University of London

Returning a 170-year-old preserved lizard to Jamaica is a step toward redressing colonial harms

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Lunedì, Giugno 3, 2024
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In April 2024, scientists from the Natural History Museum of Jamaica and The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus accepted a very rare and historic specimen: a 16-inch lizard called the Jamaican giant galliwasp (Celestus occiduus).

Key Points: 
  • In April 2024, scientists from the Natural History Museum of Jamaica and The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus accepted a very rare and historic specimen: a 16-inch lizard called the Jamaican giant galliwasp (Celestus occiduus).
  • Why would a preserved lizard, some 170 years old, evoke such excitement?
  • Scientists in Jamaica, who have never seen or handled one of these lizards, are elated to have one to study.

Gathering specimens worldwide

  • Many objects they brought back, as well as items formally archived through natural history expeditions, are housed today in European libraries and museums.
  • In recent decades, museums have begun to repatriate some objects to their places of origin.
  • Exploration and collecting specimens often relied on the knowledge and labor of enslaved persons who acted as field assistants and guides – but the historical record has little to say about their roles.

Species loss in Jamaica

  • His collections include more than 1,500 plant specimens from Jamaica, which he acquired there from 1687 to 1689.
  • After England gained formal possession of Jamaica in 1670, it established monoculture production of sugarcane across the island.
  • Colonizers also introduced harmful species, such as the Indian gray mongoose ( H. edwardsii), which was brought to Jamaica to prey on rats in plantation sugarcane fields.
  • The Indian grey mongoose quickly became a major threat to numerous species, including the Jamaican giant galliwasp.

Repairing an island’s ecology

  • These papers were unpublished notes and illustrations by a naturalist who died in Jamaica in 1768 after some 20 years of observing and collecting flora and fauna.
  • These photographs can aid the study of natural landscape or rural land cover changes due to agricultural expansion or abandonment.
  • Returning specimens, artifacts and other materials is an important way to show respect for the societies and cultures that produced them.
  • Rather than sitting in storage, Celeste has returned to Jamaica to be a centerpiece in the story of Jamaican environmental history.

Global M&A endures headwinds with pickup in first-quarter deal closures

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Mercoledì, Aprile 3, 2024
University of London, Partnership, Mergers and acquisitions, Research, Acquisition, University, IPO, Bayes Business School, WTW, Mergers & Acquisitions, Pharmaceutical industry

This compares with 150 deals completed during the same period in 2023, representing an 11% increase in volume.

Key Points: 
  • This compares with 150 deals completed during the same period in 2023, representing an 11% increase in volume.
  • Following four consecutive quarters of decline, the volume of large deals (valued over $1 billion) may also be stabilizing.
  • Despite these latest performance figures, the long-term 15-plus-year trend still shows M&A deals to have outperformed the market since the global financial crisis (+1.5 percentage points).
  • Only completed M&A deals with a value of at least $100 million that meet the study criteria are included in this research.

Nxera Pharma Appoints Experienced Senior Strategy Consultant Patrick Branch as Head of Business Development for Japan and APAC

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Mercoledì, Aprile 3, 2024
University of London, University, Public health, Growth, Health, Patient, Business development, Columbia University, Head, L.E.K. Consulting, MBA, Medtech, Master, MPH, Partner, SOAS

Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 3 April 2024 - Nxera Pharma (“Nxera” or “the Company”; TSE: 4565) – formerly known as Sosei Group or Sosei Heptares – today announces the appointment of Japan pharmaceutical sector expert, Mr. Patrick Branch, as Head of Business Development for Japan and the APAC region.

Key Points: 
  • Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 3 April 2024 - Nxera Pharma (“Nxera” or “the Company”; TSE: 4565) – formerly known as Sosei Group or Sosei Heptares – today announces the appointment of Japan pharmaceutical sector expert, Mr. Patrick Branch, as Head of Business Development for Japan and the APAC region.
  • Branch will join Nxera’s global Business Development team that is led by Dr. Marcus Messenger.
  • He will be based in Nxera’s Tokyo office and will oversee Japan and regional disease area strategy, search and evaluation, and transaction activities.
  • Chris Cargill, CEO and President of Nxera Pharma, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Patrick to the business development team at Nxera.

