ed POSTPONED: Transitional Justice in Ukraine: What Might it Look Like? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2020 10:10:01 +0000 Invitation Only Research Event 17 March 2020 - 9:30am to 1:00pm Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE Agendapdf | 107.46 KB Event participants Kirsty Brimelow QC, Barrister, Doughty Street ChambersMiles Jackson, Associate Professor of Law, University of OxfordAnton Korynevych, Representative of the President of Ukraine for CrimeaOleksandra Matviychuk, Head of the Board, Centre for Civil LibertiesTaras Tsymbrivksyy, Head, USAID Human Rights in Action Program; Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union Still grappling with the war in the east and the occupation of Crimea, Ukraine’s new leadership has announced its intention to develop its transitional justice infrastructure to respond to the human rights violations arising from Russia’s aggression. Numerous reports (not least ones by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine) list persecutions, illegal detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and killings among the crimes perpetrated in Crimea and parts of occupied Donbas. As Ukraine has only just started developing its transitional justice roadmap, this event will seek to discuss viable initial approaches, such as a ‘truth-telling commission’ or amnesties. The panellists will also discuss the role for civil society and those directly affected by hostilities in the transitional justice process. PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Event attributes Chatham House Rule Department/project Russia and Eurasia Programme, Ukraine Forum Anna Morgan Administrator, Ukraine Forum +44 (0)20 7389 3274 Email Full Article
ed POSTPONED: Russia in MENA: An Update By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 06 Mar 2020 17:45:01 +0000 Invitation Only Research Event 26 March 2020 - 9:30am to 11:00am Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE Event participants Nikolay Kozhanov, Research Associate Professor, Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University; Consulting Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House Chair: Sanam Vakil, Senior Research Fellow, Project Director, Future Dynamics of the Gulf, Middle East & North Africa Programme, Chatham House Russia’s Middle East policy is driven by a complex mixture of traditional factors (such as the ongoing confrontation with the West) and new trends. The Kremlin is keen to maintain its position as an influential external broker. However, it is not confident Russia would be able to respond effectively if forced into a reactive mode by other regional players. The Kremlin therefore seeks to retain initiative and shape the agenda according to its needs and resources. This makes prediction of Moscow’s next moves in the region a challenging, but not impossible, task.Nikolay Kozhanov will offer remarks on the changes that have taken place in Russia’s strategy since the publication of his research paper Russian Policy Across the Middle East: Motivations and Methods (2018).PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Event attributes Chatham House Rule Department/project Middle East and North Africa Programme Anna Morgan Administrator, Ukraine Forum +44 (0)20 7389 3274 Email Full Article
ed Virtual Roundtable: Re-integration or Dis-integration: What Does the Future Hold for Occupied Donbas? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2020 22:55:01 +0000 Invitation Only Research Event 28 April 2020 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm Event participants Paul D’anieri, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, University of California, RiversideVlad Mykhnenko, Associate Professor of Sustainable Urban Development, St Peter’s College, University of OxfordChair: Orysia Lutsevych, Research Fellow and Manager, Ukraine Forum, Chatham House The armed conflict in Donbas has now entered its seventh year. President Zelenskyy, who came to power in May 2019, promised to end the war with Russia and bring peace to Ukraine.Since assuming office, Zelenskyy has managed to revive the Normandy Format talks, complete military disengagement at three points along the line of contact and negotiate the release of over a hundred Ukrainians held as prisoners of war in Russia. However, ceasefire violations continue to occur frequently.Looking at the origins of the armed conflict in Donbas and the region’s economic role in Ukraine’s economy, this event discusses the prospects for conflict resolution. Do the recent events signify an opportunity for peace? Does Zelenskyy have a viable plan for re-integrating Donbas or will the region be cut off from mainland Ukraine for the foreseeable future?The speakers assess the strategy and track record of the Ukrainian government and its Western allies in bringing parts of the occupied Donbas under Kyiv’s control. They also review possible policy implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the conflict. Department/project Russia and Eurasia Programme, Ukraine Forum Anna Morgan Administrator, Ukraine Forum +44 (0)20 7389 3274 Email Full Article
