June 5, 2023

New generative AI-powered Zoom IQ features are now available to Zoom users via free trials

Zoom IQ meeting summary and chat compose features allow users to quickly summarize Zoom Meetings without recording and draft content in Zoom Team Chat

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) launched key features of Zoom IQ, a smart companion that empowers collaboration and unlocks people’s potential through generative AI. Now available through free trials for customers in select plans,¹ the Zoom Meeting summary and Zoom Team Chat compose features will help teams improve productivity, balance workday priorities, and collaborate more effectively.

“With the introduction of these new capabilities in Zoom IQ, an incredible generative AI assistant, teams can further enhance their productivity for everyday tasks, freeing up more time for creative work and expanding collaboration,” said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to large language models, and with Zoom’s federated approach to AI, we are able to bring powerful capabilities to our customers and users through Zoom’s own models as well as our partners’ models.”

Zoom’s federated approach to AI leverages its own proprietary large language AI models, those from leading AI companies — such as OpenAI and Anthropic — and select customers’ own models. With this flexibility to incorporate multiple types of models, Zoom’s goal is to provide the most value for its customers’ diverse needs.

The first set of Zoom IQ capabilities is now generally available to Zoom customers in select plans as free trials:

Meeting summary: Zoom Meeting hosts can now create a summary powered by Zoom’s own large language models and share it via Zoom Team Chat and email without recording the conversation. Hosts receive automated summaries and can share them with attendees and those who didn’t attend to improve team collaboration and speed up productivity.
Chat compose: Zoom Team Chat users can now use the generative AI-powered compose feature, which leverages OpenAI’s technology, to draft messages based on the context of a Team Chat thread in addition to changing message tone and length as well as rephrasing responses to customize text recommendations.

Zoom is committed to empowering customers with the tools they need to control their data. In order to use these features, customers will need to go to the Zoom admin console and opt into the free trials for each feature. As part of the opt-in, customers will also select data-sharing options with Zoom. Account admins may change this data-sharing selection at any time. Customer data will not be used to train third-party models. More information can be found here.

To further help its customers and users, Zoom will continue to enhance its products with Zoom IQ capabilities. The next set of generative AI-powered features, scheduled to be released soon, will allow users to draft email content, summarize Team Chat threads, organize ideas, and draft whiteboard content:

Email compose: Harnessing the power of generative AI, users will get email draft suggestions in response to the conversational context from prior Zoom Meetings, Zoom Phone calls, and email threads. Initially available in Zoom IQ for Sales, sales professionals will be able to quickly follow up with customers based on the context of their last conversation. Email compose will be generally available in the coming weeks.
Zoom Team Chat thread summaries: Ever step away from the computer only to come back to a flurry of Team Chat messages? Available in the coming months, Team Chat thread summaries will allow users to catch up with the click of a button.
Meeting queries: Joining a Zoom Meeting late can be both disruptive and confusing for the latecomer, but not anymore. Meeting queries will allow users to catch up quickly without disrupting the meeting flow by discreetly submitting a query via the in-meeting chat and receiving a generative AI-created summary of what they missed. The meeting queries feature is expected to be generally available in the coming months.
Whiteboard draft: Who hasn’t experienced the “cold start” problem? A slow start to a brainstorming session can put a damper on idea generation, but with whiteboard draft, teams will be able to get a set of initial ideas, simply using text prompts. The whiteboard draft feature is expected to be generally available in the coming months.
Whiteboard synthesize: Brainstorming sessions typically end with a lot of ideas that need to be organized in order to execute. The whiteboard synthesize feature automatically organizes ideas into categories, so teams can get to work faster. This feature is expected to be generally available in the coming months.

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Lacretia Taylor
press@zoom.us

__________________________¹ Meeting summary and chat compose with Zoom IQ are currently available in English only to Zoom One packages (Enterprise Plus, Enterprise, Business Plus, Business, Pro) and select Zoom legacy bundles (Enterprise Named Host, Enterprise Active Host, Zoom Meetings Enterprise, Zoom Meetings Business, Zoom Meetings Pro) — as free trials for a limited time. Select verticals and geos may be excluded.

