Day: December 7, 2022

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Belgian auction house apologizes after backlash for trying to sell African skulls

BRUSSELS— An auction house in Belgium has rendered an apology after it received backlash for trying to sell three skulls of Africans who were killed when the Democratic Republic of Congo was a colony. Vanderkindere auction house also canceled the auctioning of the skulls in question.

The individuals whose skulls the auction house was trying to sell were reportedly killed between January 1893 and May 1894. Vanderkindere’s attempt to sell the body parts was condemned by the human rights group, Collectif Mémoire Coloniale et Lutte contre les Discriminations (CMCLD).

The group also called for a demonstration in Brussels to protest the sale of the skulls and to also call on the Belgian government to seize and conserve them “in an appropriate way and with dignity.”

The skulls were part of a private colonial collection that Vanderkindere had planned to put on public sale on Dec 14. “The Vanderkindere auction house sincerely apologizes for having offered at auction a lot comprising three human skulls linked to the Belgian colonial past, and this is why they are imperatively withdrawn from the sale,” the auction house said.

“We in no way condone the suffering and humiliation suffered by the people who are victims of these colonial acts. We once again offer our deepest regrets to anyone who has been hurt and hurt by the sale of this lot.”

The news of the skulls being put up for sale sparked outrage in the European nation as well as on social media. Human rights organizations labeled the decision as “dehumanizing and racist.”

Between 1908 and 1960, Belgium colonized the Central African territory formerly known as the Belgian Congo. Reports state that millions of Congolese nationals were killed under Belgian rule. Some also died due to famine and disease.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Pandemic treaty plans thrashed out at WHO

GENEVA— Negotiators are meeting in Geneva this week to thrash out a pandemic treaty aimed at ensuring the flaws that turned Covid-19 into a global crisis could never happen again.

As the third anniversary of the virus emerging rolls around, negotiators are raking over an early concept draft of what might eventually make it into an international agreement on how to handle future pandemics.

“The lessons of the pandemic must not go unlearned,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the negotiating panel at the start of three days of talks, which conclude on Wednesday.

An intergovernmental negotiating body is paving the way towards a global agreement that would regulate how nations prepare for and respond to future pandemic threats.

They are huddled in Geneva for their third meeting, refining and going over their ideas so far.

A progress report will be put before WHO member states next year, with the final outcome presented for their consideration in May 2024.

The dense, 32-page early draft “is a true reflection of the aspirations for a different paradigm for strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery,” said Tedros.

The so-called conceptual zero draft contains various notions, some of which will have to be developed and others thrown out as negotiators hone down the text ahead of the next meeting in February.

The trick will ultimately be finding the balance between something bold and with teeth, and something all countries can agree to.

“There’s a lot of material currently that probably doesn’t belong in there,” said Pamela Hamamoto, the lead US negotiator.

“There’s a lot that needs to change before we’re going to sign onto it. That is the same for a lot of member states — probably most,” she told reporters.

Hamamoto said Washington wanted to see transparency fixed into the accord, along with better surveillance and rapid response, plus swift and comprehensive data sharing.

The United States also wants to see more equitable access to medical countermeasures, possibly through regional manufacturing.

“A pretty broadly-held view is that we need to make sure that the process is set up right so… we basically don’t blow this opportunity to put together an accord that is going to be meaningful and implementable,” Hamamoto said.

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention, an independent coalition of statespeople and health leaders, said the conceptual draft did not go far enough, despite its bright spots.

The panel said more should be done to establish accountability and clear timelines for alert and response to avoid damaging consequences when an outbreak emerges.

Three years in, the pandemic still has power to disrupt lives and societies — as seen in the recent unrest in China over lockdowns.

Countries have reported 6.6 million deaths to the WHO, while around 640 million confirmed cases have been registered.

But the UN health agency says this will be a massive undercount.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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POWERCHINA Sets Another Example of China-Côte d’Ivoire Cooperation, Benefiting the People

BEIJING, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from: CRI Online:

POWERCHINA is implementing the concept of extensive consultation, jointly contribution and shared benefits with its heart and sincerity in Côte d’Ivoire, a Western African country far away from the sea. The Gribo-Popoli Hydropower Station built by POWERCHINA will make Sassandra River a new engine for the socio-economic development for the country and its neighbors.

This project will help alleviate power shortage in Côte d’Ivoire and play a positive role in promoting the development of the West African Power Pool. At the same time, the project will save valuable fossil energy resources, reduce environmental pollution, and alleviate environmental pressure. What’s more, it can also effectively drive up employment, increase tax revenue, and promote the development of industrials of construction materials and services. Its operation will bring greater social and economic benefits, playing a significant role in promoting the economy in Côte d’Ivoire.

Currently, different lines of work are processing in order, such as the construction of the plant, spillway, dam, cofferdam, rock excavation and temporary construction. During its construction, constructors from both countries have been working hard to overcome difficulties in technologies, complex local geological conditions, and the epidemic, connecting the dreams of the two peoples with the value of living in harmony with differences.

Kouamo, a project engineer from Côte d’Ivoire, was encouraged by POWERCHINA’s industry-leading advantages and rich experiences. He expressed his deep appreciation of the corporate culture and looked forward to further cooperation in POWERCHINA’s projects in the future.

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t Kitts and Nevis upgrades its citizenship by investment programme to boost its hospitality industry

Basseterre, Dec. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Kitts and Nevis is boosting its local hospitality and tourism sector with investments received through its citizenship by investment programme.

This is according to the recently elected Prime Minister of the twin-island federation who concluded a four-day visit to Dubai, from 29 November to 3 December 2022.

Prime Minister Terrance Drew was in the state to engage with important stakeholders including high-level government officials, international investors, government-approved agents and promoters, who play a vital role in promoting and supporting the country’s recently upgraded citizenship by investment programme.

With the country’s citizenship by investment programme undergoing a facelift, Prime Minister Drew said the changes to the programme were not just superficial but would ensure that the programme achieved what it was designed for – strengthening St Kitts and Nevis’ economy.

Traditionally, the economy of the two-island state has depended on the growing and processing of sugar cane, but the impact of decreasing world prices on this commodity over the last few decades has moved the government’s attention to tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking.

Tourism is the mainstay of St Kitts and Nevis’ economy, with the United States, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago being some of its trop trade partners. The travel and tourism sector accounted for one-tenth of the gross domestic product (GPD) in St Kitts and Nevis in 2021 and it is estimated that roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009.

With a revamped citizenship by investment programme that will be underpinned by better legislative and administrative oversight, Prime Minister Drew said he was confident that the programme would have even more impact on the country’s tourism sector.

The new cabinet aims to ensure that the destination continues to make strides towards the full resumption of tourism activity, including the return of airlift and cruise ship arrivals, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the people of the Federation.

St Kitts and Nevis is committed to enhancing its tourism presence and strengthening the economic impact of the tourism sector.

Recently during November this year, Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, made its inaugural call to Port Zante in St Kitts and Nevis.  The ship from the Royal Caribbean Group brought along nearly 6,500 guests and over 2,000 crew members.  This cruise call has also been the fifth inaugural cruise call to St Kitts and Nevis since October 2022.

This year, on November 26, a superyacht named Evrima made its inaugural visit to the island sporting the finest amenities and affluent guests. Evrima accommodates 298 guests and is the first of the yachts to be introduced for the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection line. This event maintained St Kitts and Nevis’ reputation as an exclusive destination.

According to the CIA World Factbook, tourists, mainly Americans, come to the island via cruise ships via Port Zante in Basseterre, air travel via Robert L Bradshaw International Airport, and the private airport and private dock for private yachts. St Kitts and Nevis is also home to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site.

The country’s citizenship by investment programme has been instrumental in bringing globally renowned brands such as the Park Hyatt Hotel that has recently been launched in Christophe Harbour in Banana Bay. The country will be looking to use its revamped citizenship by investment programme to develop its hospitality sector further which is a major drawcard not just for tourists, but investors looking for legitimate offshore real estate products to buy into.

Part of the change process has seen consultations with various stakeholders in the St Kitts and Nevis CBI unit who will closely now monitor and ensure that real estate projects funded by the CBI programme are completed.  To this end, the government is also seeking out reliable and trustworthy developers who are ready to put capital behind creative and strong projects that will further enhance St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment offering.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment programme stands as the oldest and one of the most trusted programmes of its kind. Since 1984, it has allowed investors and their families to legally obtain citizenship of one of the Caribbean’s most idyllic locations.

St Kitts and Nevis’ citizenship by investment programme has been pivotal in developing other important sectors such as healthcare, business, and education in the nation. With the help of the tourism industry and the citizenship by investment programme, the country has witnessed socio-economic development at a significant pace. Funds generated by the citizenship by investment programme will continue to aid the country in paving the path of development efficiently. Spending on infrastructure has made the country unrecognisable from only 20 years ago – for example there is a thriving cruise ship port complex, and new roads have been built to take pressure off traffic in Basseterre.

Prime Minister Drew was accompanied by a delegation including Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, Attorney-General, Garth Wilkin; Cabinet Secretary Dr Marcus Natta; Sylvester Anthony and Veira Galloway.

PR St Kitts and Nevis

Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8709894

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LeddarTech Announces the Release of LeddarVision Front-View Fusion and Perception Software Products Designed for Automotive Level 2/2+ ADAS Applications

QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech®, a global leader in providing the most flexible, robust and accurate ADAS and AD software technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the LeddarVision™ Front-View-E (LVF-E) and LeddarVision™ Front-View-H (LVF-H), two distinct comprehensive low-level fusion and perception software stacks that optimally combine sensor modalities for Level 2/2+ ADAS applications achieving a 5* NCAP 2025/GSR 2022 rating.

LeddarTech addresses the challenges Tier 1-2 suppliers and OEMs struggle with when developing Level 2/2+ ADAS applications, such as solving safety issues and finding scalable fusion and perception software that offers high performance at a low cost. The LeddarVision Front-View (LVF) family of automotive software products, developed by LeddarTech, addresses these challenges.

LVF-E (LeddarVision Front-Entry): Created for customers seeking to develop entry-level ADAS safety and highway assistance L2/L2+ applications, LVF-E is a comprehensive front-view fusion and perception stack for entry-level ADAS L2/L2+ highway assist and 5-star NCAP 2025/GSR 2022. LeddarTech’s low-level fusion (LLF) technology pushes the performance envelope, doubling the effective range of the sensors and enabling for the first time a solution with only a single 1.2-megapixel 120-degree front camera and two short-range front corner radars in a 1V2R configuration. Low-cost sensing, together with efficient implementation on the TDA4L platform, achieves the lowest system cost for L2/L2+ entry-level ADAS. B-sample is planned for Q2 2023, targeting vehicle SOP in 2025/6.

LVF-H (LeddarVision Front-High): The premium companion fusion and perception stack in the front-view product family. With sensor configuration extended to 1V5R based on a single 3-megapixel 120-degree camera, single front medium-range radar and four short-range corner radars, the stack extends the perception support to highway assist applications, including 160 km/h adaptive cruise control, 200-meter range and semi-automated lane change. It also enhances the NCAP 2025 support for overtaking/ reverse/dooring scenarios. Furthermore, with efficient implementation on the TDA4L platform and a single Hailo-8 deep-learning accelerator, low-cost sensing achieves economic front-view L2/L2+ premium ADAS. B-sample is planned for Q3 2023, targeting vehicle SOP in 2026.

The LeddarVision Front-View (LVF) family of products is designed to meet the needs of their customers:

High-Performance and Cost-Effective

  • LeddarVision’s low-level fusion (LLF) technology pushes the performance envelope, doubling the effective range of the sensors.
  • The products’ lowest-cost sensing feature and efficient implementation on the TDA4L platform achieve the lowest system costs.
  • Superior accuracy in object separation and longitudinal position measurement on highways enable higher-performing adaptive cruise control implementation.

Safety

  • LVF products address 5* NCAP 2025/GSR 2022 safety applications.
  • Include a built-in redundancy feature to accommodate sensor failures, degradations and conflicts.
  • Provide an increased safety feature due to superior accuracy in object separation and longitudinal position measurement.

Flexible and Scalable

  • A comprehensive front-view fusion and perception stack that supports entry-level to premium ADAS highway assist Level 2/2+ applications.

Interested customers can contact LeddarTech for “A” samples of the LVF-E and LVF-H products.

“I am excited to announce our newest sensor fusion and perception products to support entry-level to premium ADAS highway assist Level 2/2+ applications,” stated Mr. Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. “The market’s need for a high-performance sensor fusion and perception product while also being cost-effective, flexible and scalable and has never been greater, and our LVF family of products addresses that need,” Mr. Boulanger continued. “Our mission at LeddarTech is to improve safety and the quality of life by enabling ADAS and AD applications, and this is accomplished with the release of these two products that achieve 5* NCAP 2025/GSR 2022 ratings.” Mr. Boulanger concluded: “I look forward to announcing additional products in 2023 that will continue to meet the needs of the industry and improve the quality of people’s lives.”

LeddarTech’s LeddarVision LVF-E and LVF-H software products will be highlighted at CES 2023, January 5-8 in Las Vegas, within LeddarTech’s booth # 5475, LVCC West Hall.

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech, a global software company founded in 2007, develops and provides comprehensive perception solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS and autonomous driving applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies AI and computer vision algorithms to generate highly accurate 3D models of the environment, allowing for better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is leveraged by OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers for the efficient implementation of automotive and off-road vehicle solutions.

LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 140 patents granted or applied for that enhance ADAS and AD capabilities. Reliable perception is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations, LeddarTech Inc.
Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232 daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Investor relations contact and website: InvestorRelations@leddartech.com
https://investors.leddartech.com/

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarSteer, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, LeddarEcho, VAYADrive, VayaVision, XLRator and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

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