March 28, 2022 – Djibouti News Gazette

March 28, 2022

COCA-COLA, BUREAU VERITAS, ACCENTURE TO LEAD FOR 2022 AFRICA EDITION OF CEILING TOUCH THE SKY(R)

Africa’s Best organizations to share and learn best practices for leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, and success on June 1, 2022.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd (HORP) today announced that its 2022 Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky® – the success and leadership summit for women will be held virtually on June 1, 2022, bringing together virtually leaders from the best Companies in Africa to share best practices on leadership, diversity & inclusion, and success. Coca-Cola, Bureau Veritas, and Accenture will lead as the early sponsors for this Edition.

Break the ceiling touch the sky® is the world’s leading forum for women in leadership, having inspired and enabled over 30000 women leaders to greater success across editions in Africa, North America, Europe, Middle East, ANZ and Asia since 2015. The summit is based on the best-selling book “Break the ceiling touch the sky: success secrets of the world’s most inspirational women” by Anthony A. Rose, Chairman and CEO, House of Rose Professional. The summit supports MISSION 2029 FOR A BETTER WORLD – a 10-year global initiative led by HORP and several global partner organizations to shape a better world by quintupling the number of Female CEOs in the worlds 500 largest Companies by 2029 and doubling the number of Male CEOs advocating and investing in diversity & inclusion. With some of the world’s fastest growing economies in Africa, the Region is expected to contribute significantly towards this Mission.

Commented Philippine Mtikitiki,Vice President, South Africa, The Coca-Cola Company, “Diversity and inclusion is at the core of our business. We continue to invest and make progress in unlocking the full potential of our people with equal access to development and opportunity. We are delighted to partner with Break the ceiling touch the sky® for this important 2022 Africa Edition and contribute to accelerating the development of human capital in the region.”

Commented Marc Roussel, President Government Services & International Trade & SVP Africa, Bureau Veritas, “An Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky® is an important development in the mission for global gender diversity & inclusion. Gender diverse companies are financially more successful, better employers, greater innovators, and better corporate citizens. Bureau Veritas Africa looks forward to sharing and learning best practices on leadership, diversity & inclusion best practices alongside many other winning organizations at the 2022 Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky.”

Vukani Mngxati, Chief Executive Officer & Board Chairman, Accenture in Africa, shared, “We believe the future workforce is an equal one. There is no doubt that the pandemic hit women the hardest. From skyrocketing unemployment to taking on more responsibilities at home, it has never been more important to ensure equitable experiences for women. We expect leaders at all levels to help create and sustain a culture of equality. I personally believe that inclusion helps us to unleash greater innovation and enables our people to perform at their very best. Through Break the ceiling touch the sky® we share our learnings on leadership, diversity & inclusion to benefit the broader industry and learn from others’ best practices as well.”

Companies or individuals can register for the summit at

https://houseofroseprofessional.com/btctts-world-tour-2022/africa-2022/

House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd® is a global leader in the Talent, Training and Transformation businesses via its three core brands Break the ceiling touch the sky® (Training), Dream Job International®(Talent) and CEOSmith® (Transformation).

Inquiries contact:

Anthony A. Rose
House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd.
Email: anthony@houseofroseprofessional.com
www.houseofroseprofessional.com

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March 28, 2022

Vela Diagnostics présente ses panels de séquençage des gènes du cancer ciblés (60 gènes) et complets (525 gènes) basés sur les NGS

HAMBOURG, Allemagne, 28 mars 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vela Diagnostics a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement de ses nouveaux panels de séquençage OncoKey^® SL 60 et 525 Plus. Ces panels basés sur les systèmes de séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS) sont conçus pour détecter les biomarqueurs d’ADN et d’ARN du cancer à partir d’échantillons de tissus fixés au formol et inclus en paraffine (FFPE), pour un maximum de 64 échantillons par cycle de séquençage.

Vela Diagnostics propose deux panels de séquençage des gènes du cancer : le système OncoKey^® SL 60 Plus et le système complet OncoKey^® SL 525 Plus. Avec seulement 40 ng d’acide nucléique, le panel de séquençage peut détecter les biomarqueurs suivants en un seul test : polymorphisme d’un seul nucléotide (PSN), insertions ou délétions (indel), variations du nombre de copies (copy number variations, CNV), instabilité des microsatellites (microsatellite instability, MSI), fusions, épissage alternatif, virus et bactéries oncogènes, et peut mesurer la charge mutationnelle tumorale (CMT).