ed ICC’s Influence Can Be Strengthened by Ukraine’s Case By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:27:35 +0000 22 April 2020 Kateryna Busol Robert Bosch Stiftung Academy Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme @KaterynaBusol LinkedIn Second in a two-part series analysing why Ukraine’s attempts at international justice are worth taking - and outlining how the impact goes far beyond just the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Part two examines Ukraine’s appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek individual criminal responsibility of the alleged perpetrators of the gravest crimes in occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine. 2020-04-23-Ukraine-Anniversary-Conflict Marking the Day of The National Flag of Ukraine, a day before celebrations of the anniversary of state independence. Photo by ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images. The recognition by Ukraine of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider grave crimes allegedly perpetrated in its territory has led to the ICC Prosecutor’s preliminary examination identifying a wave of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.There are claims of persecution, forced conscription, deportation, sham trials, enforced disappearances, and property seizure - in Crimea. As well as killings, torture, inhuman treatment, sexual violence, and indiscriminate shelling - in Donbas. The court now needs to decide whether to open a full investigation which could lead to charges against specific individuals, as in the trial currently taking place in the Netherlands over MH-17.However, the ICC does remain a court of last resort as Ukraine retains the principal power to prosecute grave violations perpetrated in its eastern regions and Crimea, with the court only stepping in if Ukraine (or another court with jurisdiction) is either unwilling or unable to do so.As the evidence mounts up, Ukrainian investigators, prosecutors and judges are becoming more open to cooperation with foreign experts, law firms, human rights NGOs and younger domestic professionals - a significant proportion of whom are women.Transformation shows determinationThis is an unusual shift, given the rigid hierarchical nature of post-Soviet institutions, with elderly males in most of the top positions. The transformation shows the determination to see perpetrators of crimes in Crimea and Donbas tried by the ICC, with joint professional development trainings and joint communications about the alleged crimes.Ukraine has also been strengthening its institutions. The Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has been improving quality control of its war crime proceedings, and has taken a strong pro-ICC stance. The Office of the Prosecutor General established a special department to monitor the armed conflict proceedings, and two specialised war crime units have been formed in Donbas.Although too early to assess progress - given recent prosecution reform and that much-needed legislation on international crimes is still pending – these are promising signs of Ukraine’s intent to take a specialised approach to armed conflict violations. And Ukrainian civil society organisations are also playing a more important role, documenting alleged crimes and sending evidence to the ICC.Any intervention by the ICC in Ukraine also has a considerable impact on the wider dynamics of addressing international crimes, further extending the court’s reach beyond a focus on Africa which has attracted widespread criticism since it began in 2002.The ICC has already opened investigations in Georgia, Bangladesh/Myanmar, and Afghanistan, with preliminary examinations in Colombia, Venezuela, Iraq/UK, Palestine, and The Philippines. But the Ukrainian case would further develop the European subtleties of the court’s jurisprudence.Although the ICC is currently investigating the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, the active phase of that armed conflict lasted for just five days whereas Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine has been ongoing for the six years. The temporal difference in no way diminishes the suffering of victims and the necessity for the proper investigation, prosecution and compensation in the Georgian context.And yet, going by even the preliminary findings of the ICC prosecutor, the spectrum of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly perpetrated in Ukraine is much wider. Some incidents, such as the illegal construction of the Crimean Bridge, is an amalgam of the violations against property, cultural heritage and the environment. Cumulatively, the Ukrainian and Georgian cases would substantially contribute to the development of the court’s emerging European lenses.The Russia-Ukraine armed conflict is also the first instance of armed hostilities of such magnitude and duration in Europe since World War II and the Yugoslav Wars. The ICC’s readiness to take on such geopolitically challenging cases which leave itself open to attack will be tested.But by examining new contexts - including Ukraine - the ICC would develop a more layered reading of the nature and scope of the crimes it works on. For example, alleged indoctrination and use of children by armed groups in eastern Ukraine is likely to differ from the known practices of abducting and recruiting child soldiers in Africa.Investigating evidence of Russia’s persecution of pro-Ukrainian activists - forcing them out of Crimea - coupled with the creation of favourable conditions for Russian citizens to relocate to Crimea could lead to proving the existence of a policy of