April 14, 2022

Ryan Kavanaugh’s Proxima Studios Announces Start of Production of Skill House Starring Bryce Hall, Directed and Written by Josh Stolberg – Writer of Jigsaw and Spiral – of the Saw Franchise

Ryan Kavanaugh

First-of-its-kind film to be “listed” on the entertainment stock exchange allowing fans to participate and invest in the film via ESX.io

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Based on an original idea by EGOT Megaproducer (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) Nominee Ryan Kavanaugh, Skill House is the first of a franchise and is slated to start principal production in June 2022 with an expected early 2023 release date. It is financed and controlled by Proxima Studios and written and directed by horror film legend Josh Stolberg, co-writer of horror films such as Spiral: From the Book of Saw (starring Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson), Jigsaw, Piranha 3D, Sorority Row, as well as the next Saw film (tentatively titled Saw X) and starring social media phenomenon Bryce Hall, who is one of the world’s most-followed Social Media Stars with over 50 Million Followers across his social media channels.

Skill House will be the first film to be “listed” on the entertainment stock exchange (“ESX“), a first-of-its-kind platform allowing users to invest in the film and trade in or out of the film and its upside.

Starring social media personality Bryce Hall, Skill House takes a stab at social media influencers and will be an unflinching take on fame and what new celebrities are willing to do to attain it. It will be shot in the Sway House, a mansion in Bel Air, made famous by many of Tik Tok’s biggest stars. It will skewer the landscape of young celebrities who will do anything for a “click.”

“I’ve worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Chris Rock and Sam Jackson, Carrie Fisher and Dwayne Johnson… but my kids are more excited about this project than any other I’ve worked on,” said Stolberg. “Working with Bryce Hall and Ryan Kavanaugh, this is sure to be a first of a new horror genre. These social media personalities are the new Hollywood, and they are reinventing what it means to be a star. When a young kid from Maryland, like Bryce, with nothing but a cell phone and a ring light, can attract tens of millions of followers on Tik Tok and Instagram, it evens the playing field for everyone. But there’s a dark side to this new entertainment landscape, and I’m excited to flip that rock over.”

Bryce Hall

“The film will be a “hard R” horror film and will have a gritty approach to what it takes to succeed in a business that relies on fans “liking you.” Stolberg added, “there’s nothing I love more than writing a watercooler kill scene… and we’re already over budget with the amount of blood we’re going to use. While this concept could play for parody, I’ll be taking a more serious approach and leaning into scares and horror over humor. I’m not pulling punches. I’ve been given the green light to go for it. And I can’t wait!”

Kavanaugh, the 24th highest-grossing producer of all time, has produced and or financed over 200 films such as Fast and Furious 3,4,5,6, Social Network, 300, Mamma Mia!, Limitless, Fighter, Zombieland, and many more. Kavanaugh also previously owned Rogue Pictures, which launched over 60 horror movies, including Strangers, The Unborn, and My Soul to Take.

“This film intends to break the boundary between the short-form social media phenomenon and long-form content,” said Kavanaugh. “Bryce is one of the most recognized and polarizing influencers with over 50 million followers and will certainly be a crossover star. The film digs deep into the human psyche and the new generation’s thirst for stardom, asking how far they would go? It will be bloody, it will be dark, and it will certainly be talked about.”

Daniel Herther, who oversees production and creative development at Proxima, will serve as executive producer. Before joining Proxima, Herther produced the Nic Cage thriller Inconceivable and held executive roles at Relativity Media and WB’s Hollywood Gang (300).

This will be the first time fans can actually invest into a feature film and participate in the upside of the film via ESX.

Bryce Hall is repped by Brad Baskin of Panther Management and Ryan Kavanaugh and Proxima are repped by Neil Sacker.

About Proxima and Ryan Kavanaugh

Founder of Proxima Media, co-founder of Triller, Ryan Kavanaugh is one of the most accomplished, prolific, and honored executives in entertainment industry history. Using an intelligent financial model of film finance, he was dubbed the creator of “Moneyball for movies.” He produced, distributed, and/or structured financing for more than 200 films, generating more than $20 billion in worldwide box office revenue and earning 60 Oscar nominations. He is the 25th highest-grossing film producer of all time. His productions include Fast and Furious 3-6, 300, Social Network, Limitless, Fighter, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and Mamma Mia! Kavanaugh and Proxima pioneered an innovative finance deal for post-bankruptcy Marvel, making the studio and finance structure that led to Marvel Cinematic Universe. He built the SVOD (streaming) category with Netflix, which boosted that company’s market capitalization from $2 to $10 billion. Kavanaugh is the co-founder of Triller, one of the three fastest-growing social media apps. He recently led the acquisition, merger, and re-launch of the social media and music app.

He also created the powerhouse television company, now known as Critical Content, producing hit shows like Catfish on MTV and Limitless on CBS, which he sold for $200M. The company had 40 television series across 19 networks before its sale. Kavanaugh has earned several achievements and awards, from Variety’s Producer of the Year Award to The Hollywood Reporter’s Leadership Award, from Fortune’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential People in Business to Forbes’ Fortune 400, Billion-Dollar Producer by the Daily Variety and the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Vanity Fair.

About Entertainment Stock Exchange (“ESX”)

Entertainment Stock X (ESX), a first-of-its-kind platform allowing users and fans to invest in film and entertainment projects via the Jobs Act, is an innovative platform for financing entertainment. The company fills the need for new and more efficient financing for filmmakers. ESX allows filmmakers to generate a valuable direct marketing relationship with fans and will enable fans to invest in film for the first time. More information is available on ESX.io

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/57bc3ab2-7d4e-4601-a463-9cfb7d99e918

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b498c69-6617-4ef7-af25-e5dda90f3d34

Media Contact

Michelle Vieyra
Jive PR + Digital
202-415-7714
michelle@jiveprdigital.com

April 14, 2022

AISL Harrow Scholarships 2022/24 Winners Announced

Attracting almost 500 applicants from 91 countries or regions, the unique 100% A-level Scholarships Programme gives the global community access to Harrow’s 450 years of educational excellence

HONG KONG, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The AISL Harrow Scholarships Programme is the most prestigious award across the AISL Harrow family. First launched in 2021, the Scholarships received an overwhelming global response. Moving into the second year, with almost 500 exceptionally talented students from 91 countries or regions applying, six Scholarships have been awarded, offering opportunity to the full access of a Harrow A-Level (pre-university) education – a values-based education that provides ‘Educational Excellence for Life and Leadership’.

The selection process was rigorous, fair and balanced. From hundreds of applicants, 12 were selected for interview and, 6 successful candidates were chosen based on their outstanding academic performance, English fluency, and extracurricular talents, alongside their commitment to leadership and service activities.

AISL is delighted to announce that the 2022/24 recipients of the AISL Harrow Scholarships are (from left to right): Pui Yan Sham Peony (Hong Kong SAR, China), Ka Hin Cheung Kyan (UK), Lauren Saunders (UK), Kaijun Chang (USA), Eaint Aunt Auw (Thailand) and Yoon Yati (Myanmar). They will join AISL Harrow Hong Kong, AISL Harrow Shanghai and AISL Harrow Bangkok from September of this year.

In response to the awards, Dr. Rosanna Wong, Chairman of Asia International School Limited, praised the six recipients of the AISL Harrow Scholarships as “truly outstanding”. She noted, “they exemplify the very best of academic and extra-curricular excellence; we are proud to have them joined the AISL Harrow family.”

Alongside the AISL Harrow Scholarships, the individual Harrow-branded schools in Asia also provide scholarship opportunities for gifted students. To learn more, please subscribe to AISL Harrow’s official Facebook Page (AISL Harrow Schools) and view the AISL Harrow Schools website at https://www.harrowschools.com/.

About Asia International School Limited (AISL) GROUP

Asia International School Limited (AISL) is a leading provider of world-class K-12 education in Asia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary Harrow International Management Services Limited and affiliates, AISL sub-licenses the Harrow brand and provides professional educational services to our Harrow branded schools, including AISL Harrow International Schools, AISL Harrow Innovation Leadership Academies and AISL Harrow Little Lions Early Years Centres. In the academic year of 2021/2022, the Group has 17 schools and early years centres in the network.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1795221/Harrow_scholarship_Picture1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1795223/winners.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1795222/Harrow_scholarship_Picture3.jpg

April 14, 2022

Casio va lancer une G-SHOCK octogonale dotée de fonctionnalités avancées

La série emblématique 2100 avec connectivité Bluetooth® et système de charge solaire

TOKYO, 14 avril 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. a annoncé aujourd’hui le tout dernier ajout à sa marque de montres antichocs G-SHOCK. Les cinq nouvelles montres GA-B2100 sont les premières de l’iconique série octogonale 2100 à être équipées de la connectivité Smartphone Link via Bluetooth® et de capacités de recharge solaire.

Lancé en 2019, le modèle de base GA-2100 est une interprétation contemporaine de la toute première G-SHOCK, la DW-5000C. Son design simple et élégant s’est révélé populaire dans le monde entier, notamment auprès des jeunes consommateurs.

Avec la connectivité Bluetooth® et un système de charge solaire, les nouvelles montres antichocs GA-B2100 offrent un tout nouveau niveau de commodité. Le jumelage avec un smartphone* via Bluetooth® permet une mesure précise de l’heure. Le système de charge Tough Solar convertit efficacement la lumière des lampes fluorescentes et d’autres sources pour alimenter la montre, éliminant ainsi la nécessité de remplacer régulièrement la pile.

* Nécessite le téléchargement de l’application dédiée CASIO WATCHES.

En outre, ces montres sont dotées d’un module mince avec une disposition optimisée des composants pour conserver le cadran compact pour lequel la série 2100 est connue, tout en offrant des fonctionnalités améliorées. Combiné à la structure Carbon Core Guard, qui protège le module avec un boîtier en résine renforcée de fibres de carbone, ce système offre à la fois une résistance aux chocs et un boîtier compact qui conserve la même longueur et la même largeur que le GA-2100.

Pour ces ajouts, Casio revient aux couleurs classiques utilisées pour la première fois dans la gamme G-SHOCK 5600 avec des reproductions du jaune, du vert et du bleu des DW-5600C-9BV (sortie en 1987, EOL), DW-5600B-3V (sortie en 1987, EOL) et DW-5600B-2V (sortie en 1987, EOL). Il existe également deux options noires : un modèle noir et gris dans le même schéma de couleurs que le DW-5600C-1V (sorti en 1987, EOL) de la série originale 5600, ainsi qu’un modèle entièrement noir.

Modèle	Couleur
GA-B2100-1A	Noir × Gris
GA-B2100-1A1	Noir × Noir
GA-B2100-2A	Bleu
GA-B2100-3A	Vert
GA-B2100C-9A	Jaune

Le nom et les logos Bluetooth^® sont des marques déposées de Bluetooth SIG, Inc. et toute utilisation de ces marques par Casio Computer Co., Ltd. est sous licence.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781514/GA_B2100.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781515/GA_B2100_1A_GA_B2100_1A1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781516/GA_B2100_2A_GA_B2100_3A_GA_B2100C_9A.jpg

April 14, 2022

Casio to Release Octagonal G-SHOCK with Advanced Functionality

Iconic 2100 Line with Bluetooth^®Connectivity and Solar Charging System

TOKYO, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the latest addition to the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The five new GA-B2100 watches are the first in the iconic octagonal 2100 line to be equipped with Smartphone Link connectivity via Bluetooth^® and solar charging capabilities.

Released in 2019, the base-model GA-2100 was a contemporary interpretation of the very first G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C. Its simple, stylish design proved popular around the world, especially among younger consumers.

With Bluetooth^® connectivity and a solar charging system, the new GA-B2100 shock-resistant watches add a whole new level of convenience. Smartphone pairing* via Bluetooth^®delivers accurate timekeeping. The Tough Solar charging system effectively converts light from fluorescent lamps and other sources to power the watch, eliminating the need to regularly replace the battery.

* Requires downloading the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app.

In addition, these watches feature a slim module with optimized component layout to retain the compact watch face for which the 2100 line is known, yet still deliver enhanced functionality. Combining this with the Carbon Core Guard structure, which protects the module with a carbon fiber-reinforced resin case, provides both shock resistance and a compact case that is still the same length and width as the GA-2100.

For these additions, Casio returns to the classic colors first used in the G-SHOCK 5600 line with reproductions of the yellow, green and blue of the DW-5600C-9BV (released in 1987, EOL), DW-5600B-3V (released in 1987, EOL), and DW-5600B-2V (released in 1987, EOL). There are also two black options — a black and gray model in the same color scheme as the DW-5600C-1V (released in 1987, EOL) from the original 5600 series, as well as an all-black model.

Model	Color
GA-B2100-1A	Black × Gray
GA-B2100-1A1	Black × Black
GA-B2100-2A	Blue
GA-B2100-3A	Green
GA-B2100C-9A	Yellow

The Bluetooth^® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781514/GA_B2100.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781515/GA_B2100_1A_GA_B2100_1A1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1781516/GA_B2100_2A_GA_B2100_3A_GA_B2100C_9A.jpg

April 14, 2022

Agency Dismisses False Information about Death of Eritrean Refugees in Camp

Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) dismissed today the report disseminated by some media outlets about attack on Dabat refugee camp in North Gondar Zone of Amhara Regional State.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs Director General Tesfahun Gobezay recalled that Eritrean refugees, who had been living peacefully in four camps in Tigray region before the conflict, were attacked repeatedly by the terrorist group TPLF.

To prevent attacks on Eritrean refugees, the government worked hard to ensure safety of the refugees by moving them to the temporary shelters built in Maitsebri and Dabat, he added.

According to him, the refugees near Dabat town have subsequently been hosted with love by the community.

The director general stressed that the reports disseminated by some international media outlets about attack on an Eritrean refugee camp in Dabat is incorrect and far from the truth.

The agency has filed complaint to the organization that gave the wrong information to BBC Amharic, which was later exaggerated by the Deutsche Welle ( DW) that reported the death of one person.

The incident occurred following group to group conflict among the refugees; and distorting this fact to mislead the international community is unacceptable, Tesfahun underlined.

Although details of the incident are under investigation, he said nobody was killed. Five people were injured and three of them were immediately treated and returned to the camp, while two are undergoing treatment.

Ethiopia is a country that has a reputation for accepting refugees, participating in joint projects, providing vital services and banking services.

At present, it is hosting more than 900,000 refugees from primarily South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, and other countries in 25 camps.

The country has ratified international treaties relating to refugees and makes integral part of the law of land and is party to the OAU convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa.

Source: Ethiopia News agency

April 14, 2022

WHO: COVID Cases, Deaths in Africa Drop to Lowest Levels Yet

The number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Africa have dropped to their lowest levels since the pandemic began, marking the longest decline yet seen in the disease, according to the World Health Organization.

In a statement on Thursday, the U.N. health agency said COVID-19 infections due to the omicron surge had “tanked” from a peak of more than 308,000 weekly cases to fewer than 20,000 last week. Cases and deaths fell by 29% and 37% respectively in the last week; deaths decreased to 239 from the previous week.

“This low level of infection has not been seen since April 2020 in the early stages of the pandemic in Africa,” WHO said, noting that no country in the region is currently seeing an increase of COVID-19 cases.

The agency warned, however, that with winter approaching for Southern Hemisphere countries, “there is a high risk of another wave of new infections.” The coronavirus spreads more easily in cooler temperatures when people are more likely to gather in larger numbers indoors.

“With the virus still circulating, the risk of new and potentially more deadly variants emerging remains, and the pandemic control measures are pivotal to effective response to a surge in infections,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Africa director.

Earlier this week, WHO said scientists in Botswana and South Africa have detected new forms of the omicron variant, labeled as BA.4 and BA.5, but aren’t sure yet if they might be more transmissible or dangerous.

To date, the new versions of omicron have been detected in four people in Botswana and 23 people in South Africa. Beyond Africa, scientists have confirmed cases in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. WHO said there was so far no evidence the new sub-variants spread any differently than the original omicron variant.

Despite repeated warnings from WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus that the coronavirus would devastate Africa, the continent has been among the least affected by the pandemic.

In an analysis released last week, WHO estimated that up to 65% of people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus and said unlike many other regions, most people infected on the continent didn’t show any symptoms.

Scientists at WHO and elsewhere have speculated that factors including Africa’s young population, the lower incidence of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes and warmer weather, may have helped it avoid a bigger wave of disease.

Still, some countries have seen significant increases in the numbers of unexplained deaths, suggesting authorities were missing numerous COVID-19 cases.

Source: Voice of America