Ukraine recap: prospect of renewed US funding a boost for beleaguered Zelensky

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Giovedì, Febbraio 15, 2024
University, Weapon, Violence, Maga, Pressure, Intelligence, Republican, Senate, City, Trump, Culture, United States Senate, Alexander Lukashenko, Democrat, Government, Conversation, White, Human, House, Make America Great Again, Nazism, University of London, World war, Sciences Po, Eyebrow, Family, Friends, Fox News, Slavic, Politics, Democracy, Representative, Interview, Propaganda, The Conversation

We had just published a piece by two security analysts from the Paris-based research university Sciences Po, who had outlined three possible scenarios for the 12 months ahead.

Key Points: 
  • We had just published a piece by two security analysts from the Paris-based research university Sciences Po, who had outlined three possible scenarios for the 12 months ahead.
  • The first two options were major military setbacks for Russia or Ukraine, with major losses of troops and territory.
  • Months of bitter, attritional fighting resulted in few Ukrainian gains at a significant cost in terms of both manpower and precious materiel.
  • But, as Stefan Wolff and Tetyana Malyarenko point out, Syrskyi is also associated with the defence of Bakhmut, a battle that consumed so many lives on either side.
  • But fresh supplies of weapons and ammunition from the EU and the US began to dry up in 2023, seriously hamstringing the Ukraine army’s ability to gain the initiative on the battlefield.
  • You can also subscribe to our fortnightly recap of expert analysis of the conflict in Ukraine.
  • After months of bitter debate the bill finally passed the senate this week.
  • Read more:
    Ukraine war: what the US public thinks about giving military and other aid

Friends and enemies

  • One of Trump’s greatest allies in the media, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, sat down with Putin for a two-hour interview last week.
  • Inderjeet Parmar, an expert in US politics at City, University of London, watched the interview and gives us his verdict.
  • He concludes: “Putin’s early history of Ukraine is part of a Russian imperialist story that has been told for centuries.
  • He says more than 7,000 criminal cases have been opened accusing Ukrainians of giving aid to the enemy.
  • Others are less so: people who continued to do their jobs after their town was occupied: local government officials, garbage collectors and the like.

“2024 CAPITAL LINK GREEK SHIPPING LEADERSHIP AWARD”

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Mercoledì, Febbraio 14, 2024
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Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "2024 Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award" was presented to TEN LTD. -TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LTD., (NYSE: TNP) for reaching the milestone of 30 successful years as a public company, and to Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO - TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TNP); Chairman INTERTANKO (2014-2018), for his outstanding contribution to Greek & global shipping.

Key Points: 
  • Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "2024 Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award" was presented to TEN LTD. -TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LTD., (NYSE: TNP) for reaching the milestone of 30 successful years as a public company, and to Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO - TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TNP); Chairman INTERTANKO (2014-2018), for his outstanding contribution to Greek & global shipping.
  • The Award Ceremony took place on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the luncheon held in the context of the 14th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum.
  • With attendance exceeding 1,000, of which 750 attended the luncheon, the event featured the institutional and industry leadership of global and Greek shipping, and it has thus been rightly labeled as an unofficial Summit of Global Shipping.
  • The “Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award” is presented annually to a leading maritime figure of the Greek Shipping Community who has gained the respect and the appreciation of the international shipping industry and who is also recognized for their outstanding contribution to elevating Greek Shipping to its leadership position globally.