mass colonisation of the peninsula - adding new layers to the court’s jurisprudence on population displacement. And previously under-prosecuted crimes may come to the fore, such as attacks on cultural property or causing the destruction of the environment.Although the ICC proceedings on Ukraine – along with those being held by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - are unlikely to bring immediate results, Ukraine has developed an international adjudication strategy based on the available viable options and what can be practically delivered.The simple act of a reputed international court outlining Russia’s alleged violations in Crimea and Donbas and naming those individually responsible would be an impactful achievement in itself, regardless of whether Russia pays any attention or compensation.And any international judgments or those of domestic courts such as the Dutch MH-17 proceedings and Russia’s response - predicted to be non-compliance - is an important argument for continuing sanctions against Russia over its conduct in Ukraine.The mutually reinforcing effect of both the Crimea and Donbas proceedings within Ukraine and at international courts should not be underestimated. These investigations into war crimes, terrorism and human rights issues are deeply relevant - not only for the conflict itself, but also for the development of international law.Part One of this series assesses Ukraine’s efforts to hold Russia accountable as a state at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Full Article
ed Nuclear Tensions Must Not Be Sidelined During Coronavirus By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 11:18:35 +0000 1 May 2020 Ana Alecsandru Research Assistant, International Security Programme @anaalecs LinkedIn Although the pandemic means the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference (RevCon) is postponed, the delay could be an opportunity to better the health of the NPT regime. 2020-05-01-Iran-Peace-Nuclear Painted stairs in Tehran, Iran symbolizing hope. Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images. Despite face-to-face diplomatic meetings being increasingly rare during the current disruption, COVID-19 will ultimately force a redefinition of national security and defence spending priorities, and this could provide the possibility of an improved political climate at RevCon when it happens in 2021.With US presidential elections due in November and a gradual engagement growing between the EU and Iran, there could be a new context for more cooperation between states by 2021. Two key areas of focus over the coming months will be the arms control talks between the United States and Russia, and Iran’s compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.It is too early to discern the medium- and longer-term consequences of COVID-19 for defence ministries, but a greater focus on societal resilience and reinvigorating economic productivity will likely undercut the rationale for expensive nuclear modernization.Therefore, extending the current New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) would be the best, most practical option to give both Russia and the United States time to explore more ambitious multilateral arms control measures, while allowing their current focus to remain on the pandemic and economic relief.Continuing distrustBut with the current treaty — which limits nuclear warheads, missiles, bombers, and launchers — due to expire in February 2021, the continuing distrust between the United States and Russia makes this extension hard to achieve, and a follow-on treaty even less likely.Prospects for future bilateral negotiations are hindered by President Donald Trump’s vision for a trilateral arms control initiative involving both China and Russia. But China opposes this on the grounds that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than that of the two others.While there appears to be agreement that the nuclear arsenals of China, France, and the UK (the NPT nuclear-weapons states) and those of the states outside the treaty (India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel) will all have to be taken into account going forward, a practical mechanism for doing so proves elusive.If Joe Biden wins the US presidency he seems likely to pursue an extension of the New START treaty and could also prevent a withdrawal from the Open Skies treaty, the latest arms control agreement targeted by the Trump administration.Under a Biden administration, the United States would also probably re-join the JCPOA, provided Tehran returned to strict compliance with the deal. Biden could even use the team that negotiated the Iran deal to advance the goal of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.For an NPT regime already confronted by a series of longstanding divergences, it is essential that Iran remains a signatory especially as tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated recently — due to the Qassim Suleimani assassination and the recent claim by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to have successfully placed the country’s first military satellite into orbit.This announcement raised red flags among experts about whether Iran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles due to the dual-use nature of space technology. The satellite launch — deeply troubling for Iran’s neighbours and the EU countries — may strengthen the US argument that it is a cover for the development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.However, as with many other countries, Iran is struggling with a severe coronavirus crisis and will be pouring its scientific expertise and funds into that rather than other efforts — including the nuclear programme.Those European countries supporting the trading mechanism INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) for sending humanitarian goods into Iran could use this crisis to encourage Iran to remain in compliance with the JCPOA and its NPT obligations.France, Germany and the UK (the E3) have already successfully concluded the first transaction, which was to facilitate the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran. But the recent Iranian escalatory steps will most certainly place a strain on the preservation of this arrangement.COVID-19 might have delayed Iran’s next breach of the 2015 nuclear agreement but Tehran will inevitably seek to strengthen its hand before any potential negotiations with the United States after the presidential elections.As frosty US-Iranian relations — exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic — prevent diplomatic negotiations, this constructive engagement between the E3 and Iran might prove instrumental in reviving the JCPOA and ensuring Iran stays committed to both nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.While countries focus their efforts on tackling the coronavirus pandemic, it is understandable resources may be limited for other global challenges, such as the increasing risk of nuclear weapons use across several regions.But the potential ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis for the NPT regime are profound. Ongoing tensions between the nuclear-armed states must not be ignored while the world’s focus is elsewhere, and the nuclear community should continue to work together to progress nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, building bridges of cooperation and trust that can long outlast the pandemic. Full Article
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ed Editing the bible By kolembo.wordpress.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:40:22 +0000 We’ve all seen them, Womens circle knitting on, Saturday, Mens having breakfast to learn, How to lead, Ever been inside a church, I mean inside? You know the ones; Don’t Talk on the phone when you’re, Writing notes, Don’t come in late when Next door, Looking over the shoulder of The fat woman in […] Full Article Poetry poem poetry religion
ed “Black Boys on Mopeds” By kolembo.wordpress.com Published On :: Wed, 24 May 2017 01:10:37 +0000 “Black Boys On Mopeds” Margaret Thatcher on TV Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing It seems strange that she should be offended The same orders are given by her I’ve said this before now You said I was childish and you’ll say it now “Remember what I told you If they hated […] Full Article Poetry capitalism inspiration music O'Conner poem politics Republicans sinead songwriter talent Tory
ed Buy Legal Weed Online USA By investing.96.lt Published On :: Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:49:03 UTC We only sell high-quality marijuana which is approved by the authorities taking care of the medical sector. The medical marijuana bought from us will never land you in trouble and you will receive your order on time and in a discrete way. Full Article News
ed Online drivers ed Texas By investing.96.lt Published On :: Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:01:53 UTC Go At Your Own Pace ? Online drivers ed Texas classes are organized to enable understudies to for the most part go at their own particular pace. The course won?t enable you to just blow through it in multi-day, yet you do get the chance to set your own timetable and finish the course at whatever point you are rationally and physically prepared to absorb the material. Full Article News
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ed Order Management Software in Ahmedabad By investing.96.lt Published On :: Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:05:38 UTC Salesfundaa is award-winning Order Management Software and Order Management Software company in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, India. We are providing cloud-based oredr management solution optimizes costs, dispatching, scheduling and reporting. Full Article News
ed Unlocking Finance for Clean Energy: The Need for 'Investment Grade' Policy By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mon, 09 May 2011 07:50:50 +0000 1 December 2009 Kirsty Hamilton Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme LinkedIn As the international community looks to the period beyond the UN Copenhagen agreements on climate change, attention is focusing on the finance for implementing global emissions reductions on the ground. The requirement for significantly scaled-up investment into the solutions to climate change is a central issue, often characterized as investment flows into 'low carbon technologies'.This paper draws on five years of insights from mainstream financiers leading the exponential growth in renewable energy investment, and key issues for policy-makers seeking to foster conditions for even greater investment are identified. Related documents Programme Paper - Unlocking Finance for Clean Energypdf | 320.15 KB Department/project Energy, Environment and Resources Programme Full Article
