Day: June 24, 2022

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Sydney WorldPride Welcomes the World With Giant Human Progress Flag

Sydney World Pride 2023

Sydney World Pride 2023

SYDNEY, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nearly 1,000 Sydneysiders have created a giant human Progress Flag on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

The colourful display marks the 44th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and sends a message of welcome to the world as Sydney, Australia gears up to host WorldPride in 2023, with the hotly-anticipated tickets going on sale from 15 July. Locals and visitors alike can sign up to access early bird tickets.

Sydney’s famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a must-do in the calendar of global Pride festivals – and Sydney WorldPride will be a 17-day celebration of Australian LGBTQIA+ fabulousness, with over 300 events across the city.

Taking place from 17 February to 5 March 2023, Sydney WorldPride will celebrate Australia’s brilliant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community, in a city renowned for its diversity, inclusivity and proud LGBTQIA+ population.

More than 500,000 people are expected to participate in Sydney WorldPride and the festival will feature much-loved events including the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade, which will be returning to Oxford Street for the first time in three years.

In addition, there will be exciting one-off Sydney WorldPride major events:

  • Live & Proud – Sydney WorldPride’s Opening Concert, presented by American Express – we’re getting the party started with this opening concert, hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan.
  • Pride Villages – for 10 days from 24 February, sections of Crown Street and Riley Street will be closed and become home to stalls, dining and performances. On the final weekend of Sydney WorldPride, a section of Oxford Street itself will be closed to create a giant street party.
  • Bondi Beach Party, presented by Optus – for one day only, the sandy jewel of Sydney will become the city’s hottest club for 12,000 people.
  • Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference – the largest LGBTQIA+ human rights conference ever held in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert – experience a rainbow explosion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ artistry, across a two-hour concert hosted by Steven ‘Faboriginal’ Oliver at the Sydney Opera House.
  • First Nations Gathering Space – held at Carriageworks and running across six nights, featuring exhibits, theatre, dining and drag.
  • Rainbow Republic, presented by Optus – six hours of live music, DJs and performances await you at The Domain, for a queer megamix of international and local acts.
  • Ultra Violet – an inclusive LGBTQIA+ women’s party at Sydney’s Town Hall where burlesque stars, cabaret performers and drag kings take to the stage.
  • Domain Dance Party – dance with 10,000 of your mates at the biggest LGBQTIA+ outdoor dance party Australia has ever seen.
  • Pride March – 50,000 people will join this historic Pride march across one of the world’s most-recognisable landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Local and international headliners for major events will be revealed later this year.

Sydney WorldPride Chief Operating Officer, Gabriel Pinkstone, said: “In just a few months, Sydney will be transformed as more than 500,000 people come together for the global family reunion LGBTQIA+ people have been waiting for.”

“Sydney WorldPride is a party with a purpose, and will celebrate Sydney’s most iconic locations, from Bondi Beach to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.”

“It’s the biggest summer event of 2023 and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate Pride with Australia’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community.”

As well as Sydney WorldPride’s major events, there will be over 60 specially curated arts events and more than 20 sporting events as part of WorldPride Arts and WorldPride Sports. WorldPride Arts have been made possible thanks to Create New South Wales (NSW).

Sydney WorldPride will also feature a special one-off event in Newcastle called Pink Salt, an outdoor long table dinner to be hosted at The Station, featuring live performances and outrageous design.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said: “Sydney WorldPride 2023 will showcase our incredible and inclusive city to a global audience and will re-establish Sydney as a must-visit destination for visitors.”

“It’ll be the first time this event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere and has the potential to be the biggest event Sydney has seen since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.”

“As a city and a state, we are embracing the freedom we have earned through the hard times of the past two years.”

“The NSW Government continues to invest in world-class entertainment, hospitality and events; our goal is to be the events capital of the Asia-Pacific and supporting Sydney WorldPride 2023 helps achieve this.”

“NSW is ready to host this event and we are encouraging visitors to make the trip to enjoy the best that Sydney has to offer.”

Local artists, producers and party promoters are also being invited to take part in Pride Amplified, a dedicated open-access program for arts, culture, experiences and parties, with hundreds of events expected to take place across Greater Sydney.

Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, said: “The City is proud to be a fierce ally of the rainbow community and we are delighted to welcome the world to Sydney for Pride in 2023!”

“This is a fantastic moment for Sydney. Hosting WorldPride 2023 is an affirmation of our city as a richly diverse and accepting society, open to the world and inclusive of all, and a wonderful opportunity to help our arts, tourism and hospitality sectors that were so hard hit by the Covid pandemic.”

Gil Beckwith, Chief Financial Officer, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the world’s LGBTQIA+ communities to our city for Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras.”

“This event will not only showcase the iconic surrounds of Sydney and NSW as a premier tourist destination, but it will also boost the profile of the Mardi Gras Festival to international audiences, creating a legacy that will have an important impact on the growth of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and our community in years to come.”

TICKETS

Every year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the hottest summer event in Sydney, with international headliners and visitors from around the globe joining one of the world’s most renowned Pride festivals.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 09:00 AEST on 15 July via SydneyWorldPride.com.

To secure early access to Sydney WorldPride tickets, sign up now at sydneyworldpride.com to access pre-sale tickets from 09:00 AEST on 11 July. Mardi Gras Members not only get pre-sale access but discounted tickets on many Mardi Gras events.

American Express Card Members will also have access to a selection of Sydney WorldPride pre-sale tickets from 9 am AEST, 11 July via the American Express website (T&Cs apply).

Sydney WorldPride is proud to offer $49 + booking fee tickets to select events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through MobTix, and for select concession card holders through our Affordability Program.

Special thanks to Gildan Brands Australia for their generous donation of over 1,000 Gildan t-shirts worn by the participants in the Human Progress Flag. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Matt Fraser: mfraser@originalspin.com.au phone +61 401 326 007

ABOUT WORLDPRIDE

WorldPride is a global event licensed by InterPride, which is awarded to a different host city every 2-3 years.

Like the Olympics, cities bid to host the event and deliver a comprehensive program of arts, culture and festivals designed to engage global LGBTQIA+ audiences. The first WorldPride took place in Rome in July 2000, followed by Jerusalem (2006), London (2012), Toronto (2014), Madrid (2017), New York (2019) and Copenhagen + Malmo (2021).

FULL LIST OF 2023 EVENTS

A full list of the Sydney WorldPride festival’s events is as follows:

Related Images

Image 1: Sydney World Pride 2023

Human Progress Pride Flag at Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Daniel Boud

Image 2: Sydney WorldPride – Human Progress Pride Flag – Sydney Opera House

Photo credit: Daniel Boud

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Groundbreaking Global Research Shows the True Value of Self-Care

Realising the potential of self-care, for everyone, everywhere will deliver even more savings and higher quality of life

Featured Image for Global Self-Care Federation

Featured Image for Global Self-Care Federation

GENEVA, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the beginning of WHO Self-Care Month, the Global Social and Economic Value of Self-Care study, released today in full by the Global Self-Care Federation, demonstrates that current self-care practices deliver significant economic savings and quality-of-life improvements:

  • savings of nearly $120 billion each year for global healthcare systems and, therefore, national economies.
  • savings of 40.8 billion productive days for both health practitioners and individuals, which translates to an average of 11.83 workdays per person per year. It corresponds to a value of $1,879 billion in welfare effects.
  • gain of 22 million quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), the standard measurement for the value of health outcomes.

These are the key findings of this groundbreaking research, which is the first global research project analysing the worldwide value and impact of self-care, across 155 countries. Importantly, it is the first study to include data from low- and middle-income countries, providing a unique global perspective.

Judy Stenmark, Director General at GSCF, said, “Given the proven benefits and efficiency gains that self-care delivers, it is clear self-care has to be given much higher priority by governments at all levels. It is currently an area that is sadly too often overlooked in health policy. And that applies to both the wealthier industrialised nations and the world’s lower-income countries and regions.”

The Study distinguishes between two main approaches. ‘Self-care first’ refers to the practice of self-care as the first treatment option, which is typically more prevalent in developed economies. The second is ‘self-care only’ is the use of self-care instead of doing nothing, in particular when it is the only available option in low-income countries.