Free trial features may be discontinued or modified at any time and may be subject to usage limits, regional or license restrictions, and other terms and conditions.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852345

June 5, 2023

NRx Pharmaceuticals, Lotus Pharmaceuticals and Alvogen Inc. Announce Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize NRX-101

NRx Pharmaceuticals, Lotus Pharmaceuticals, and Alvogen to collaborate on the further development and commercialization of NRX-101 for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression (S-TRBD) for global markets
Lotus Pharmaceuticals will acquire worldwide rights for NRX-101 for S-TRBD and will be responsible for commercialization of NRX-101 in markets outside the US through Lotus’s direct presence in certain Asian markets or through their export division, which currently has partnerships in numerous markets, including in Europe, Japan, China, Australia and Latin America
Alvogen, through its CNS focused Almatica^® division, will be responsible for U.S. commercialization of NRX-101
NRx will be eligible to receive up to $330 million in milestone payments tied to development progress and sales targets as well as tiered double-digit escalating to the mid-teens royalty payments contingent upon certain sales thresholds in the U.S. and a fixed royalty payment for markets outside the U.S.
Agreement includes a right of first negotiation for new indications outside of the field of bipolar depression with suicidality for NRX-101 and/or potential new products containing D-cycloserine in combination with an antidepressant / antipsychotic

RADNOR, Pa. and MORRISTOWN, N.J. and TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lotus Pharmaceuticals (1795:TT; “Lotus”), a multinational pharmaceutical company, Alvogen, a privately owned U.S. based pharmaceuticals company, and NRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: NRXP) (“NRx Pharmaceuticals or NRx”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a global collaboration agreement covering the development and commercialization of NRX-101 for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression (S-TRBD) for global markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, relating to NRX-101 for the U.S. market, NRx is entitled to receive an initial payment of $10 million upon achieving both a successful read-out from the ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial in S-TRB and completion of a Type B meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NRx would receive an additional payment of $5 million upon receipt of FDA approval for NRX-101 as well as bonus milestone payments of increasing amounts up to $330 million based on reaching certain net sales targets. In addition to success-based payments, NRx is eligible to receive a royalty on net sales between 12% and 16% contingent on certain sales thresholds for the U.S. market and other success-based payments for markets outside of the U.S.

Lotus will acquire worldwide rights for NRX-101 for treatment of S-TRBD and will be responsible for commercialization of NRX-101 in markets outside of the U.S. through their direct commercial presence in certain Asian markets or through Lotus’s export division where the company currently markets an extensive portfolio of products through top-tier partners. Lotus will partner with Alvogen, a longstanding partner for Lotus in the U.S., to commercialize NRX-101 for treatment of S-TRBD in the U.S. market through Alvogen’s Almatica label. Almatica is the CNS-focused division of Alvogen that currently markets six branded products. Alvogen and Lotus have committed to fund the next registrational study in suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression to support approval of NRX-101 contingent upon successful results of the ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial and completion of a Type B meeting with the FDA. Lotus and Alvogen will have a right of first negotiation for new indications outside of the field of bipolar depression with suicidality for NRX-101 and/or potential new products containing D-cycloserine in combination with an antidepressant / antipsychotic.

Stephan Willard, J.D., Chief Executive Officer of NRx, commented, “This collaboration can accelerate the delivery of NRX-101 to patients grappling with suicidal bipolar depression who desperately need better treatment alternatives. With our current resources we believe we can fund our operations until the expected Phase 2b/3 trial data. This global partnership significantly minimizes the need for future capital raises for NRX-101 development and commercialization. Alvogen and Lotus, with their CNS expertise and global operational capabilities, are ideal partners for this and possibly other NRx programs.”

Lisa Graver, Chief Executive Officer of Alvogen, commented, “A medication that improves depression in bipolar patients with elevated risk of suicide would represent a significant improvement in treatment, and we view the Phase 2 STABIL-B data of NRX-101 as promising to that effect. This agreement is congruent with our strategy of developing branded CNS products with clear differentiation and patient benefit while leveraging our proven commercialization capabilities under our Almatica brand. NRX-101 provides an excellent addition to our growing CNS pipeline.”