ed UK Unplugged? The Impacts of Brexit on Energy and Climate Policy By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Wed, 25 May 2016 10:43:26 +0000 26 May 2016 In the field of energy and climate change policy, remaining in the EU offers the best balance of policy options for Britain’s national interests. Download PDF Antony Froggatt Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme LinkedIn Thomas Raines Director, Europe Programme @TomHRaines Google Scholar Shane TomlinsonSenior Associate, E3G; Former Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House 2016-05-26-uk-unplugged-brexit-energy.jpg A line of electricity pylons stretches beyond fields of rapeseed near Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire, on 27 April 2015. Photo: Getty Images. SummaryOver the last 30 years the EU has played a central role in addressing the competitiveness, security and climate dimensions of energy policy among its member states. The UK has been critical in driving forward integration of the European energy market, and has been a strong advocate of liberalized energy markets and some climate change mitigation policies.If, at the June 2016 referendum, the UK does vote to leave the EU, energy and climate policy will be part of the overall package of issues to be negotiated, as it is unlikely that each sector will be treated separately. The model of relations for energy and climate may well be determined by political and public sentiment on higher-profile issues such as freedom of movement, rather than by what is best for the UK in these policy areas.The UK is increasingly reliant on imports, including from and through continental Europe, and its energy market is deeply integrated with that of its European neighbours. As a growing share of the UK’s electricity is exchanged with EU partners, it would be neither possible nor desirable to ‘unplug’ the UK from Europe’s energy networks. A degree of continued adherence to EU market, environmental and governance rules would be inevitable.This paper reviews the risks and trade-offs associated with five possible options for a post-exit relationship. Of these, the Norway or the Energy Community models would be the least disruptive, enabling continuity in energy market access, regulatory frameworks and investment; however, both would come at the cost of accepting the vast majority of legislation while relinquishing any say in its creation. The UK would thus have less, rather than more, sovereignty over energy policy.The Switzerland, the Canada and the WTO models offer the possibility of greater sovereignty in a number of areas, such as buildings and infrastructure standards as well as state aid. None the less, each would entail higher risks, with greater uncertainty over market access, investment and electricity prices. These models would reduce or even eliminate the UK’s contribution to the EU budget, but would also limit or cut off access to EU funding mechanisms.All five Brexit models would undermine the UK’s influence in international energy and climate diplomacy. The UK would no longer play any direct role in shaping the climate and energy policies of its EU neighbours, at a time when the EU’s proposed Energy Union initiatives offer the prospect of a more integrated and effective European energy sector. A decision to leave the EU would make it easier for a future UK government to change direction on climate policy, since only a change in domestic legislation would be required.‘Brexit’ could affect the balance of energy policy among the remaining member states. In its absence, the centre of gravity for EU energy policy might shift away from market mechanisms and result in weaker collective action on greenhouse gas reduction targets.In the field of energy and climate change policy, remaining in the EU offers the best balance of policy options for Britain’s national interests: the UK would continue to benefit from the integrated energy market, while maintaining influence over its direction and minimizing uncertainty for crucial investment. Department/project Europe Programme, UK-EU27 Energy Cooperation, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme Full Article
ed ‘I Spy’ oversized denim and jumpers - Lila Ike opts to mute sex appeal in new video By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 00:24:29 -0500 Lila Iké’s latest single, ‘ I Spy’, is flirty and playful with a sultry tone. It’s the kind of song record labels in decades past would compulsorily conflate with bubblegum pop princess images of lollipops, pigtails, ribbons, and skirts with... Full Article
ed Marvia Providence ‘Anointed’ for ministry - Offers ‘Bible pull up and come again’ entertainment to gospel audiences By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 00:23:57 -0500 Just the mention of the name Marvia Providence sends a tingle to the toes and, immediately, feet start tapping and bodies begin swaying. Before you know it, all the ‘warriors’ – prayer and otherwise – are in full flight. That’s the effect of the... Full Article
ed Inner Circle gives thanks for Jacob Miller on his birthday - Singer would have caused ‘problem’ at King’s House, says former bandmate By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:19:16 -0500 Long before the existence of the Internet and going viral was a thing, reggae singer Jacob Miller, back in the ‘70s, coined a term that went viral – under heavy manners. Ian Lewis of Inner Circle band, the Bad Boys of Reggae, recalled that his... Full Article
ed JCDC weighs options amid COVID-19 pause - 230 entries received for Festival Song Competition By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:07:52 -0500 By the month of May in any given year, the many and varied events and competitions staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) islandwide would have been in high gear. Each year the JCDC rolls out its much-anticipated menu board... Full Article
ed #WeAreInThisTogether against COVID-19 - Bay-C, ListenMiNews, Red Cross collaborate on anti-stigma music video By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 23:07:39 -0500 IN AN effort to alleviate misconceptions and misinterpretations of our current COVID-19 reality, and to create the idea that human beings deserve respect, especially when they are ill, ListenMi News has collaborated with the International... Full Article
ed 'My Boy Lollipop' singer Millie Small will be sorely missed By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 12:07:31 -0500 There has been an outpouring of grief following the death of legendary Jamaican singer Millicent Dolly May Small, popularly known as Millie Small. She died in the United Kingdom today at the age of 73 after suffering a stroke. The voice... Full Article
ed Collab shows we are one Caribbean - ‘We Got This’ presents a united regional front against COVID-19 By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:08:53 -0500 WHAT STARTED as an idea of two Barbadians – Ian Webster and Cheyne Jones – transformed into We Got This, a song which proved enough to stir the collective imagination of 25 recording artistes from 14 countries across the region, disseminating the... Full Article
ed Diel gets booked to serenade mothers - Artiste puts together personalised ‘Majesty’ packages By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 00:06:10 -0500 It’s not news that the current fight against COVID-19 has overshadowed plans of artistes worldwide, having impacted some of their biggest stages and platforms with the cancellation of not only large-scale events but private ones as well. Birthday... Full Article
ed Kingston meets MoBay for Mother’s Day concert - ‘Enchanting Evening of Music’ planned By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 00:06:41 -0500 Despite its best efforts, COVID-19 will not be allowed to steal the joy of Mother’s Day this year. An array of the island’s top singers and musicians have pledged to infuse the accustomed specialness into the day dedicated to mothers with a concert... Full Article
ed Something Extra | Wednesday By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:06:36 -0500 Since this week would have been carnival week in Jamaica, we are taking you back to the mecca, Trinidad and Tobago, where just a few months ago, before the pandemic, the region’s local designers, musicians and the revellers were on show. The... Full Article
ed Something Extra | Wednesday By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 00:13:05 -0500 The fourth in the series of the musical showcase Sunday Live, powered by Sagicor, was held on Sunday, April 19 at Pier One on the Waterfront and featured some of Jamaica’s top up-and-coming talents. The series, which is the brainchild of... Full Article
ed Something Extra | Wednesday By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:19:40 -0500 Sunday Live continues to showcase the musical prowess of some of Jamaica’s finest talent, and this past Sunday, April 26, the event featured songstress Shuga and reggae bands Earth Kry and TennShann Invasion. Now, with five episodes under its belt... Full Article
ed Something Extra | Wednesday By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:11:37 -0500 The Sunday Live stage continues to showcase some of Jamaica’s talented musicians, and on Sunday, May 3, up-and-coming singer Yeza; and singer, drummer and percussionist Roots Percussionist took centre stage and delivered powerful performances to... Full Article
ed Mark Ricketts | A nation with a capacity for caring, but much more is needed By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:25:29 -0500 The global pandemic is real, with almost 8,000 deaths worldwide and nearly 200,000 persons having contracted the virus in 155 affected countries. What is particularly comforting for this country, amid pain and the not knowing, is the bedside and... Full Article
ed Colin Steer | Cooperation, creativity and challenges in education amid COVID-19 By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:10:43 -0500 Public reaction to the initial threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was predictably mixed. While international news of the contagion across continents helped people to appreciate that this was not restricted to a particular region, not many people... Full Article
ed Norris McDonald | Coronavirus, faith-based medicine and quackery By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 19 Apr 2020 00:16:35 -0500 Four companies involved in one of America’s “largest price-fixing cases” are now behind the anti-malaria drug touted by Donald ‘The Great Impeached’ Trump as a snake-oil, cure-all treatment for COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus. Several... Full Article
ed M. Sevala Naik | India and Jamaica: United in combating COVID-19 By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 00:11:35 -0500 The global COVID-19 spread has gone from bad to worse, with over 3.2 million confirmed cases and close to 250,000 deaths, not only has this pandemic claimed innumerable lives, it has also destabilised economies by freezing trade and other economic... Full Article
ed Ja’s women have combated and won in business By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:16:48 -0500 At age 13, Nadeen Matthews Blair, chief executive officer of the NCB Foundation, challenged the tide to prove to a guidance counsellor at her United States-based school, that black girls can overcome all odds to become powerful leaders. Matthews... Full Article
ed Island Wedding: A racing romance all the way to ‘I do’ By jamaica-gleaner.com Published On :: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 00:20:19 -0500 Famous American poet and singer Maya Angelou shared this about matters pertaining to the heart: “Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” What started out as an... Full Article
ed Tacrolimus-Induced BMP/SMAD Signaling Associates With Metabolic Stress-Activated FOXO1 to Trigger {beta}-Cell Failure By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-01-20T12:00:26-08:00 Active maintenance of β-cell identity through fine-tuned regulation of key transcription factors ensures β-cell function. Tacrolimus, a widely used immunosuppressant, accelerates onset of diabetes after organ transplantation, but underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here we show that tacrolimus induces loss of human β-cell maturity and β-cell failure through activation of the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway when administered under mild metabolic stress conditions. Tacrolimus-induced phosphorylated SMAD1/5 acts in synergy with metabolic stress–activated FOXO1 through formation of a complex. This interaction is associated with reduced expression of the key β-cell transcription factor MAFA and abolished insulin secretion, both in vitro in primary human islets and in vivo in human islets transplanted into high-fat diet–fed mice. Pharmacological inhibition of BMP signaling protects human β-cells from tacrolimus-induced β-cell dysfunction in vitro. Furthermore, we confirm that BMP/SMAD signaling is activated in protocol pancreas allograft biopsies from recipients on tacrolimus. To conclude, we propose a novel mechanism underlying the diabetogenicity of tacrolimus in primary human β-cells. This insight could lead to new treatment strategies for new-onset diabetes and may have implications for other forms of diabetes. Full Article
ed HB-EGF Signaling Is Required for Glucose-Induced Pancreatic {beta}-Cell Proliferation in Rats By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:30-08:00 The molecular mechanisms of β-cell compensation to metabolic stress are poorly understood. We previously observed that nutrient-induced β-cell proliferation in rats is dependent on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the EGFR ligand heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in the β-cell proliferative response to glucose, a β-cell mitogen and key regulator of β-cell mass in response to increased insulin demand. We show that exposure of isolated rat and human islets to HB-EGF stimulates β-cell proliferation. In rat islets, inhibition of EGFR or HB-EGF blocks the proliferative response not only to HB-EGF but also to glucose. Furthermore, knockdown of HB-EGF in rat islets blocks β-cell proliferation in response to glucose ex vivo and in vivo in transplanted glucose-infused rats. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that HB-EGF mRNA levels are increased in β-cells in response to glucose in a carbohydrate-response element–binding protein (ChREBP)–dependent manner. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation studies identified ChREBP binding sites in proximity to the HB-EGF gene. Finally, inhibition of Src family kinases, known to be involved in HB-EGF processing, abrogated glucose-induced β-cell proliferation. Our findings identify a novel glucose/HB-EGF/EGFR axis implicated in β-cell compensation to increased metabolic demand. Full Article
ed PRMT1 Is Required for the Maintenance of Mature {beta}-Cell Identity By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-20T11:55:30-08:00 Loss of functional β-cell mass is an essential feature of type 2 diabetes, and maintaining mature β-cell identity is important for preserving a functional β-cell mass. However, it is unclear how β-cells achieve and maintain their mature identity. Here we demonstrate a novel function of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in maintaining mature β-cell identity. Prmt1 knockout in fetal and adult β-cells induced diabetes, which was aggravated by high-fat diet–induced metabolic stress. Deletion of Prmt1 in adult β-cells resulted in the immediate loss of histone H4 arginine 3 asymmetric dimethylation (H4R3me2a) and the subsequent loss of β-cell identity. The expression levels of genes involved in mature β-cell function and identity were robustly downregulated as soon as Prmt1 deletion was induced in adult β-cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing analyses revealed that PRMT1-dependent H4R3me2a increases chromatin accessibility at the binding sites for CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and β-cell transcription factors. In addition, PRMT1-dependent open chromatin regions may show an association with the risk of diabetes in humans. Together, our results indicate that PRMT1 plays an essential role in maintaining β-cell identity by regulating chromatin accessibility. Full Article
ed Insulin-Deficient Diabetic Condition Upregulates the Insulin-Secreting Capacity of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Endocrine Progenitor Cells After Implantation in Mice By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:28-07:00 The host environment is a crucial factor for considering the transplant of stem cell–derived immature pancreatic cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. Here, we investigated the effect of insulin (INS)-deficient diabetes on the fate of immature pancreatic endocrine cell grafts and the underlying mechanisms. Human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived pancreatic endocrine progenitor cells (EPCs), which contained a high proportion of chromogranin A+ NK6 homeobox 1+ cells and very few INS+ cells, were used. When the EPCs were implanted under the kidney capsule in immunodeficient mice, INS-deficient diabetes accelerated increase in plasma human C-peptide, a marker of graft-derived INS secretion. The acceleration was suppressed by INS infusion but not affected by partial attenuation of hyperglycemia by dapagliflozin, an INS-independent glucose-lowering agent. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that the grafts from diabetic mice contained more endocrine cells including proliferative INS-producing cells compared with that from nondiabetic mice, despite no difference in whole graft mass between the two groups. These data suggest that INS-deficient diabetes upregulates the INS-secreting capacity of EPC grafts by increasing the number of endocrine cells including INS-producing cells without changing the graft mass. These findings provide useful insights into postoperative diabetic care for cell therapy using stem cell–derived pancreatic cells. Full Article
ed Pancreas Pathology of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) in Patients and in a LADA Rat Model Compared With Type 1 Diabetes By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-20T11:50:28-07:00 Approximately 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes suffer from latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). This study provides a systematic assessment of the pathology of the endocrine pancreas of patients with LADA and for comparison in a first rat model mimicking the characteristics of patients with LADA. Islets in human and rat pancreases were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for immune cell infiltrate composition, by in situ RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR of laser microdissected islets for gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL) 10, and the apoptosis markers caspase 3 and TUNEL as well as insulin. Human and rat LADA pancreases showed differences in areas of the pancreas with respect to immune cell infiltration and a changed ratio between the number of macrophages and CD8 T cells toward macrophages in the islet infiltrate. Gene expression analyses revealed a changed ratio due to an increase of IL-1β and a decrease of tumor necrosis factor-α. IL-10, PCNA, and insulin expression were increased in the LADA situation, whereas caspase 3 gene expression was reduced. The analyses into the underlying pathology in human as well as rat LADA pancreases provided identical results, allowing the conclusion that LADA is a milder form of autoimmune diabetes in patients of an advanced age. Full Article
ed Predicting the Braves' Opening Day roster By mlb.mlb.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:16:51 EDT At some point over the next six weeks, injuries, improvement or regression will inevitably alter the plan nearly every Major League club brings into Spring Training. The Braves must decide exactly how to round out their rotation and bullpen, but for now it looks like they won't have any position-player battles. Here's the first prediction of how Atlanta's Opening Day roster might look. Full Article
ed Freeman pleased with Braves' offseason deals By mlb.mlb.com Published On :: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:17:17 EDT Freddie Freeman spent the offseason sharing excitement about the possibility that Josh Donaldson would not end up being the Braves' only significant offseason addition. Full Article
ed Markakis enjoys reaping rewards of dedication By mlb.mlb.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Feb 2019 16:07:38 EDT Braves manager Brian Snitker joked that he could almost detect a smile as he shared a phone conversation with Nick Markakis after the stoic outfielder re-signed with the club in January. Snitker and others actually saw that smile on Tuesday morning, when Markakis reported to Spring Training to begin his fifth season with the Braves and attempt to push the club past the rebuild he positively enriched through his leadership. Full Article
ed Predicting O's Opening Day roster By mlb.mlb.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:56:25 EDT Here's an early look at how the Orioles' 25-man roster could shape up on Opening Day. Full Article