ACTG Announces Launch of Clinical Trial Evaluating Drug-Drug Interaction in Shortened Tuberculosis Regimen Among People Living with HIV

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Mercoledì, Febbraio 14, 2024
Infection, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Tuberculosis, NIAID, Blood, Safety, ACTG, Trial of the century, TB, Risk, University, ART, Rifapentine, University of London, University of California, Johns Hopkins University, UM1, Pharmacokinetics, Diagnosis, Ageing, HIV, Research, University of North Carolina, Pharmaceutical industry

Previously, ACTG study A5349 demonstrated that a four-month, four-drug TB regimen that included high-dose rifapentine was as effective as the standard six-month regimen, cutting the treatment time by one third.

Key Points: 
  • Previously, ACTG study A5349 demonstrated that a four-month, four-drug TB regimen that included high-dose rifapentine was as effective as the standard six-month regimen, cutting the treatment time by one third.
  • “Understanding the relationship between these anti-TB and HIV medications is crucial, as an estimated one third of people living with HIV worldwide are at risk for developing TB,” said ACTG Chair Judith Currier, M.D., M.Sc., University of California, Los Angeles.
  • Dolutegravir is being supplied to study A5406 by ViiV Healthcare Ltd and the fixed-dose combination of dolutegravir/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine is being supplied by Viatris.
  • The ACTG is led by Dr. Currier and Joseph J. Eron, M.D., University of North Carolina (ACTG Vice Chair).

Gaza update: Netanyahu knocks back Hamas peace plan while the prospect of mass famine looms ever larger

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Giovedì, Febbraio 8, 2024
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Unfortunately for many of the 1.7 million people reportedly displaced by Israel’s four-month onslaught in Gaza, this is where more than a million of them have taken refuge, according to the latest estimates.

Key Points: 
  • Unfortunately for many of the 1.7 million people reportedly displaced by Israel’s four-month onslaught in Gaza, this is where more than a million of them have taken refuge, according to the latest estimates.
  • Insisting that “the day after [the war] is the day after Hamas – all of Hamas”, Netanyahu said he intended to press on until Israel had achieved “total victory”.
  • His personal approval ratings are abysmal – only 15% of Israelis in a recent survey said they thought he should keep his job after the war ends.
  • Despite Netanyahu’s wholesale rejection of the notion of Palestinian statehood, both the US and UK have said they are considering the possibility of recognising Palestine after the conflict ends.
  • The UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, said such a move would be “absolutely vital for the long-term peace and security of the region”.
  • Read more:
    UK and US may recognise state of Palestine after Gaza war – what this important step would mean

    So what is the two-state solution?

  • Read more:
    Explainer: what is the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

War crime and punishment

  • The ICJ ordered Israel to take steps to prevent genocidal actions in Gaza, to punish incitement to genocide, to allow Gaza’s people access to humanitarian aid, and to preserve and collect any evidence of war crimes committed during the conflict.
  • He writes that it has been a tactic of war for centuries, and that sieges and blockades remain part of the arsenal of armed conflict.
  • It is also a collective punishment – something explicitly banned under international humanitarian law.
  • Read more:
    Gaza: weaponisation of food has been used in conflicts for centuries – but it hasn't always resulted in victory

There goes the neighbourhood

  • In Iran, the Islamic Republic presides over a parlous economy and considerable public unrest as the “woman, life, freedom” mass protests continue.
  • In the White House, meanwhile, Joe Biden wants a telegenic show of US force without embroiling his country in a major land war.
  • Read more:
    How Iran controls a network of armed groups to pursue its regional strategy

    Gaza Update is available as a fortnightly email newsletter.

Leading Digital Lawyer Rafi Azim-Khan Joins Crowell's London and San Francisco Offices

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Martedì, Febbraio 6, 2024
Aston, Starbucks, GM, SAN, Travel, F1, Crowell & Moring, Shell, FMCG, European Court, Lawyer, Privacy, Silicon, SCCS, Binding corporate rules, Ford, GDPR, Book, Virginity, Non-fungible token, DSA, Food, Intellectual property, Justice, 2012, Artificial intelligence, Bloomberg, Land Rover, University, Advertising, FT, DMA, DPF, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation, British Bankers' Association, Publication, Marketing, IP, Bank, LGPD, UGC, Motorola, Energizer, AI, BBC, CCPA, Internet, Economist, University of London, Sport, Premier League

LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rafi Azim-Khan has joined Crowell & Moring to lead the firm's Digital Law practice in Europe and advise clients on cybersecurity, data privacy, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, e-commerce and advertising and marketing matters.