Petar Vazharov, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus, commented, “This is an exciting transaction for Lotus. Over much of the last decade, Lotus has been able to transition itself from a domestic generics Taiwanese company into a global pharma company that exports its intellectual property all over the world through either our direct presence across Asia or through our export business that includes the U.S., Japan, China, Latin America and Europe. The addition of NRX-101 to our pipeline is completely in-line with our strategic objective to drive heightened innovation that addresses significant unmet medical needs.”

An estimated seven million people are living with bipolar depression in the U.S. alone¹. The risk of suicide within the group is very high, with data indicating that 50% or more of these patients will attempt suicide in their lifetime². There are currently no medications specifically approved for people with bipolar depression and elevated levels of suicidality. NRX-101 is the first investigational medication to be specifically studied in this vulnerable patient population. Proof-of-concept data from the Phase 2 STABIL clinical trial, in which patients with bipolar depression and acute suicidality were randomized to NRX-101 or lurasidone after stabilization with one infusion of ketamine, showed a statistically significant benefit of NRX-101 vs lurasidone. Based on these data, the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) and a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for NRX-101 in bipolar depression with acute suicidality.

NRx Pharma recently announced that it has upgraded and expanded its ongoing Phase 2 randomized, controlled clinical trial in bipolar depression with sub-acute suicidality to a registrational Phase 2b/3 clinical trial. Results from the ongoing Phase 2b/3 clinical trial are expected by year-end 2023. NRx will be hosting a conference call to discuss in greater detail the impact of the transaction.

About NRX-101

Up to 50% of individuals with bipolar disorder attempt suicide over their lifetime, and estimates indicate that up to 20% may succumb to suicide³. The only FDA-approved treatment for patients with treatment-resistant suicidal bipolar depression remains electroconvulsive therapy.

Conventional antidepressants can increase the risk of suicide in certain patients; hence their labels contain a warning to that effect. NRX-101 is a patented, oral, fixed dose combination of D-cycloserine and lurasidone, neither of which has shown addiction potential in preclinical models. Based on the results of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study, NRX-101 received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the treatment of severe bipolar depression in patients with Acute Suicidal Ideation & Behavior (ASIB) after initial stabilization with ketamine or other effective therapy.

NRX-101 is one of the first oral antidepressants currently in late-stage clinical studies targeting the NMDA-receptor in the brain, which represents potentially a key new mechanism to treat depression with and without suicidality, as well as PTSD and other indications. To date, NRX-101 is the only oral NMDA investigational medicine focused on bipolar depression in patients with acute and sub-acute suicidality.

About NRx Pharmaceuticals

NRx Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically bipolar depression with suicidality and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The company’s lead program NRX-101, an oral, fixed-dose combination of D-cycloserine and lurasidone, targets the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and is being investigated in a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial for Suicidal Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression, which includes patients with both acute and sub-acute suicidality, an indication for which the only approved treatment is electroshock therapy. The company’s prior Phase 2 STABIL-B clinical trial evaluating NRX-101 in patients with Severe Bipolar Depression with Acute Suicidal Ideation & Behavior (ASIB) demonstrated a substantial improvement over available therapy in reducing depression and suicidality compared to placebo when patients were treated with NRX-101 after a single dose of ketamine. Based on the findings from the STABIL-B trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a Special Protocol Agreement and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for NRX-101 in patients with Severe Bipolar Depression with ASIB.

About Alvogen and Almatica

Alvogen is a privately held pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling generic and branded products for the US market. The company has a diverse portfolio and pipeline that includes both branded and generic products across various administration forms. The Alvogen-family of companies includes Alvogen US (Generics), Almatica (Brands) and Almaject (Injectables).

Almatica Pharma LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alvogen, Inc. and is a U.S. pharmaceutical company focused on the development, acquisition and commercialization of branded pharmaceutical products. Its current product portfolio covers a range of therapeutic areas, but promotional focus is on central nervous system disorders and conditions.