Stenmark continued, “The Study very clearly demonstrates the benefits of self-care for individuals, healthcare professionals and health systems. It will be a major contributor to achieving universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare, both of which are clearly articulated in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s ‘triple billion’ goals.

“It is now time to realise the potential of self-care, for everyone, everywhere.”

The Study split the 155 countries into three groupings based on healthcare accessibility and affordability. It analysed levels of self-care integration, using a systematic literature review, economic modelling and other exhaustive tools to determine the value of self-care in a robust, scientific manner, to estimate the value self-care can bring according to a country’s socio-economic context. Although the effects of self-care are quantified using the current and projected future consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) products, self-care is much more than that. Self-care is a multifaceted and multidimensional concept which includes a variety of health-related practices. There needs to be a greater recognition of these elements and the benefits of self-care from all key stakeholders.

Media Enquiries: claverty@selfcarefederation.org

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CORRECTION – Zoom Unveils Platform Evolution; Launches New Packaging and Translation Feature

  • Zoom One is a new offering that brings together options for persistent chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more into a single, secure and scalable package
  • All-new translation feature allows meetings to be translated between English and any of the 10 languages, or from those languages into English

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) is updating a press release issued on June 22, 2022 to clarify that Unlimited Regional Calling is an optional add-on feature for Zoom One Enterprise and Enterprise Plus customers. Complete corrected text follows.

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today unveiled the latest evolution of its communications platform with the introduction of Zoom One, a new offering that brings together persistent chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more into secure and scalable packages. Additionally, Zoom also launched an all new translated and multi-language captions feature.

“Simplicity is at the core of everything we do. As the Zoom platform has evolved from a meeting app to a comprehensive communications platform, it was clear that introducing new packaging like Zoom One was the next step in the company’s evolution,” said Greg Tomb, President, Zoom. “By bringing together chat, phone, meetings, whiteboard, and more in a single offering, we are able to offer our customers solutions that are simple to manage, so they can focus on business issues that matter most.”

“Businesses continue to realize the time and cost saving a single provider can offer. According to Omdia’s latest end user survey, 40% of organizations are prioritizing investments around eliminating multiple cloud-based UC solutions that may be deployed within their organizations,” states Brent Kelly, Principal Analyst, Omdia Research. “The need to simplify business operations is a market trend that we see as being increasingly important, and Zoom One’s tiered bundles and common management console aligns well to this customer demand.”

Zoom One’s intuitive experience
Purpose-built to work together, Zoom One’s intuitive experience offers customers the choice between six tiered offerings according to their business needs.

  • Zoom One Basic provides free 40-minute Zoom Meetings for up to 100 attendees, persistent Zoom Chat for team messaging, limited Zoom Whiteboard for synchronous and asynchronous work, and real-time transcription.
  • Zoom One Pro provides everything Zoom One Basic offers without Meeting time limits, plus cloud recording.
  • Zoom One Business provides everything Zoom One Pro offers, plus Zoom Meetings for up to 300 attendees and unlimited Zoom Whiteboards.
  • Zoom One Business Plus provides everything Zoom One Business offers, plus Zoom Phone Pro with unlimited regional calling and Zoom’s all-new translation feature.
  • Zoom One Enterprise and Zoom One Enterprise Plus are similar to Zoom One Business, with larger meeting capacity and additional features, like Zoom Webinars, to help modern businesses scale. Unlimited Regional Calling is an optional add-on feature for Zoom One Enterprise and Enterprise Plus.

Zoom One Basic, Pro, Business and Business Plus plans are available for purchase online today. To purchase Zoom One Enterprise or Enterprise Plus, customers can speak to an account executive directly. For more information, visit https://zoom.us/pricing.

“If you provide a complete suite of reliable and easy-to-use communication tools that people can use to do their jobs, they are less likely to be using one-off solutions outside of our offerings – which in turn simplifies our support and delivery model,” said Rob Kerr, chief information officer at Cooley, a global law firm with 3,300 employees in 17 offices across the United States, Asia, and Europe. “Zoom’s secure portfolio of unified video, chat, whiteboarding, and telephony solutions aligns our global teams and allows Cooley to better serve its clients.”

For more information on the new, simplified offerings or to find the plan that is best suited for your business, visit the Zoom blog.