Ces panels basés sur les NGS présentent un flux de travail hautement automatisé, de l’échantillon au résultat. Ils peuvent produire des résultats en cinq jours, ne nécessitent que 2,5 heures de travail manuel et assurent une traçabilité élevée des échantillons, de l’extraction automatisée des échantillons au contrôle de la qualité (CQ) des données. VELA^®Analytics permet de créer des rapports internes concis, fondés sur des données probantes, qui fournissent aux clients les informations nécessaires pour prendre des décisions éclairées quant aux options de traitement possibles. Par ailleurs, les laboratoires disposant de peu d’échantillons peuvent choisir d’effectuer les tests manuellement.

Le flux de travail des panels OncoKey^® SL 60 et 525 Plus repose sur les plateformes de séquençage Illumina. Les panels peuvent donc s’adapter sans problème aux situations actuelles des laboratoires. Associés à des adaptateurs UMI-UDI doubles, à un système de capture par hybridation, à un séquençage par synthèse et à un pipeline bio-informatique validé avec soin, les panels présentent une sensibilité élevée et un profilage complet des variantes, ainsi qu’une couverture de séquençage uniforme.

« Les panels OncoKey^® 60 et 525 Plus de VELA sont un formidable progrès dans la médecine de précision pour le cancer, a déclaré le Dr Andreas Goertz, directeur général de la division européenne de Vela Diagnostics. Ces panels sont composés de gènes pertinents d’un point de vue clinique et ont été conçus sur la base de contributions de personnalités influentes dans le domaine de l’oncologie, ainsi que de références à des directives professionnelles, à des essais cliniques et à des bases de données sur le cancer. »

« Vela Diagnostics prévoit de rendre disponibles les panels OncoKey^® 60 et 525 Plus au quatrième trimestre 2022 aux États-Unis et en Asie-Pacifique, a ajouté Sam Dajani, PDG et président exécutif de Vela Diagnostics. L’utilisation de ces panels sur le flux de travail automatisé de Vela Diagnostics permettra de réduire les erreurs humaines et de minimiser la contamination croisée des échantillons qui peut être engendrée par un flux de travail manuel. Par ailleurs, nos solutions et services VELA^® Analytics peuvent identifier et interpréter les variantes génétiques dans les tumeurs, ce qui permet de fournir rapidement et avec précision des options exploitables aux professionnels de la santé et de la recherche. »

À propos de Vela Diagnostics

Vela Diagnostics est un fournisseur de premier plan de solutions intégrées de diagnostic in vitro, de l’échantillon au résultat. Les solutions de test de VELA utilisent la plateforme automatisée Sentosa^®, et offrent la possibilité unique d’utiliser un seul système pour les tests NGS et PCR dans le domaine des maladies infectieuses et de l’oncologie.

Tous les produits Sentosa^® énumérés ci-dessus sont de Vela Diagnostics. Pour plus d’informations, consultez le site www.veladx.com. Tous les autres noms de produits, marques déposées et logos sont la propriété de leurs détenteurs respectifs.

Contact pour les médias :

vince.yip@veladx.com

March 28, 2022

Vela Diagnostics Launches Focused (60 Genes) and Comprehensive (525 Genes) NGS-Based Pan-Cancer Panels

HAMBURG, Germany, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vela Diagnostics announced today the launch of its new OncoKey^® SL 60 and 525 Plus Panels. These next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based panels are intended for detection of DNA and RNA cancer biomarkers from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens, for up to 64 samples in a single sequencing run.

Vela Diagnostics offers two pan-cancer gene panels: the focused OncoKey^® SL 60 Plus Panel, and the comprehensive OncoKey^® SL 525 Plus Panel. With just 40 ng of nucleic acid, the panel can detect the following biomarkers in one assay: single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), copy number variations (CNVs), microsatellite instability (MSI), fusions, splice variants, oncogenic viruses and bacteria, as well as measuring the tumor mutation burden (TMB).

These NGS-based panels feature a highly-automated, sample-to-result workflow. They are able to produce results within 5 days, requiring only 2.5 hours of hands-on time, and provide high sample traceability, from automated sample extraction to data quality control (QC). VELA^® Analytics can create concise, evidence-based in-house reports that help customers with the information to make timely, informed decisions about possible treatment options. Additionally, laboratories with low sample volumes can choose to perform the assays in a manual workflow.

Crucially, the OncoKey^®SL 60 and 525 Plus Panel workflow is wrapped around Illumina sequencing platforms. Thus, the panels can be seamlessly adapted to current lab situations. Combined with dual UMI-UDI adapters, hybrid capture target enrichment, sequencing by synthesis and thoroughly validated bioinformatics pipeline, the panels boast high sensitivity and comprehensive variant profiling, plus sequencing coverage uniformity.

“VELA’s OncoKey^® 60 and 525 Plus Panels represent an exciting development in precision medicine for cancer,” said Dr Andreas Goertz, Managing Director of Vela Diagnostics’ European organization. “These panels consist of clinically relevant genes of interest and were designed based on input from key opinion leaders in oncology, as well as references to professional guidelines, curated clinical trial and cancer databases.”

“Vela Diagnostics is planning to launch our OncoKey^® 60 and 525 Plus Panels in Q4 2022 in the USA and Asia Pacific,” said Sam Dajani, CEO and Executive Chairman of Vela Diagnostics. “Using these panels on Vela Diagnostics’ automated workflow will reduce human error and minimize sample cross contamination which can be generated by using a manual workflow. In addition, our VELA^® Analytics solutions and services can identify and interpret genetic variants in tumors making it possible to provide actionable options for healthcare and research professionals quickly and accurately,” added Mr Dajani.

About Vela Diagnostics

Vela Diagnostics is a leading provider for integrated IVD system solutions, from sample to result. VELA’s test solutions utilize the automated Sentosa^® platform, providing the unique ability to leverage one system for NGS and PCR testing in infectious disease and oncology.

All Sentosa^® products listed above are by Vela Diagnostics. For more information, visit www.veladx.com. All other product names, trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact

vince.yip@veladx.com

March 28, 2022

Presales Open for Metahunter: The Metaverse for All

The combination of MMORPG, Sandbox, and open-world concepts opens the door to a new Metaverse.

SINGAPORE, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A new dawn is coming to the virtual world in the shape of Metahunter, a platform that is focused on accessibility, education, and opportunity for any and all who want to experience the metaverse. Presales have now begun at https://metahunter.com/.

With over 500 influencers onboarded into the ecosystem, Metahunter is on track to becoming the largest Metaverse space in the world. Metahunter aims to become the Metaverse for all by providing equal opportunity to all regardless of social level, becoming the first of many to make the virtual experience a reality for millions of unserved people worldwide.

Unlike many other projects created in the market, Metahunter isn’t just trying to take advantage of the hype and short-term profits. Instead, Metahunter makes the Metaverse experience accessible to tens of millions of people in the market who don’t currently have the opportunity and knowledge to participate due to high entry costs and other barriers.

Not only does Metahunter provide a beginner-friendly platform, but it also provides a place for newcomers to learn more about play-to-earn gaming and blockchain technology. It gives everyone a chance to get into Metaverse at an affordable price. The new platform will offer those that haven’t been able to participate in play-to-earn gaming a unique first-time opportunity.

Founded by Allen Tan Chee Hoe, who previously founded Findwork, a recruitment platform with over 4 million verified and certified users that connects underserved personnel to working opportunities. Currently, Allen leads the Metahunter team of seasoned executives in blockchain, technology, capital markets, marketing, entrepreneurship, gaming, influencers, community builders, and more. The Metahunter team has a background from companies like Facebook Gaming, SuperCell, J.P. Morgan, Renaissance Capital, etc.

Unlike other platforms which rely on bots or other sources to generate traffic, Metahunter will build an organic approach. With a possible outreach of at least 100 million people globally, Metahunter is on track to create the most immersive Metaverse experience.

Metahunter is a “Metaverse for All” where everyone can play, learn, and earn together. Take advantage of this early opportunity, and let’s build the largest Metaverse world together!

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March 28, 2022

On verge of record drought, East Africa grapples with new climate normal

In November 2021, scientists at the Famine Early Warning System Network sent out a warning that an unprecedented drought in the Horn of Africa was imminent if poor seasonal rainfall continued into 2022. Tragically, their prediction is turning out to be prescient.

East Africa, and in particular, parts of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, are experiencing the driest conditions and hottest temperatures since satellite record-keeping began. As a result, as many as 13 million people are currently experiencing acute food and water shortages and a projected 25 million will face a similar fate by mid-2022.

Scientists are blaming climate change for the current crisis in a part of the world that is least able to cope. Africa as a whole contributes to about two to three per cent of global emissions that cause global warming and climate change.

However, the continent suffers the heaviest impacts of the climate crisis, including increased heatwaves, severe droughts and catastrophic cyclones, like the ones that hit Mozambique and Madagascar in recent years.

Furthermore, scientists project things will only get worse for Africa if current trends continue. According to the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, “key development sectors have already experienced widespread loss and damage attributable to anthropogenic climate change, including biodiversity loss, water shortages, reduced food production, loss of lives and reduced economic growth.”

The current drought hitting East Africa has been particularly devastating to small-scale farmers and herders across the Horn who are already vulnerable to climate related shocks.

This is why the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is currently supporting 22 African countries to use Ecosystem-based Adaptation solutions that are already present in their environment to buttress communities against the deadly effects of climate change.

In the small East Africa nation of Djibouti, for instance, UNEP has undertaken three ecosystem-based adaptation projects, including a drought mitigation project specifically aimed at assisting subsistence farmers and herders whose crops are failing and livestock are dying.

“Ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, such as planting indigenous, rapidly growing species of plants that can have immediate impact on the ground, combined with long-term solutions is incredibly effective at protecting communities from the impacts of climate change,” said Eva Comba, a Task Manager at UNEP’s Climate Adaptation Unit.

She said that restoring already existing ecosystems, by planting more Acacia and mangrove trees, for example, is vital in countries like Djibouti that are vulnerable to droughts, storms, flash-floods and coastal erosion.

Some of the ecosystem restoration Comba and her colleagues at UNEP are working on include planting trees in 15 hectares of land. The greenery includes Acacia trees, which are ideal plants for providing a cooling shade and prevent soil erosion on farmlands—a must in a hot and dry climate like Djibouti’s.

Another key component of the project is building boreholes and underground water tanks that enable subsistence farmers to water their crops in ways that are sustainable over time.

Replanting and protecting already existing mangrove forests is also an important part of UNEP’s ecosystem-based adaptation approach, especially in coastal regions of Djibouti. Mangroves are effective for protecting local communities from storms and supporting alternative livelihoods, such as fisheries and tourism.

Despite the dire impacts of climate change in Africa, there is cause for optimism. UNEP is working with many countries across the continent to ensure that climate change adaptation is embedded in national policy and planning. UNEP is also working with the European Union and The Africa LEDS project to support Low Emissions Development (LEDS) across the continent in order to unlock socio-economic opportunities whilst fulfilling the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement

UNEP also worked with ministers of the environment from 54 African countries to create The African Green Stimulus Programme. It supports a comprehensive green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic , which has already cost the continent tens of billions of dollars in lost gross domestic product.

However, a lot more work needs to be done to mitigate the worst effects of climate change that is yet to come, say experts. According to UNEP’s 2021 Adaptation Gap Report, the “estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to ten times greater than current public adaptation finance flows.” The report also found that the costs of adaptation are likely to hit as high as USD 280-500 billion per year by 2050 for developing countries.

The current drought in East Africa has sent humanitarian agencies scrambling to prevent another famine like the one that hit the same region in 2011 in which an estimated 260,000 people died.

If the April rainy season turns out to be as disappointing as the last three, it will mark the longest drought to hit the region since the 1980s, potentially leading to a famine of tragic proportions.

“At the moment in the Horn of Africa we are witnessing vulnerable communities being disproportionately affected by climate change who are least able to buffer against its impact,” said Susan Gardner, the Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division. “To prevent a major humanitarian crisis in East Africa, we must provide urgent humanitarian assistance to those in need, while also thinking long term by investing in ecosystem-based adaptation solutions that will save lives, build green economies and protect the environment.”

Source: UN Environment Programme