About Lotus

Founded in 1966, Lotus (1795: TT) is an international pharmaceutical company with global presence, focused on commercializing novel and generic pharmaceuticals, offering patients better, safe and more accessible medicines. The Company has a recognized best-in-class R&D and manufacturing platform in Asia and has established partnerships in nearly every global market including the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Brazil. Lotus runs over 100 strategically selected pharmaceutical projects in development and registrations across Asia and the US, with over 250 commercial products. The Company invests in diversified best portfolio consisting of high-barrier oncology, complex generics as well as 505(b)2 and NCE via internal R&D investment and licensing-in partnership, and also strengthens its portfolio competitiveness by adding biosimilar products with support from strategic partners. Its industry-leading infrastructure certified by most of the advanced regulatory authorities around the world, including US FDA, EU EMA, Japan PMDA, China FDA, and Brazil ANVISA.

¹Merikangas, K., et al.(2007). Lifetime and 12-Month Prevalence of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 64:543-552

²Pallaskorpi, et al. Incidence and Predictors of suicide attempts in bipolar I and II disorder: A 5-year follow-up study, Bipolar Disorders, 2016

³Psychiatric Times; Suicide Attempts and Completions in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

NRX Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement of NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook, product development, business prospects, and market and industry trends and conditions, as well as the Company’s strategies, plans, objectives, and goals. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections of, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management.

The Company assumes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement, and all forward-looking statements are herein qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth above.

Lotus Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this document are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on management’s expectations regarding future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures, competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Statements in this presentation about our future plans and intentions, results, level of activities, performance, goals or achievements or other future events constitute forward looking statements. Wherever possible, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “may”, “could”, “will”, “potential”, “intend”, “estimate”, “should”, “plan”, “predict”, or the negative or other variations of statements reflect management’s current beliefs and assumptions and are based on the information currently available to our management. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this document and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Lotus Contacts:

INVESTOR AND MEDIA RELATIONS
Susan Liao, Head of Investor Relations
+886 2 2700 5908
investor@lotuspharm.com

NRX Contacts:

CORPORATE CONTACT
Matthew Duffy
Chief Business Officer
mduffy@nrxpharma.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Suzanne Messere
Investor Relations
suzanne.messere@sternir.com

Alvogen Contacts:

Andrea Sweet
andrea.sweet@alvogen.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000823518

June 5, 2023

VERSES, DENTONS US and SPATIAL WEB FOUNDATION To Release Industry Report Titled “A Path to Global AI Governance”

Figure 1

The Road to Autonomy – Executive Summary

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VERSES AI Inc. (CBOE CANADA:VERS) (OTCQX:VRSSF) (“VERSES” or the “Company”), a cognitive computing company specializing in the next generation of artificial intelligence (“AI”), announces the release on June 8, 2023 of an AI industry report titled “THE ROAD TO AUTONOMY: A Path To Global AI Governance”.

The report combines the legislative expertise from Dentons, the world’s largest multinational law firm, and the AI acumen of VERSES with the guidance on technical standards from the Spatial Web Foundation to provide an in-depth analysis of the legal and key legislative trends from across the world on the state of AI regulation and recommendations for a path forward for government regulation of AI.

The report aspires to pioneer a fresh approach for legal practitioners, government regulators, and lawmakers, to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements and to guide their adaptation. The critical aspect of the report is to promote the adoption of standards for what VERSES considers “law as code.” The objective is to encode laws and legal principles into an understandable, machine-readable language that will facilitate the comprehension and autonomous compliance of AI systems with legal frameworks and social norms.

The report analyzes the unprecedented challenges presented by the emergence of AI and autonomous software, devices, and vehicles addressing fundamental questions like, “How can governments regulate AI systems that are on a path to regulating themselves? How can humans stay in the loop to ensure AI alignment with human values, principles, and laws, while guaranteeing fair and equitable services for all individuals and communities? And, how do we encode and enforce AI laws directly in AI systems themselves?”

The report critically examines the transformative power of rapidly evolving technologies such as AI systems and their impending impact on legal, regulatory, and government sectors and accentuates the crucial need for developing and adopting standards that foster the understanding, governance, and interoperability of AI and autonomous systems. The report underscores the role of these technical standards in shaping dynamic and effective laws to regulate, oversee, and contemporize AI activities.

