Articles of Interest
Below are a number of links to articles from various media sources that our visitors may find interesting.
Our intent is to post links to articles that span a variety of topics, where the underlying theme has business applications, implications, or identifies risks, such as political, operational, or financial, that may be pertinent to where you live, your society, work and/or business.
June 16, 2024: Swedish Study Links Tattoos With Increased Risk of Blood Cancer
For thousands of years, individuals have practised the art of tattooing. Some did so for cultural or religious reasons, while others chose to add body art as a form of personal expression. Regardless of the reason, the one consistency has been that while tattoos are loved by many, others have discouraged them. In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:28 even forbade the practice.
Some of the oldest recipes for tattoo ink included naturally procured ingredients, such as ash, pine bark, berries, charcoal, and vitriol, which are chemical compounds comprised of sulphates of certain metals like copper or iron. As the industry evolved over time, however, so did the spectrum of its ink formulas using modern chemical compounds. Today, customers have the option of not only choosing bright and vibrant colours, but they can even opt for ultra-violet (UV) or glow-in-the-dark ink, leading to nearly endless permutations of available options. The result in Western Europe and North America of this industry evolution has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of customers acquiring tattoos over the past few decades, which has raised several questions among health science researchers.
The process of getting a tattoo triggers an immune response that causes the immune system to transfer ink from the tattoo site to the body's lymph nodes where it permanently remains. This inspired a team of researchers at the Lund University in Sweden to examine the health impact of the permanent storage of these potentially toxic chemicals present in some modern tattoo inks on the immune system.
The Swedish research team focused their study on lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, and began by searching the Swedish National Cancer Registry to identify national cases of lymphoma from 2007 to 2017 in individuals from 20 - 60 years of age. They went on to create a significantly large case control study with a sample size of over 11,900 individuals, which tested for such variables as whether or not the participants had a tattoo, the size of tattoo, how long after obtaining their tattoo were they diagnosed with lymphoma, and they even addressed possible socioeconomic variables in the research study.
The results of the study found that participants with tattoos had a 21% higher risk probability of contracting lymphoma and that the size of the tattoo did not change the risk probability. The study also found that the two types of lymphomas participants with tattoos were at a higher risk of contracting compared to those without tattoos were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The Lancet
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 12, 2024: EU Announces 1 Billion Euros In Aid To Lebanon
The EU has announced a multi-year one billion euro aid package to Lebanon. On her recent trip to the country, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, held a press conference where she expressed the European Union's financing intentions, which run until 2027, towards establishing stability in Lebanon and partly alleviating the costs of supporting the estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees being hosted in the country and other vulnerable groups.
In addition to providing support to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, part of the financial assistance will also be earmarked to stemming the flow of illegal migration to Cyprus and Italy through initiatives that discourage Lebanese fishermen from selling their boats to smugglers, and additional training for the Lebanese army to beef up border security.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Infomigrants.net
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 20, 2024: Trilateral Joint Free Trade Zone Discussions
An initiative that has been discussed for several years to create joint free-trade zones among Middle Eastern countries is once again underway. Currently, the attention is focused on the low-hanging fruit of establishing these arrangements with friendly and neighbouring countries, with a wider expansion in the works.
Similar to the joint free trade zone between Jordan and Syria, which reopened in December 2021, Syria, Iran, and Iraq are now in negotiations to set up a trilateral joint free-trade zone, an arrangement that is expected to attract and stimulate direct investment and possibly help facilitate the trade in construction material for Syria's post-war reconstruction efforts.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 9, 2024: Henry Kissinger: Legacy Look Back
For almost half a century, fewer names in the craft of global affairs and foreign policy have resonated with as much influence and recognition as that of Henry Kissinger's.
On November 29, 2023, at the age of 100 years old, Heinz Alfred Kissinger passed away, leaving a remarkable list of accomplishments, not the least of which included his academic degrees from Harvard, and the positions he had held during his career in military intelligence, as U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor in both the Nixon and Ford administrations, and as a leading U.S. Diplomat.
Kissinger's fondness for the pragmatic use of Realpolitik, where policy initiatives are pursued based on comprehensive and measurable facts and circumstances, rather than dogmatic ideology, served invaluable in his drive to promote policies that contributed to the goal of maintaining U.S. preeminence, and his passion for the game of soccer presented several documented opportunities to lighten the mood during periods of intense negotiations on attempts to reduce nuclear proliferation with Russia's Leonid Brehznev, himself an avid soccer fan; and as a segue to discussing the "Soccer War" between El Salvador and Honduras, where tensions between the two countries were actually predicated on a border dispute, trade rules affecting cotton and coffee exports, economic inequality, and emigration from El Salvador to Honduras, which had led to a brief military conflict after the two countries had battled three very intensely contested matches at the World Cup soccer competition.
In the attached article, Richard Haas, from the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote a beautiful piece about Henry Kissinger's legacy, where he presented the more notable milestones of Kissinger's initiatives from the point of view of both his advocates and critics, which we wanted to share with you.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Council on Foreign Relations
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 24, 2024: Egypt Increasing Fiscal Competitiveness For Small Business
In an effort to give a boost to its economy, the Egyptian tax authority has brought in new fiscal measures for small businesses, simplifying taxes for businesses with annual turnover less than ten million Egyptian pounds (EGP).
At the high end, businesses with annual turnovers of 1 million to 10 million EGP will pay taxes based on a sliding percentage rate scale between 0.5 percent and 1 percent.
The biggest benefits, however, are expected to be realized by smaller businesses with annual turnovers below 1 million EGP, where the sliding tax rate is based on a simplified fixed amount, rather than a percentage.
The Egyptian government has implemented these measures as one of its deliverables to help stimulate the economy and achieve its goal of raising the private sector's contribution to the economy from 60 to 90 percent between now and 2030.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Egypt Today
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
December 17, 2023: Egypt Empowering Women To Become Entrepreneurs
In Egypt, there is an initiative that began around two years ago called Women-Friendly Cities, which was started through a cooperation between the National Council for Women, the Egyptian Damietta Governorate, the United Nations organization, UN Women Egypt, and also received support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Consisting of at least three identifiable goals, the success of Women-Friendly Cities has served as a template to empowering women through entrepreneurship in other jurisdictions around the world where gender equality has historically been challenged.
The first of these goals was achieved in June 2021, with the creation of a physical location that was designed and renovated specifically to be inclusive and provide a safe space for women and girls. The second, provided a gender-responsive approach to empowering women through education and training to improve such skills as: small business planning, marketing, and quality control. The third, established an area for a defined exhibition where women could regularly market their products in a safe, hygienic, and organized environment.
The success of this project in contributing to the empowerment of women through the creation of economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and participation in public life, has led to the expansion of the initiative to over 50 countries.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Arab News
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 19, 2023: Lebanese Banks Facing Money Laundering Scrutiny
The collapse of the Lebanese economy, followed by its politicians and central bank seeking financial assistance from international organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has invited a lot of scrutiny of the country's government, economy, and banking industry.
One result of these investigations has been the uncovering of how terrorist organizations used a variety of elaborate schemes to launder money from the illicit sales of cocaine and other narcotics, including using the sale of used cars sold into the African continent to clean dirty money.
The legal indictments and lawsuits beginning to mount against the bankers whose banks allegedly facilitated the money laundering operations may signal a turning point with some amount of accountability being achieved on the horizon, but only time will tell.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The National Interest
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 22, 2023: From The 1870s to Today, Lebanese Have Called Brazil Home
One doesn't have to look too hard to find some article detailing the challenges of living in certain parts of the Middle East, from economic troubles to endless hostilities and competition for resources. Through all this noise, it is easy to overlook the success that members of the Middle Eastern community have achieved in over a century of migrating their families to outside the region. A shining example of this success is Brazil.
Since the 1870s, when around 150,000 migrants from the Middle East, mostly Christians from Lebanon and Syria arrived in Brazil, the country's Middle Eastern community has blossomed and is estimated to between seven and 10 million, boasting a population even greater than that of Lebanon itself.
Over the past 150 years, Middle Easterners have gone from being traders and travelling salesmen to climbing the business and social ladder and permeating every facet of the Brazilian economy, from restaurateurs to corporate executives and politicians.
So successfully has the Lebanese community integrated into Brazilian culture that popular dishes like kibbeh have become mainstream in the country, often served in local bars and clubs alongside Brazilian dishes.
The extent of such cultural integration presents a poignant opportunity to capitalize on trade opportunities between Brazil and Lebanon, each using the other as a gateway to new markets representing hundreds of million of potential new customers for their respective exports.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Georgetown University Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 18, 2023: Egypt Calls Filling Of Ethiopian Dam Reservoir, "Illegal"
Once again, diplomatic tensions appear to be at the forefront in the relations between Egypt and Ethiopia as the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced last week the completion of the fourth and final filling of the reservoir of his country's $4.2 billion mega hydroelectric project, The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
For over a decade, Ethiopia has been in discussions with its neighbours Egypt and Sudan to assuage concerns about the GERD project and the potential risks it poses to their respective countries.
Around 85% of the water that fills the Nile river originates from Ethiopia, which has asserted the position that the country has the right to exploit its own resources to enrich its economy and alleviate poverty; however, it also recognizes the sensitivity of the issue and has made efforts to minimize any negative impacts to the neighbouring countries.
In 2021, Ethiopia had made efforts to fill its reservoir during the rainy season in order to minimize the downstream impact of water levels affecting both Egypt and Sudan, which rely on the Nile waters for their agriculture, economies, and sustainability of life. As a result of Ethiopia's pragmatic approach, the director of Sudan's Al-Rusaires Dam Hamid Mohamed Ali had confirmed at the time that they had observed no measurable drop in daily water levels from the Ethiopian Plateau to Sudan.
Egypt, whose government has referred to the Ethiopian dam as an existential threat to its own survival, and in the past had threatened military action if a negotiated settlement addressing its strategic concerns was not achieved has voiced its discontent at the filling of the GERD reservoir, referring to the unilateral initiative as "illegal" because the negotiating parties had not first reached an agreement. Even so, Egypt offered no indication that its resolve to arrive at a negotiated solution with the other parties had diminished, nor did it make any new threats of military action, which is an encouraging signal that it remains committed to achieving a positive negotiated outcome.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The Brookings Institution
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 6, 2023: Can The Internet Fight Dementia?
The Journal Of The American Geriatric Society recently published some results about clinical research investigating the cognitive benefits to seniors of moderate to regular internet usage and the associated correlation with the risk of contracting dementia. The results were highly encouraging.
The study looked at over 18,000 individuals aged 50 to 64.9 years old and followed their results for a maximum of around 17 years with a median of 7.9 years (i.e. if you line up all of the observations from highest to lowest, the median is the one right in the middle). Subjects were periodically asked about the frequency of their internet usage. In addition, the study also examined the relationship between internet usage and the subjects' level of education, race-ethnicity, sex, and generation.
The results indicated that subjects' risk of contracting dementia between regular and non-regular internet users was not influenced by education level, race-ethnicity, sex, and generation. The cognitive stimulation of regular internet usage was found to have a positive effect on seniors and that those who regularly used the internet experienced about half the risk of contracting dementia as those who were non-regular users.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Futurism.com, The Journal Of The American Geriatric Society
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
August 28, 2023: Middle East Becoming A Hot Spot For Gamers
The Boston Consulting Group recently released a report detailing some exciting trends in the video game industry.
What began as a way to keep children entertained with an electronic alternative to board games has grown into an almost $200 billion dollar a year industry where the average gamer is over 30 years old.
While traditional broadcast television in the U.S. continues its decline in viewership, having lost around 6 million pay-TV subscribers each year from 2019 to 2022, and an additional 2.3 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2023, the gaming industry has continued to experience surging growth over that same period. Statistics for the Middle East have been reported to be between 5-10% higher than the industry average.
Recognizing that opportunities exist to exploit the potential value of this almost two hundred-billion-dollar industry, where its product can be produced by anyone trained in writing code with a tablet, laptop, or desktop, anywhere, and at any time, several Middle Eastern governments have implemented strategies to solicit gaming companies to consider opening subsidiaries in the region.
Middle Eastern demand for gaming content is proven to exist and if the trends continue, there will be many opportunities for enterprising individuals, corporations, and governments to potentially capitalize on the region's unique demographics and preferences, carving out industry market share for themselves, especially with locally produced original content.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The Boston Consulting Group; Leichtman Research Group, Inc.; Variety.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
August 20, 2023: Risk of Water Shortage Expected To Increase In Middle East Over Next Decades
The World Resources Institute has raised a red flag about the growing risk of water shortage over the next few decades and has reported that around 50% of the world's population lives in a country that currently suffers a severe water shortage for at least one month every year.
The report names 25 countries, mostly from the Middle East and North Africa region its authors believe are at the highest risk, since on an annual basis, they use over 80% of their current available water supply. Five of the top countries identified as being at the highest risk of water stress are all in the Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, and Qatar.
If the reported findings are correct, the increased levels of water stress between now and 2050 could have severe quality of life consequences, as reliable access to water affects everything from agriculture and food security, to energy production, and healthy, equitable societies. Water shortages could also potentially increase tensions with neighbouring countries, leading to escalations of hostilities.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The World Resources Institute
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 29, 2023: Bi-Partisan Initiative Encourages Reinstatement of Chaldean Leader In Iraq
In a bipartisan initiative, two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), have sent a letter to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid requesting the reinstatement of Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako as the recognized head of the Chaldean Church.
Patriarch Sako is known throughout the Chaldean community for encouraging Iraqi Christians not to leave Iraq and until recently was the leader of the Chaldean community in the country.
The Patriarch was also responsible for overseeing the administration of church properties and endowments in accordance with the direction established by the Vatican, so the decision by Rashid to rescind the original presidential decree presented in 2013, signed by his predecessor, the former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani that recognized Sako as the head of the Chaldean community was surprising and also raises serious questions about the current Iraqi president's attitude towards the country's Christian community, if more sectarian targeting will follow, and whether the administration of the church's assets is now at risk.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Syriac Press
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 9, 2023: Lebanon Pine Nut Industry At Risk
Have you ever wondered why Lebanese pine nuts are so expensive? At least part of the reason for the rise in price in recent years can be attributed to lower annual crop production due to an invasive bug, called the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis), also commonly known as a stink bug.
The invasive insect is suspected to have made its way to Europe and Asia by hitching a ride on global lumber exports. It is estimated that the bug arrived in Turkey and then to Lebanon sometime around 2010, where it found a rich source of food supply in Lebanon's stone pine forests.
Lebanon's pine nut industry has since been devastated, with some areas reporting a 70% drop in annual production. Reported in 2021, pine nut farmer Elias Neaimeh describes the impact in this short video.
Farmers need a comprehensive solution to the challenge of this invasive species, an endeavour which is no doubt being frustrated by Lebanon's current economic crisis; otherwise, the country may risk losing its valuable and cultural industry, as land owners sell or repurpose their farms to other more profitable crops.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: AFP; Gulf News; Barron's
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 24, 2023: Egypt And India Expanding Economic Relations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to spend two days in Egypt with his counterpart, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This will be Modi's first trip to Egypt, where he and al-Sisi will discuss expanding economic and trade relations between their two countries.
Since 1978, India and Egypt have enjoyed a bilateral trade agreement based on "Most Favoured Nation Status". The Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), has reported that India was Egypt’s 5th largest trading partner in the period April 2022 -Dec 2022; the 11th largest importer of Egyptian goods; and the 5th largest exporter to Egypt during the same time. In 2021-22, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $7.26 billion USD.
Building on the previous announcements of Indian companies opening subsidiaries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and the signing of military equipment contracts, talks on further expanding trade in manufacturing and defence are topics expected to be on the agenda.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Al-Monitor
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 6, 2023: China Expanding Inroads Into Middle East With Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
China has been making significant investments in the Middle East to expand its global supply chain and logistics Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
As one of the largest foreign investors in the Middle East, China's interests have been characterized threefold:
First, as an initiative to expand its influence in the Middle East through its investments in strategic infrastructure;
Second, as a way to increase China's strategic and commercial interests in the region, particularly with regard to securing its energy supplies; and
Thirdly, as a way to enhance its own global standing in foreign affairs, expanding its sphere of influence by controlling more market share of the global supply chain and logistics business
The attached article discusses in more detail some of China's interests, intentions, and investments in the region.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The National Interest
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 6, 2023: Syrian Opposition Seeking Renewed Talks To End Hostilities
Following the news of Syria being readmitted to the Arab League, opposition groups, most of whose members belong to the Istanbul based National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, have called for renewed negotiations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to discuss steps to ending hostilities.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The National
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 2, 2023: Diabetes Rates in Middle Eastern Countries Among World's Highest
A recent study by Our World in Data, a UK charity that used data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), has shown that some Middle Eastern countries are ranked among the highest in the world for cases of diabetes.
The study examined how frequently cases of diabetes appeared in the population of 20 to 79 year old cohort across 211 different countries.
Pakistan topped the list with almost 31% of its population estimated to have the condition, while in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia are all in the top twenty countries estimated to have the highest percentage of their populations suffering with diabetes.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Middle East Monitor
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 20, 2023: Is Syria's Captagon Production Turning It Into The Netherlands of The Middle East?
As the civil war in Syria drags on, Western sanctions on the country have caused its government to exploit alternative sources of income. One income source becoming more prevalent in Syria is the production and distribution of an amphetamine drug that is widely used throughout the Middle East called Captagon.
In the 1960s, the amphetamine fenethylline was legally produced by German chemical company Chemiewerk Homburg, a division of the pharmaceutical branch of German company Degussa Group AG as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and even depression, and sold under the marketing name of Captagon.
By the 1980s, the United States had listed it as a controlled substance that was not approved for distribution; the World Health Organization (WHO) listed it as a psychotropic substance, and the drug was banned in most countries.
Side effects of long term use are reported to include extreme depression, dry mouth, blurred vision, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, breathing difficulties, and irregular heart rate. This is not the full list of negative side effects - there are more!
The banning of the drug inspired its production by underground interests. Today, annual trade in this illicit narcotic is reported to be worth billions of U.S. dollars, but similar to elsewhere in the underground production of illegal drugs, the manufacturing quality control standards are at best, questionable.
Something else to keep in mind is counterfeits, where very little, if any of the original active ingredient, fenethylline is included in some instances. Substitute ingredients have been reported to include actual methamphetamine (i.e. "meth"), caffeine, ephedrine, and even acetaminophen.
As with all illegal drugs, the best advice for the day is to stay away.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: The Soufan Center
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
February 7, 2023: Turkiye-Syria Earthquake: Epicentre and Resulting Damage
Major damage has been caused to buildings and infrastructure in Turkiye and Syria by a series of major earthquakes with their epicentre located in the south eastern part of Turkiye close to Gaziantep.The largest of the earthquakes was measured with a magnitude of 7.8 and was followed by over a dozen aftershocks.
The East Anatolian Fault Zone is recognized as being seismically active, and Turkiye is no stranger to large earthquakes. In October 2020, the country was struck with an earthquake measuring between 6.6 - 7.0 near its western province of Izmir, and in 1999, the country was hit with one measuring around 7.6, which had a reported death toll of over 18,000.
The current death toll from yesterday's earthquakes is currently reported to be over 7,000 and the cause of such a large number is partly being attributed to older high-rise apartment buildings in the tremor zone that were built before more modern earthquake building standards were taken into consideration.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: BBC
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 28, 2022: Historic Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Deal Signed
After more than a decade of disputes over offshore gas fields, Israel and Lebanon have signed a historic agreement regarding their long awaited maritime border deal, negotiated with the help of U.S. State Department energy advisor Amos Hochstein.
The disputed maritime territory included both the Qana and Karish gas fields, which represent massive offshore natural gas reserves.
The agreement was signed separately, with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signing in Jerusalem and Lebanese President Michel Aoun signing in Beirut. The agreement is also being described as "a new era" in relations between the two parties with the potential opportunity of revenue sharing from the exploitation of the natural gas reserves.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Middle East Forum
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 8, 2022: Lebanese Banks Shutting Doors on Customers
Armed depositors demanding the withdrawal of their own savings from their banks is becoming a recurring problem. After several incidents of depositors holding up their bank in order to retrieve their own savings deposits, some Lebanese banks are reported to have locked their doors and are refusing to reopen until further notice.
Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis has caused its banks to impose capital controls on withdrawals and deeply disadvantageous conversion rates on foreign currency deposits, causing frustration among its customers and risks exacerbating the country's already troubled economy.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Al Jazeera Media Network
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 20, 2022: Egypt and Lebanon Seeking to Expand Economic Cooperation
At a recent Egyptian-Lebanese Association for Businessmen event, Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir spoke about the over 1,900 Lebanese companies that have invested more than $1.2 billion in Egyptian industries, such as finance, the service sector, and real estate.
Both countries are seeking additional opportunities to reduce trade barriers, facilitate bilateral trade, and increase opportunities for joint ventures.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Daily News Egypt
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 14, 2022: New Treatment Sending Cancer Into Remission
This new experimental immunotherapy treatment sent patients rectal cancer into remission after six months of treatment without using chemotherapy.
Although the sample group was exceptionally small and absolutely needs to be expanded, the results are impressive, even more so if its success rate can be replicated in a larger trial.
Better yet, the drug used to treat the sample, Dostarlimab, which is sold as Jemperli, and is used to treat endometrial cancer, has already been approved in the U.S. and EU since April 2021, in Canada as of December 2021, and in the UK as of February 2022.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Futureism
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 5, 2022: Keeping Connected To Traditional Values and Culture
The attached article describes wonderful examples of how members of the Middle Eastern Christian community diaspora, Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians in this case, maintain their connection to the culture and their historic roots through the church, the holy days, celebrations and festivals.
Interestingly, Egyptian Coptic Orthodox churches represent around 50% of all our Middle Eastern Christian churches in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Arab News
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 7, 2022: New Discovery Helping Patients With Alopecia Regrow Hair
Alopecia Areata is a medical condition caused by an autoimmune disorder that afflicts around 200,000 people each year in the U.S. alone and can cause patients' hair to fall out. In some, the hair loss can be isolated to localized patches, but in others, it can lead to total hair loss, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
Recently, there has been some positive news for anyone with alopecia areata. Scientists have found that a common arthritis medication has shown promising results in helping patients to regrow their hair.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Neoscope
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 29, 2022: Accusations of Wrongdoing Hound Lebanese Central Banker
Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh, who has held that position for over thirty years, has been considered a suspect in a case involving five people accused of embezzling $330 million.
EU authorities have so far refused to release the identities of suspects in the case.
To substantiate his denial of the accusation against him, Governor Salameh had ordered an audit, which showed that the source of his wealth did not originate from public funds.
At the very least, this brings more unwelcome attention to the challenges being faced by a central bank and country that is trying to restructure its finances.
Click the photo or title for the article link.
Via: Reuters, via Kitco
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 2, 2022: Country Guides To Doing Business In The Middle East
For anyone who has ever wondered about how to do business in the Middle East, or is interested in a brief overview of first steps to consider, you may find it valuable to take a look at some of the PWC posted guides for doing business in six different M.E. countries.
Click the photo or title for the link.
Via: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
February 8, 2022: China's Belt and Road Initiative Comes To The Middle East
As the West pivots its focus away from the Middle East and towards Asia, China has been taking advantage of the vacuum created by that momentum, establishing its presence in the region and preparing the landscape for the expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Although early in the initiative, BRI expansion into the Middle East can potentially influence and reshape regional political, social and security policies, which may also include having Chinese representation at the decision making table.
Via: The Jerusalem Post
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 29, 2022: Colombia A Hot Spot For Middle Eastern Investment
South America, reputed with its large diaspora of Middle Easterners has recently been attracting the attention of Middle Eastern investors.
No surprise considering the well established Middle Eastern communities in South America that have developed over the last decades, as Middle Easterners fled the numerous conflicts in their home countries. As an example, Brazil is reputed to have more Lebanese people than Lebanon!
In fact, in the last decade over 81 million dollars from Middle Eastern investors has found its way into Colombian investments, such as infrastructure, financial services, aerospace, software and IT. The ongoing trade show Expo 2020 Dubai, which is a universal exhibition and the first of its kind in the Middle East, runs until March 2022 and will potentially serve as a platform for investors to visit the different country pavilions and connect with further opportunities to invest in South America.
Via: PR Newswire
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 3, 2022: Back On Track: Arab Gas Pipeline From Egypt To Lebanon
Lebanon is getting two steps closer to improving its energy crisis with the approval of two new projects in the North that will see Egyptian natural gas flow through Jordan and Syria via the Arab Gas Pipeline, an initiative that despite sanctions has even won the support of the United States.
Via: Associated Press
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
December 7, 2021: New Alzheimer's Treatment May Restore Brain Function and Memory Loss
A team of UK and German scientists have come up with a new approach to potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease, which may also be used to vaccinate against it.
Researchers found that the antibodies generated by the treatment and the vaccine helped to restore brain neuron function and memory loss.
If the results can successfully be replicated in humans, researchers are suggesting the treatment may not only treat Alzheimer's disease, but can also vaccinate against it before any sign of symptoms.
Via: EurekAlert.org
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 23, 2021: Update On Global Shipping Challenges And Future Expectations
If you or your clients are affected by logistics and particularly shipping costs, then check out this short video hosted by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, discussing some of the variables, trends and forecasts affecting the current transportation of goods and the expectations of what to look forward to on the horizon.
Via: McKinsey & Company
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 3, 2021: Arab Countries Leaving Lebanon May Present An Opportunity For The West
With so many Arab countries withdrawing their envoys and informing their citizens to leave Lebanon, we ask the question: could this represent an opportunity for Western governments to fill the vacuum and increase their influence with the Mediterranean country, Lebanon?
Via: Al Jazeera
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 3, 2021: Is Civil Unrest A Tool To Distract From Political Failure?
With one side looking to stymie criticism and alleged involvement in last year’s Beirut Port explosion, and all sides seeking to distract from their own political failure to properly manage Lebanon’s fiscal and monetary policy, it is no surprise that hostilities in the streets are being used as a distraction from the lack of gov’t solutions to fix the country’s economic problems.
Via: BBC
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 11, 2021: Are Plans Being Made To Wind Down The War In Syria?
Some reports about an increasing number of secret meetings between Syria and other counterparties in the region, along with the recent reelection of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad are suggesting that a path may be emerging for more normalized relations with Syria. This is followed by other news that the U.S. has even given its approval for Egyptian natural gas shipments to be trucked to Lebanon through Syria, despite its imposed sanctions. All of this may be leading to events that will finally bring the Syrian civil war to a close.
Via: Asia Times
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 5, 2021: Up To 50% Of Lebanese Aid Contributions Lost To Conversion
It is challenging to see how the international community can comprehensively intervene or assist with Lebanon's crisis without first seeing initiatives by the Lebanese government to correct its intrinsic problems, such as corruption, political and financial mismanagement.
The attached article reports on the staggering losses, sometimes up to 50% of UN humanitarian aid raised for the benefit of refugees and poor communities in Lebanon, eaten up by the unfavorable currency conversion rates at the banks, which in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, on average has ranged as much as 40% below market rates.
Via: Thomson Reuters Foundation
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai has called on the Lebanese army to step up its efforts to deter missile attacks on Israel by militant groups inside Lebanon.
Patriarch Al-Rai stressed the point that the country should not accept that a small militant group should be illegally instigating international hostilities that have national security implications on the entire country of Lebanon that run contrary to the responsibility and wishes of two-thirds of the country's elected government, whose mandate it is to make national security decisions.
Via: The Jerusalem Post
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 27, 2021: Sudan Reports No Observed Drop In Nile Water Level From Second Filling Of GERD
When Ethiopia notified Egypt and Sudan of its intentions to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for the second year, both countries voiced their objections. The Nile waters used to fill the dam reservoir are hugely important to every country along its path for their agriculture, economies, and sustainability of life. Egypt has even referred to the Ethiopian dam as an existential threat to its own survival and has threatened military action if a negotiated settlement is not achieved addressing its interests. Similarly, Sudan has also raised the concerns of its own national interests and is pushing for a negotiated legal and binding settlement on the terms of filling the dam.
Understanding that the decade long negotiations with the international community on the impacts of its $4 billion dam project are still ongoing, Ethiopia was careful to only conduct the second filling of the dam during the rainy season. Ethiopia's pragmatic approach appears to be successful, as the director of Sudan's Al-Rusaires Dam Hamid Mohamed Ali confirmed that they had observed no measurable drop in daily water levels from the Ethiopian Plateau to Sudan.
Via: Garowe Online
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 19, 2021: How Some Companies Were Able To Double Growth By Focusing On Strategic Priorities
Consulting firm McKinsey & Company researched how 860 executives from around the world prioritized their investments to promote growth in their companies. McKinsey found that when companies focused on three ingredients at the same time: creativity, analytics, and purpose, their growth tended to be at least two times that of their competitors that did not focus on those elements. Companies that focused on only one of the three elements also saw improvements, but incorporating all three acted as a force multiplier for growth.
The attached article goes on to discuss how the growth triple play works, the observed results, and examples that can pertain to companies from different industries.
Via: McKinsey & Company
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 11, 2021: Focusing On Priorities During The Lebanese Economic Crisis
Last month, the World Bank published a 94 page Spring 2021 report called "Lebanon Sinking (To The Top 3)" describing Lebanon as having the dubious recognition of being in the top 10, and possibly in the top 3 financial and economic crises, since the mid-nineteenth century.
Political corruption, lack of governance, and the prolonged failure to form a government that can enact the policies necessary to return the economy to good standing has caused the country to suffer a debt crisis resulting in shortages of electricity and water, and a 90% drop in the value of the country's currency, the lira.
In the attached article, World Bank Regional Director Saroj Kumar Jha discuses some of the challenges currently faced in Lebanon, the causes that led to its current situation, and a top priority that he believes would act as a force multiplier in helping to get the country back on the right economic track.
Via: Al Bawaba
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 23, 2021: Egypt Enhancing Int'l Trade With Upgraded Port Investments
Egypt investing the equivalent of about $4 billion USD (63 billion Egyptian pounds) on 58 projects to upgrade Egyptian ports in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The projects are expected to be completed by 2024, and the country hopes this will lead to Egypt becoming a logistical centre in Africa and the Middle East.
Via: XINHUA
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 27, 2021: Can The Triple Jab Lead To Covid-19 Immunity?
The following article discusses research by immunologist Dr. Pedro Reche conducted at the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain suggesting that the commonly used Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis triple jab vaccine could be the reason children in the Western world have largely been spared from the Covid-19 illness.
According to Dr. Reche's findings, the triple jab vaccine causes the body's immune system to develop antigens that help provide immunity to coronavirus.
Could a simple Tetanus triple jab vaccine be the solution? Click on the link to read the full article and details about Dr. Reche's research.
Via: News-Medical.Net
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 21, 2021: Managing Sleep To Become A Better Decision Maker And Leader
The following article discusses the importance of sleep in decision making and leadership, and how failing to obtain a sufficient number of hours leads to poor decision making, organizational inefficiency, and substandard leadership.
The attached article also discusses some tips and tricks to improving sleep habits to become more efficient.
Via: McKinsey & Company
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 29, 2021: Managing Business Challenges Through Lebanon's Financial Crisis
There has been some talk recently about recycling the idea to introduce a federalist system to Lebanon as a way of tackling the financial crisis. Although decentralization measures can help governments become more transparent, bring services closer to its citizens, and improve the government’s ability to address local issues, which is good, it is difficult to see how converting Lebanon’s political structure to a federal system will streamline government expenditures, reduce deficits, or stimulate the economy.
There is no substitute for accountability, reducing and eliminating deficits, increasing transparency, and tackling corruption. These are all confidence building initiatives that will encourage international financiers to once again lend money to Lebanon at preferential rates.
The following article discusses a unique challenge faced by businesses whose products have to be secured through the global supply chain using U.S. dollars, and highlights the inflationary implications of a collapsed currency due to bloated deficits and rampant corruption.
Via: Al-Monitor
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 15, 2021: Top Challenges For Business Owners Who Put Either Their Wealth Or Business First
Some owners prioritize their personal wealth, while others put their business ahead of their own personal finances, trusting that if the business does well, their growth in wealth will follow.
The following article discusses the unique challenges faced by both types of entrepreneurs and some common challenges faced by both. Which type are you?
Via: Kiplinger
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 3, 2021: Regenerating Nerve Cells
Not all nerve cells are the same. When brain and spinal cord cells are damaged they fail to regenerate. Peripheral nerve cells found everywhere else on the body are more efficient at healing when damaged.
The attached article discuses how scientists have identified 40 genes that are responsible for suppressing central nervous system cell regeneration, and how by turning one of these genes off, they were able to restore specific cells in mice. Could regenerating spinal cord and stroke injuries be next?
Via: Yale News
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
March 1, 2021: How Increasing Cross-Border Electricity Trade Can Boost MENA Economies
Securing reliable and sustainable sources of electricity are imperative to running successful economies, and energy could easily be considered to be a National Security sector. Unfortunately, energy resources are not equally available to all countries: some have them; others don’t, but everyone needs it. Enter the League of Arab States, or rather, a division of the LAS known as the Arab Ministerial Councils for Electricity (AMCE).
The attached article discuses an initiative by the Arab Ministerial Councils for Electricity (AMCE), called the Pan-Arab Electricity Market (PAEM), to create a Middle Eastern electricity market that will further integrate regional electricity grids, secure distribution, and potentially create the opportunity for environmental gains and economic growth.
Via: The Brookings Institution
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
February 17, 2021: Succession Planning: Some Things To Consider
Succession planning is often the single furthest idea on entrepreneurs’ minds. So much time, effort, and resources are invested in running the business that the last thing most company owners think about is selling.
Whether it’s to change course and move on to another venture, to close out a money losing business, or as part of one’s retirement plan, there are certain factors entrepreneurs should to take into account when planning to sell their business.
The attached article discusses four points to consider if you have recently been contemplating the sale of your business.
Via: Kiplinger
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
February 9, 2021: The End Of U.S. Strong Dollar Policy
The recently appointed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen just indicated that the U.S. may be moving away from its historic “strong dollar” policy and pivoting to market-determined exchange rates.
This change in policy will have inflation, volatility, and standard of living implications both domestically in the U.S., and international markets, given the dollar’s use as a central bank reserve currency, currency of choice for international commerce, secondary currency in many countries, and a store of value flight-to-safety during times of domestic unrest, economic and political instability, and natural disasters.
Via: Barron's
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
February 2, 2021: Lebanon: Several Thousand Years Of Wine Making History
Discover the history of Lebanon's several thousand years of wine making!
The attached article discusses the depths of Lebanon's 7,000 years of wine making, including the history of the popular grape varietals grown in the regions and some of the challenges the industry has faced, both domestically and abroad. Globally, Lebanon is a small producer and relies on its exports in order to keep its wine industry viable.
Have you sampled Lebanese wine? The next time you add wine to your grocery list, or are dropping in to the liquor store, make it a point to request wine that's made in Lebanon!
Via: Wine Enthusiast
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 25, 2021: Turning Crisis Into Success
There has been much discussion about the Covid-19 crisis and whether the world governments’ response has had a worse impact on citizens’ lives than the virus itself.
If nothing else, this experience has provided entrepreneurs and company leaders the chance to re-examine their business models, crisis response strategies, and leadership styles; as well, it has also provided the opportunity to re-imagine the future of their business.
The attached article discusses some gems of wisdom about two iconic business leaders, Steve Jobs of Apple, and Walt Disney of Disney Corporation, who had to overcome tremendous crises, and how their experiences may help you navigate your business through today’s challenges.
Via: Real Leaders
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 18, 2021: New Study Claims To Predict Autism With 90% Accuracy
Are parents at risk of passing autism on to their children? A small study recently conducted claims to have uncovered biomarkers that can predict with a 90% rate of accuracy the probability of whether a child will become autistic. Click the link to read more about the study.
Via: Science Alert
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
January 11, 2021: Can Plant Based Alternatives Disrupt Plastic?
A British start-up that is focused on creating a plant-based alternative to plastic has recently secured £6.2 million in seed financing from a syndicate led by an investment firm owned by Hong Kong billionaire, Li Kashing.
The race is on to find a decomposable alternative that can substitute for plastic, while providing one solution to its chronic pollution problem.
Via: Sifted
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
December 27, 2020: Is Waste-To-Energy The Future of Waste Management And Renewable Energy?
Exciting things are happening in the United Arab Emirates, with the recent signing of a $1.16 billion waste-to-energy project that is expected to manage 50% of the garbage waste produced in Dubai, while producing up to 200 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power 140,000 households.
The deal is being structured as a joint venture between the UAE Crown Corporation, Dubai Holding, and two Japanese engineering companies, which is an effective way of generating Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Via: NIKKEI Asia
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
December 7, 2020: One Country Recently Approved The Sale of Lab Grown Meat, Now Others May Follow
A U.S. start-up that produces lab-grown cultured meat has just had its product approved for sale to the public in Singapore. Other countries are sure to follow, perhaps even where you live.
Whether lab grown meat is used as one of the ingredients to make prepared food, or sold as ground meat, or a roast, this new product may be coming to a grocery store, market, or restaurant near you.
In fact, if the food industry is allowed to follow the same game plan it used for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), consumers may not even be advised when these products have been used as ingredients. On the other hand, this may be one way for countries that import most of their food to produce more of it locally.
Click on the link to the article and find out more about this new development.
Via: ScienceAlert.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 30, 2020: Taking Your Company Public During Covid-19
In business, very often it is the contrarians that are the most successful: those companies that are outliers from the herd and are able to identify unique ways of capitalizing on hidden opportunities, getting their products to market, or raising capital.
The forced economic shutdown imposed by governments around the world will make 2020 one of the most challenging years for small and medium sized businesses. While large corporations were best able to take advantage of government Covid-19 assistance programs, many small and medium sized businesses were told they didn’t qualify and were left to struggle financially.
The attached article discusses a potential opportunity for well managed smaller and medium sized businesses with a history of solid financials and a willingness to be transparent to raise new capital by listing their companies on a public stock exchange using a very unique approach.
If you are operating a successful business and always wanted to take your company public, this may be a unique opportunity for you to raise capital using the strategy mentioned in the article.
Via: Idaho Business Review
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 23, 2020: Doctors Target “Hunger” Hormone In Parkinson’s Research
Doctors have reported that one of the hormones responsible for making us feel hungry has two different variants: one that increases the formation of new nerve cells, such as brain cells, and another that blocks the formation of new nerve cells. Their findings suggest that the ratio between these two hormone variants may be one of the determinants in the cause of Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Via: Futurism
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have not yet reached an agreement on a water conflict negotiation stemming from the development and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
It is estimated that about 85% of the Nile River waters originate in Ethiopia, raising questions and concerns about the manner in which the dam will be filled, and its impact downstream.
Complicating the situation is Turkey’s recent interest in Ethiopian domestic affairs, as it attempts to use its growing influence with Ethiopia, encouraging the country to potentially cut off Nile water flow and impose its political agenda on East Africa and Egypt, which you can read about here.
Via: VOA News
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
November 8, 2020: Have You Experienced Blocked Websites? A VPN May Help
If you have ever experienced being blocked from a website due to your geographic location, one possible solution to consider may be a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which helps make you more anonymous online.
A VPN can hide your IP address, change your apparent online location, and add an additional layer of encryption to your online browsing.
The attached article talks more in detail about how and why some online users may wish to use a virtual private network as part of their cybersecurity strategy, along with some of its drawbacks.
Via: PCMag
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
PLEASE DONATE: JOIN US IN OUR HELPING BEIRUT HOSPITALS INITIATIVE
As soon as it was reported that the Beirut port explosion had caused massive damage to several nearby hospitals, the Global Order of Middle Eastern Christians began reaching out to our local Lebanese Embassy, the Red Cross, the World Health Organization (WHO), and multiple media sources to gather information on the extent of the damage, and where best we could direct our efforts, helping to return quality healthcare to the people of Beirut, Lebanon.
Please consider donating here, and join us in supporting, and sharing this initiative with your social media network. 100% of the net proceeds will be distributed to severely damaged hospitals.
Donations even as low as $5 can help get the most severely damaged hospitals back on their feet and providing quality healthcare to Beirut residents.
Donate $100, or more, and the Global Order of Middle Eastern Christians will give you or your company a one year listing in our business directory for FREE!
November 2, 2020: Applying the Power of Humility to Succeed in Business
Humility is an incredibly important trait in both our personal and business lives. Occasionally, confidence can be misinterpreted as arrogance, but it is absolutely possible to be both confident, especially in charting a strategic course, making decisions, and taking actions, while also expressing the emotionally intelligent trait of humility.
In the attached article, we learn how one CEO used both his confidence in implementing a strategic four point restructuring plan, and humility to help turn around a multi-billion dollar enterprise after the Global Financial Crisis. These same principles can be applied to businesses of all sizes.
Via: Multibriefs
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 25, 2020: Are Turkey And Its Allies Preparing To Destabilize Lebanon?
Increasingly, reports are emerging of Turkey allegedly sending large amounts of weapons into northern Lebanon.
The attached article discusses those claims, where arms are supposedly ending up, and who in Lebanon may be lending political support for such initiatives.
Via: Middle East Forum
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
Next week, representatives from Lebanon and Israel are expected to meet again to continue technical negotiations regarding a shared maritime border. Mediterranean energy resources and the potential economic benefits they represent have been a hot topic lately.
Hosted by the United Nations and mediated by a team from the United States, there is a lot of speculation about whether this non-security related talk can serve as a platform to normalizing relations between the two neighbors.
The following article provides some history of the details leading to the talks and what is at stake economically.
Via: The New Arab
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 11, 2020: Making Sense Of The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict
In an effort to make sense of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the following article provides a comprehensive synopsis of the current conflict being fought on the ground, a brief history of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and the influence being exercised by third party countries, Russia and Turkey.
Via: Wall Street Journal
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
October 04, 2020: Did Manaus Brazil Just Reach Covid-19 Herd Immunity?
Manaus, Brazil, which experienced a very large number of covid-19 cases back in spring, and possibly prior to any mask wearing or social distancing initiatives, is reporting that they may have reached HERD IMMUNITY, and that over 60% of the population may have already been infected, since the beginning of the outbreak.
Via: Popular Science
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 28, 2020: Egypt On Path To Energy Independence
Egypt has been developing a plan to put itself on the path to energy independence within three years. If successful, the country could see its economy become a natural gas and electricity export hub, while restructuring the design of energy architecture that could affect the continents of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Via: Italian Institute For International Political Studies
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 20, 2020: The Politics of Ministries
This week, Lebanon saw the debate about meritorious hiring make headlines, as the formation of a new government has been paralyzed by an ideology over how to allocate ministries.
Meritocracy, pure and simple, is the meritorious hiring or appointing of individuals based on the pertinence of their credentials, breadth of experience, and history of achieving results.
Considering that Western governments have imposed sanctions on divisions of certain political groups affiliated with foreign interests, choosing the wrong candidate to lead the Finance ministry may lead to an extension of those sanctions to the entire country exactly when it needs a financial restructuring and foreign financial help the most.
Via: Reuters
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
September 15, 2020: Today’s Peace Deals May Be Precursor To Tomorrow’s Economic Expansion
The United States Trump administration has changed the course of history with the signing of peace agreements that normalize relations between Israel and two more Arab states, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, respectively.
In 1979, Egypt normalized relations with Israel, followed by Jordan in 1994.
Other Middle Eastern governments have begun testing their citizens’ reaction to these peace deals in order to gauge whether the political will exists for their own countries to follow suit. President Trump has been quoted as suggesting there may be as many as five or six additional Middle Eastern countries, whose names have yet to be announced, that are in various degrees of progress towards signing their own peace deals with Israel. There is a strong suggestion that Oman may be next.
The more Middle Eastern countries join the peace initiative, the faster the region could create the conditions and develop the framework for regional free trade, similar to a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), or African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This is history in the making, happening in real time…
Via: Reuters
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
Using 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and robotics, innovative construction companies have begun breaking ground in the 3D printed housing industry, producing buildings in record time and saving money in the process.
Construction companies can already print homes between 650 to 2,000 square feet in as little as 3 days, with some additional time needed for the finishings.
The demand for the 3D printing technology is growing in industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and construction, with some estimating the industry compound annual growth rate to be as high as 33%, between now and 2027.
Could new technologies, such as 3D printed buildings, be part of the rebuilding solution in a country such as Lebanon, challenged with a history of corrupt infrastructure contracts?
Via: Tech Bullion
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East is being restructured, with old positions being challenged and new alliances created.
The recent announcement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates sets a new path for other nations in the region to follow.
Many Middle Eastern observers have recognized the U.A.E. as being the low hanging fruit in an Arab rapprochement with Israel.
Facilitating this recent development is not only the U.A.E progressive development and economic expansion, but also the fact that both it and Israel enjoy joint security and intelligence operations with Western interests.
Now, the biggest banks in both Dubai and Israel are seeking to enhance their collaboration, as well. Key to this development is something few are talking openly about: the Middle East is the only major region without its own financial hub. North America has New York; Europe has London; and Asia has Singapore; and in each case, English is the underlying operating language of money and finance.
The financial world is eagerly waiting to see which Middle Eastern country wins the prize to become the region’s crown jewel and financial hub.
Via: Bloomberg
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
August 26, 2020: How To Start Fresh From A Debt Burdened Business
Some business owners are so hard hit by the global economic shutdown imposed on them by their governments that their debt levels have become unmanageable, forcing them to consider closing their businesses, selling, or declaring bankruptcy.
The attached article discusses some options and recommendations for those entrepreneurs forced to walk away from businesses overburdened with debt, including a suggested analysis to conduct to maximize your best outcome, and also some pitfalls to avoid.
This second article, which you can access here, discusses some of the steps to consider when selling your business.
Via: Kiplinger
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
August 17, 2020: Experimental Gene Therapy Helps Boy Walk Again
There has been a lot of excitement in the scientific community lately about the research being conducted using CRISPER, and other gene therapies, to treat a variety of illnesses from high cholesterol to cancer.
The attached article reports how one such experimental gene therapy, which used billions of viruses to deliver a missing gene to the patient’s cells, was used to treat a boy diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.
The patient’s mother described how her son went from barely being able to climb only a few steps, to running up the entire flight of stairs within three weeks of the therapy.
Via: Futurism.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
Did you know that many business insurance policies may provide coverage, due to business losses resulting from Covid-19, even if those policies don’t explicitly state that pandemic events are covered?
Businesses may be covered for a claim if their policy includes “business interruption coverage.” Some policies may even explicitly provide coverage, while others may explicitly deny it, using “events of force majeure”, or other such exceptions.
The attached article discusses the points every business owner should consider, when determining whether to file a business insurance claim, due to Covid-19 related losses.
Via: Forbes.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
July 25, 2020: Pros And Cons Of Working Remotely, And Factors Facing Commercial Real Estate
The attached article discusses the emerging pros and cons observed by employers about transitioning their staff to a remote working environment.
One factor seldom discussed is the impact on office lease rates and the potential correction to commercial real estate valuations that may result. The Real Estate News Exchange conducted a study, which you can access here, discussing the potential risks facing the commercial real estate market that investors may wish to keep on their radar.
Via: Global Trade; and Real Estate News Exchange
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
The Covid-19 incident saw governments force a wave of businesses to temporarily close, sending their employees home. This action may have ensured that some of those businesses will never open again.
The full repercussions of Covid-19 on both businesses and individuals, due to the loss of production, income, and wealth, has yet to be fully realized. The attached article discusses some of the details particular to the U.S. economy, and how the bankruptcy and restructuring process may pose additional challenges.
Via: Harvard Business School Working Knowledge
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 29, 2020: Presentations: How To Deliver An Effective Power Talk
From your marketing statement, to a client sales presentation, or a business plan pitch to creditors or investors, business is all about delivering presentations.
Attached is an insightful article that can help you improve your presentation skills and deliver the perfect power talk to prospects, clients, and stakeholders.
Via: Getpocket.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 20, 2020: How To: International Container Shipping And Ocean Freight
Have you ever wondered about, or wanted to learn more about international container shipping and ocean freight, but felt that the process is too intimidating, or you didn’t know where to begin?
Attached is an easy to read article and link to a video that explains the basics of international container shipping and ocean freight that will help give you a simple understanding of the process and clues to where you should look next, if you decide you’d like to learn more.
Via: Ecomcrew.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 16, 2020: New Techniques In Regenerative Medicine May Soon Cure Baldness
Human stem cells have now been used to regenerate hair follicles; however, the new treatment developed by researchers needs to be optimized before making it to the local clinic. The process takes around 140 days before grafts are ready for transplant, which may sound like a long time, but the procedure could also have the possibility of helping those with wounds, scars, or genetic skin diseases.
Via: Nature.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
June 7, 2020: Aeroponics: A Growing Agricultural Trend In Times Of Food Insecurity
Aeroponics, which is a way of growing crops without using soil, is a growing trend. In this process, water and nutrients are transferred to the plant using a fine mist that is sprayed at its roots. This method of growing plants is becoming popular because it allows the grower to control for the environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, while protecting the crops from weeds and pests.
Attached is an article discussing the steps to consider when setting up your own aeroponics growing system to help maximize success and secure your food supply.
Via: PRNewswire.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 30, 2020: Egypt Introducing New Economic Stimulus Package
The Egyptian government is introducing a new 50 billion Egyptian pounds ($3 billion) economic stimulus package to support the country's tourism industry. The new proposal includes a six month real estate tax abatement for hotels and an eight percent reduction in interest rates across the tourist industry, which is in addition to the previously announced lowering of energy prices.
Via: Arab News
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 24, 2020: Is Lebanon's Middle Class Collapsing?
The attached discusses some of the challenges facing Lebanon's middle class, including the rise in poverty levels, due to the economic contraction caused by government mismanagement and corruption, financial capital controls, currency devaluation, household debt, the country's trade imbalance, and foreign restrictions on food exports, due to the recent Covid-19 incident.
Via: ForeignPolicy.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 11, 2020: Steps To Consider When Planning The Reopening Of Your Business After Covid-19
From a phased in relaxation of the economic lockdown, to the differences in ramping up operations in both an office and manufacturing business, the attached article discusses some of the necessary steps entrepreneurs should consider when developing their re-start strategy.
Via: The Economic Times
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
May 3, 2020: Bad News For Regular Marijuana Smokers
Bad news for regular marijuana smokers: "a massive new study has linked frequent weed smoking to an increased risk of testicular cancer."
If you're a weed smoker and you belong to the cohort studied in this analysis, you may be at a 36% increased risk of contracting testicular cancer.
Via: Futurism.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 29, 2020: How Not To Rebrand Your Company
The attached article describes the challenges one company faced when rebranding their company, which cost them tens of millions of dollars in both marketing costs and lost sales.
There are many lessons applicable to both small and medium sized businesses that every entrepreneur should be aware of.
Via: Medium.com
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 27, 2020: How To Protect Trade Secrets When Everyone Is Working From Home?
With so many working from home and practicing social distancing, we seem to be communicating more online and through other electronic means than ever before. This presents some challenges in protecting company secrets and other intellectual property, especially when security questions are raised about some of the software we use for Voice over IP (VOIP), net meetings and online video conferencing. The attached is an article discussing different ways and strategies that companies and entrepreneurs can use for protecting their trade secrets.
Via: American City Business Journals
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 26, 2020: Will Covid-19 Strike A Mortal Wound To Clean Energy Jobs?
Hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs may be lost due to the Covid-19 economic shutdown. Some are calling for a massive industry bailout, while others are pointing out that if the recent collapse in oil prices continues to trend downward, it may be a very long time before the clean energy industry becomes economically competitive.
Via: Wired
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 18, 2020: How Imminent Is The Reunification Of The Catholic And Orthodox Churches?
The reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox churches is a recurring topic that is periodically raised and debated by regular church goers, some clergy, and members of the religious media.
Although the attached article is written in promotion of reunification, our reason for posting is to inspire readers to ponder the issue and contemplate the reasons for the distinctive branches. Is the reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox churches imminent, or are the distinctive characteristics of each sufficiently significant to warrant their continued independence?
Via: The Trumpet
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)
April 5, 2020: How The Coronavirus Is Affecting Food Supply Chains
The attached is a discussion of how the coronavirus has been affecting global food supply chains, and some of the measures grain and cereal exporting countries have taken that could affect you and your family.
Via: The National Interest
(Note: The views expressed in the attached are those of its author and any specific reference to commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation.)