Key Points: 
  • He previously led Pillsbury's European Privacy and Marketing Law practices and was co-head of the firm's Global Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Rafi to the firm" said Philip T. Inglima , chair of Crowell & Moring.
  • "Rafi is a genuine thought leader with rare transatlantic and global experience in areas of increasing, and often critical, importance to our clients.
  • He also is chair of the Ad/Brand Law Group, a leading lawyer group.

City, University of London and ARuVR® to Launch UK’s First CPD Course for AR, VR and MR Knowledge and Skill Acquisition

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Giovedì, Gennaio 18, 2024
Telecommunications, Software, Finance, Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Services, Technology, Mobile, Wireless, Cloud, Mondelez International, Virtual reality, Learning, School, Coca-Cola, Knowledge, Extended reality, Heart, SST, Training, BAE Systems, XR, CCS, Partnership, CPD, ScotRail, University, Workplace, Mixed reality, NEOM, Royal Air Force, Saudi Aramco, Crown Commercial Service, VR, LPI, Workforce, PWC, Augmented reality, Immersive design, L&D, Digital Catapult, Motivation, Education, University of London

The course will be open to anyone who wants to upskill their learning to take advantage of the opportunities presented by XR within the enterprise setting.

Key Points: 
  • The course will be open to anyone who wants to upskill their learning to take advantage of the opportunities presented by XR within the enterprise setting.
  • Registration is now open for the certified CPD course which begins in Summer 2024 at City, University of London.
  • To register for the course and for more information, please visit: https://www.city.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/professional-develop...
    ARuVR’s platform has been developed to democratise content creation and user consumption within Learning and Development (L&D) departments.
  • The skills gap to enable organisations to take advantage of the undoubted combined benefits of AR, VR and MR is quite simply stunting business growth.

Global Innovation & Value Summit (GIVS) 2023, Nov 17: 'Moving Forward with ESG: Scoring for Value Creation'

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Venerdì, Novembre 10, 2023
Sustainability, Museum, International development, Task force, Assistant, Biophysical environment, Kamigata, The International Academic Forum, Philosophy, ESG, University, International Sustainability Standards Board, ISSB, Financial regulation, EFRAG, Sustainable Development Goals, Public policy, Sustainability reporting, VRC, Chair, International, Social studies, AI, TCFD, Stroke, Postgraduate education, Research, University of London, Doshisha University, Social, University of Tokyo, United Nations, Osaka University, Management

While Japan stands as the world's 4th largest economy, many Japanese companies continue to lag in their ESG efforts, as Japan itself has not yet committed to requiring companies to report their impacts beyond the environmentally focused Task Force for Climate Disclosure (TCFD).

Key Points: 
  • While Japan stands as the world's 4th largest economy, many Japanese companies continue to lag in their ESG efforts, as Japan itself has not yet committed to requiring companies to report their impacts beyond the environmentally focused Task Force for Climate Disclosure (TCFD).
  • This year's Global Innovation and Value Summit (GIVS) 2023 will first introduce the latest advances in value measurement, sustainability disclosure reporting and ESG from the perspective of EFRAG, ISSB and the US SEC Climate Disclosures, and their impacts on how businesses and governments can effectively operate within these increasingly important, but complex, sustainability standards and frameworks.
  • Finally, GIVS 2023 will offer ideas and insights into how businesses not only within Japan and Asia, but also globally can integrate, enhance and implement value-focused sustainability initiatives going forward.
  • It will bring together some of the world's top experts in value measurement and scoring, sustainability and ESG issues to discuss, debate and brainstorm new approaches to value creation, responsible business and sustainability initiatives and offer ideas and models for their implementation in 2024 and beyond.