The goal of the report is to provide governments, regulators, and legislators with a pragmatic framework that not only informs but also provides a roadmap for policymaking, legislation, and compliance efforts in the field of AI. This is relevant to the flourishing autonomous vehicle industry, while also serving as a fundamental guide for all future AI-driven systems. Emphasizing the urgency of a globally unified, forward-thinking approach to AI governance, the report signals the vital need for standards development and deployment as the world navigates the pathway to Autonomous Intelligent Systems (“AIS”).

Significantly, the report points to the instrumental role of sociotechnical standards, as demonstrated by the work of the Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers IEEE P2874 Working Group. This initiative from the world’s largest association of technical professionals, underscores the importance of aligning AIS with human values and reducing the risk of harmful behavior.

The report also highlights the European Commission’s Flying Forward 2020 (“FF2020”) project for successfully implementing these standards. Led by VERSES and running on its KOSM platform, the FF2020 project featured autonomous AI-powered drones executing various tasks, such as medical supply delivery, building security inspection, and large crowd monitoring, all while adhering to local laws. The project exemplifies how the seamless integration of standards for AI with Urban Air Mobility and current legal and regulatory frameworks could improve the implementation of AI-powered services at city scale and beyond.

The report envisions the application of these standards to a host of sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, supply chain and more, paving the way for a smarter world with AI seamlessly operating behind the scenes.

“AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, raising concerns about the direction of its future trajectory. As AI evolves towards autonomous systems, the need for regulation becomes critical. We must address the challenge of regulating self-regulating AI to ensure alignment with human values and prevent potential risks. By implementing global technical standards and establishing an international AI regulatory framework, we can harness the immense benefits of AI while safeguarding against its potential perils,” stated VERSES CEO, Gabriel René.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with VERSES, as the challenge of regulating machines raises the question of how to strike a balance between control and freedom for entities incapable of comprehending laws or guiding principles. The current pace of the legal system hinders effective regulation and allows unchecked development of rapidly evolving technologies like AI. A new socio-technological standards-based approach seems to be a very pragmatic and appealing way forward,” said Peter Stockberger, Partner at Dentons US.

In summary, the report calls for a safe, effective, and inclusive journey down the “Road to Autonomy,” ensuring that future AI systems are not just technically advanced but also aligned with the best interests of humanity, both now and in the future. With AI influencing every sector, this insightful report offers pragmatic recommendations for a more secure, innovative, and integrated AI-driven future. The full report will be available on the VERSES, DENTONS, and Spatialweb.org websites on or around June 8, 2023, with the executive summary already available for preview.

About VERSES

VERSES is a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation AI. Modeled after natural systems and the design principles of the human brain and the human experience, VERSES flagship offering, GIA, is an Intelligent Assistant for everyone powered by KOSMOS, a network operating system enabling distributed intelligence. Built on open standards, KOSM transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines, and AI, across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature. Learn more at VERSES, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Dentons
Dentons is designed to be different. As the world’s largest global law firm with 21,000 professionals in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries, Denton’s can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Denton’s polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with their commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures they challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

About the Spatial Web Foundation
The Spatial Web Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and ethical use of technology, specifically in the creation and implementation of the Spatial Web protocol. The foundation’s core initiatives include developing open standards and protocols, promoting interoperability, and educating the public and policymakers. The foundation supports transparency and accountability in the development and use of technology, promotes responsible innovation, engages in dialogue and collaboration with various stakeholders, and adopts a proactive approach to addressing emerging ethical challenges. Ultimately, the Spatial Web Foundation seeks to create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable internet that empowers individuals and communities to connect, create, and thrive.

On Behalf of the Company

Gabriel René
VERSES Technologies Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO
press@verses.io

Media and Investor Relations Inquiries

Leo Karabelas
Focus Communications
President
info@fcir.ca
416-543-3120

The NEO has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1df22be2-a8db-4ce3-8217-05fbc905429f

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852013

June 5, 2023

Vihiga Residents Plant Trees To Mark World Environment Day

Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has led area residents in a tree-planting exercise to mark the 50th World Environment Day.

The exercise took place at the Governor’s official residence compound in Endeli area in Sabatia Sub County where 1,700 seedlings were planted.

Dr. Ottichilo emphasized the importance of trees in the conservation of the environment and urged the people to grow them in their homesteads and farms.

The county head stated that his administration has focused on the reafforestation of the Maragoli hills forest as well as the school greening programme in a bid to increase the tree cover in the county.

The governor later visited Cheptulu market in Hamisi Sub County and participated in picking litter as a way of keeping the environment clean.

He lamented that non-biodegradable plastic materials had become a major hazard to the environment and urged the residents to re-use them.

‘I am advocating for the recycling and re-using of plastics in order to avoid their hazardous effect on the environment,’ he stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 5, 2023

Strong Regulatory Framework Needed To Guarantee Milk Safety

Kenya needs a strong dairy regulatory framework at both national and county levels to ensure milk and milk products enterprises comply with quality and safety requirements, Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has advised.

KDB Managing Director Dr Margaret Kibogy said the framework would also help protect consumers, enhance private sector participation, boost investment in the dairy industry and promote trade in milk and milk products, not just in Kenya, but in the external markets as well.

Speaking in Nakuru after public participation on the Draft Dairy Industry Bill, 2023, the Managing Director stated that as a member of the international community, Kenya had to align its regulations with global international standards for agricultural trade arrangements as enshrined under World Trade Organization, which were ratified in 1995.

Dr Kibogy observed that the current legislation regulating the dairy subsector enacted in 1958 was not in harmony with modern farming practices and technological advancements and recognized cow milk only. The Draft Dairy Industry Bill, 2023 now also gives recognition to sheep, goat and camel milk.

The MD said the proposed law aimed at improving the productivity and competitiveness of dairy products, increasing domestic consumption of milk and milk products, transforming the dairy industry into a net exporter to the regional and global markets, and re-orienting milk processing.

The proposed Bill, she added, was also geared towards encouraging locals to venture into commercial dairy farming in addition to establishing a legal backing for the dairy value-addition chain, giving way to the eestablishment of a corporation to coordinate activities in the sector.

Dr Kibogy said that milk which is primarily produced by smallholder dairy farmers under three main production systems of zero grazing, semi-zero grazing, and open grazing, was in high demand mainly due to population growth, increasing urbanization, and rising incomes.

She said that to meet this high demand, the government had given priority to the national strategic plans such as the Dairy Master Plan to guide the development of the dairy sector up to 2030.

She explained that the sanitary and phytosanitary standards agreement relates to regulations around labelling requirements, nutrition claims and concerns, quality and packaging regulations.

If the Bill is passed into law, it will also address microbiological contamination of milk, allowable veterinary drug residues, permitted food additives and packaging requirements.

‘There is a need to safeguard food safety and promote quality assurance to consumers here and beyond borders. It is with this in mind that the Bill was drafted with the objective of strengthening the dairy regulatory framework for the benefit of dairy business operators, consumers, and the public at large,’ added Dr. Kibogy.

She noted that without adequate controls, milk and milk products could be a source of microorganisms which cause serious diseases such as brucellosis, tuberculosis and cholera.

While appreciating the fact that Kenya’s dairy industry had been growing at an estimated rate of five per cent annually with milk production currently standing at 5.2 billion litres per year, Dr. Kibogy said about 1.8 million smallholder farmers have their livelihoods pegged on dairy production with the sector currently contributing to four per cent of the national GDP.

According to the 2020 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Food Balance Sheet report, the consumption of milk and its related products had the highest per capita consumption (93.3 kilos) in Kenya, followed by maize (69.5kgs), wheat (41.3kgs) and vegetables (32.6kgs).

Livestock Production Acting Director Nakuru County Virginia Ngunjiri said the devolved unit had set up 11 bulking and chilling plants and organized farmers into cooperatives in a move intended to raise the financial capability of farmers and safeguard milk for the market.

She regretted that the absence of adequate machinery had led to an increase of milk hawking with some informal traders adulterating their milk with substances not suitable for human consumption.

‘As a county we have been promoting the chilling of milk so that the farmers are able to bulk chill to reduce the post-harvest losses to the farmers,’ said Ngunjiri.