Introducing translated & multi-language captions
Launching first in Zoom One Business Plus and Zoom One Enterprise Plus packages, Zoom’s translated captions will allow users to view captions translated into the language of their choice. At launch, translations will be available between English and 10 additional languages, or from any of the 10 languages to English. The ability to translate directly to and from English is known as bi-directional translation. Translated captions display at the base of the screen while in a Zoom Meeting.

The bi-directional translations are available in the following languages: Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

To access the translated captions feature, Zoom One customers must upgrade to either the Zoom One Business Plus or Zoom One Enterprise Plus packages (in applicable countries).

Zoom also extended its automated captioning – the ability to caption in real-time what a speaker is saying in the same language as the one spoken – to include 10 additional languages. Automated captions previously were supported in English, but now can be displayed in the additional 10 languages referenced above. Multi-language automated captions are available in Business Plus, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus packages with additional support for other plans coming soon.

About Zoom
Zoom is for you. Zoom is a space where you can connect to others, share ideas, make plans, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for large enterprises, small businesses, and individuals alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Zoom Public Relations
Candace Dean
Corporate PR Lead
press@zoom.us

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Rural Ministry’s TVET initiative provides youth with higher education opportunities

SUNGAI PETANI, The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative under the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) provides opportunities for trainees who lack academic qualifications to further their studies.

Deputy Rural Development Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the TVET implementation was based on a system framework where the articulation path begins at the certificate till the Hi-TVET level.

“Starting from the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia Level One till Three at GiatMARA, KEDA College, KEMAS Academy and PERDA Tech.

“Then there’s the TVET Diploma at the MARA Skills Institute, MARA High Skills Institute, Malaysia Japan Industrial Institute and German Malaysia Institute and then at the Hi-TVET level at Universiti Kuala Lumpur,” he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the 2022 TVET@KPLB Education Institute Expo here today.

His text was read by the Rural Development Minister’s political secretary, Muhamad Nur Aizat Noor Azam.

Abdul Rahman said besides being equipped with technical skills, TVET KPLB trainees are also armed with knowledge and soft skills, including mastery of a second language, namely English.

He added that the approach aimed to make TVET KPLB graduates into a complete package as well-rounded skilled workers.

He also explained that entrepreneurial aspects would be also focused in the TVET KPLB syllabus to allow trainees to pursue and create jobs as well as open and manage their own business ventures.

On the 2022 TVET@KPLB 2022 Education Institute Expo, Abdul Rahman said the programme was capable of convincing the public that TVET is able to create sustainable job opportunities to improve the quality of life for Malaysians.

“Throughout the three days, the expo has received over 300,000 visitors, physically and online. I would like to congratulate everyone for making it happen,” he said.

The three-day 2022 TVET@KPLB 2022 Education Institute Expo, which began on Thursday, promotes the TVET programmes offered by various agencies and departments under the Rural Development Ministry to attract interest and boost the intake of new students.

The expo involves over 280 TVET@KPLB Education Institutes under seven main agencies, including the Social Development Department, the Orang Asli Development Department, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Shahidan: Unrelated parties must stop interfering, politicising Sungai Baru issue

KUALA LUMPUR, Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, has urged unrelated parties to stop interfering and politicising the issue of land acquisition for the Sungai Baru redevelopment project in Kampung Baru, which is still in the process of negotiations.

He also urged the group of residents who still disagree with the land acquisition process not to be confused and influenced by those who just want to take advantage of the issue by pretending to be ‘heroes’.

“Landowners are more entitled than others, they voice their opinion a little wrongly when the opinion is channelled to those who want to take advantage.

“I may be challenged by other parties; then go ahead, challenge me. I have no problem but I am still in favour of the landowners. There is no need to look for others because we (the government) will make the decision, but if other people want to be heroes, it is up to them,” he said at the press conference of the ‘Self-Defence Awareness @ Jihad Dadah’ programme, here today.

According to Kampong Bharu Development Corporation, owners of a total of 291 lots (27 terrace lots and 264 flat units), representing 88.72 per cent, have agreed to the redevelopment project, and at the same time, the developer continues to meet and hold engagement sessions with the owners of 37 terrace house lots who have voiced their disagreement.

