working-class siblings roving round Glasgow in the 24 hours after their mother dies. Channel Four, who funded the film chose not to distribute it as they didn’t think it would attract a large commercial audience.

The film however was shown at Film festivals around Europe and won numerous awards, in interviews, Mullan has said that once Orphans started winning awards Channel Four apologised and asked if they could distribute it, an offer he refused.

Since then Peter Mullan has not looked back, directing and penning The Magdalene Sisters and Neds as well as starring in amongst others, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, War Horse, Hector and Tommy’s Honour, on the small screen he was one of the main characters in ITV series The Fixer, The BBC Two drama Top of the Lake, and in the excellent drama series Gunpowder.

More up to date Peter has appeared as Jacob Snell in the first two seasons of the Netflix series Ozark, all  three series of the BBC Two sitcom Mum and a recurring role in the popular TV reboot of Westworld. He has also starred in the Netflix fantasy drama Cursed. We will next see Mullan alongside Colin Farrell and Tom Courtney in the BBC series The North Water.

Peter was also one of the participants of the National Theatre of Scotland’s Scenes For Survival project, which features talents from the country’s arts industry making lockdown-related short films as a response to the country’s theatres having to close during the coronavirus pandemic.

 Of late we have seen Peter in the excellent mini-series The Underground Railroad, the dark comedy-drama Skint and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, he has a few projects on the go just now, the pick of which, for me anyway, is Payback, it is being filmed in Glasgow and Edinburgh and is a  six-part crime thriller.

#Scotland #scottish #actor #director #good guy #happy birhtday

[wwwdlabrie]

🐰🐇🌚 #HappyLunarNewYear #YearoftheRabbit from #Asia Being that I usually do my #HipHop 🎤 Tours here in Winter. I have alot of experiemces & memories of #LunarNewYear celebrations & holidays overseas. It uses #LunarCalender dates change annually We document some of this is @DLabrie upcoming 🎶📹📽 #BEMYSELF #LinkinBio 1 recent memory is being here official start of #CoronaVirus spreading of outside of #China. Long B4 official Global #Covid19 #pandemic ,🇺🇸 shutting down, #maskmandates #shelterinplace & #socialdistancing ... i was bouncing around #Japan #HongKong #Macau when news hit late 2019 then I ended up in #Pyeongtaek #SouthKorea for a show @jjsjazzf early 2020 during the holiday. Then @kobebryant passed during holiday weekend. Went back to #Seoul & this when people started staying home. Our finals shows & streets started being more empty. Fear was growing. I went back to #USA & whole world had changed like I had never seen in my life. #BayArea at least in my hood #Oakland I was mostly familiar w/ #LNY as #ChineseNewYear & cool looking #ChineseNewYearParade i learned alot more from being out here & from my Dj @lanetjones from Indiana @hiphopcongressinc Its celebrated or not celebrated differently depending on the country. Im going to just talk about #Korea In🇰🇷it's a national family holiday where people usually go 2 their hometown & do traditional ritual w the fam honoring ancestors. While kind of celebrated for show & retail purposes based on Western Influence Thanksgiving Christmas & Universal Calender New Year are not official holidays here. For the most part except for foreigners these are just regular days w/ regular schedules. "LNY" which is usually Jan or Feb is the real Holiday Season where people get days off work, kids get winter break from school &folks travel 2 see family. The fact that #Covid outbreak came around this time probably was not good for containing spread. But just a coincidence. No 1 knew what was coming then. Holidays are rooted in Tradition , Tradition rooted in Culture. Culture rooted in History. History often from stories. Take time to connect these dots in your own community. You'll be wiser. #YearofRabbit (at Asia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1iAM1SXDI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#happylunarnewyear #yearoftherabbit #asia #hiphop #lunarnewyear #lunarcalender #bemyself #linkinbio #coronavirus #china #covid19 #pandemic #maskmandates #shelterinplace #socialdistancing #japan #hongkong #macau #pyeongtaek #southkorea #seoul #usa #bayarea #oakland #lny #chinesenewyear #chinesenewyearparade #korea #covid #yearofrabbit

[hellomynameisbisexual]

Physical LGBTQ+ spaces have long provided safe places for queer people to meet, make friends, organise, and forget about hate. From bars to bookshops, they’re a place where communities don’t have to worry that they’re being watched, expected to play up to stereotypes associated with their sexual or gender label, and can simply celebrate every aspect of who they are.

But during the coronavirus pandemic, physical LGBTQ+ spaces closed their doors, leaving bisexuals (amongst others in the community) feeling shut out. Luckily, TikTok - more specifically, ‘QueerTok’, stepped in to provide a little bit of joy and education while we were stuck inside. A quick scroll through QueerTok will offer you an abundance of all things digital bisexual culture. We're talking girl in red, sweater weather, split hair dye tutorials, and funny videos about how terrible we are at sitting on chairs.

But that’s not all QueerTok has to offer. Many, including myself, have found a digital home in the queer subcommunities of the Gen Z platform, and the content helps bust internalised biphobia.

"I come from a small town and I felt ashamed that I liked girls too.”

Em should have moved to Brighton halls to study Sociology in September 2020. “This was my time. It feels embarrassing to say out loud but I was ready to be [bisexual] myself, fully and unapologetically,” the 19-year-old says. “Instead I’ve spent the last year in my childhood bedroom.”

Alongside missing out on freshers week, long nights in the library, and developing an inevitable crush on a seminar tutor, Em had a grand plan to come out as bisexual when she’d moved away. “I come from a small town and I felt ashamed that I liked girls too,” she says. “I never learned about LGBTQ+ relationships in sex education and, to this point, my experiences in LGBTQ+ spaces is none existent.”

That was until she found QueerTok. Between wholesome coming out videos, the #ImComingOut hashtag (which reportedly reached nearly 2 billion views on the platform), and Pride transformations, QueerTok has provided one of the most joyous spaces on the internet for young queer people throughout the pandemic.

On the surface, QueerTok looks like a lot of people lip-syncing to Megan Thee Stallion. But for Em, it ran much deeper. QueerTok gave her the language and space to come out to her parents and overcome the shame she felt.

"It was the first time I’d seen people talk about being bi and it being a fun and exciting thing.”

“I’d never seen someone speaking so openly about the way I was feeling. I’d spend hours at night scrolling. It was the first time I’d seen people talk about being bi and it being a fun and exciting thing.”

If you don’t have the language or see yourself in pop culture then it’s hard to celebrate your sexuality. QueerTok has gone some way in providing that. In 2021, biphobia and bi-erasure is as insidious and present as it’s always been.

Stereotypes have been peddled from cis-heterosexual communities and within LGBTQ+ communities. Data from the Annual Population Survey highlighted that more people identify as LGBTQ+ than in the past. However, a study conducted by Stonewall in 2018 found that 46% of bisexual men and 26% of bisexual women aren’t open about their sexual orientation with anyone in their families.

Shammi came out in 2015 and has been with their girlfriend Lane for two years. “I’m greedy. I’m confused. It’s a phase. I’m not gay enough. I’m too gay. I don’t know the struggle. I’m doing it for the male gaze. I’m doing it for attention. You name it and I’ve had it said to me,” they say.

While sexual fluidity has gained much more media attention over the last five years with celebrities like Halsey and mxmtoon speaking openly about their sexual identities, Shammi knows that bi-erasure still exists.

"QueerTok has given us some semblance of normality and community."

“That’s why LGBTQ+ clubs and bars have been so important to me on my journey. I can turn up and present how I want to present that day and it’s fine,” they say.

“Since I’ve not had that over the last 18 months I’ve taken to bombarding my girlfriend with QueerTok clips. It’s given us some semblance of normality and community. The group chats were alive with the sound of QueerTok!”

But TikTok isn’t all glittery blue and purple flags. While QueerTok has extended a virtual safe space for LGBTQ+ people, especially those who live in rural areas or are disabled and wouldn’t be able to access traditional spaces, it’s not perfect. The microaggressions bisexual people are all too used to experiencing in physical queer spaces, have also set up camp on TikTok.

Some users have spotted trends that intentionally playoff biphobic stereotypes and have even been promoted to bisexual users going against the whole point of the algorithm. “Don’t even talk to me about #SpicyStraight,” says Shammi, “I’m in a lucky position because I know who I am but if I’d had these videos pushed onto my feed three years ago when I was only just finding a place within the community and working out what being bisexual even meant?”

“It’s exactly the same behaviour that so many bisexual people have to put up with when they’re out in clubs.”

If you’ve never come across the #SpicyStraight hashtag, it usually relates to a person saying they’re attracted to the same sex but they could never date them or form any sort of emotional attachment. This is classic bisexual erasure. Many videos are created to get laughs and refer to games like spin the bottle, being drunk and horny on a night out, or making out with your friends and laughing about it later on.

"#SpicyStraight plays on the misconception that bisexuality is performative"

Other videos explain “spicy straight” as women who say they’re bisexual but have limited sexual experience with the same sex - textbook biphobia creeping into the app we’ve found a home in.

#SpicyStraight plays on the misconception that bisexuality is performative rather than a valid sexual and romantic label. It invalidates same-sex relationships, period, as a passing drunk or horny phase.

“I know people probably don’t think it’s that deep but when you have to come out repeatedly and explain to people how you’ve been with your partner for so many years, that you’re neither lesbian nor straight, and that’s valid and okay is tiring,” says Shammi, “And describing same-sex encounters as spicy is so hyper-sexualising and damaging.”

One of the best things about TikTok is that if you like enough videos of one thing that’s pretty much all you’ll be shown (I’m so deep in berries and cream TikTok it’s no longer funny.) The algorithm has meant that communities like QueerTok, BookTok, AltTok, and even CrocTok have been able to thrive.

Users have long joked that the algorithm has known more about their sexuality than they have as, just like the sorting hat in Harry Potter, they were sorted into the right sub-category of QueerTok so quickly. Some have even said that TikTok knew they were bisexual before they did, moving them from LGBTQ+ ally videos slowly deep into the world of Bi factions education, Twilight thirst videos, and videos explaining the true process of becoming bisexual (prepare to be seen.)

“The algorithm means you don’t have to come out repeatedly."

Being recommended LGBTQ+ content straight off the bat isn’t just fun and convenient, it completely eradicates the need for LGBTQ+ users to seek out their communities. 26 year old Lane says “The algorithm means you don’t have to come out repeatedly. You don’t have to hope people will accept you and deal with the micro aggressions when they don’t. You’re almost immediately placed with people like you. When you come to TikTok for some distraction and light relief, that can be really comforting.”

However, if biphobic content is being pushed onto bisexual users For You pages then surely this completely defeats the object of TikTok’s notoriously accurate algorithm? A report by media watchdog Media Matters wanted to establish the link between LGBTQ+ creators and homophobic users.

They found that as soon as homophobic and biphobic users had started to express interest in hashtags and content associated with QueerTok, more videos would be pushed onto their For You page. This worked the other way in that if homophobic and biphobic creators used hashtags associated with QueerToK then LGBTQ+ users may be recommended their content.

Does that mean TikTok identifies a user as homophobic and tailors their feed to that interest? The report suggested so, despite TikTok claiming to prohibit discriminatory and hateful content.

A spokesperson for TikTok says "TikTok thrives on the diversity of our community, and we aim to provide a safe space where people feel welcomed and empowered to express themselves exactly as they are. We'll take whatever steps are necessary to help protect our community from those who seek to spread hate."

What does this mean for the bisexuals finding a home in this community? "It's jarring. One minute I’m watching someone realise they’re bi and finding so much joy and liberation in that and in the next I’m being recommended transphobic and violently anti-LGBTQ+ content,” says Lane. “It drags you back into a world where not everyone is for you or how you identify.”

“However, I can’t get away from the fact that QueerTok has been my Pride season this year,” says Lane, “It’s been my space to connect with new people, to cheer them on as they come out, and to enjoy content that’s created by and wholly celebrates communities that I love.”

While this has meant that some QueerTok users have been exposed to biphobia through weird trends or dodgy algorithms, Em says, “TikTok has a dark side. I think most people on social media know it’s not all good. However, do I think I’d have come out if it wasn’t for QueerTok? I don’t think so.”

#bisexuality #bisexual community #lgbtq community #lgbtq #bi #support bisexuality #lgbtq pride #bisexuality is valid #pride #bi tumblr #bisexual #bi pride #bisexual nation #bisexual pride #bisexual education #bisexual youth #support bisexual people #bisexual men #respect bisexual people #bisexual rights #bisexual people

[newstfionline]

Friday, May 27, 2022

A move toward less interdependence and more uncertainty (Gazeta Wyborcza/Poland) For half a century, the grand strategy of the democratic and capitalist West against competing systems has been to build bridges and create interdependence. Russia sells us raw materials, and we sell them machines. We have the technologies and the Chinese have the factories. That created global supply chains. There are parts in the Airbus A380 that come from 40 different countries. COVID-19 vaccine components are supplied by nearly 100 companies from every continent except Antarctica. Now sanctions are blowing up those bridges built over the years. In the West, there is nothing not only for Russian and Belarusian politicians and oligarchs, but also for sportsmen and artists. The EU’s Territorial Agenda 2030 calls for the repatriation of factories from Asia to Europe. Fuels from Russia are to be replaced in the EU by green energy and nuclear power. Eighty-five percent of Europeans and almost all governments want this. When Russia prevented the export of Ukrainian grain, everyone started looking for food self-sufficiency. We had gotten accustomed to living in a world that has become increasingly connected. Now the world is disconnecting. China’s New Silk Road is collapsing in Asia and Africa, where its infrastructure is going bankrupt. The winds are changing, affecting our lives to a broader extent than we can even grasp today.

College Enrollment Drops, Even as the Pandemic’s Effects Ebb (NYT) The ongoing enrollment crisis at U.S. colleges and universities deepened in spring 2022, raising concerns that a fundamental shift is taking place in attitudes toward the value of a college degree—even as the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted operations for higher education. The latest college enrollment figures released on Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center indicated that 662,000 fewer students enrolled in undergraduate programs in spring 2022 than a year earlier, a decline of 4.7 percent. Graduate and professional student enrollment, which had been a bright spot during the pandemic, also declined 1 percent from last year. Doug Shapiro, the center’s executive director, noted small gains in first-year, first-time students. However, he suggested that the numbers and the breadth of the declines indicate an underlying change, as students question whether college is the ticket to the middle class and a good-paying job. “That suggests it’s more than just the pandemic to me; it’s more than just low-income communities that are primarily served by community colleges,” Dr. Shapiro said during a conference call with reporters. “It suggests that there’s a broader question about the value of college and particularly concerns about student debt and paying for college and potential labor market returns.” Prospective college students may be weighing the relative value of jobs that require or expect a college degree against equally attractive opportunities that do not, he said.

U.K. ‘Partygate’ report blames No. 10 for boozy lockdown parties (Washington Post) A long-awaited internal investigation squarely blamed the top leadership in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government for lockdown-breaking parties in and around Downing Street, including a string of bashes with “excessive alcohol consumption.” Senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report, released Wednesday, offered striking details of the culture of work and play within Johnson’s government in periods when covid restrictions limited mixing between households and kept people from visiting nursing homes or attending funerals. While pubs across Britain were closed for business, the report suggests Downing Street served as a kind of after-hours joint for staffers, with some parties going until nearly dawn. The 59-page report covered 16 gatherings—held between May 15, 2020, and April 16, 2021—at the prime minister’s Downing Street office, his official residence upstairs or the nearby cabinet office. “Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen,” the report concluded. Gray wrote: “The senior leadership at the center, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture.” She added that some of the more junior civil servants “believed that their involvement in some of these events was permitted given the attendance of senior leaders.”

Russia slams sanctions, seeks to blame West for food crisis (AP) Moscow pressed the West on Thursday to lift sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, seeking to shift the blame for a growing food crisis that has been worsened by Kyiv’s inability to ship millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products due to the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tried to put the blame squarely on the sanctions. “We accuse Western countries of taking a series of unlawful actions that has led to the blockade,” he said in a call with reporters. Russia also is a significant grain exporter, and Peskov said the West “must cancel the unlawful decisions that hamper chartering ships and exporting grain.” Britain immediately accused Russia of “trying to hold the world to ransom,” insisting there would be no sanctions relief, and a top U.S. diplomat blasted the “sheer barbarity, sadistic cruelty and lawlessness” of the invasion.

Russians look to Iran for lessons on life under long-term sanctions (Washington Post) Independent Russian journalist Alexey Pivovarov wondered what life under years of economic sanctions could come to look like. So he went to Iran to find out. He found sky-high inflation, a bewildering system of multiple exchange rates, an expansive black market and entrepreneurs developing apps and alternatives for nearly everything. The resulting 80-minute episode for his Russian YouTube channel, Redaktsiya, posted last month, racking up more than 8.3 million views. It’s not hard to see why Russians are interested: In a matter of months, Russia has outstripped Iran as the country under the most sanctions. Moscow appears to be on track to keep that title, barring any radical change in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. “The question is not whether one can survive under sanctions for long. Of course, one can!” Pivovarov told his Russian-speaking audience. There are ways around sanctions. Governments and their cronies create front companies to obtain and trade goods, use criminal groups as middlemen and money launderers, and transfer embargoed oil off-the-grid. Iran has perfected the art: Oil tankers meet on the high seas, where other countries are loath to intervene, turn off their tracking radar, transfer Iranian oil and cover their tracks. In early May, Iran said it had doubled its oil exports since August. “History tells us that [Russia] will likely bend and find ways around those sanctions and learn to live with them,” one analyst said. “Iran is a perfect example of that.”

Russia takes steps to bolster army, tighten grip on Ukraine (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order Wednesday to fast track Russian citizenship for residents of parts of southern Ukraine largely held by his forces, while lawmakers in Moscow passed a bill to strengthen the stretched Russian army. Putin’s decree applying to the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions could allow Russia to strengthen its hold on territory that lies between eastern Ukraine, where Moscow-backed separatists occupy some areas, and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014. The Russian army is engaged in an intense battle for Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. In a sign that the Kremlin is trying to bolster its stretched military machine, Russian lawmakers agreed to scrap the age limit of 40 for those signing their first voluntary military contracts. A description of the bill on the parliament website indicated older recruits would be allowed to operate precision weapons or serve in engineering or medical positions.

Problems in Pakistan (Reuters) Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan disbanded a protest march by supporters earlier today after clashes with police outside parliament the previous evening, but he warned that they would return unless an election was called within six days. Khan has said that the confidence vote that toppled him and ushered in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shabhaz Sharif last month was the result of a U.S. conspiracy, and he is demanding a fresh election to show he has national support. “I’m giving you six days. You announce elections in six days,” Khan said from atop a truck after he and thousands of his supporters reached Islamabad, adding that the parliament should be dissolved to hold the fresh elections in June. He warned the government that he will march on the capital again if it didn’t meet the demands.

Hemmed in by COVID curbs, Beijingers seek respite in urban outdoors (Reuters) On a hot, sunny day, children and adults splashed in the cool run-off of the Yongding River in a park on the western outskirts of Beijing, a city under near-lockdown in China’s head-on battle with COVID-19. While gatherings are discouraged and many parks in the sprawling city of 22 million are shut, Beijingers—like others across China with limited travel options—have taken up outdoor pursuits such as camping and picnicking after more than two years of strict and often claustrophobic pandemic curbs. Li Xiaoming, manager of Sanfo Outdoor, the largest outdoor equipment store in west Beijing, told Reuters sales of camping products had quadrupled from a year earlier since the Tomb Sweeping holiday in early April. Customers, typically middle class urbanites, snap up camp chairs, canopies and tents, Li said. Near the banks of the Yongding, high school student Huang Xiaowen played guitar and sang as she and two friends sat on a plaid picnic cloth before getting up to play volleyball. Huang, whose classes have moved online, said she often visits the park on weekends to relax with her classmates to escape hemmed-in city quarters and enjoy the quiet. “Camping makes everyone relax a little bit.”

China pushes Pacific deal (AP) China is trying to get 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping agreement covering everything from security to fisheries in what one leader warns is a "game-changing" bid to take control of the region. A draft of the agreement shows that China wants to train Pacific police officers, team up on "traditional and non-traditional security," and expand law enforcement cooperation. It also wants to jointly develop a marine plan for fisheries (which would include the Pacific's lucrative tuna catch), increase cooperation on running the region's internet networks, and set up cultural Confucius Institutes and classrooms. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price warned China "has a pattern of offering shadowy, vague deals with little transparency or regional consultation in areas related to fishing, related to resource management, development, development assistance and more recently even security practices." Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a 20-person delegation began a visit to the region this week.

CNN alleges reporter was shot by Israeli forces (Bloomberg) Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian journalist and American citizen who had covered the conflict in the Occupied Territories for decades, may have been intentionally killed by Israeli forces on the morning of May 11, according to an investigation by CNN. Abu Akleh, 51, wearing a bright blue flak jacket and helmet, both labeled press, was shot in the head. CNN said it reviewed almost a dozen videos of the attack as part of its investigation. Israel, which denied the report’s allegation, has yet to open a criminal probe of her murder. Members of the US Congress have urged the Biden administration to independently investigate the American’s killing.

#headlines #news

[pashterlengkap]

Ex-Levi’s president launches anti-trans sports clothing brand XX-XY Athletics

The ex-president of the fashion brand Levi’s and professional athlete, Jennifer Sey, recently launched a new anti-trans clothing brand known as XX-XY Athletics. The brand is reportedly dedicated to “protecting women’s sports.” The brand advertises itself on its newly launched website as promoting women’s sports, going into the subject of transgender inclusion by saying that “men and women are different. It’s just a fact.” The site goes on to suggest that those born with XY chromosomes have an innate, biological advantage in sports – something without academic consensus – before continuing “it is simply unfair and dangerous at times, to allow males (XY) to compete in girls and women’s (XX chromosomes) sports.” Related: Riley Gaines came for a trans activist for using a public restroom. It didn’t end well for her. Gaines was brutally mocked for her obsession with trans folks and for inadvertently arguing against the strength of all women. They conclude by saying “we’ll be here defending truth. And women and girls. Until that happens.” Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Daily * Weekly * Good News * Multiple anti-trans figures have been made ambassadors of the brand, including college swimmers Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan, as well as detransitioner Chloe Cole. Sey has made headlines for her controversial opinions in the past. She has supported gender-critical views on the validity of transgender people, as well as promoting the view that schools should stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. Sey’s new line vastly differs from Levi’s approach to the LGBTQ+ community, which has consistently been respectful for decades. Levi’s was the first major U.S. company to provide domestic partner benefits; it has made donations to the HRC, OutRight Action International, and other queer-allied organizations to help support LGBTQ+ communities; and has publicly opposed anti-LGBTQ+ actions taken by the administration of President Donald Trump. XX-XY Athletics launched with the assistance of an article in Forbes which presented a very sympathetic portrait of the company as a defender of women’s sports. The article used language and phrasing seen most commonly from those critical of transgender people, such as referring to transgender women as “biological males.” “I looked around at all the athletic brands in the marketplace and they make much ado about celebrating women, but not one has said ‘We need to protect women’s sports,’” Sey said to Forbes. “Not a single brand is doing it. We are going to make world-class, best-in-class athletic apparel for women and men. And we’re staking a claim around protecting women’s sports. We believe it will resonate with men as well who are invested in protecting their daughters,” she further detailed. In the article, Sey further detailed how she believes that it is the responsibility of brands to meet the public on modern cultural issues. Critics of Sey’s viewpoint note out that sexism and poor funding harm women’s sports and discourage female athleticism far more than trans competitors. The Mary Sue published an article critical of the clothing brand, criticizing much of the offered apparel for a lack of inclusivity for various different body types in addition to the views expressed on the website and by the founder. Levi’s has not responded to a request for comment from LGBTQ Nation. This article will be updated if they do respond. http://dlvr.it/T4fzdt

[isoprene500]

The respiratory disease known as COVID-19, or "Coronavirus Disease 2019," is extremely contagious and is brought on by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). After the illness was initially discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019, it sparked a pandemic that affected the entire world. Everyone around the world was forced to stay at home. This brings a very common benefit which involves gaming. The gaming community has strived during the world pandemic. Additionally, there was a slight rise in the number of female users and an increase in user engagement in online gaming among those between the ages of 25 and 35 (Bora 2020). The question is, how has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the public perception of gaming?

               The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the gaming industry, resulting in a number of modifications that have enhanced its growth and reputation in numerous ways. More people started using video games as their main source of entertainment when lockdowns and other social distancing measures were implemented. With more time to spend at home, players on different gaming platforms became more engaged, drawing in new players and growing the user base overall.   The popularity of online multiplayer games skyrocketed as more people looked for virtual means of keeping in touch with friends and family. Games that promoted communication, teamwork, and social interaction gained popularity and aided in the development of online gaming communities. When considering what gamers spent in 2020, it is evident that digital gaming spending on in-game content and paid downloads grew by 12% and 21% globally, respectively, demonstrating the expansion of digital revenues (Clement, 2022).

               Moreover, esports gained prominence as traditional sports were disrupted. The implementation of COVID-19 curfews, including lockdowns, resulted in delays, postponements, and cancellations of traditional sporting events. Since esports are digital by nature, it is simple to find them online. Because esports events are digital in nature, they can go on without any interruption, even in situations where lockdowns and safety concerns force physical events to be cancelled or postponed. International competitions for esports are common, and attendance is not always necessary. Because esports are worldwide, they can operate without requiring players to travel far, which was a major concern for traditional sports during the pandemic. The format of esports events can be more varied. Esports competitions can take on a variety of forms, such as online leagues and tournaments, whereas traditional sports frequently depend on a set schedule and location.

               In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the gaming industry, changing the landscape and accelerating already-emerging trends. The pandemic's effects on the gaming industry are complex, affecting different facets of gaming culture, technology, and business strategies. The increase in the number of people using gaming as a form of entertainment during lockdowns and social distancing measures has been one of the most obvious changes. There was a noticeable rise in the number of casual and serious gamers as more people stayed at home. This promoted the emergence of new gaming communities and genres in addition to increasing the user base of well-known gaming platforms.

Reference

Chin, B 2023, 'MDA20009 Week 10 social gaming, MDA20009 Digital Communities, Learning materials via Canvas, Swinburne University of Technology, 10th November 2023

Bora, G. (2020) 'For Indian gaming startups, Covid-19 lockdown is a boon for business', The Economic Times, April 13. Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/for-indian-gaming-startups-covid-19-lockdown-is-a-boon-for-business/articleshow/75115595 (Accessed: 24 June 2020).

Clement, J. (2022) 'COVID-19 impact on the gaming industry worldwide - Statistics & Facts', Statista, October 18. Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/8016/covid-19-impact-on-the-gaming-industry-worldwide/#topicOverview (Accessed: 26 November 2023).

#MDA20009 #Week10

[kenzotheweebmaster]

Has the Covid-19 changed the public perception of gaming?

Gaming commonly refers to the activity of playing video games where it involves an individual interact with electronic games that uses all types of devices, such as controllers, keyboards, or motion-sensing tools to control the characters or elements within the game. Gaming genres have a wide range of varieties for example, first-person shooter, adventure, MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game), racing, sports, strategy, and so forth. People engage in gaming can be due to various reasons, which can be for entertainment, social interaction, competition, and relaxation. Playing video games offers a huge diversity in experiences, ranging from immersive, storytelling single player games to fast-paced and competitive multiplayer environments. Although the term “ gaming “ can also include other types of games such as board games, card games, and so on, the word “ gaming” is usually heavily associated with  video games, given its widespread popularity and cultural impact on the public.

The public however appears to have conflicted opinions and mixed feelings towards gaming as some view it as a time-wasting activity which contributes nothing whereas others believe that gaming is valuable and provide beneficial for an individual as its increases and teaches problem-solving skills, fostering teamwork, and enhancing communications between teammates. This is particularly evident in multiplayer games such as Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. Despite these different perspectives, it is crucial to highlight that an increasing amount of research in the realm of mental health and video games addiction is giving rise to certain concerns. (Robert Workman, 2015) However, things took a different turn on the perception of gaming when Covid-19 pandemic hit which causes massive lockdown nation worldwide which reshaped every aspects of daily life, causing huge changes in how people work, socialize, and entertainment themselves.

According to Santos (2021), many people forced to take an alternative methods of communication and engagements, such as video games due to isolated caused by the pandemic especially in the early stages of the pandemic which noted by speakers at a Thursday event organized by associations in the video game industry. During the event, participants discussed how video games affect health and well-being, exploring the possibility of video games contributing positively to mental health. Amid the pandemic, people turned to video games for solace. For example, Tessa Lee’s experience.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Lee’s company implemented a work-from-home arrangement which also made her reluctantly to go out to avoid getting the risk of being infected among the crowds. However, not long ago, Lee purchased a Nintendo Switch handheld gaming console to play the widely popular game Animal Crossing; New Horizons which suddenly became a much-needed distraction. Ms. Lee expressed that gaming gives her a sense of purpose and a pleasant way to spend time alone. In addition to that, Ms. Mimi Haney, a contract manager at a co-living space company, has similarly increased her gaming activities since the outbreak. She also noted that gaming has offered her various forms of support. Additionally, James Chang, a chief executive for Lazada Singapore stated that consumers might opted for video games as a form of home entertainment or to fill the time during period of self-isolation to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Furthermore, regarding well-being and mental health, people use gaming to get through a year of isolation and loneliness. Mosche Isaacian depended on online gaming daily and seven discord servers to feel less alone when the pandemic started. As a result of that, Isaacian managed to make new friends from different parts of the world and connecting with them online despite their different time zones. Isaacian expressed that it’s like a sort of live therapy session for him. And according to him, it’s a community of people that he can count on to be there, to just destress with and have a good day. (Heather Kelly, 2021).

In conclusion, the public perception of gaming during the Covid-19 pandemic has experienced a significant change. Although some individuals out there still view gaming as a potential waste of time, many people are acknowledging and recognizing the positive aspects of gaming especially during the Covid-19 pandemic which helps providing entertainment, relieving stress, and social connection during challenging times. As people turned to gaming for comfort and enjoyment, the negative point of view towards the activity has decreased, and there is more attention on its potential benefits for mental well-being. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain a balanced perspective and address any concerns related to gaming addiction and its impact on individual’s mental health. As we navigate a post-pandemic world, it will be crucial to understand and appreciate the diverse perspective of public opinions about gaming. Comprehension is important for promoting discussion that is more detailed and well-informed.

List of References

Kelly, H 2021, They laughed, they cried, they killed monsters: How friendships thrived in video games during the pandemic, The Washington Post, 20 March, viewed on 27 November 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/20/video-games-pandemic-friends/.

Santos, R 2021, Video Games Help People to Connect and Engage During COVID-19, Health Policy Watch, 15 July, viewed on 27 November 2023, https://healthpolicy-watch.news/video-games-helps-people-to-connect/.

Tan, T 2020, More people are buying and playing games at home with the coronavirus outbreak, The Straits, 31 March, viewed on 27 November 2023, https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/games-apps/more-people-are-buying-and-playing-games-at-home-with-the-coronavirus-outbreak.

Workman, R 2015, Public Opinion On Games Is Changing, a.list, 15 December, viewed on 27 November 2023, https://www.alistdaily.com/media/public-opinion-on-games-is-changing/.

#mda20009 #week 10

[etmarness]

Has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the public perception of gaming?

Unquestionably, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we work, live, and engage with the world. The gaming industry is one surprising sector that has undergone a dramatic transformation. Gaming has evolved from being viewed as an escape for a select few to becoming a cultural fixture amid lockdowns and social distancing procedures. This blog article will discuss how the pandemic has changed how people see gaming and why it's no longer just seen as an opulent pastime for a select few.

Shift in Gaming Participation

The increase in gaming activity throughout the pandemic has been one of the most obvious shifts. Lockdowns and other limitations caused individuals to spend more time indoors, which is why gaming became a popular form of entertainment. People of all ages found comfort and camaraderie in the gaming community, whether it was through casual smartphone games, immersive console experiences, or multiplayer online gaming. The idea that gaming was exclusive for a particular group of people was called into question by the increase in player participation.

Social Connectivity Online

With the increasing prevalence of physical separation, gaming offered a novel way to foster social engagement. During a period of isolation, online communities, multiplayer games, and virtual events provided a sense of connection that was otherwise absent. The idea that gaming is a social pastime has changed, which has helped dispel myths and stereotypes about lone players. A broader awareness of gaming's potential to promote social ties has replaced the notion that it is a solitary hobby.

Gaming's Expanding Demographic

The growing population of gamers has been one of the biggest shifts in perspective. In the past, younger populations were typically linked to gaming. But the pandemic forced individuals of all ages—from kids to senior citizens—to look into gaming as a means to kill time and maintain social connections.

The stereotype of the lone gamer has been disproved. Families started bonding over game sessions, parents and kids started playing together, and older generations found comfort in the virtual worlds that computer games provided. This change in perspective has helped gaming become accepted as a commonplace kind of entertainment for people of all ages.

Has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the public perception of gaming?

Unquestionably, the COVID-19 epidemic changed how people felt about gaming. Previously seen as a specialised pastime, gaming has cemented its standing as a common and acknowledged mode of amusement and interpersonal communication. The narrative around gaming has changed due to its inclusion and adaptability. It is now seen as a useful part of contemporary living rather than just a leisure activity.

Since social distancing has reduced consumer and business activity, gaming has provided a fun diversion for those who are lonely at home and want to socialize. Data from the start indicates a sharp increase in playing time and purchases since the lockdowns started.

The game industry's current tendencies have been expedited by the pandemic. Despite the coronavirus's massive economic devastation, the video game industry is booming worldwide. The worldwide video game business is expected to be valued at $159 billion in 2020, which is over three times the amount made by the music industry ($57 billion in 2019) and around four times the amount made at the film office ($43 billion in 2019).

Furthermore, the pandemic has sparked an era of remarkable expansion for the industry. Microsoft and Sony have released historical growth rates for their respective gaming income sources. The globe fell back in love with video games while many of us were stranded at home.

Since March 23, 2020, the percentage of players who claim that the COVID-19 epidemic is the reason they are playing video games more has actually increased3. The United States had the largest rise (46%) followed by France (41%), the United Kingdom (28%) and Germany (23%).

Thus, it's evident that the epidemic has improved public awareness of gaming in addition to increasing the number of individuals who play video games. People have always considered gaming to be a means of amusement and social interaction.

Bonus: Gaming’s Perception in the Future

It's a bright future for gaming. We should anticipate increasingly more captivating and immersive gaming experiences as technology develops. It's also conceivable that gaming will permeate more aspects of our everyday existence. For instance, gaming might be utilised in the workplace for training or instructional objectives.

It's a good thing that people's opinions about gaming are changing after the pandemic. This implies that more individuals may now take advantage of gaming's positive effects without experiencing guilt or embarrassment. It also implies that people are more inclined to view gaming as a respectable way to pass the time and engage with others.

References

Bhave, Kak. (2020, September 13). Understanding how Covid-19 affected the Gaming Industry. Braves Technologies. https://www.bravestechnologies.com/post/understanding-how-covid-19-affected-the-gaming-industry

Epstein, A. (2020, September 28). Just how popular were video games were during COVID-19? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/covid19-coronavirus-pandemic-video-games-entertainment-media/

Epstein, A. (2020, September 16). The pandemic has turned everyone into gamers. Quartz; Quartz. https://qz.com/1904276/everyone-is-playing-video-games-during-the-pandemic

How Did The COVID-19 Pandemic Change Our Gaming Habits? | Kwalee. (2023, March 30). Kwalee.com. https://www.kwalee.com/blog/gaming/how-did-covid-change-our-gaming-habits

‌Quinn, W. (2020, June 3). 3, 2, 1 Go! Video Gaming is at an All-Time High During COVID-19. Nielsen; Nielsen. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2020/3-2-1-go-video-gaming-is-at-an-all-time-high-during-covid-19/

#week10 #mda20009

[banyan-massachusetts]

The Coronavirus Pandemic Sparks Growing Concerns of Increased Marijuana Use

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, marijuana usage has been seen in notable increases. The pandemic has brought up a multitude of various and complex reactions in people, resulting in decisions that may not have been otherwise made in the absence of social distancing. An article published by Banyan Treatment Center examines the usage of marijuana during this difficult time. In Massachusetts, a highly populated East Coast state, medical marijuana usage has been made easier due to the lack of restriction in the face of the pandemic. The article cites information from the Department of Public Health’s website, which discloses 15,288 new patients to medical marijuana cards in Massachusetts since the pandemic began. With no sign of reversal in these trends anytime soon, it’s important to understand what this rise could mean for marijuana use and potential abuse. The article cites three factors behind the rise in marijuana consumption: 1. Widespread boredom due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing-related feelings of isolation. 2. Easier access due to relaxed regulations on medical marijuana cards. 3. The heightened anxiety, fear, and financial insecurity caused by the pandemic. These three factors could create a dangerous environment of marijuana misuse as well as a need for drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers in the future. It’s important to monitor the impact of the pandemic on marijuana use and act appropriately to prevent abuse and addiction when needed. Marijuana use can be safe in moderation but when taken in excess or for non-medical use, immense repercussions can take hold. Due to the growing trend of marijuana use, it’s essential to understand the implications of this increased usage and potential abuse on public health. The article concludes: Before the pandemic, we were on the brink of a marijuana revolution, due to the potential medical benefits as well as a changing cultural outlook. Although opinions vary on the drug, it should be closely monitored at this time with an additional lens of pandemic-related factors in mind.

#Drug Detox #Substance Abuse Treatment #Drug Rehab #Alcohol Rehab #Opiate Addiction

[deepakumar123]

Top MBA Colleges In India Are Using E-Learning To Counteract The Impact Of COVID-19

Covid-19 has disruptively impacted all nations in terms of social, economic, and loss of human lives. India also underwent lockdown for several months after the outbreak of coronavirus in 2020, which resulted in a prolonged shutdown of schools, colleges, learning institutes, and offices. The pandemic has pushed educational institutes to resort to e-platforms for uninterrupted dissemination of knowledge and continuous learning among students. The MBA colleges in India continued to impart education of MBA courses, being one of the highly ranked postgraduate degrees in India, which transforms students into professionals & makes them corporate ready through online medium during the pandemic time. The best MBA colleges in Delhi have opted for e-learning mode which makes the use of computer technology, primarily through the internet, to deliver instructions/ information to students.  E-learning is often viewed as a medium for preparing study material & sharing PowerPoint presentations over the internet. However, the dimension of e-learning has undergone tremendous change especially after the COVID-19.  Various online platforms, for instance, Zoom, Google meet, MS teams have enabled best MBA colleges in Delhi to take virtual classes, live sessions, and interact with students like a traditional classroom. Not only the facility of live classes is provided on e-platforms, but easy access to recorded lectures is proven to be beneficial for students, as it is explicitly evident in their improved academic performance. The students have been able to learn at their comfort while being safe at home is the blessing that e-learning has offered them during the time of the pandemic. 

There is a preconceived notion that online learning cannot replace traditional learning. However, the notion differs from the observation of the teachers. The switch from offline to online classes during Covid times has shown that MBA students are more interactive & confident online, while they are nervous and timid when they come to traditional classes. The participation level of students has increased manifold in virtual classes. E-learning encourages independent learning. The study material and educational content can be accessed any number of times from any location, which provides an unhindered flow of knowledge & promotes continuous learning. 

The best MBA colleges in Delhi welcome students from diverse cultures & different regions. To deliver quality education at all times is a promise of best colleges which is fulfilled through e-learning during the pandemic. The introduction of information technology in the education industry has positively impacted the quality of education by providing a comprehensive tech support kit to troubleshoot any problem students face during virtual lectures. Furthermore, it reaches a wider group, promotes collaborative learning, increases the intensity of classroom discussions, supports in building a strong learning community and creates an enriched learning atmosphere. 

Master of business administration aims to impart managerial skills, develops leadership quality and decision-making ability among the students. An MBA graduate is paid much higher than a regular master’s degree candidate. In addition to the great salary package, job security, high reputation, and recognition in the international market are some of the benefits that an MBA degree provides. The top MBA colleges in Delhi do their best to make their curriculum relevant to the present times and adapt themselves to the dynamic learning environment by moving to virtual classes during the pandemic. The colleges aim to inculcate the feeling of classroom learning in virtual learning by eliminating all kinds of barriers to communication. E-learning facilitates easy and uninterrupted communication through better audio-visual connectivity, noise cancellation features and encourages teamwork through online break-out rooms, PowerPoint presentations, brainstorming sessions, and many more.

 The best MBA colleges in Delhi deliver top-class education straight to the students on their computer systems through virtual classes that not only support students in strengthening their command over business technology but also permit students from all across the globe to experience learning which is compatible with their educational needs and suits their daily schedule. The e-lectures are designed to fulfill the requirements of students from different needs and backgrounds. The facility of e-learning has helped the best colleges to attract international students which also leads to cross-cultural knowledge exchange. 

Therefore, the best MBA colleges in Delhi continue to impart knowledge without compromising the quality of education and counteract the negative impact of Covid-19 through e-learning.

#management #top mba college in ip #best mba college in delhi #admission 2023 #mba #top mba college in delhi #mba admissions2023 #mba admission #bbaadmission2023 #bba

[alliedcreation]

Trash Can Market is Expected to be Worth $5.3 Billion by 2031, At a CAGR of 4.9% During 2022 to 2031

 Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031″. The report provides a detailed analysis of the top investment pockets, top winning strategies, drivers & opportunities, market size & estimations, competitive landscape, and changing market trends. The trash can market size was valued at $3.3 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $5.3 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2031.

Get Free Sample Report PDF: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/17214

A trash can, sometimes known as a garbage can, is a container for storing waste. The vast majority are made of metal and plastic. Trash cans are sturdy and can withstand large loads, enabling safe and convenient rubbish storage, disposal, and transportation. To keep pests & insects out and to reduce odor, the garbage can is covered. Specialized can liners assist in the control of leaks and smells. Trash cans enable the sanitary collecting of wastes, which can be liquid or solid. Trash cans are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage, with differing degrees of strength to meet the environment. To make them simpler to handle, the massive garbage cans include rollers, wheels, and distinctive lids.

During the lockdown, owing to coronavirus, the waste production mainly increased from residential areas as compared to industrial and commercial centers, as industries and offices were partially or completely shut down so very less industrial and commercial waste was generated. Further, the decline in the production of new goods led to a fall in demand for recyclable materials such as rubber and plastic.

However, the reopening of production facilities and introduction of vaccines for coronavirus disease has led to the re-initiation of waste management companies and the waste recycle industry at their full-scale capacities. The work from home culture is the major boosting factor in the increase of residential waste, which is increasing the trash can market opportunity for growth.

Procure Complete Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/63184351c9c00d4f42b9c65dab266590

The trash can market is segmented on the basis of product type, material, end user, distribution channel, and region. According to trash can market analysis, on the basis of product type, the market is categorized into pedal trash can, sensor trash can, open trash can and others. On the basis of material, it is segregated into metal, plastic, and others. On the basis of end user, it is bifurcated into household and commercial. On the basis of distribution channel, it is divided into hypermarkets/supermarkets, specialty stores, online channels, and others.

The basis of region, it is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, Argentina, and Rest of LAMEA).

The players operating in the global trash can industry have adopted various developmental strategies to expand their trash can market share, increase profitability, and remain competitive in the market. The key players profiled in this report include Grahl Manufacturing, Inter IKEA Systems B.V., iTouchless Housewares & Products Inc.Newell brands, Nine Stars Group USA Inc, Otto Environmental Systems North America, Inc., Rev-A-Shelf, Simplehuman, Tramontina, and Umbra.

Key Findings of The Study:

○ On the basis of product type, the sensor trash can segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 6.4%, in revenue terms, during the forecast period. ○ According to trash can market trends, on the basis of material, the metal segment is expected to dominate the market from 2021 to 2030. ○ On the basis of end user, the household segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR in revenue terms, during the trash can market forecast period. ○ On the basis of distribution channel, the hypermarkets/supermarkets segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. ○ On the basis of region, U.S. was the country with largest trash can market size, in terms of revenue generation for the trash can industry in 2021.

Enquire before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/17214

[bookmytalent]

5 Benefits of Hiring Remote Talent for Your Business

The Coronavirus which led to the initiation of remote work culture is not seeming to end anytime soon. And so is the case with remote jobs. People are leaving traditional jobs and looking for ones that will let them concentrate on both their personal and professional lives. Attrition rates are rising for businesses everywhere. In the first half of 2022, the attrition rate in India alone was 20.3%. It will undoubtedly rise in the upcoming years. Remote jobs are becoming the new normal and there are multiple benefits to hiring remote talent for your business.

People have realized their true selves during their work-from-home days. They have come to understand that one can focus on their personal life while still working. One can spend quality time with loved ones, explore new hobbies, work on old ones, and still focus on their work. Moreover, studies have shown that remote talents are more productive than those working in traditional office setups. So, if you are a business owner, it is time to hire remote talent and experience positive changes.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring Remote Talent?

There are undoubtedly numerous benefits for businesses when they hire remote talent. But these 5 are among the top benefits, especially in the case of hiring remote IT professionals. And the reason we are focusing on IT professionals is that their working schedule is one of the most hectic ones. So let’s look at the benefits:

Remote IT professionals are more productive

Hiring remote IT professionals are cost-effective

You have access to global talent pools

The turnover rate decreases and employee retention increases

Improved agility and simplified scaling

Remote IT professionals are more productive:

Companies have always believed that employees will be lethargic and less productive when working remotely. They believe that keeping an eye make employees do their job responsibly and on time. But in actuality the case is different.

Research demonstrates that this is not at all the case. For instance, one study found that remote and hybrid employees produced 4% more than their coworkers who worked in offices. Additionally, those who had total schedule flexibility scored 29% higher on productivity measures. A study by Great Place to Work also revealed that people in 2020 reported being more productive than they were the year before.

The following are the top justifications cited by remote workers for completing more work or being more productive:

Employees claim that the time they would spend traveling can be better spent on activities that improve work-life balance and lessen stress. They have more free time to spend with their families, concentrate on their health, participate in community activities, pursue new interests, etc.

No more having coworkers stop by your desk or having to struggle to concentrate due to nearby loud background conversations.

You are free to take more frequent, brief breaks whenever you want. Even though these microbreaks are brief, they have been shown to increase productivity and quality of work.

You can create a workspace that encourages the ways in which you concentrate, think, and produce. There are no coworkers to complain to about your music choices, the temperature in the office, etc.

Hiring remote IT professionals are cost-effective:

There are some impressive examples of how companies can save a lot of money by working remotely. IBM for example saved $50 million and Sun Microsystems $68 million in real estate costs. However, you don’t have to run a sizable business or own property to save money. This is especially beneficial for startups working on a tight budget. When you hire remote talent, you aren’t responsible for their resources like electricity, internet, water, etc. They will have their own resources.

In a traditional workplace, money is spent on a variety of expenses like office space rentals, cafeteria costs, infrastructure costs, electricity costs, etc. But when you hire remote talent, that money can easily be saved and used for the company’s core operations.

Remote teams are economical in other ways as well:

You can employ people globally. This is beneficial for businesses with locations in expensive, crowded city centers.

There are times when a business may need an IT specialist on a project basis. However, in a traditional workplace, employers must only hire full-time workers. Therefore, hiring remote talent is the solution for the times when you don’t want to go for full-time hiring but need someone for a specific amount of time.

No matter what comes; earthquake, flood, tsunami, covid variants, work will not stop.

You will not have to pay for their travel allowances and can avoid relocation costs.

You will have access to global talent pools:

Work-from-home culture eliminates geographical restrictions. This is a huge benefit in today’s competitive job market. It makes it much simpler to find the precise candidate because now you’re not restricted to hiring from a particular location. A company situated in the USA can easily hire Indian talent remotely and vice-versa.

As a matter of fact, India is becoming a great choice for global tech giants. More and more global companies are looking to hire Indian remote IT professionals. You can fulfill your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion by hiring remote talents. By doing so, you can collaborate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. And numerous studies demonstrate that diversity enhances business results.

The turnover rate decreases and employee retention increases:

The most engaged workers, according to a Gallup study, are those who work remotely three to four days per week. Employees who work remotely experience satisfaction and mental calm that they cannot experience by reporting to work each day. This way employees can get more engaged with their work resulting in increased retention and employee satisfaction.

The factor of trust also plays an important role. Employees appreciate that you are giving them the freedom to plan their days. Giving employees the freedom to prioritize their tasks as they see fit deepens their sense of appreciation and empowerment, which is a direct path to engagement.

Improved agility and simplified scaling:

By hiring remote talent, you can access a larger talent pool and increase the agility of your company. You wouldn’t need to wait weeks to fill a position if you could find the ideal applicant quickly. Working with experts who would not otherwise be available is possible when you hire remote talent. By quickly assembling remote teams of say developers, you can increase your capabilities. Anywhere in the world, you can immediately scale teams up or down.

Want to Hire Remote Talents for Your Business Quickly and Efficiently?

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[elyaqim]

Deaths, 2021–2022

My original intent was to promptly write about the large number of deaths that had occurred among people I knew, some of them in my family, from March 2021 to February 2022, a year as roughly determined from springtime to wintertime, as many cultures do. Due to subsequent tragedies combined with my avoidance of writing such an emotionally unpleasant article, I procrastinated for about a year, but am now finding the will to finally do it. It should be noted that I am not aware that any of these deaths were caused by a coronavirus.

Marc Matthew Atkins (d. 18 Aug. 2016): In 2021, I learned that one of my closest friends in my late teens and early twenties had died five years earlier without my even knowing it. Marc and I met in the group Gay & Lesbian Youth of New York and became close friends and confidants, getting together socially, laughing on the telephone together and opening up to one another about our family lives. We reconnected in our thirties and spent some time together but eventually drifted apart again, only remaining in contact online without actually communicating anymore. I was devastated to learn of his passing, especially as I wished I could have been with him during his last days, and I find myself thinking of him quite frequently. (Notably, he was the son of popular singer Gwen Edwards of the Co‐Eds.)

Darlene Lorraine De Betta (d. 3 Mar. 2021): Darlene was a friendly coworker of mine in the 2000s, always good for some chat at the cloakroom where she worked. She and I occasionally socialized outside of work too, including at dinner parties at the home of a fellow coworker who treated the staff like family.

Edward S. Berens (d. 13 Mar. 2021): I met Ed in the community group Gay Men of the Bronx in the 1990s, and it turned out that we not only both lived in the Bronx, but that he also had a home in Monticello, the village where my parents lived at the time. Ed was very funny and entertaining and invited me to both of his homes at various times. He also once bought a great outfit he knew I would want to wear in a local talent show and then would not accept reimbursement therefor.

Alix Dobkin (d. 19 May 2021): I only met Alix Dobkin once, during the intermission of one of her concerts at Queens College, and so was able to inquire about a phrase in one of her songs. I have since outgrown the identitarian, separatist ideology that she advanced in some of her songs, but her music was very important to me and to my friends in our politically charged adolescence.

Carl Edmund Woollen (d. 12 July 2021): Carl, the quirky twin brother of an earlier friend of mine in the neighborhood, moved into my building and began attending N. Y. Bear Den, a group wherein his participation would grow considerably, brainstorming with us and having some of us over to his apartment for Scrabble and cribbage.

Aunt Shirley (d. 6 Aug. 2021): Shirley was a beloved grand‐aunt by marriage, the wife of the only sibling of my maternal grandmother’s to be born in the United States. They lived in Maryland so I did not see them often.

Christopher John Williams (d. 13 Aug. 2021): I met Christopher in 2014 at a Thanksgiving gathering in my neighborhood for those of us who could not attend a family gathering. I liked his sassy sense of humor and his flirtatious personality. We took a shine to one another but I do not recall ever seeing him again, our interactions thereafter happening solely on Facebook.

Justin Evan K. (d. 5 Jan. 2022): Although he was my first cousin, once removed, Justin is the only person on this list I had not met. Due to a longstanding rift in the family, I fell out of contact with my father’s sister’s daughters until I learned of Justin’s death in his thirties from a congenital problem I was not aware he had.

Carl Rosenblum (d. 13 Feb. 2022): Carl was a personable and perceptive older man I met in the gay men’s discussion group at Queens Pride House who would also usually go out to eat with other participants thereafter. It was always pleasant to speak with him, both inside and outside the meetings.

George Hains (d. 18 Feb. 2022): George was the affable and corpulent organizer of numerous events at Rockbar, a West Village venue I frequented a number of years back.

One of the principal lessons I had to relearn in this period was not to rely on social‐media platforms so heavily anymore, but to see friends in person (or at least spend time with them on the telephone) before it is too late to do so. Unfortunately, spring 2022 brought more deaths with it.

#deaths #2021 #2022 #friends #family

[serve-update]

Eric Yuan Net Worth: In The Midst Of Layoffs, Zoom Ceo Eric Yuan Cuts His Own Pay By 98%!

Eric S Yuan is a Chinese-American business magnate and engineer who founded and serves as Zoom Video Communications' CEO and founder. He also holds a 22% stake in the company. he is 52 years old, born on February 20th, 1970 in Taian, China.

Eric Yuan Net Worth

Eric Yuan has a net worth of $25 billion and is a Chinese-American businessman and entrepreneur. Eric made a lot of money when he started and ran Zoom Video Communications. Must read this article Kim Pegula Net Worth. Eric owns 19% of Zoom as of this writing. In June 2019, when the company went public, his share was worth $3 billion. After Coronavirus, a year later, his wealth had grown to $14.6 billion. https://twitter.com/Forbes/status/1322946220294328321

Amid Layoffs, Zoom Ceo Eric Yuan Cuts His Pay By 98%.

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan emailed staff on Tuesday that he would slash his salary by 98% and not take a bonus after the company announced 1,300 layoffs. "As the CEO and founder of Zoom, I am responsible for these mistakes and our actions today," Yuan informed employees. "I want to show accountability in words and actions," he said. The pandemic and work-from-home culture boosted Zoom's expansion. Yuan launched the 2011 California-based startup. In October 2020, the stock reached $559. Check also Les Brown Net Worth. Like many companies that surged during the crisis, it had a difficult landing—its stock is currently trading at roughly $80 (it went up around 10% post-layoff announcement). Yuan told colleagues that the epidemic rollercoaster prompted the cuts. He said Zoom grew 3x in 24 months to meet demand and enable innovation. "We didn't spend enough time analyzing our teams or assessing if we were developing sustainably, towards the top priorities," he said.

Eric Yuan Net Worth Zoom announced massive layoffs. Amazon, Google, and Meta have fired thousands of workers in the past four months. Bloomberg reported Yuan's $301,731 base compensation last year. His pay will drop to $10,000. The filing stated that other executives will take 20% pay cuts and forgo bonuses for the ensuing year. Check also Tommy Lee Net Worth. In the U.S., laid-off "Zoomies" will receive "up to" 16 weeks of wages and healthcare. Tech CEOs with higher base incomes have taken salary cuts. Per CNBC, Tim Cook's pay dropped 40% to $43 million. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon lowered his by 29% to $25 million. https://youtu.be/_V0Ke4biypQ If you liked this article, follow our website, serveupdate.com, and don’t forget to follow our social media handles. Read the full article

[mysticalcrowntyphoon]

Supplements for Stress and Sleep: More Than a Passing Post-Pandemic Fad for Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturing.

Table of Content

Arrival of Pandemic

Impact on Society and Healthcare

Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

 Arrival of Pandemic

The arrival of the pandemic proved to be a big jerk to the whole society but a big thanks to Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturer who helped to survive. In March 2020 when World health organization declared Covid 19 a global pandemic. Within a week thousands of people prisoned themselves inside their homes to shelter in place for what they thought would be a few weeks believing that this sacrifice would stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was not easy to handle the work-from-home culture and stay in isolation in the case came in the grip of the covid 19.

Impact on Society and Healthcare

People staying inside their houses not struggled with pain, threat, fear, and trauma but with stress, sleep disturbance, insomnia, etc. Many people lost their lives due to covid 19 but there were many who their lost life due to stress, anxiety, a mental disturbance which further resulted in cardiac arrest or further led to other diseases.

The stressful events led to an impact on physical and mental well-being. It was not that the pandemic came and went away in fact people faced a second pandemic, one that would persist even after the physical threat of the virus has been addressed. If we look at the surveys conducted or review the scenario, we will see that physical health was declining due to an inability to cope in healthy ways with the stresses of the pandemic. Many incidences showed that people gained weight or lost undesirable amounts of weight, have started consuming alcohol to cope with stress, and are not getting their desired amount of sleep.

 This was a fact in the case of parents, essential workers, young people, etc which states that no age group was exempted or left. These stated healthiness impacts sign many grownups may be having problems handling stressors, with sorrow and shock, and are probable to lead to momentous, lasting individual and social penalties, including continuing diseases and added stress on the nation’s health care system.

The prolonged stress experienced by people especially the high levels of stress directly get connected with the pandemic was extremely upsetting to mental and physical health, including changes to weight, sleep, and alcohol use. Mass alteration is a common sign when individuals are having difficulty coping with mental health challenges. Significant weight gain poses long-term health risks. According to health reports, people are at higher risk of developing Type II diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, and people who gain more than 24 pounds are at higher risk of developing ischemic stroke. Adults also reported changes in sleep and increased alcohol consumption, People are sleeping more or less than they wanted to since the pandemic started.

 There was no doubt that physical health has taken a back seat. Every three in four adults reported high-stress levels which resulted in sleep disorders so looking at the post-pandemic effects if we see that supplements for stress and sleep get prepared is more than a passing post-pandemic fad for Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturing. Dietary supplement contract manufacturers have served the industry with variety.

 Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

 Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a well-established globally recognized Herbal food supplements manufacturer in India. They are known for the quality they serve. Their commitments are wholly and solely respected, regarded, implemented, and utilized to serve the industry as per the requirement. Along with other offerings during the pandemic, Akums is doing relentlessly to address the post-pandemic effects on mankind. Eleven states of Art facilities, extensive R and D facilities, trained staff, and updated technological ground assist the efforts of the company in attaining what it desires.

Key Takeaways:-

The arrival of the pandemic proved to be a big jerk to the whole society but a big thanks to Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturer who helped to survive.

Supplements for stress and sleep get prepared are more than a passing post-pandemic fad for Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturing.

 Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s commitments are wholly and solely respected, regarded, implemented, and utilized to serve the industry as per the requirement.

#Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturing #dietary supplement contract manufacturers #herbal food supplements manufacturer in India