Day: May 19, 2021

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Zoom Announces Zoom Events Platform for Virtual Experiences

An All-in-One Platform for Producing and Monetizing Interactive Virtual Events and Conferences

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today announced Zoom Events, an all-in-one platform with the power to produce interactive and engaging virtual experiences, available this summer. Zoom Events combines the reliability and scalability of Zoom Meetings, Chat, and Video Webinars in one comprehensive solution for event organizers, with the ability to produce ticketed, live events for internal or external audiences of any size.

Zoom Events offers something for a variety of use cases – from enabling large businesses to seamlessly manage and host internal events like all-hands and sales summits and external events like user conferences, to smaller businesses and entrepreneurs who have been using OnZoom to create, host, and monetize events including fitness and cooking classes, theatrical presentations, and more. As part of the launch of Zoom Events, OnZoom, currently in Beta, will be rebranded and folded into Zoom Events, and can be either private, or searched and explored publicly.

Zoom’s recent global study, How Virtual Do We Want Our Future to Be?, surveyed people worldwide on the role of video communications in our daily lives as we look beyond the pandemic. In the US, 80 percent of respondents agreed that everything will continue to have a virtual element post-pandemic, with 52 percent of US respondents planning to enjoy events both in-person and virtually, reinforcing the need for an all-in-one solution that will create seamless hybrid/virtual event experiences.

Zoom Events Platform Benefits:

  • Build an event hub to easily manage and share events
  • Customizable ticketing and registration
  • Control access and billing from one portal
  • Host a variety of events – free or paid, one-time or series
  • Bring attendees together with integrated networking
  • Track event statistics like attendance, registration, revenue, and more
  • Events can be kept private or posted to our public directory for others to discover
  • Zoom Events can be used with an existing paid Zoom Meetings or Video Webinar license

“It’s an exciting time to be at Zoom where the pace of innovation continues to accelerate,” said Oded Gal, chief product officer at Zoom. “We know that people are looking for flexibility in how they attend events in the future. The hybrid model is here to stay, and Zoom Events is a perfect solution for our customers who are looking to produce and host customer, company, and public events with an easy, yet powerful solution. This is another way we’re helping customers scale to meet consumer demands and the evolving virtual and hybrid landscape.”

To learn more about Zoom Events, please visit Zoom Events website and read our recent blog.

About Zoom
Zoom is for you. We help you express ideas, connect to others, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Zoom Public Relations
Farshad Hashmatulla
Product PR Manager
press@zoom.us

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MEDIA ALERT: Ethiopian novelist and Booker Prize finalist, Maaza Mengiste to deliver 8th Annual Pluralism Lecture

TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHAT: Maaza Mengiste, award-winning author of The Shadow King, will deliver the 8th Annual Pluralism Lecture via livestream on May 19, 2021, about approaching difficult history in ways that can promote belonging over division.
Co-presented by the Global Centre for Pluralism and the University of British Columbia, this year’s lecture features an introduction by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Global Centre for Pluralism Board Member, reflecting on how the pandemic has created an urgency for building respect, empathy, and a more equitable, just and prosperous future for all.
WHERE: Livestream can be viewed at: https://www.pluralism.ca/event/maaza-mengiste-8thannual-pluralism-lecture
   
WHEN: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
12:00 p.m. EDT
   
WHO: Ethiopian novelist and 2020 Booker Prize finalist, Maaza Mengiste
   
CONTACT: Calina Ellwand, Manager
Communications and Public Affairs
Global Centre for Pluralism
media@pluralism.ca
+1-613-688-0137
   
OPPORTUNITIES: Audience Q&A with Maaza Mengiste, hosted by Nahlah Ayed (CBC Ideas)
Media may submit questions in advance to media@pluralism.ca
Lecture videos, transcript, and images available upon request

Maaza Mengiste
Maaza Mengiste, a critically acclaimed novelist and essayist, examines the individual lives at stake during migration, war, and exile. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and lived in Nigeria and Kenya before moving to the United States. Mengiste’s debut novel, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze (2010), was named one of The Guardian’s 10 Best Contemporary African Books. Her latest novel, The Shadow King (2019), was called “one of the most beautiful novels of the year” by National Public Radio and was a 2020 Booker Prize finalist. Winner of the 2020 Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Mengiste’s honours include the Creative Capital Award, a Fulbright Scholarship, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Puterbaugh Festival of International Literature & Culture.

Global Centre for Pluralism
The Global Centre for Pluralism, founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada, works with policy leaders, educators and community builders around the world to amplify and implement the transformative power of pluralism.

University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning.

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Misinformation Clouds Uganda’s Effort to Vaccinate Refugees

YUMBE, NORTHERN UGANDA – Uganda, which hosts nearly 1.5 million refugees and asylum-seekers, began coronavirus vaccinations this week in the camps and settlements. But vaccine hesitancy among refugees poses a challenge.

Ugandan authorities have received 964,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine and inoculated 453,000 people as of May 16.

Now, the government is extending COVID-19 vaccinations to refugees, most of whom are from South Sudan.

In Bidibidi settlement, the vaccination team is first targeting older people, age 50 or higher.

To get them to the clinic, the health team is going to door to door. Moses Lomoro, a village health team member, says face to face interactions helped erase a lot of fears among the elderly.

“After getting a vaccine, some people have a reaction,” he said. “Someone can have a fever and vomiting. So, these rumors have scared some of the community members. And also, other people, they have access to social media and give false information.”

Before the vaccination, health workers carry out a counselling session in which each recipient reads and signs a consent form.

The consent form reads, in part: “As with any vaccine, there is no certainty that I will become immune or that I will not experience any adverse events from the vaccine. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any events that may result due to vaccination.”

Mary Nyoka, 65, has concerns over the form.

She says, I have pressure, ulcers and malaria. We are already old enough, are they giving us a vaccine to kill us? She says, so, I’m scared, they are making us sign a consent form.

Dr. Charles Onek, a medical officer with the International Rescue Committee says the community has had many fears that have affected the vaccination process.

“People have been wondering, if I get a severe form of reaction and maybe, I succumb to it, or I die. Will I be compensated? So, that answer has never been very clear,” he said. “People are talking that if you receive a COVID vaccine, especially for men, you become impotent. No, this has been a myth and we have always been talking about it.”

In the settlements, the different health centers use what they call, “boda boda talk talk” to pass on messages about coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

Balizina Emmy, a clinical officer at Swinga Health Centre III, says they are making progress through these messages.

“It is kind of challenging, because, it has not been happening with other vaccines. This is somehow special. This is a new thing in the vaccination system. We try to talk to them and explain to them the reason as to why they should consent. More so, because of these side effects,” he said.

Ugandan doctors say they will have to reset their messages to show and convince not just refugees, but even locals that any risks associated with the vaccine are minimal compared to getting COVID-19, which carries the risk of death.

Source: Voice of America

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Substantial investment for construction of health facilities

The Ministry of Health branch in the Southern region reported that in the past 30 years of Independence over 193 million Nakfa has been invested for putting in place health facilities as well for the introduction of modern medical equipment.

Indicating that before independence there were 2 hospitals, 3 health centers and 22 health stations providing limited health service to the public, Dr. Amanuel Mihreteab, head of the branch office in the region, said that currently there are 7 hospitals, 9 health centers, 42 health stations and 2 maternity and child clinics providing commendable health service to the public.

Regarding human resources, Dr. Amanuel said that the number of medical professionals has increased by 500%, health practitioners by 330%, nurses by 237%, assistant nurses by 330%, laboratory technicians by 1125%, pharmacists by 700%, X-Ray technicians by 525%, public health professionals by 478%, and dentists by 1450%.

Dr. Amanuel went on to say that alongside providing health services the health facilities in the region have significantly contributed in raising the awareness of the public on health issues and in the reduction of the prevalence of communicable diseases.

The Fistula Treatment Center in Mendefera is also providing commendable service to fistula patients coming from all over the country.

The health facilities are also providing praiseworthy pre and post natal treatment and pregnant women delivering at health facilities has increased by 317%, Dr. Amanuel added.

Regarding control of diseases that have been the main causes of death and disability, Dr. Amanuel said that over 1.5 million impregnated bed nets have been distributed to the public and vaccination programs especially to mothers and children have been conducted against various diseases.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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UPDF captain jailed 50 years over kidnap, murder of Eritrean businessman

The High Court in Kampala has sentenced to 50 years, a UPDF captain convicted of masterminding the kidnap and killing of an Eritrean businessman.

Daniel Michael Weldu, a resident of Muyenga and owned businesses in Uganda and South Sudan was abducted from Kololo, a leafy Kampala suburb on October , 27, 2016 and the border later found burnt at the Uganda-Kenya border in Busia.

Capt Bumali Mangeni was convicted together with two civilians including Benon Duncan Lumu and Andrew Kisitu.

On Monday afternoon, Justine Flavia Anglin Ssennoga said the three convicts deserved a sentence that would ensure the trio serves as an example to other would be offenders.

“The commission of the offences was meticulously premeditated and executed . All the convicts acted in furtherance of an unlawful purpose and each one played a part in the commission of the offences as they failed to dissociate themselves from the heinous acts, “Justice Ssenoga said.

The judge said the trio carried out the mission immaculately that they were able to kidnap the Eritrean businessman from Kololo, forced him to withdraw money from his bank account that they stole and later killed him , before burning the body kill evidence.

“The deceased was kidnapped, threatened to be charged with made up offences, sedated into unconsciousness, robbed and was eventually murdered for the sole purpose of stealing money that he had on his accounts. The kidnap was as a result of fraud and his death was not accidental but deliberately occasioned in furtherance of unlawful purpose.”

“The body of the deceased was set ablaze with an apparent intention of causing disguise about the cause of death and to hide the identity of the deceased.”

The court said that the trio spent a lot of time planning their mission until their pulled it off meticulously.

The judge said it is appalling that the convicts didn’t find it into their hearts to be remorseful and give a second chance for life to the Eritrean businessman.

“The offence negatively impacted on the victim’s family, relatives and friends and the public at large. Such offences cause a lot of concern for security and safety of people in society. Because of commission of such offences people are not free to enjoys fruits of the honest labours. The sentences are meant to send out a strong message to the public and other would be offenders that crime doesn’t pay and will not be tolerated by anyone,” she said.

The judge consequently sentenced each of the three convicts to 50 years imprisonment for kidnap with intent to murder, 30 years for aggravated robbery and 50 years for murder of the businessman.

She also ordered that they pay shs200 million to the deceased’s family in compensation but also refund the money they robbed from the deceased.

“The sentences to run concurrently and the period spent on remand should be deducted,”she said.

Source: Dehai Eritrea Online

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Improved public transportation service

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications reported that the 2100 buses and 1505 taxis introduced in the past 30 years of independence are significantly contributing in the development of public transportation service across the country.

Indicating that before independence there were 257 buses with the capacity of transporting seven thousand people. Mr. Tesfaselasie Berhane, Minister of Transportation and Communications, said that the Government in order to address the problem invested about 970 million Nakfa to procure 707 modern buses with different capacity.

Noting that the substantial investment made to expand and renovation of asphalt and dirt roads coupled with the fair transportation fee has contributed in the developed transportation service, Minister Tesfaselasie said that the transportation coverage throughout the country has reached 85%.

Minister Tesfaselasie went on to say that about 31 billion tons of dry freight and over three billion liquid products have been transported by the 1549 trucks that are under the ownership of Trans-Horn, Lilo, Eritraco, East Africa Transportation Companies and individuals.

The annual inspection on the condition of vehicles and trucks is also significantly contributing in the safety and in declining traffic accidents and loss of lives and property, Minister Tesfaselasie added.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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785 big and mid-size dams constructed

The documents from the Cartography and Information Center indicate that in the past 30 years of Independence 785 big and small dams have been constructed that have significantly contributed in alleviating water problem both to humans and livestock.

According to Mr. Getachew Merhatsion, head of the Cartography and Information Center, the dams include 557 dams that could hold from 10 to 100 thousand cubic meters of water, 198 dams that could hold from 100 thousand to one million cubic meters of water and 30 dams that could hold from one to 330 million cubic meters of water.

Mr. Getachew went on to say that some of the big dams that have been constructed in past 30 years of Independence include Kerkebet dam that could hold 330 million cubic meters of water, Gahtelai Dam 50 million cubic meters of water, Misilam Dam 35 million cubic meters of water, Logo Dam 31 million cubic meters of water, Gerset Dam 20 million cubic meters of water, Fanco-Rawi Dam 20 cubic meters of water, Fanco-Tsimu 14 million cubic meters of water and Bademit Dam 17 million cubic meters of water.

Regarding small dams and micro-dams, Mr. Getachew said that 164 small and micro-dams have been constructed in Anseba region, 338 in the Southern region, 145 in Gash Barka, 115 in the Central region, 23 in the Northern Red Sea region and as a result from 85 to 90% of nationals residing in cities and towns and 75% of nationals in rural areas have become beneficiaries of potable water supply.

Mr. Getachew further noted that strong experience has been gained in the construction of dams, supply of raw materials as well as in developing human capacity in various levels and that will have significant contribution in the future national development programs.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea