Coronavirus in India: Experts fear migration of thousands can trigger community transmission

Several daily wages labourers are on roads walking and peddling their way back to their native villages and homes during the nation-wide lockdown raising fears that their movement will result in community transmission of the Covid-19.

Coronavirus: People migrating to their native homes. (Image for representation: PTI)

Several daily wages labourers are on roads walking and peddling their way back to their native villages and homes during the nation-wide lockdown over novel coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed lives of 21 people in India so far.

Taking note of the situation, doctors said that the unprecedented movement of labourers has triggered fear of community transmission of the Covid-19.

The Noida and Ghaziabad administrations are trying to provide food packages to as many people as possible so that they shall not leave the area they are currently residing in.

The government has also provided buses but it turns out to be of not much help as the number of people migrating is rising.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that even an arrangement of buses for these labourers returning to Bihar will "increase the spread of coronavirus".

"Sending people to their native places on special buses will defeat the purpose of lockdown and will increase the spread of coronavirus in the next few days. It is better to organise camps locally for these people. The state government will reimburse the cost of such camps," Nitish Kumar said.

Experts say that such situations can trigger community transmission but since the reverse migration is not going to stop as the number of people is enormous, the authorities will have to check if any person with symptoms of the novel coronavirus is travelling among the crowd.

"All migrant workers have to wear a mask. While walking in a group or on a bus or if taking a lift, they should maintain a safe distance from others. They must avoid travelling with those having fever or cough and report to authorities immediately," said Dr Arun Lakhanpal, Senior Pulmonologist, Yatharth Superspecialty Hospital.

Experts say if one infected person goes in the crowd of thousands, the results will be devastating as the pandemic can reach to the small villages where the labourers are heading to.

"At this point, the administration can only sensitize these labourers and inform them how to keep themselves safe from Covid-19. While coughing or sneezing, they should use a cloth or tissue and wash hands with soaps. If one can stay in Noida and avoid travel, do so. Carry adequate food or water before travelling and wash hands before eating. Avoid taking small babies on long journeys on foot in the heat," said Dr Lakhanpal.

The district administration and many groups of residents, in the meantime, came out to help the stranded labourers.
"All the district administration officials are distributing food packets to the needy so that they shall not leave to their hometowns," said a spokesman of the district administration of Noida.

Thakur Dhirendra Singh, MLA from Jewar assembly constituency of Greater Noida said: "The government is providing all possible help to the needy and ration and food packets are being distributed to stop labourers from rushing back to their homes."

"We have distributed tonnes of ration and food packets at the construction sites where labourers are residing in shanties. We are ensuring that these labourers don't leave during the lockdown. We are doing everything possible to feed them," Dhirendra Singh said. has plenty of useful resources that can help you better understand the coronavirus pandemic and protect yourself. Read our comprehensive guide (with information on how the virus spreads, precautions and symptoms), watch an expert debunk myths, learn about the first human trial of a vaccine and access our dedicated coronavirus page. Get the latest updates on our live blog.


Aintek Symvouloi Epicheiriseon Efarmoges Ypsilis Technologias Ekpaidefsi Anonymi Etaireia (IDEC)

IDEC is a training consulting company located in Piraeus, Greece. Its activities consist of training, management consulting, quality assurance, evaluation and development of ICT solutions for both private and public sector. Clients of IDEC are both SMEs and the bigger Greek companies of a wide variety of sectors. It co-operates with more than 800 institutes all through Europe and with about 300 experts on specific fields.IDEC has been active the last 25 years in the field of EU projects. Through its double role, both as educational provider and as management consulting company, IDEC has been able to also incorporate best practices from the business sector into the educational, by adjusting them to the spirit of open and sustainable and accessible education for all.


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What should I do if accused of homicide in Colorado?

On Behalf of | Feb 24, 2022 | Criminal Defense |

The rate of homicides in Denver increased by 51% in 2020 compared to the previous year and has increased by 64% compared to the five-year average. This translates to 95 people killed through violence in 2020 compared with 63 in 2019. Of these 95 homicides, 26 remain open cases.

Unfortunately, Denver is not alone. The Denver Post reports that Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Grand Junction also saw a significant jump in the rate of homicides in 2020.

Rising rates of homicide

Enforcement officers are working hard to find those who committed these crimes and point to increased gang activity as one concern. Other potential factors that contributed to the rise in homicide rates include the restrictions to jail admissions due to the pandemic and changes to bail practices.

Deputy Chief of Police Darin Parker from Aurora has stated that these factors led police to make difficult decisions about booking those charged with crimes or letting them out to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus in jail — potentially impacting crime rates. Because, he stated, “if someone knows they’re not going to be physically taken to jail they’re probably less deterred to commit that crime.”

Could this sentiment lead to an increase in arrests? Police are looking to keep our communities safe and one way to achieve that is to remove those who pose a risk to others off the streets. But what happens when a mistake is made? What happens when the police wrongly believe an innocent individual committed a crime?

When your rights need protecting

That is when the individual needs to advocate for their interests. One of the most important steps in this path towards redemption is likely reaching out to an attorney. Knowing you are innocent is one thing, proving it is quite another. This requires a calculated plan to dissect the steps that led to the arrest and the process used by the prosecution to build the case. A defense attorney can review this and advocate for your interests, searching for a mistake that can help support your innocence.


Leeds Private Jet Charter

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Private Jet Charter Flights to Leeds

Leeds, UK Private Jet CharterMercury Jets is an on-demand air charter provider specializing in private jet charter and services in Leeds. Our team is composed of industry-leading professionals dedicated to providing our customers with the ultimate air charter experience.

Leeds Private Jets Information and Place to Visit

Mercury Jets offers private jet charter services to and from Leeds.

Located 23 miles southwest of York, 7 miles east of Bradford, and 35 miles northeast of Manchester, Leeds is a city situated on the River Aire in the county of West Yorkshire, Northern England. Once a Saxon village, Leeds developed as a wool-making center in the Middle Ages, becoming a center of the clothing industry during the Industrial Revolution. A private jet charter to Leeds is an excellent option for those seeking a lavish vacation. You can relax and enjoy everything this world-class resort offers without dealing with the crowds and inconveniences of commercial air travel.

Today, Leeds is renowned as the regional capital of Yorkshire and Humber. It is also one of the UK’s main centers for financial and legal services outside London, and one of the leading cities for business in Europe. Leeds plays a vital role in business and financial sectors, communications, media, chemicals, and food production, advertising, printing, and engineering. So, Leeds private jet charter is an excellent destination for both business and pleasure.

There are the Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of Leeds. Leeds is a prosperous and vibrant city, rich in heritage and culture. With its numerous cultural attractions, vibrant cultural and arts scenes, great shopping, excellent restaurants, bars and clubs, private jet charters to Leeds attract visitors from the UK and abroad.

The most famous places of interest you should visit with Leeds private jet flight are the Victoria Quarter, Leeds Waterfront, City Square, Turk’s Head Yard, Millennium Square, Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Opera North, Grand Theatre, Leeds Civic Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, and many others. Leeds is just a short drive to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which boasts some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, unique wildlife, and cultural heritage. Being the gateway to the Yorkshire region, Leeds welcomes domestic and international business travelers and sightseeing tourists. The nearby cities and towns are Clapham, York, Grassington, Haworth, Harrogate, Holmfirth, Masham, Ilkley, Ripon, Wetherby, Skipton, and Whitby, which you can visit on a day trip from Leeds.

The City Art Gallery, which features a collection of paintings from the 20th century, and the Royal Armory are two of the most popular tourist destinations in the city you shouldn’t miss when renting a private jet to Leeds. The Royal Armory features exhibits on a variety of topics, such as the times of knights and knight tournaments, war, and hunting. Today, Leeds is a lively city with vibrant night pubs, restaurants, and clubs, rich in its Edwardian-era architecture.

The Town Hall structure is regarded as Leeds’ most luxurious and recognizable historical site. Its 68.6-meter-tall tower can be seen from many city streets, and Queen Victoria herself participated in the building’s grand opening. Now, the historic structure has been transformed into a cultural hub, which frequently hosts concerts, exhibitions, and other open events. One of the city’s biggest and most picturesque squares is located in front of the structure. A private jet charter to Leeds will enrich your trip, no matter how you want to spend your time there. If you are interested in our private jet services, please contact us right away.

Leeds will also appeal to people who enjoy being outside and participating in sports. There are many lovely parks and gardens, sports facilities, and kid-friendly playgrounds. In addition, Leeds is renowned for having a plethora of shops where practically any item can be found. The most well-known golf club is Moortown, located on lovely grounds and has first-rate amenities. Additionally, there is a golf course where anyone can learn the fundamentals of the sport. Therefore, whether you want a vacation packed with rest or an exciting journey full of new experiences, Leeds is the ideal location. And renting a private jet for your travel needs is the most efficient way to get there.

Most popular Leeds airports for private jets

You can tailor your trip to meet all of your needs when you rent a private jet flight to Leeds. Many of the world’s most important airports serve as bases for private jets. The city is served by Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA / EGNM), Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (DSA / EGCN) and Manchester Airport (MAN / EGCC).

Best Aircraft Category for Charter Flights to Leeds Area

AircraftHeavy, super-midsize, mid-size, and light jets are commonly used for private jet charter flights to Leeds.

Planning a private jet charter to Leeds requires considering how many people will be flying, the longest distance that can be flown nonstop, how luxurious the ride will be, and how long the shortest runway can be. Regional airports provide every service that could be needed by a charter flight, regardless of the purpose of the trip or the size of the aircraft.

Aircraft Available

  • Light jets are intended for shorter local trips and are an excellent choice for those seeking a luxurious experience while renting a private jet to Leeds with a small group of people (up to 6 passengers). The Eclipse 500, HondaJet, and Citation XLS are all light jet options for private flights to Leeds.
  • Mid-size jets can fly from coast to coast and are usually equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi and communication systems. They can accommodate up to ten people. The Learjet 60XR, Hawker 900XP, and Hawker 800XP are mid-size jet options for private jets to Leeds.
  • Super mid-size jets are one of the most popular types of aircraft in the world, with nonstop flight times ranging from five to eight hours and the ability to travel quickly. In addition, they can accommodate up to ten people. Citation X, Challenger 350, and Legacy 500 are three super-midsize jet options for Leeds jet charters.
  • Heavy jets have an incredible range and can fly for up to 13 hours nonstop. Because they can carry up to 18 passengers, they are an excellent choice for international travel. The Challenger 605, Challenger 850, and Falcon 2000 are all heavy jet options.

Hire Private Jets to Leeds with Mercury Jets

When you choose our company, you can be confident that we will exceed your private jet rental service expectations. Mercury Jets, a private aviation charter broker, has a solid reputation for meticulously planned and executed private jet charters. Count on our team of experts to assist you in selecting an ideal Leeds private jet flight for your needs.

Mercury Jets is committed to maintaining the highest levels of discretion, openness, and confidentiality. When you require assistance, our experts will be there to help you anytime. To book a flight to Leeds, or to speak to a representative, call us at +1 212 840 8000.

Airports Near Leeds

  1. LBA, Leeds Bradford International Airport, Leeds, United Kingdom
  2. MAN, Manchester Airport, Manchester, United Kingdom
  3. HUY, Humberside Airport, Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom
  4. MME, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Darlington, United Kingdom
  5. LPL, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  6. DSA, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  7. EGCM, Leeds East Airport, Leeds, United Kingdom

Most Demanded Charter Flights to or from Leeds

  1. Private Jets to Leeds from Paris
  2. Charter Flights to Leeds from Zurich
  3. Charter Jets to Leeds from Athens
  4. Private Flights to Leeds from Milan

Weather for Leeds

17°C, 62.6°F;
Broken clouds;
Humidity: 74%;
Wind: 7m/s SW;
H 18 • L 18;
Wed 13°C, 55.4°F Thu 17°C, 62.6°F Fri 15°C, 59°F Sat 15°C, 59°F
light rain broken clouds light rain clear sky

Charter FAQ About Private Jet to/from Leeds

How much does it cost to private jet charter prices to Leeds?

The cost of a private jet charter to Leeds can vary widely and depends mostly on the size and capacity of the aircraft. If you’re interested in a quote for private jet service to and from Leeds, please give us a call. In addition, we have a cost estimator on our site that will help you determine the approximate total price of your trip.

Here are some prices to cost charter a private jet to Leeds:

  • How much does it cost to charter a private jet to Leeds from Paris: piston – starting at $5,180;
  • How much does it cost to charter a private jet to Leeds from Zurich: turboprop – starting at $11,190;
  • How much does it cost to charter a private jet to Leeds from Athens: light jet – starting at $18,440.

Which aircraft should I choose for Leeds private jet?

Mercury Jets have access to an extensive network of private aircraft and provide modern, reliable jets with highly trained and experienced flight crews on board, making a private flight to or from Leeds an ideal option for a vacation or business trip. Choosing an aircraft for a private charter flight to Leeds is based on the non-stop range, the number of passengers, comfort level, and the runway size.

When you hire a private jet to Leeds with Mercury Jets, we take care of all your needs, from on-time boarding to providing comfortable seats that fit perfectly into any budget. Additionally, charter flights to Leeds for conferences, meetings, special events, or group charter flights can be arranged on regional and VIP airliners.

How to book my Leeds jet charters?

To organize private flights to and from Leeds, please contact our specialists or fill in the online booking form on our website. Tell us when you want to depart, and we’ll look for the greatest offer that meets your needs. Following that, you’ll have access to our consultants who will be available anytime you need them and a full itinerary of your journey. Finally, we’ll plan your trip when you confirm your option.

Are there any luggage restrictions or guidelines on the Leeds private jet?

The maximum number of luggage you can bring on your flight to Leeds can vary depending on the plane you rent. Please notify us in advance if you want to bring a large amount of luggage. It is recommended that each passenger carry one bag. If you have any queries about the baggage policies of private jet flights to Leeds, please do not hesitate to contact our specialists.

How far in advance do I need to make a Leeds charter flight reservation?

Arranging the most effective flight route for your private jet to Leeds will take at least four hours. Contact us as soon as you decide to go on this trip, and we’ll manage every aspect for you.

What luxury amenities can you get when traveling by private jet to Leeds?

When flying to Leeds by private jet, you can take advantage of a number of premium amenities that are not accessible when flying commercially. You can have a high level of privacy and more flexibility in your vacation arrangements. Furthermore, you can also enjoy a private cabin, a fully stocked bar, and a variety of other luxury facilities. You can travel promptly to and from your location without worrying about crowds or security waits. The most important thing is that you will have a higher level of safety.

Because of the convenience and luxury of private jet flights, customers have more freedom to choose their own departure and arrival times and locations. Please contact us or visit our frequently asked questions page if you have any queries about our charter jet services.

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Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet

Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet: You can only eat a limited amount in a day. To increase how much nutrition you take in, it’s a good idea to carefully plan your caloric spending by choosing foods that best express the number and assortment of nutrients.

Leading a healthy lifestyle consists of eating foods that are rich in nutrients, while avoiding empty, or sub-calories. To identify nutrients, we need to find the food highest among the most important nutrients, while the lowest in calories.

Are you looking for ways to boost all your nutritional intake without adding excessive amounts to your diet?

When you choose nutrient-rich foods, you’ll get more vitamins and nutrients per calorie. In this article, we’ll show you how to start using “nutritional density” as a guide to getting the most nutrition for your buck. First, here’s what it means by nutritional density and how you can use it to fill in your nutrition gaps.

Nutrient-Dense Foods

What is Nutrient Density?

Nutritional density is the significant nutritional concentration that can be found in food. Any food we eat contains macronutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; and micronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals. To grow, we need a sufficient number of macro and micronutrients.

In general, food is considered solid nutrition by the amount of nutrition relative to calories. For example, green vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals, with only a few calories per serving. However, some nutritional target foods are often left out of the circle of “nutritional density” because they are also high in saturated fat. Because we now understand that saturated fat isn’t “bad,” we can expand our scope to look at some of the richest nutrition on the planet. First, let’s look at why food is so important in terms of nutritional density.

Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet:

In the relative multitude of green vegetables, kale is the boss. It is full of vitamins, fiber, minerals, cancer prevention agents, and various bioactive compounds.

Kale is very high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K1. It is also rich in vitamin B6, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium, and manganese. A one-cup serving contains only 9 calories.

Kale can be more earthy than spinach. Both are very nutritious, even though black oxalate is low, preventing it from being assimilated, which can bind to minerals like calcium in your digestive tract. Various bioactive mixtures, including isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol, are plentiful in black vegetables and others, which have been demonstrated in trials and reviews of zoology to fight malignant growths.

Not all fish are created equal. The Calamian and other fatty fish species contain the most omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is important for the ideal function of your body. They are associated with further prosperity and a lower risk of many real diseases. Although salmon is originally prized for its extra chunks of fatty acids, it also packs a devil-sized amount of various nutrients.

A 100-gram serving of wild salmon contains about 2.2 grams of omega-3s, which are excellent organisms and ample vitamins and minerals, including lots of magnesium, potassium, selenium, and B. Contains vitamins, all of which provide omega-3s to the body, eating fatty fish more than once per week is smart.

It focuses on showing that people who consistently eat fatty fish are at increased risk of heart infections, dementia, depression, and many other common diseases. Calman’s priority is great and easy to plan. Likewise, it will usually make you feel full with a few calories. If you will be able, choose wild salmon instead of farmed. It is more nutritious, has a better omega-6 ratio and omega-3, and does not contain contaminants.

Near the sea, there is something other than fish. It also includes a very large measure of vegetation. There are many species of different plants in the sea, some of which are very nutritious. Commonly, they are called seaweed as a whole. Seaweeds are famous for dishes such as sushi. Many sushi dishes include the type of seaweed known as nori, which is used as a wrapping that can be consumed.

As a rule, seaweed is far more nutritious than land vegetables. It is very high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. It is also stacked with various bioactive mixtures, including phycocyanin and carotenoids. Part of these substances is a cancer prevention agent whose reduction limits are strong.

Therefore, seaweed is rich in iodine, the mineral your body uses to make thyroid chemicals. Eating high-iodine seaweeds like seaweed twice every month can give your body all the iodine it needs. If you can do this without the seaweed flavoring, you can even bring it into an additional composition. Dry seaweed tablets are very simple and are loaded with iodine.

Potatoes are high in potassium, copper, magnesium, iron, and manganese. They also contain vitamin C and most of the B vitamins. They’re packed with just about every true nutrient you could want. Only potatoes have a record of a person living for a long time. When experts think about the satisfaction of different foods, bubbling potatoes are higher than some other foods. Assuming you leave the potatoes cold after cooking, they also provide a safe starch, a fiber-like substance, that has many strong therapeutic benefits.

Garlic is truly a wonderful improvement. It can make a variety of boring dishes fun and very nutritious. It is high in vitamins C, B1, and B6 and calcium, manganese, potassium, copper, and selenium. A useful sulfur mixture also contains more garlic than, for example, allicin.

Several trials show that allicin and garlic along with pulses can lower total and LDL cholesterol (terrible). It also helps raise HDL cholesterol (severe) and may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Garlic also has a fighting property against other diseases. Some more established research proposes that individuals who eat a ton of garlic have a much lower risk of many common diseases, especially colon tumors and colon. Raw garlic also has significant antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Bottom Line:

If you want to change your diet or just change your food, it is easy to keep this food in your routine. Many of the above foods not only make a good snack but are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Some of them can even help with weight loss. If you don’t usually challenge the sky of your mouth, don’t be afraid to try something new. I think you get all explain related to Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet.


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National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis

a view from a canopy walk
A view from a canopy walk, a popular activity for visitors to Nyungwe Forest Park in Rwanda. Photo Credit: Justin Raycraft (CC BY 2.0)

Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park contains one of the oldest forests in Africa and is a popular ecotourism destination for both foreign and domestic visitors, who are drawn to its diverse wildlife and pristine natural beauty. While national parks are often overlooked and underfunded in developing nations, Nyungwe may set an example for how a country could leverage its natural resources to increase national wealth and alleviate poverty.

Historically, natural resources have often been seen as economically beneficial in an exploitative context – to be extracted, processed, or otherwise used by people. But that perspective has been shifting, a shift to which Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) researchers, such as the Rwanda Natural Capital Accounting team, are contributing.

Using synthesis science, SNAPP researchers are providing evidence for the case that good environmental stewardship can be a useful tool in addressing poverty and improving a nation’s wealth, health, and food security.

Ending hunger, improving health conditions, and promoting economic development are just a few of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity. But meeting these multifaceted goals requires a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach, and SNAPP’s trademark collaborative, synthesis method places its researchers in a unique position to address these complex issues.

Rwanda, for example, has incorporated the SDGs into its Vision 2020, a government initiative that aims to reduce poverty in the country to below 30 percent by the year 2020. The Rwanda SNAPP team used cutting-edge spatial analyses and macro-economic models to identify ways the country could integrate its “natural capital,” such as its national parks, into efforts to achieve its sustainable development ambitions.

There is currently no entrance fee to Nyungwe Park. But the SNAPP team’s research has revealed that not only would tourists be willing to pay a fee, they would also be willing to pay it on a sliding scale based on income, in which wealthy foreign tourists would pay proportionally more to visit Nyungwe than domestic visitors.

This solution would allow the park to generate more revenue for the country more equitably than a universally applied fee, because it would prevent lower-income Rwandan visitors from being priced out of visiting the park.

According to principal investigator Janaki Alavalapati, the collaborative nature of SNAPP was especially beneficial to uncovering such solutions. Their team combined expertise from conservation practitioners, local government, the World Bank, academia, and the private sector.

“There is not a lot of public data available in Rwanda. You really need someone local to help acquire that,” said Alavalapati, who is based at Auburn University. “We were very fortunate to have Michel Masozera [Director of the Rwandan chapter of the Wildlife Conservation Society] on the project, as well as the engagement of other local scientists and civil servants from the beginning.”

Alavalapati also suggested that working directly with these respected locals throughout the project helped to keep the Rwanda SNAPP team out of the “ivory tower” and address the true needs of the community.

However, wealth is only one of the components that factor into the manifestation of global poverty. Health is another important variable.

This is especially evident when evaluating the cyclical poverty trap: an impoverished individual becomes ill due to poor living conditions, which is compounded by the inability to afford medical treatment. The individual is then unable to work and earn income, thus becoming further impoverished and continues to contract illness due to the inability to improve their living conditions.

“There is a really strong link between poverty and human infectious diseases, which are usually prolific in developing countries. Part of that is due to local ecology and a lack of sanitation, and part of it is due to that poverty trap,” said Skyler Hopkins, a postdoctoral researcher with another SNAPP working group, called Ecological Levers for Health.

Hopkins’ team is exploring the deep connections between environmental health and human infectious diseases. The working group’s burgeoning research involves synthesizing case studies that demonstrate how conservation interventions are intertwined with improvements in human health, which could, in turn, help break the cycle of the poverty trap.

One such case study is research from the team’s principal investigators, Kevin Lafferty of the US Geological Survey and Susanne Sokolow of Stanford University, who have examined the prevalence of Schistosomiasis in communities along the Senegal River. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that causes debilitating symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in many cases, death. Its spread may be the result of human-induced changes to the river.

Local government agencies dammed the Senegal River for irrigation purposes in the late 1980s, a side effect of which was the obstruction of native prawn reproduction, a process requiring migration and access to the sea. The prawn are natural predators on local river snails, which are known vectors for the parasite that causes Schistosomiasis. So with the dams in place, prawn abundance plummeted and the snail population exploded.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the increase in snail abundance was concurrent with a sharp increase in cases of Schistosomiases in local villages.

“Damming is really common everywhere in Africa. Prawn loss is also really common, and so is Schistosomiasis. So there’s a good chance that this damming has increased schistosomiasis,” said Hopkins. “By restoring native prawns widely, we might be able to reduce infectious disease occurrence.”

Other examples of win-win-win solutions for the environment, human health, and community prosperity that the group has collected include an international study on the use of upstream re-forestation as means of preventing childhood diarrheal disease, and an evaluation of the role of vulture conservation in preventing the spread of rabies in India. A recent publication from the team interprets a set of mathematical models that describe the close relationship between ecological and economic systems and their resulting effect on human health.

“These environmental solutions can boost the effects of activities in the medical and public health spheres, allowing us to come at this problem [of poor health] from multiple angles,” said Hopkins.

Another new SNAPP working group, Food and Forests in Africa, is focusing on a different piece of the poverty puzzle: food security.

The conflict between agriculture and conservation is a familiar tug-of-war to managers in both areas. The activities are often at odds with each other in competition for space, and in developing nations, this relationship is made even more complex by the need to increase food production to feed growing populations while striving to meet Sustainable Development Goals.

This is especially evident in sub-Saharan Africa, where expanding crop lands could place agriculture in direct conflict with the forests that protect the soil and water necessary for food production in the region.

The SNAPP team is currently working with representatives from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia to craft nuanced solutions to this paradox that are specific to each country’s social and political structure. Although this research is in its infancy, their results could provide land-use planning frameworks for agricultural practices that promote sustainable means of income, protect forest habitats, and strengthen food security within these nations.

“This project is a great example of the research challenge facing many SNAPP teams -- how to understand the complexities and trade-offs associated with alleviating poverty and promoting conservation in tandem,” said SNAPP Deputy Director Geoff Willard. “Thankfully the SNAPP approach is time-tested, and our teams have a great track record at identifying the right policies and practices to support people and nature.”

Amanda Kelley has been an NCEAS E-Connect Fellow since Spring 2017 and is pursuing a master's degree at UCSB's Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.

Category: Feature

Tags: Science for Nature and People Partnership, Sustainable Development


• Fri. Oct 7th, 2022

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Randall-Reilly: How to be 80, but Think Like a Startup!

It’s official. This year Randall-Reilly celebrates its 80th anniversary. We’ve had a few parties, and hopefully we will have a few more. But let me tell you, we are proud to display our age. In honor of this milestone, let’s do things a little differently.
I will prolong a marketing or recruiting article for a little bit, and regale you with a story about the history of Randall-Reilly.

How was Randall-Reilly founded?

During the early 1930s, Pettus Randall, Jr. was a student at the University of Alabama. As a student, he was nominated to an honor society. Needless to say Mr. Randall was ecstatic. That is, until he learned he would be required to pay $5 to join this prestigious honor society.
Now that may sound a little odd by today’s standards, but remember this was during the height of the Great Depression. To give you a sense of what he was being asked to pay, we looked it up. The modern equivalent tp $5 in 1934 is $87.

Coming up with that amount of money wasn’t easy when 21.7% of Americans were unemployed.

Pettus decided that he wasn’t going to pay the $5. He lobbied for a meeting with President George Denny, then the president of the University of Alabama. During the meeting with President Denny, Mr. Randall explained an idea for a free student honor society, which would require nominations from teachers, administrators, and principals.
It was from this plan that Randall-Reilly was founded as Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 1934.

But when did you become the cutting edge Randall-Reilly we all know and love?

In 1976, Pettus Randall III took over for his father as President and CEO. By then the core Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities had expanded to include the Award Company of America. The company was also printing state trade and used equipment publications.
Under the leadership of Mike Reilly and Pettus Randall III, the company moved into B2B media in 1986 with the initial purchase of Overdrive. They expanded this part of the business with the purchase of other publications like CCJ and Equipment World.

The company experienced tremendous success and growth as B2B publisher and media company.

However, we weren’t content with stagnating as a B2B publisher, regardless of how successful we were. In the late ’90s, Randall-Reilly experienced further evolution and expansion. First, we jumped into business information with the purchase of EDA in 1998. This was a prescient move into data before the industry began to demand data on the scale we see today.
This evolution continued with the acquisition of eVision Marketing 2009, expanding our capabilities far beyond that of B2B publishers. The eVision Marketing acquisition provided Randall-Reilly with the unique opportunity to expand into digital advertising across multiple channels, i.e. Google, Bing, etc.
In 2002, current Randall-Reilly CEO Mike Reilly became President and CEO. His son, Brent Reilly, took over as president of the company in 2012.
The company has continued to experience growth and transformation over the last decade. Today we employ over 400 employees. And if you’re interested in joining us, you can find our open positions here.
We are headquartered in Tuscaloosa, AL, but also maintain offices in Anniston, AL; Brookfield, WI; and Charlotte, NC.

We have transformed ourselves from a traditional B2B media corporation into a data, media, and marketing services company.

Our transformation and the continued evolution of Randall-Reilly is exciting. One of our biggest priorities is continuing to improve our capability and provide our clients with tremendous value.

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From working late nights to the pressure of writing final exams, students are no strangers to stress. But with the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic impact, many students are facing increased financial stress as the result of a loss or interruption of income.

Not surprisingly, today’s students are extremely worried about their finances:

  • 52% of students have reported experiencing a significant change to their financial situation because of COVID-19 and are worried about their future job prospects and financial future1
  • 79% of post-secondary students are concerned about whether they will be able to pay their fall tuition2
  • 76% are worried about how to pay rent and utilities in the fall2
  • 66% are worried about credit card bills or other loan repayments2

If you are a student, we want to help you cope during these uncertain times and suggest six practical actions you can consider taking to help gain control of your finances and ease your concerns so you can better focus on your education.

1. Understand your financial situation

Given today’s financial uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to have a solid understanding of your own finances. This involves a full assessment of your finances to determine how much income you’re generating, what your monthly expenses are, how much you’re spending on essential vs non-essential items and how much you could manage to save on a regular basis. This financial snapshot will give you a clearer picture of your current financial situation and will help you figure out steps you could take to meet your short- and long-term financial goals.

Once you’ve completed this exercise, you’ll want to evaluate your priorities, both now and in the future, while also establishing financial goals that are realistic for your unique circumstances. For example, you’ll need to figure out whether it’s more important to pay for your books and tuition without going into debt or put money aside for a down payment on a home.  While it may take you longer now to reach your financial goals than before the pandemic, your current financial situation is likely temporary.

2. Create an essentials-only budget

Creating and maintaining a budget is an excellent way to gain control of your finances under normal circumstances, and it becomes even more important during challenging times like now. With a potential loss of income, you should consider refocusing your budget on essential expenses only. This type of streamlined budgeting is often a stop-gap measure and can help you reach your financial goals (e.g., paying off debt) while still effectively managing your current expenses.

To begin this budgeting exercise, examine your last two months of bank and credit card statements. Essential expenses typically include shelter, food and toiletries, utilities, car expenses, debt payments, insurance and medical needs. Non-essential expenses may include subscription services, entertainment, prepared meals, clothing and home décor. Remember that cutting back on non-essential purchases is not permanent. You are simply reducing costs over the short term to help you better manage your daily expenses, pay down debt, build up your savings and work toward achieving your financial goals. You may even discover that you don't miss certain non-essential expenses as much as you had expected. For more details, check out our article “What does an essentials-only budget look like?

3. Start an emergency fund

If you don’t already have an emergency fund, the pandemic has shown us how important it is to set aside money for unexpected costs or expenses. A recent Scotiabank survey revealed that students would have prepared differently had they known a pandemic was imminent, including establishing an emergency fund.3 Many experts suggest an emergency fund should cover at least three to six months of total living expenses. Having access to a ready reserve of cash will bolster your emotional well-being and prevent you from taking on added (and unplanned) debt. Furthermore, since most students – as well as the general population – have had to curtail or cancel their travel plans this year, reallocating these discretionary dollars to an emergency fund can help relieve stress and provide greater peace of mind.

Use our Scotiabank Money Finder Calculator to determine if you have additional money available to put towards your emergency fund by comparing your income to your expenses.

4. Make use of government aid

In April 2020, the Canadian government announced $9 billion in financial aid for post-secondary students in response to COVID-19. Find out if you’re eligible for such programs relating to student benefits, grants, scholarships and fellowships, and keep updated on future support programs via the Government of Canada website. Just bear in mind that certain government benefits are taxable, so don’t assume it’s all “free money” or you could face an unwelcome surprise when you file your next income tax return.

5. Take a practical approach to managing debt

If you're short on cash, consider these options to finance your post-secondary education:

Consider a student loan. The federal government offers loans to full-time and part-time students to pay for their post-secondary education. The loan amount depends on your circumstances (e.g., family income), but as a result of COVID-19, the federal government is changing the eligibility requirements for 2020-21 so more students could qualify for support and gain access to higher loan amounts.

Apply for a personal loan or line of credit. The interest rates on a personal loan or line of credit are typically lower than a credit card.

Get a lower interest rate credit card. With the current crisis situation, many cash-strapped students may use a credit card to make their essential purchases this fall. If you must carry a balance, consider using a lower-interest rate credit card that could help you save money on interest by reducing your interest charges. .

Consider a balance transfer. If you already have credit card debt, you can save money by transferring existing high-interest rate credit card debt onto a new lower interest rate credit card (or line of credit) that offers a low promotional interest rate for a certain period. For instance, you could find out more about the Scotiabank Value® Visa* Card, that offers a low introductory interest rate on balance transfers (see link for details).

6. Find creative ways to earn income

If you’re thinking about your next internship or a part-time job that can supplement your income, consider targeting jobs within “high demand” industries. Although some businesses are struggling these days given the difficult circumstances, others are thriving (such as food, delivery, health care and technical services). This may also be a good time to channel your inner entrepreneur, as you never know what innovative idea might turn into a successful business! If you’re a technology whiz, perhaps you can help small businesses set up online stores, or if you’ve got a green thumb, advertise your gardening or landscaping services. Similarly, if you are multi-lingual, teach a virtual language class or become a tutor. You could also get involved and give back to your community by volunteering for an organization or other cause that is meaningful for you. Although volunteer work may not pay, it could result in learning new skills, making valuable contacts and gaining experience or new perspectives will help enhance your résumé and pay dividends as your career progresses.

We’re here to support you

With a pandemic-related imposition of virtual classes, social distancing measures and closed campuses, it's an unusually stressful time to be a student. You don't need to feel financially overwhelmed too. Getting this far in your academic pursuits has taken considerable hard work and dedication. Today’s environment is challenging but we want to help you to continue to have the resilience and resourcefulness to overcome it.  Scotiabank is always here to help you with your finances. We're available 24/7 by phone or contact your local branch to speak with an advisor.

Ready to get your finances on track for your future? Come in and speak to a Scotia advisor today

For more student-related information, refer to our Student Hub where you’ll find tips and advice on managing student life, landing your dream internship or job, and tools that will help you better manage your finances.


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Fantom Investor

Fantom Vs. Solana – What’s the Difference?

When discussing Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL) scalability is a prevalent theme. Both platforms were built to compete with Ethereum and provide support for the latest DeFi functionalities. These networks may look similar from afar, but once you examine the details the differences become more obvious. Here’s everything you need to know about Fantom vs Solana.

What is Fantom?

Fantom was built to one day become the infrastructure for tomorrow’s smart cities. As such, the development focused heavily on scalability. The system was the first blockchain to integrate Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technology to improve performance. DAG is a computing system that optimizes performance by creating a more efficient data flow.

Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL)

Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL)

What is Solana?

Solana operates as a high-performance blockchain that supports full programmability. It includes an open-source infrastructure and the ability to support DeFi functions like staking and farming.

Solana entered the market in 2017, and was founded by Anatoly Yakovenko.  The development team behind the project have held various positions at major tech firms like Dropbox. Solana’s ecosystem has grown significantly since 2017, establishing partnerships along the way (i.e. Serum DEX).

What Problems was Fantom Built to Alleviate?

Fantom hopes to become a viable alternative to Ethereum by tackling both centralization and network congestion. The system is highly scalable to meet the needs of the growing crypto market, with the capability of handling 3000 transactions per second. The technical structure of Fantom makes it perfect for use across multiple industries requiring high transaction throughput.

Energy Consumption

Fantom was also built with sustainability in mind. Earlier blockchains have been called out for excessive energy consumption.  For example, Bitcoin uses more electricity than select small countries – a level of consumption which many believe is not sustainable.  As such, Fantom was designed from day one to be environmentally friendly, seeking to achieve a carbon-zero footprint.

High Fees

The cost of transactions on most networks is on the rise. Ethereum, in particular, suffers from gas fees that can be more than the transaction, resulting in many users having quit the ecosystem. Fantom on the other hand offers an affordable option to consider, with users often paying near-zero fees.

What Problems was Solana Built to Alleviate?

Solana was also designed to provide top performance to the market. The network is capable of 29,171 transactions per second according to developers, which places its scalability above national payment processors like VISA and PayPal. This TPS rate is possible because Solana features the ability to scale proportionally by adjusting network bandwidth.

Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL)

Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL)

Solana developers have the freedom to create as they please with the protocol operating as pure code. As such, there are no central groups to block your transactions or confiscate your funds. The entire protocol operates in a trust-less, and distributed manner.

Lack of Passive Income

As a Delegated Proof of Stake network, Solana users can secure passive income easily. DPoS networks enable you to participate in the validation process without being a validation node. Instead, you delegate your tokens to a validation node. The rewards they receive get split between delegators based on the amount they contributed.

How Does Fantom Work?

Fantom functions through the use of three layers that work together. The Opera Core Layer handles consensus, and is where the Validator nodes operate to keep the blockchain secure and immutable.  The Opera Ware Layer is the next, facilitating smart contract execution and more.  The Application layer is where most people will interact with the system, and is where you can find the APIs and other communication technologies. These systems help to power the fMint, fTrade, and fLEND options.

fMint is one of the best features offered by Fantom. This interface was built to streamline the creation of blockchain assets. You can create regular tokens, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and many more. The system leverages Fantoms standards to ensure all your creations enjoy full interoperability within the Fantom ecosystem.

Those seeking to trade their tokens can do so on the fTrade DEX. This Decentralized AMM has direct FTM trading pairs to help you save on conversion fees. The non-custodial network offers lower fees and more security compared to CEXs. Users can save on fees by paying using the FTM token.

You can secure passive returns by lending out your crypto to others using fLend. This system leverages large interest-bearing ending pools. Users can contribute to these pools and receive interest upon repayment. These systems have proven to be very effective since the interest obtained from the pool helps to offset any losses.

New crypto users will appreciate the simplicity of the fWallet. This non-custodial wallet provides access to the core processes every crypto user needs including the ability to store, send, receive, and stake. Users can send value to friends and family in seconds internationally using these systems.

FTM Token

FTM is the native utility token for the Fantom network, filling various roles. You can use FTM to send value like a cryptocurrency, as well as paying for fees, and reward distributions.

How Does Solana Work?

Solana leverages a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain, new cryptocurrency, and other advanced technologies to remain ahead of the competition. The network introduces the concept of Tower BFT to improve the consensus system. The upgrade enables validators to vote on ledger corrections. It also creates a record of the voters.

Solana leverages the Turbine blockchain broadcasting technology to separate data into smaller packets. This structure improves network performance. Currently, Solana has 2.34 block times and has been bench-tested at 50,000 tps using the gulf stream protocol.

SOL is the utility token for the network. It can be staked or used to pay for network functions like smart contract executions. SOL can be found on most major exchanges and is very popular in the market today.

How to Buy Fantom (FTM) and Solana (SOL)

Currently, Fantom (FTM) and Solana (SOL) are each available for purchase on the following exchanges.

Fantom Vs. Solana – Speed is the King

When it comes to Fantom (FTM) vs Solana (SOL), it’s all about performance. Both of these networks want to be the next game-changing blockchains in the market. It will be interesting to see how the battle for supremacy plays out between these two networks over the coming years. For now, both have growing communities, making them wise to follow moving forward.

To learn more, make sure to visit out Investing in Fantom and Investing in Solana guides.


Flying a plane can be hard for many different reasons, but some are just harder to fly than others. What are the hardest planes to fly?

The hardest planes to fly include personal aircraft such as the wildly popular Cessna 150/152, Cessna 162, and the Luscombe Silvaire. The hardest commercial aircraft to fly is the BAC Concorde. And the hardest plane to fly in the world is the US military-used U-2 Spy Plane.

As you read this article, you’ll learn about the most common issues that pilots have with planes that make them hard to fly. If you’re trying to find out which planes are the hardest to fly, just keep in mind that it’s a bit of a subjective topic. You might have even flown a plane that’s on this list and thought it was super simple. But for the average pilot, the planes you see in this article are the hardest ones to fly.

More than anything else, we strive to provide you with the most accurate information that you’ll find anywhere on the web. To ensure that’s the case, we’ve combined our own knowledge and experience with input from other pilots from all over the country to figure out which planes are the hardest ones to fly, for a variety of different reasons.

Table of contents

What Makes Flying A Plane Hard?

Determining what makes a plane hard to fly is a very subjective topic to try to address. Every single pilot will have different aspects of flying that they find easier than other things. Just like every pilot will have slightly different physical and mental capabilities and limits that will cause them to think one thing makes a plane hard to fly that another pilot wouldn’t feel the same way about.

For example, a pilot that is 6’-7” tall might find a smaller aircraft uncomfortable to the point where it actually makes it harder to fly. A pilot in the exact same plane that is, say, 5’-9” tall might think that the plane is perfect and they couldn’t possibly be any more comfortable if they tried. That’s just one example, but you can probably see why it can be so subjective.

All that said, we think that we’ve come up with four of the major aspects of flying a plane that are typically agreed upon as making it hard among most pilots. This brief list includes things about the plane itself such as poor visibility, the sensitivity of controls, and discomfort. It also includes a couple of things about flying in general that can be exacerbated in a poorly-designed plane like the processes of taking off and landing as well as experiencing bad weather.

Let’s take a brief look at each of these and why they make it harder to fly a plane.

Poor Visibility

Visibility refers to the ability of the pilot to see out of the plane. A pilot’s eyesight is arguably the most important sense that gets used during flight. They need to be able to look out of the cockpit and see where they’re headed, what’s around them, find the runway, etc. A plane that has poor visibility due to cockpit and/or wing design will inherently be harder to fly than one with better visibility.

Controls Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the controls goes a long way towards making a plane harder or easier to fly than another plane. And this can go either way, where the controls are too touchy or too sluggish. Touchy controls make the plane difficult to control since it overreacts to each and every input that you give it. But if the controls are too sluggish, the plane will lag behind what you’re trying to do. Having a plane with the right balance will make flying it much easier.

Being comfortable while flying an airplane will just inherently make it easier to fly. This goes back to the example above about the pilots with differing heights having different feelings towards a certain plane. Cockpits need to be spacious enough to accommodate that particular pilot while also not being too roomy so that everything is easy to reach from a normal seated position. This one can be hard to nail down for all pilots, which is why it’s so important to know which planes you can and can’t fly as a pilot.

Bad Weather

While weather doesn’t have as much of an effect on modern aircraft as it used to — especially commercial and military planes — smaller aircraft are still susceptible to the adverse effects of bad weather. If you’re out on a flight in your single-engine airplane, bad weather can be a horrible experience. Poor visibility, high winds, heavy rain, extreme turbulence… it’s all bad for flying. Some planes can handle the weather better than others and will be easier to fly during those times.

Taking Off And Landing

If you ask just about any pilot that you see, they’ll tell you that the hardest parts of flying a plane are taking off and landing — especially landing. During the majority of the flight, while you’re cruising, flying can be even easier than driving a car. But approaching the runway and touching down safely and smoothly is harder than just about anything you do in a car. Planes that are designed to make landing easier are way simpler to fly than planes that don’t really have any aspects of design to make the process easier.

What Are The Hardest Planes To Fly For Beginner Pilots?

If you’re a beginner pilot and you’re trying to decide which plane you want to try to learn how to fly in, you should really consider some of the easiest planes to fly. At least to get you started so that you can get a feel for flying in general, an easy-to-fly plane is almost always better to learn in than one that’s tough to fly.

So if you want to learn how to fly, we recommend checking out our guides on the Easiest Planes To Fly and also the Best Planes For Beginners. That said, even if you don’t necessarily want to fly in the easiest planes out there, you should try to avoid the hardest ones to fly. In time, flying some of the aircraft listed below might be good to help expand your horizon and test your skills. But when it comes to learning how to fly, these are the ones you might want to steer clear of.

Here are the hardest planes to fly as a beginner pilot.

Cessna 150/152

We’re gonna be bold here and start with a crowd favorite, the Cessna 150/152. Sure these are technically two different planes, but they’re often referred to as the same one since they’re so similar. The reason why having this plane on the list of the hardest planes to fly is that it is often also touted as one of the easiest planes to fly (even on our own list!). But for two main reasons, it deserves a place on this list.

First and foremost, the Cessna 150/152 is a small plane with a tight cockpit. This makes it incredibly difficult (nearly impossible) for anyone that’s 6’-4” or taller to fly. Secondly, this plane only has a 100 - 110 hp engine, far less than other planes in its class. While this isn’t always bad, an underpowered plane can be particularly hard to fly if you’re an experienced pilot since it won’t be able to react and respond as you would hope.

Cessna 162 Skycatcher

Most people in the aviation world have heard of the Cessna 150/152 and of course the 170/172, but far fewer know of the one in the middle — the Cessna 162 Skycatcher. That’s because unlike the other two, the Skycatcher was never a great plane and had a lot of small issues that made it inexplicably hard to fly.

Cessna saved weight in the 162 by neglecting to add insulation. This leads to cold and noisy flights and also makes the plane too light. At its reduced weight, the Skycatcher is almost impossible to taxi in strong crosswinds. The flaps on the wings were also designed to be spring loaded and would get smacked up and down uncontrollably by the wind, making it nearly impossible to fly.

Luscombe Silvaire

The Silvaire from Luscombe is one of the most popular planes among private pilots and beginner pilots alike. This is especially true for those who buy their own planes since it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. But even though it’s so affordable and popular, it’s not exactly ever discussed as a plane that’s easy to fly.

The reason that the Silvaire is so hard to fly is mainly because it’s so hard to land. The landing gear on the Silvaire is far too narrow which reduces stability during landing. To compound this issue, the controls of the Silvaire are too touchy, too responsive. This usually isn’t a problem during flight, but as you’re trying to land and account for the narrow landing gear, the touchy controls make landing way more difficult.

What Is The Hardest Commercial Plane To Fly?

Just like some training planes above are known for being particularly difficult to fly, there have been some commercial planes that are notorious for being difficult to fly as well. These days, Boeing and Airbus dominate the commercial airline industry, and the vast majority of passenger and cargo jets are made by these companies. And these modern planes are so advanced and technological, that they’re easier to fly than ever.

So you won’t see any Boeing or Airbus planes on this list, but that’s not to say that all Boeing or Airbus planes are easy to fly! But that’s another story for another article. Here, we’re going to take a look at arguably the hardest commercial plane to fly, for one reason or another. So let’s dive in.

Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde

This might have been the one on your mind as you were reading this article — the famous Concorde commercial jet. The Concorde is of course famous for offering supersonic flight for passenger flights, operating at speeds exceeding twice the speed of sound. As you may have guessed, traveling at these speeds led to problems that made it hard to fly.

Traveling at supersonic speed while approaching the final destination required the pilot to greatly slow down and reach a specific speed and pitch required for the approach. The Concorde also uses a delta-wing design, which is comparable to what’s seen on a fighter jet. Planes with these wings fly completely different from standard airliners, and many pilots struggled to make the transition.

What Is The Hardest Plane To Fly In The World?

Now that you have an idea of some of the personal aircraft and commercial airliners that are hard to fly, it’s time to look at what many consider to be the hardest plane in the world to fly. Of course, there have been many, many airplanes in aviation history that are even harder to fly than what you’re about to read about. During the early days of aviation, the majority of planes were not only hard to fly, they were impossible.

Back in those days, new plane concepts and designs often left pilots with a better chance to never return than to make a safe flight. So we’re not talking about any of these historically bad planes. But rather a plane that is still in service today, but that almost anyone who flies it has the same feelings towards it — it is incredibly difficult to fly.

Without further ado, the hardest plane in the world to fly — the spy plane known as “Dragon Lady”, the Lockheed U-2.

Lockheed U-2 “Dragon Lady”

As one of the most advanced military aircraft in service by the United States, the Lockheed U-2 is irreplaceable. Its ability to carry out reconnaissance missions that no other aircraft on the planet can perform makes it a plane that cannot be retired or replaced, regardless of how hard it is to fly. There are so many reasons that this plane is notoriously difficult to fly, but we’ll stick to the highlights here.

First, the U-2 operates at 70,000 feet in the air to provide 24-hour intelligence gathering for the US military. At this altitude, the sky is always dark — even during the day — and the curvature of the Earth can start to be seen, making it even harder to keep your bearings. While flying, pilots also have to wear a spacesuit since the cabin is only partially pressurized and that height air is way too thin to breathe.

To really make it hard to fly, there is a tiny gap in the speed of the U-2 that’s safe to fly in at altitude. This gap is teetering right between its stall speed (under which it stops producing lift) and the speed of sound. So going too slow, the U-2 will stall and could become unrecoverable. Too fast, and the fuselage risks structural failure.

We could go on and on about this difficult to fly — yet absolutely incredible — airplane. But suffice it to say that although you might want the chance to fly a U-2 at least once, you’ll likely never want to fly one again!

Joe Haygood

Joe Haygood

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A royal amulet


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Humans and technology

Shanghai’s lockdown is giving China’s online grocery apps a second chance

Grocery delivery services became a lifeline for Shanghai residents, but can the industry only survive in extreme situations?

April 29, 2022
grocery service second chances concept
Ms Tech | Envato

Midnight, 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m.: these times are ingrained in Queeny Song’s mind. For over a week in April, the 24-year-old Shanghai resident had to get her phone out at these five points every day to refresh a different grocery delivery app in hopes of grabbing a hard-to-get delivery slot.

During Shanghai’s ongoing month-long lockdown, these online grocery apps have been a lifeline for stranded residents. Song says that about 60 to 70% of her groceries have been purchased through online apps since the lockdown began. Without them, she would have run out of food.

The Shanghai lockdown is the latest stage of a two-year roller-coaster ride for the online grocery industry in China. Its rise and fall and rise again has mirrored the tightening and loosening of China’s covid-19 restrictions: apps like Dingdong, Alibaba’s Hema, and Meituan’s Maicai have struggled whenever lockdowns are relaxed.

Now, as China continues with its zero-covid strategy, the harsh lockdown measures have given the industry another chance to shine after a year of disappointing business returns. Whether it continues to succeed when things are back to normal is another question.

The rise and fall of online grocers

Around 2015, Chinese tech companies, including Alibaba, started experimenting with ideas to incorporate grocery shopping into the country’s thriving e-commerce landscape. It wasn’t until 2018 and 2019 that the industry really began to take off, with dozens of new startups competing for attention and investments. But growth was modest; startup failures were common.

It was the first nationwide lockdown in China, in the first few months of 2020, that really supercharged the industry’s growth. As Chinese people first began to grapple with what it meant to be sheltering in place, they relied on these apps, most of which launched in 2018 and 2019, to have their supplies delivered.

It soon grew into one of the hottest new tech industries in China, with venture capital funding pouring in and tech giants like DiDi and Meituan eager to take a slice. A February 2021 McKinsey report predicted that “online grocery shopping will likely be one of the most contested and contentious consumer facing sectors in China in 2021.”

And contested it was, as players in the market were not afraid to spend: according to an anonymous executive at the now-defunct Chengxin Youxuan, the e-grocer arm of DiDi, quoted in the Chinese business publication Caixin, “The entire market was burning at least 10 billion yuan ($1.57 billion) every month.” In June 2021, startups Dingdong and MissFresh filed to go public in the United States on the same day, racing to be the first Chinese publicly traded online grocery company.

But things started to take a downturn last year. Despite the hype and money, these companies struggled to make a profit as lockdowns eased and people simply went back to shopping in person. What’s worse, they were caught in China’s new fight against antitrust behavior. The Chinese government was quick to impose fines and pen editorials questioning the value of the industry.

As a result, the once-promising startups and big tech companies decided to cut back on their expansion plans, implement massive layoffs, or outright file for bankruptcy. DiDi and, two successful tech companies that bet on online grocery as their new growth driver, decided to shut down those services. At least two more online grocery startups have closed their businesses in the last year.

The latest lockdowns are giving the industry a second chance. With other Chinese cities like Beijing and Hangzhou also facing imminent lockdowns, millions of people are once again downloading these apps and relying on them on a daily basis. In fact, Dingdong’s app rose to third place in the App Store’s free app chart in China in the beginning of April.

The daily battle

While the luckier Shanghai residents may receive one-off free grocery packages from their employers or local governments, most people, like Song, needed to figure out a way to buy their own groceries. Some residents formed neighborhood groups through messaging apps, collecting everyone’s order and bulk-buying directly from nearby farms or food factories.

But Song soon realized that buying groceries with all her neighbors means she didn’t get to make her own choices. She lives in an older residential neighborhood where over three-fourths of the people are seniors or families with children. While her neighbors are placing family-size orders for things like five pounds of pork, such purchases would take her forever to consume.

The only other option for her, then, is the grocery apps. She frantically refreshes Dingdong, Hema, and Meituan Maicai every day to get a slot.

But with the lockdown interrupting the supply chain for many goods, including groceries, even placing an order on those apps requires luck and dedication. Like Black Friday shoppers waiting to bust the store doors open, Shanghai residents are swarming onto the apps at the designated time to try to buy as much as they can before the stocks run out in seconds. It can be stressful and frustrating.

Li, a consultant in Shanghai who’s only using her surname because she wishes to stay anonymous, also got up early every morning for a week to try her luck with half a dozen different apps. But during the lockdown, she didn’t secure one successful order, while her mother, living under the same roof, managed to get three. There was one time when Li put hundreds of RMB worth of groceries into the shopping cart—yet when she came to the payment stage, the only thing left in stock was a bag of candies.

“Because of the explosive increase in Shanghai users’ demand, the purchase experience will certainly be different from how it was in ordinary times. The success rate for placing orders will be low,” the grocery app Dingdong said in an emailed response to MIT Technology Review. “In this situation, our product principle is to prioritize impartiality.” The company says that’s why it restocks at the same time every day and approves a random portion of the orders each time.

How the industry deals with these issues may determine what it looks like when life goes back to normal. Can it retain these new consumers once people are able to go to their nearby grocery stores again? It’s hard to say, but investors are no longer as optimistic as they were in 2020, and users are likely split.

Song says she will keep apps like Dingdong and JD on her phone, because she’s thankful that they have kept her and other people fed during a scary time.

Li, the other Shanghai resident, thinks differently. “It is still my second choice. I’m only shopping on them because I can’t in any other way,” she says. “After the pandemic, I’m sure I won’t use them anymore.”

Deep Dive

Humans and technology

The 1,000 Chinese SpaceX engineers who never existed

Social media is polluting society. Moderation alone won’t fix the problem

Companies already have the systems in place that are needed to evaluate their deeper impacts on the social fabric.

The fight for “Instagram face”

Meta banned filters that “encourage plastic surgery,” but a massive demand for beauty augmentation on social media is complicating matters.

How the false rumor of a Chinese coup went viral

Dissecting how Indian users and Falun Gong media accounts spread a bogus story far and wide on Twitter.

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Enrique Iglesias sues record label over streaming revenue

Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias on Wednesday accused his former label Universal of short-changing artists while benefitting from the soaring growth of streaming as he filed a lawsuit for breach of contract.

Enrique Iglesias sues record label over streaming revenue
Photo: AFP

“Universal has been systematically underpaying Iglesias' streaming royalties by calculating those royalties at a small fraction of the contractually required 50 percent royalty rate,” said the lawsuit filed in Miami, where Iglesias lives.

The lawsuit alleged that the 42-year-old heartthrob has lost millions of dollars “even though Iglesias has generated sales of a magnitude rarely attained in the music industry.”

Iglesias said that the Universal Music Group, which is the world's largest record label conglomerate, refused his requests to inspect its records.

The son of legendary Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias, Enrique has achieved a booming international career with his fusion of ballads, reggaeton and pop as well as his on-stage sex appeal.

READ ALSO: DNA test reveals Julio Iglesias has secret love child

He is among the few artists to achieve major hits in both Spanish and English, scoring major success with songs such as “Hero,” “Tonight (I'm Loving You)” and “Be With You.”

The boom in on-demand streaming services such as Spotify has rapidly transformed the music business, bringing solid growth to the industry for the first time in two decades.

Many artists have complained that they see little of the money, although they have generally aimed their fire at streaming companies rather than their own labels.

Universal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iglesias bolted Universal in 2015 when he signed to rival Sony Music.

James Sammataro, a lawyer for Iglesias, said that Universal had reaped profits at the expense of artists.

“Universal has wrongly insisted that artists like Enrique be paid for streams in the same manner as they are paid for physical records despite the fact that none of the attendant costs (production, distribution, inventory, losses) actually exist in the digital world,” Sammataro said.

“Artists, producers and songwriters should benefit from the reduced costs of streaming, not have their musical works spin unwarranted profits,” he said.

The complaint relates in part to streams of Iglesias' 2014 album “Sex and Love” which features the hit “Bailando,” which won three Latin Grammy Awards and was that year's most played song in both Mexico and Spain.

READ ALSO: Outrage over Enrique Iglesias music video ad


The Best Loan Underwriting Software

The analysation of the finances of  business along with a reason of borrowing by a banker or a lender is known as commercial loan underwriting

But the question arises how can the mundane manual process be deciphered into a reliable automated one, and can the loan process be automated to give a better and reliable output for the business?

The traditional lending practise required examining the borrowers background and financial state manually which was a root cause of many mishappenings in the loan disbursement.

But a lending software application helps in the loan origination and credit assessment requirement of the lenders to thereby increase the efficiency, decision making speed and productivity.

What is Decipher Underwriting Software?

Decipher Underwriting helps to ease down the manual underwriting process by automating every step to make better credit decisions and reduce risks.

The main focus is to increase productivity by reducing the manual work in all the areas of underwriting and viewing all information to increase the productivity. The prospectus gains a full view by the credit officers in context of making better decisions.

Facts on integrating the Commercial loan Software:

Lending for Commercial businesses is about producing the economic benefit by funding the enterprises, ensuring that the lender can make the profit and sustain the share value in the process. The manual tools for the same can result in poor underwriting standard, increased cost and inefficient time management.

The banks still use old manual paper based loan approval procedures that are now faulty due to enlarged customer base. This results in a faulty internal data management system, even spreadsheet results in cumbersome output for the most commonly used underwriting method since it was not designed for the same.

Loan decision mechanism:

The important step in loan decision is the collection of the financial and business related information from the customer and manual entry and reentry of the documents into the lender’s document can increase the chances of inaccurate data being recorded.

Thus Automation and introduction of Loan Decisioning software mitigates the inconsistency of collection of financial data and other related information. Application program interfaces (APIs) can help in digital onboarding of new client base and existing customer data straight to the lender’s loan origination platform.

Thus to mitigate the risk and improve the turnaround by automating credit risk results, the automated loan system software uses the same technique to apply the same criterion everytime and spots issues faster.


Niagara Needs Representation on Destination Canada's Board of Directors

It has been 713 days since Niagara was last represented on the Board of Directors for Destination Canada, which is our country’s federal tourism marketing organization. This is unacceptable for a region that is home to Canada’s top leisure tourism destination!
Today, I asked the government when they are going to appoint a Niagara candidate to the Destination Canada board. The NDP-Liberal government failed to answer my question. Please watch.


WCI, Inc
Oct. 20, 2021

Updated EEOC Q&As focus on employer vaccination requirements

Against the backdrop of an increasing number of employers requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated before working onsite in both the private and public sectors, the EEOC on October 13, 2021 updated its question-and-answer series on COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other equal employment opportunity laws. Updated information provided in Section K of the technical resource focuses on employer vaccination mandates, documentation requests, and permissible incentives.

ADA and Title VII overview. Under the ADA and Title VII, employers are not prohibited from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to the reasonable accommodation provisions of Title VII and the ADA and other EEO considerations. In some situations, Title VII and the ADA require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees who, due to a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, do not get vaccinated, unless providing an accommodation would pose an undue hardship to the employer’s business operations. The analysis for undue hardship depends on whether the accommodation is for a disability (including pregnancy-related conditions that constitute a disability) or for religion.

Disparate impact. As with other employment policies, employers with a vaccination requirement may be required to respond to allegations that the requirement has a disparate impact on, or disproportionately excludes, employees based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin under Title VII (or age under the ADEA). The EEOC thus suggests that employers keep in mind that “because some individuals or demographic groups may face barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.”

Disparate treatment. The federal antidiscrimination agency also warned that it would be unlawful to apply a vaccination requirement to employees in a way that treats them differently based on disability, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, or genetic information, unless the employer can point to a legitimate non-discriminatory reason.

Encouraging vaccination. Employers are permitted to give their employees and their family members information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. Employers are also allowed to work with local public health authorities, medical providers, or pharmacies to make vaccinations available for unvaccinated workers. Notably, the federal government is providing COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to everyone 12 years of age and older.

Transportation assistance. The agency also noted that employers may gather and disseminate information to employees on low-cost and no-cost transportation resources serving vaccination sites available in their community, and offer paid time-off for vaccination, particularly if transportation is not readily available outside regular work hours.

Accommodation requests. Employers should also provide the contact information of a management representative for employees who need to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious belief, practice, or observance, or to ensure nondiscrimination for an employee who is pregnant.

The ADA and employer information requests. Under the ADA, employers are required to maintain the confidentiality of employee medical information. The EEOC noted that, while EEO laws do not prevent employers from requiring that employees provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination, this information must be kept confidential and stored separately from the employee’s personnel files under the ADA.

But the inquiry about or request for documentation or other confirmation that an employee obtained a vaccination is not a question likely to disclose the existence of a disability, according to the EEOC. There are many reasons that an employee may not show documentation or other confirmation of vaccination besides having a disability. Thus, requesting documentation or other confirmation of vaccination is not a disability-related inquiry under the ADA, and related rules are not applicable.

Not vaccinated due to pregnancy. Where an employee seeks a vaccination exemption due to pregnancy, the employer must ensure that the employee is not being discriminated against compared to other employees similar in their ability or inability to work, according to the EEOC. This is a Title VII issue. Pregnant employees may be entitled to job modifications including:

  • Telework;
  • Changes to work schedules or assignments; and
  • Leave to the extent such modifications are provided for other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work.

The antidiscrimination agency also said employers should make sure that supervisors, managers, and HR personnel know how to handle such requests to avoid disparate treatment in violation of Title VII.

GINA and vaccination documentation. When employers require employees to show documentation or other confirmation of vaccination from a health care provider unaffiliated with the employer, such as the employee’s personal physician or other health care provider, a pharmacy, or a public health department, the employer is not using, acquiring, or disclosing genetic information and, thus, Title II of GINA is not implicated.

This is true even if the medical screening questions that must be asked before vaccination include questions about genetic information, because documentation or other confirmation of vaccination would not reveal genetic information, according to the EEOC. Title II of GINA does not prohibit an employee’s own health care provider from asking questions about genetic information—the prohibition applies only to the employer or its agent.

Employer vaccination incentives. The ADA does not limit the incentives that employers may offer to encourage employees to voluntarily receive a COVID-19 vaccination, or to provide confirmation of vaccination, when the health care provider administering a COVID-19 vaccine is not the employer or its agent. However, when the vaccination is administered by the employer or its agent, the ADA’s rules on disability-related inquiries apply, and the value of the incentive may not be so substantial as to be coercive.

When the employer or its agent administers a COVID-19 vaccine, the value of the incentive, including both rewards and penalties, may not be so substantial as to be coercive. Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, the EEOC explained that a very large incentive might make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information to their employers or their agents.

Under GINA. Similarly, GINA does not limit the incentives that an employer may offer to employees to encourage them or their family members to get vaccinated or provide confirmation of vaccination when the health care provider administering the vaccine is not the employer or its agent. Moreover, when an employer asks an employee for vaccination documentation for the employee or their family members, it is not an unlawful request for genetic information under GINA because the fact that someone received a vaccination is not information about the manifestation of a disease or disorder in a family member, nor is it any other form of genetic information. As a result, GINA’s restrictions on employers acquiring genetic information (including those prohibiting incentives in exchange for genetic information) do not apply.

Source: Written by Pamela Wolf, J.D.


Amy Oshier

Professional Experience

2021 to present: Health and Medical Reporter, WINK News. Previously worked at WFLA in Tampa, WBBH in Fort Myers, and SNN in Sarasota. Also hosted a weekly TV program for the local USA Today Network, was a syndicated health reporter and anchor and traveled the world as a business aviation reporter.

Awards & Recognition

Earned several awards including an Edward R. Murrow, Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Working out, dining out, reading, entertaining, exploring new places and meeting new people.

Bachelor of science in telecommunication from the University of Florida.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The beautiful palms, rich history and friendly people.

Melbourne, Florida

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Height and setback regulations for certain buildings containing residences

In R8, R9 and R10 Districts, and in C1-7, C1-8, C1-9, C2-7 and C2-8 Districts, the City Planning Commission may permit modifications of height and setback regulations for developments or enlargements containing residences, provided the following findings are made:

(a)        that the resulting site plan affords better placement of the buildings on the zoning lot with improved arrangement of open space and improved access of light and air for the dwelling units; and

(b)        that the site is adjacent to or opposite a permanent space comprising an area of at least three acres such as a park, public place, waterfront, wharf property, wharves or docks, and that the resulting placement of the buildings will not unduly obstruct access of light and air in the street or on adjacent zoning lots.

The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions or safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area.

However, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to Quality Housing buildings.