According to Ngunjiri, new milk handling technologies have already been launched across the county to boost preservation and bulking of milk, boosting farmers’ profits.

The cooling plants, she added, also helps dairy farmers to store their milk and sell it to processors at a good price and at their convenience.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 5, 2023

Mombasa Residents Urged To Participate In Environmental Conservation

As the world marks the World Environment Day today, Mombasa County Government has endeavored to prioritize sensitization of conservationism and behavioural change among residents to deal with issues surrounding preservation of the environment.

Speaking during the commemoration fete themed solutions to plastic pollution held in Tudor Ward, Deputy Governor (DG) Francis Thoya said since the new dispensation came to power, matters of the environment have been at the core of its mandate.

Thoya said the last six months have seen tremendous improvement in sanitation in areas that were previously synonymous with garbage hauls, including the VOK grounds, and other declared illegal dumping sites cleared up with alternative designated areas allocated for proper disposal of waste.

He added that the county government has provided adequate resources and infrastructure ranging from provision of garbage trucks to man power in an effort to mitigate the scourge but a change in the ethos and habits of residents in environmental management will deal with the garbage question conclusively.

‘The administration has worked tirelessly in a short span of time to resolve the garbage situation in the county but we have realized there is a habitual problem that has plagued our people when it comes to waste disposal and management,’ said Thoya.

‘There is dire need for sensitization and as a government, we want to bring the community to be at the centre of waste management. Through the youth-led initiatives like Mombasa yetu, residents will embrace culture change in waste disposal, resulting in a cleaner Mombasa,’ he added.

Thoya also hinted at the prospect of the County Government developing material recycling facilities that will assist in resolving the plastic menace that has inadvertently affected the environment especially the marine life.

He also declared every second day of the month a clean-up day in all 30 wards in the county, a move that he will personally spearhead as he doubles up as the County Executive Member (CECM) in charge of Environment and Solid waste management.

‘Starting July henceforth, every second day of each month will be a clean-up day in the county. These are some of the solutions we’ve sought with the help of authorities like NEMA to reduce the amount of garbage, especially plastic, flowing into the ocean,’ said Thoya.

In the cleanup exercise, Thoya noted that all the 30 wards would participate in a bid to ensure community involvement in environmental conservation.

The DG also cautioned residents that have encroached on part of the ocean front in the Moroto area in Tudor to move away and avert the imminent danger occasioned by the rising water levels.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 5, 2023

Environment Stakeholders Call For Partnership To Eradicate Plastic Pollution Menace

As the world commemorates environment day that is marked on June 5 globally, environmental stakeholders have called for partnerships to eradicate plastic pollution menace.

Speaking in Nanyuki town, Laikipia County after a two hour clean up exercise in Majengo informal settlement on Monday, the stakeholders said plastic pollution could be eradicated through recycling in a bid to create employment opportunities.

Laikipia County Deputy Governor Rueben Kamuri decried the increase of plastic usage which has led to pollution of water bodies and drainage blockage hence affecting the ecosystem.

He at the same pointed out that plastic pollution could be a good hub for mosquito breeding if not eradicated.

‘Plastics are an eyesore to the environment and if thrown out recklessly, they destroy the environment’s beauty and also pollute water bodies around us. All the agencies need to come together and eradicate the plastic pollution menace,’ said the deputy governor.

Kamuri further disclosed that to arrest plastic pollution menace, the county has developed a solid waste management policy.

Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli said that plastic pollution is a major threat to the environment and creating awareness on plastic waste management aimed at promoting the circular economy model which involves sharing, reusing, repairing and recycling of plastic wastes was important.

‘When using plastics, if you can’t use them properly, after use, ensure you take them to recyclers. It is the one way our youths can generate income. They should devise innovative ways,’ said the administrator.

Nanyuki based plastic recycler John Mwangi said that in Nanyuki alone, they collect about 30 tons of solid waste in a month.

He noted that transporting solid waste for recycling was the major challenge in eradicating the plastic eye sore in the town.

Mwangi said he had employed about 30 employees to assist him in plastic waste recycling.

He however observed that recyclers alone could not eradicate the plastic waste and called for more people to venture into the sector aimed at salvaging the ecosystem from the solid wastes pollution.

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Laikipia county coordinator John Muturo said that, as an environmental agency, they are committed to achieving zero waste targets in the country. He reiterated the need for partnership on solving the plastic wastes pollution problem.

On her part, World Wildlife Fund Kenya (WWF) Sub County Landscape officer Caroline Njiru who was one of the World environmental day sponsors revealed that they are set to hold a three days campaign within the Ewaso Nyiro basin dubbed ‘Journey of Water,’ starting tomorrow.

She said that the campaign would be geared towards educating the communities living in the northern parts of Kenya on the importance of protecting water catchment sources.

This year’s environment day’s theme is ‘Solution to Plastic Pollution’.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 5, 2023

FKF Third CAF B Course Commences At KISE

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa on Monday presided over the third CAF B class of 25 at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).

Among the coaches in attendance were Harambee Starlets Assistant Coach Mildred Cheche, Mathare United Ladies Coach Ann Aluoch, Nzoia Sugar Coach Salim Babu, Nairobi City Stars Coach Nicholas Muyoti, and Mathare United Coach Collins Omondi.

Mwendwa emphasized the significance of these coaching courses for the development of football in the country.

He highlighted the positive impact they have on talent identification and the overall growth of the game, benefiting leagues such as the FKF Premier League and FKF National Super League.

‘There’s immeasurable impact brought by this coaching courses. Coaches in the FKF Premier League, FKF National Super League and many others have been able to go through these courses and through it, we are able to scout for better football talent and bring an overall growth of the game in the country,’ said the FKF President.

Nairobi City Stars Coach Nicholas Muyoti shared his belief in the transformative power of these courses by acknowledging the evolving nature of football and the importance of improving coaching techniques to deliver quality and exciting football at the elite level.

‘Football is changing and I believe with these courses, we are able to improve on how we are going to coach our players to make sure at the elite level our fans are seeing good football,’ said Muyoti.

The course under the tutelage of Salim Ali and Leonard Odipo will run for a period of four months.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 5, 2023

Portuguese bank agreed to finance road rehabilitation works

Portuguese bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) has agreed to fund the rehabilitation works of roads in some regions of Angola.

The contracts of works, that will cover the provinces of Cabinda, Moxico and Zaire, are part of strengthening cooperation between Angola and Portugal.

The work will include the 250 national road, in the Lumeje-Cameia-Lucano section (Moxico), on the Cacongo-Miconje axis (Cabinda) and conclusion and repair of the Nzeto-Soyo highway (Zaire).

The financing contracts were signed this Monday by the Angolan Finance minister Vera Daves, the chairman of the Executive Commission of the Caixa Geral de Depósitos bank Paulo José Semedo and the Portuguese Prosecutor João Manuel de Castro Placido Pires.

A total of 13 legal documents were signed in the presence of the President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourenço, and the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, who is visiting the country for the second time, after 2018.

António Costa has been in Angola for an official visit, at the invitation of the President João Lourenço.

Angola and Portugal established diplomatic relations on 9 March, 1976.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 5, 2023

Portuguese Premier jets in for official visit

Portugal’s Prime Minister, António Costa, arrived this Monday in the Angolan capital, Luanda, for a two-day official visit.

António Costa heads a delegation made up of ministers who will hold meetings with their Angolan counterparts, aiming to lay out new areas of cooperation.

During the two-day visit, several bilateral cooperation agreements are to be signed, including a new strategic cooperation programme and a credit line reinforcement.

On Monday, António Costa will be received in a private meeting at the Presidential Palace by the Head of State, João Lourenço, and then the two officials will witness the meeting of the two countries’ delegations.

On the same day, the Portuguese Prime Minister plans to visit the Special Economic Zone located in the Municipality of Viana, where Portuguese businesspeople will be received.

For Tuesday, António Costa is scheduled to visit Banco Caixa Angola bank, the São Francisco do Penedo Fortress, as well as the Portuguese School of Luanda.

Angola and Portugal established diplomatic relations on March 9, 1976.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)