The Self-Defence Awareness @ Jihad Dadah is a one-day programme, co-organised by Persekutuan Seni Silat Cekak Pusaka Ustaz Hanafi Malaysia (Pusaka Hanafi Malaysia); the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), at Wangsa Walk Mall today, to raise public awareness to be alert to the risk of crime in addition to preparing oneself with the basics of self-defence.

Meanwhile, on an unrelated development, when asked about the statement by Ketereh Member of Parliament (MP), Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who hinted that there were several more dismissals of several individuals in the party following the removal of Pasir Salak MP, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, as a member of the UMNO Supreme Council (MT) on Thursday, Shahidan hoped that the party will pay more attention to the unification aspect of the ummah.

The former Perlis UMNO chief also expressed regret over the issue and said the dismissal should not have happened, and he was of the view that there was still room and opportunity for the party to strengthen unity in giving confidence to the people to continue leading the country.

“I believe that the UMNO president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) also wants to leave a legacy that unites the ummah,” he said.

“If, before the GE (general election), the divisions of the ummah occur; we hold an election then we will lose. We need to win,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Chicken Price: Not ‘u-turn’ but based on people’s views – PM Ismail Sabri

PUTRAJAYA, The government did not do a ‘u-turn’ when announcing that the price of chicken in the market would not be floated, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the decision was made based on the views of interested parties especially Keluarga Malaysia (the Malaysian Family).

“The decision (not to float chicken price) was made after listening to the people’s views.

“The decision is for the benefit of the people, not a u-turn,” he told reporters after visiting the Putrajaya Recreation Day (HRP) 2022 and Jom Heboh Putrajaya Carnival in Anjung Floria here today.

He was commenting on allegations by opposition parties that the decision was a ‘u-turn’.

Yesterday, the prime minister announced that the price of chicken would not be floated and a new ceiling price would be announced by the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) soon.

MAFI then said it would be holding a special meeting with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and chicken breeding industry players today to discuss issues related to the supply and new ceiling price of chicken.

On the HRP 2022 programme, Ismail Sabri said it is a huge family gathering in line with the Malaysian Family concept introduced in October last year.

“I was really excited upon arrival, maybe because I saw so many people not only from around Kuala Lumpur but also from Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang,” he said.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri spent about one hour visiting several exhibition stalls and taking selfies with visitors.

Among the stalls he visited were Kelab Kucing Malaysia, Didik TV, Studio A Jom Heboh, Media Prima, Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia and Putrajaya Floria.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud.

More than 70,000 visitors have turned up for the HRP 2022 and Jom Heboh Putrajaya Carnival as at 5 pm.

HRP 2022, held for the first time, is aimed at promoting Putrajaya as a Recreational Town with various tourism products, including Floria Beach, lakeside, cycling tracks and plant nurseries.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Orang Asli urged to participate in online entrepreneurship to highlight products

IPOH, The Orang Asli community has been urged to participate in online entrepreneurship to highlight their unique products.

Deputy Rural Development Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said this would allow about 1,000 Orang Asli entrepreneurs in the country to expand the market for their products nationwide.

“We also have Desamall@KPLB which connects entrepreneurs under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) and its agencies with online shopping portals such as Shopee and Lazada.

“We will implement an Orang Asli entrepreneurship branding programme for them to understand online business methods,” he said.

He said this after officiating the Orang Asli Entrepreneurs Carnival (KUOA) 2022, at the Sultan Azlan Shah roundabout here which was also attended by Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) deputy director-general Zamri Mustajap and the Perak Rural Development, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Committee chairman, Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin.

Earlier, he said KPLB through JAKOA had allocated RM10.9 million for the Orang Asli Entrepreneurship Programme in 2016 until now.

“The allocation is used to produce Orang Asli entrepreneurs in terms of setting up business premises, providing business equipment assistance and entrepreneurship courses and seminars.

He said KUOA 2022 was aimed at helping the Orang Asli to improve their communication and interaction skills as well as highlight their talents.

Hosted by JAKOA, KUOA 2022 is the 13th edition of the carnival organised for entrepreneurs among the Orang Asli community with 35 entrepreneurs selected to participate.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency