Delta 9 Announces Completion of Acquisition of Three Retail Cannabis Stores in Manitoba
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSX: DN) (OTCQX: DLTNF) (“Delta 9” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that on September 6, 2022 it completed a previously announced transaction with 10552763 Canada Corp. (the “Vendor”) whereby, pursuant to the asset purchase agreement between the Company and the Vendor dated August 12, 2022, the Company acquired all or substantially all of the Vendor’s assets relating to the operation of three Garden Variety branded retail cannabis stores located in Manitoba, two in Winnipeg and one in Brandon (the “Transaction”).
“We are pleased to announce the closing of another strategic retail acquisition to grow our market share across the Canadian prairies,” said John Arbuthnot, CEO of Delta 9. “Delta 9 now operates 38 cannabis retail stores, positioning us as one of Canada’s largest vertically integrated cannabis retailers.”
The purchase price paid by the Company relating to the Transaction was $3,250,000, subject to customary adjustments (the "Purchase Price"). $2,925,000 of the Purchase Price was satisfied through the issuance of 17,944,785 common shares in the capital stock of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a deemed price of $0.163 per Common Share, representing the ten (10) day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) on September 2, 2022 (the “Common Share Price”). $325,000 of the Purchase Price will be satisfied through the issuance of 1,993,865 Common Shares at a deemed price of the Common Share Price per Common Share, which will be issued in approximately six months.
The closing of the Transaction remains subject to the final approval of the TSX.
For more information contact:
Investor & Media Contact: Ian Chadsey VP Corporate Affairs Mobile: 204-898-7722 E-mail: ian.chadsey@delta9.ca
About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. The Company sells cannabis products through its wholesale and retail sales channels and sells its cannabis grow pods to other businesses. Delta 9's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand. Delta 9's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "DN" and on the OTCQX under the symbol “DLTNF”. For more information, please visit www.delta9.ca.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company’s future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including the Company’s actual financial results being different from its estimates as well as all risk factors set forth in the annual information form of Delta 9 dated March 31, 2022 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
PharmaTher Announces Completion of IND-Enabling Pharmacokinetic and Tolerability Study with KETARX™ Ketamine Patch
KETARX™ Ketamine Patch demonstrated extended delivery of ketamine over 40 hours
KETARX™ Ketamine Patch offers flexible dosing through increased size, drug load or concentration of ketamine to better align with intramuscular and intravenous administration
Initiating clinical studies by the end of Q4-2022 to support phase 2 and 3 clinical studies in depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and pain indications
Following the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for FDA approval of KETARX™ Ketamine Patch
TORONTO, Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “PharmaTher”) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel uses and delivery forms of ketamine to treat mental health, neurological and pain disorders, announced today that it has completed an IND-enabling pharmacokinetic and tolerability study (the “Study”) of KETARX™ Ketamine Patch in minipigs. The KETARX™ Ketamine Patch was manufactured by its CDMO partner, LTS LOHMANN Therapie-Systeme AG. The Study was completed at Aurigon Toxicological Research Center Ltd. (“ATRC”), under full Good Laboratory Practice compliance, which is a prerequisite for upcoming phase 2 clinical studies according to FDA guidelines. PharmaTher is developing KETARX™ Ketamine Patch to improve the administration burden in support of current ketamine use and as a potential therapeutic alternative in the treatment of various mental health, neurological and pain disorders.
Fabio Chianelli, CEO of PharmaTher, commented: “This IND-enabling study supports our continued development of an alternative approach to deliver ketamine. We are in the final stage of preparing for our clinical studies with KETARX™ Ketamine Patch, which we believe will transform how ketamine is used to treat underserved medical conditions in mental health, neurological and pain disorders. We plan to initiate clinical studies by the end of Q4-2022 to determine pharmacokinetic parameters, dose range, dose response and tolerability that will support later phase 2 and 3 clinical studies in depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and pain indications. We plan to follow the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for FDA approval of KETARX™ Ketamine Patch.”
Study Overview
This Study aimed to investigate the plasma concentration and pharmacokinetics of ketamine after administration of KETARX™ Ketamine Patches to female Göttingen Minipigs. The degree of local tolerance was examined as reflected by erythema, edema formation and other effects (e.g. lesions) after removal of the pressure dressing. To determine the concentration of ketamine in the blood plasma, samples were collected up to 4 days after the administration. The plasma concentrations of ketamine were measured and the pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed at the Analytical Department of ATRC.
The delivery of ketamine through intramuscular injection results in rapid delivery of a bolus dose of ketamine. To alter the speed and availability of ketamine, the use of intravenous infusion is the standard strategy; however, it requires complex equipment and technical expertise to administer. The Study demonstrated that KETARX™ Ketamine Patch applied directly to the skin was well tolerated and capable of delivering a ketamine dose over an extended period of time without modification of ketamine or additional formulation enhancement. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of intradermal administration of ketamine via KETARX™ Ketamine Patch demonstrated extended delivery of ketamine over 40 hours with a slow and elongated increase of plasma levels over 18 hours and a slow decline for an additional 24 hours in a linearly proportional manner relative to dose (FIGURE #1).
Overall, the small patch size used in this Study supports the opportunity to increase dose through increased size, drug load or concentration of ketamine and will allow increases in ketamine dosing to better align with intramuscular and intravenous administration. No clinical symptoms, mortality or body weight differences were observed throughout the study. Local tolerance and histopathology assessment of the patch without ketamine demonstrated that it is well tolerated and with ketamine, the patch showed only a minor difference compared to control.
About KETARX™ Ketamine Patch
KETARX™ Ketamine Patch aims to deliver ketamine for intradermal administration to treat various mental health, neurological and pain disorders. It consists of hydrogel-forming microneedle arrays and an accompanying reservoir that will overcome limitations by the quantity of drug loaded into the needles or onto the needle surfaces. As such, the patch can significantly increase the amount of drug that can permeate through the microneedle array and into the skin1 and is tailored for ketamine due to the required drug volume to maximize its therapeutic utility and increase potential market opportunities.
KETARX™ Ketamine Patch also aims to empower patients to dose their medication remotely, safely and conveniently rather than being supervised by a healthcare provider at a certified medical office, although it can also be utilized in these types of settings. It has the potential for enabling continuous delivery of ketamine (without pain) with minimal formulation manipulation into systemic circulation while maintaining constant plasma levels for more than 24 hours, which will improve efficacy and compliance for patients.1-2 Also, KETARX™ Ketamine Patch will incorporate anti-tampering and anti-abuse features that parallel the approach used by commercially available tamper-resistant transdermal fentanyl patches.
About PharmaTher Holdings Ltd.
PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel uses and delivery forms of ketamine to treat mental health, neurological and pain disorders. PharmaTher’s product portfolio consists of KETARX™ (ketamine) delivered by intravenous injection, intradermal microneedle patch, and subcutaneous pump administration. Learn more at PharmaTher.com.
For more information about PharmaTher, please contact:
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "potential", "aim", “may” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the "Company") current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 ("MD&A"), dated April 25, 2022, which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction.
Sources:
Donnelly R.F. Hydrogel-forming microneedles prepared from "super swelling" polymers combined with lyophilised wafers for transdermal drug delivery. PLoSONE. 2014 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111547.
Courtenay, et al. Hydrogel-forming microneedle arrays as a therapeutic option for transdermal esketamine delivery, Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 322, 2020, Pages 177-186.
Takeda Canada Partners with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to Advance Research in Rare Diseases
Takeda Canada and CIHR's Institute of Genetics have partnered to establish a fellowship program to identify emerging talent and innovation to support advancements in rare disease across Canada.
Fellowship program will provide $720,000 to support four (4) research awards.
Opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to accelerate rare disease research with dedicated funding.
TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2022 /CNW/ - Takeda Canada Inc. ("Takeda") is proud to announce a Rare Disease Fellowship in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The fellowship will provide support and training to ensure participants emerge as scientific, professional, or organizational leaders within and beyond the health research enterprise. This specific opportunity seeks to support postdoctoral fellows focused on one or more rare disease disorders. A full list of research areas in rare diseases can be found online at Researchnet-recherchenet.ca.
"Rare disease research is a priority in Canada. With advances in genetics and genomics, we have the ability to ensure rare diseases are diagnosed and managed more efficiently and effectively, and we aspire to see this integrated in Canadian health care delivery," said Dr. Christopher McMaster, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Genetics. "We are excited to collaborate with Takeda on this fellowship and look forward to supporting Canada's world-class genetics research talent."
Takeda and CIHR are investing $720,000 to fund up to four (4) awards for up to three (3) years. Takeda and CIHR's Institute of Genetics have contributed $360,000 each to fund this priority area, a leading example of optimal public private partnerships to support innovative, priority research in Canada. Applications for the fellowship will be accepted until October 5, 2022.
Interested postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to review specific requirements here.
"Partnerships are imperative to support research discovery and enhance patient care across our health care system," said Dr. Jefferson Tea, Vice President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Takeda, Canada. "Takeda and CIHR's Institute of Genetics' research fellowship will support innovation and advancements in rare disease care while fostering future collaboration."
About Rare Disease Impact in Canada
A "rare" disease is any disease that affects a very small number of individuals. It is often genetic, chronic throughout a patient's life and life-threatening.i In Canada, one in 12 Canadians are affected by a rare disorder.ii
About the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
About Takeda Canada Inc.
Takeda Canada Inc. is the Canadian organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK), a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Genetics and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions. For more information, visit: takeda.com/en-ca
Pharmacy Benefit Managers pilfer millions from health plans that should instead reduce costs for employers and employees
Katy Talento: ‘Despite the caterwauling from the Health Care Swamp, the only way to pay less for health care is to actually pay less for health care’
WASHINGTON D.C. — Middlemen known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) claim to get volume discounts from manufacturers for prescription drugs through manufacturer rebates. Almost every employer or health insurance carrier has a prescription drug program run by PBMs, who conspire with insurance carriers to pocket these rebates, despite the spin that manufacturer rebates are only used to benevolently drive down premiums.
Three corporate giants control 80% of the PBM market, which already diminishes competition to provide the best deal for company health plans. One of the little-known secrets in health care is how big the savings on prescription drugs can be when either an employer fires a “Big 3” PBM or when people use cash-based discount programs, such as with Health Care Sharing Ministries. One business saved 37% on health care in two years, while a Fortune 50 manufacturing company saves 25 percent annually for tens of millions of dollars. These stories are not outliers. These companies used a small, price-transparent PBM that does not pocket manufacturer kickbacks. But that’s not the only way — many patients have seen how they can pay less for medicines at the pharmacy counter by asking for the cash price rather than the pharmacist running the prescription through their insurance plan which can be corrupted by the influence of a PBM. Indeed, there is a guaranteed way to avoid the crooked PBM scheme.
“Health Care Sharing Ministries are the only sure-fire way to avoid the grift of PBMs,” said Katy Talento, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries (The Alliance, ahcsm.org). “Members ofHealth Care Sharing Ministries pay a discounted cash price for prescription drugs, using ministry programs that provide access to steep discounts not typically available in the market. And we all know every penny makes a difference in this painful inflationary environment.”
The advantage of Health Care Sharing Ministries is simple. By paying a discounted cash price, the Health Care Sharing Ministry forces price transparency from the pharmacy and manufacturer. According to the analysis of one Senator, “cash prices for health care are, on average, 39 percent less than the secret reimbursement rates that insurers pay.”
PBMs may try to shroud their practices, but PBMs:
Pocket all or part of the savings instead of passing them on to employers or patients
Allow patients access only to drugs from manufacturers that pay the biggest kickback to the PBM, instead of cheaper and equally effective drugs
Have merged in unholy alliances with insurers administering employer plans, eliminating the downward pressure on provider price-gouging that most people think their insurance carrier is supposed to provide
Have sued the federal government to block a regulation that would have required them to disclose to employers the size of their kickbacks
“If that sounds like a sweetheart deal cooked up by the Washington health care establishment, now you know. But outside the Beltway, there’s an insurgency of fed-up employers, independent pharmacies, and savvy patients fighting back against the health care industry’s plunder of Main Street,” said Talento. “More Americans need to consider Health Care Sharing Ministries as a way to cut out the PBMs altogether and benefit from a more transparent system.
“Washington usually proposes whack-a-mole ‘solutions’ that merely shift costs to different parts of the system without ever actually lowering overall costs. Despite the caterwauling from the Health Care Swamp, the only way to pay less for health care is to actually pay less for health care. And one of the best options for paying less for health care is through the transparency and stewardship inherent in Christian Health Care Sharing Ministry communities.”
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries is a 501(c)(6) trade organization representing the common interests of Health Care Sharing Ministry organizations which are facilitating the sharing of health care needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual) by individuals and families, and their participants. The Alliance engages with federal and state regulators, members of the media, and the Christian community to provide accurate and timely information on medical cost sharing.
To learn more about the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, visit www.ahcsm.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
Dr. Sultan Ahmad, Chief Business Officer, Paraza Pharma Inc.
MONTREAL, Sept. 6, 2022 /CNW/ - Paraza Pharma Inc., a fully integrated drug discovery organization passionately committed to contributing to the life sciences sector today announced the appointment of Dr. Sultan Ahmad as Chief Business Officer reporting to Dr. Arshad Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Paraza Pharma.
"We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ahmad is taking on this strategic role in order to support our next phase of growth'' said Dr. Siddiqui. ''His considerable expertise in business development, corporate strategy, and drug discovery research and development, will be very valuable as we continue to further expand our position as a leader in the small molecule integrated drug discovery service space''.
Dr. Ahmad has a successful career in pharmaceutical R&D sector with more than 30 years of experience. He has held positions of increasing responsibilities at Astrazeneca, Neomed Institute and Purdue Pharma, Canada. Dr. Ahmad is uniquely qualified as a drug discovery researcher and business development professional to bring Paraza to the next level of growth. Dr. Ahmad completed his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. He has co-authored over forty (40) peer-reviewed publications and is a co-inventor on seven (7) patents.
''Paraza is a remarkable R&D organization with an exceptionally talented team of scientists and a culture of innovation and high performance,'' said Dr. Ahmad. '' I look forward to starting this new role and excited to work with the Paraza team to outline our business and growth strategy, and work towards establishing innovative partnerships.''
About Paraza Pharma
Paraza Pharma is a Montreal, Canada based, fully integrated drug discovery organization passionately committed to contribute to the life sciences sector. As part of the growth strategy, it attracts worldwide best-in-class talent and continues to offer a unique collaborative model to help companies achieve their success milestones and accelerate their business growth. To learn more, visit www.parazapharma.com
Canada Needs Bold Action to Head Off Impending Dementia Care Crisis
New report from Alzheimer Society of Canada says risk reduction actions have potential to stabilize dementia diagnosis counts – if governments act now.
TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2022 /CNW/ - More than a million Canadians are forecast to be living with dementia by 2030, a date by which it is estimated that approximately 21 people will be diagnosed with dementia every hour. This forecast is expected to rise to 1.7 million Canadians living with dementia by 2050. These are some of the key findings of "Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada," the first volume of the new Landmark Study series, released today by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Today's report, authored by Dr. Joshua J. Armstrong, a scientist with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, represents the first significant update of Canada's dementia landscape since the Society released its "Rising Tide" report in 2010. The report is the first of three volumes of the Landmark Study, with volumes two and three to address issues such as the economic and social impact of dementia. These volumes will be released over the coming months.
"As the baby boomer generation continues to age, Canadians will face a number of challenges to ensure that people living with dementia continue to live their best possible lives," says Dr. Armstrong, "Our study, which created its projections using demographic data from Statistics Canada in a micro-simulation model, also demonstrates the power of risk reduction. With effective mitigation efforts on the parts of individuals, combined with increased supports from all levels of government, the potential exists to drastically reduce the number of Canadians who will develop dementia in the next three decades. This would have a positive impact on our health-care system and on the family members and care partners of people living with dementia."
Other highlights from the report include:
The report outlines three scenarios in which the onset of dementia in Canadians is delayed by one, five or 10 years. A delay of one year alone could result in almost 500,000 fewer new diagnoses by 2050 – and if the onset of dementia could be delayed by 10 years, Canada could see 4 million fewer diagnoses of dementia by 2050.
In 2020, there were 350,000 friends and family members of people living with dementia serving as care partners, averaging 26 hours of care per week. That is the equivalent of 235,000 full-time unpaid jobs and is valued at more than $7.3 billion annually.
If current trends continue, the number of hours of service provided by caregiving partners could reach almost 1.4 billion hours annually by 2050. That is equal to over 690,000 full-time jobs.
"While the figures in the report should sound alarm bells across the country, there is still hope that solutions can be found to support Canadians living with dementia and those caring for them," Kevin Noel, interim Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer Society of Canada says. "This is why the Society is committed to educating Canadians about the steps they can take to reduce their risk of dementia and encouraging governments at all levels to invest more in dementia research and support programs."
Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, Chief Research & Knowledge, Translation and Exchange Officer with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, agrees: "The report should be seen as a wake-up call for Canadians. It lays out clear, actionable steps that the federal government, the health care system and all Canadians can and should take to change this trajectory with positive outcomes for all people living with dementia. Governments at all levels must commit to providing more resources to support programs, especially home care, to help people living with dementia in their own communities. Investing more in dementia research as aspired to in Canada's National Dementia Strategy is the only way we can truly change the outcomes of dementia."
The Alzheimer Society is Canada's leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in communities across Canada, the Society provides information, programs and services to those living with dementia and their caregivers. The Alzheimer Society Research Program is one of Canada's most innovative hubs for dementia research. Our funded research explores ways to develop a better understanding of the causes of dementia, improve diagnosis, treatment and care, and work towards finding a cure.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has spokespersons available to speak to national media about today's report. Local media across the country are encouraged to contact the Alzheimer Society in their community for comment.
SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada
Zen Rohatsu Invites Readers to Follow Buddha’s Path to Enlightenment
Philadelphia, PA, Sept. 6, 2022 — Could an ancient practice hold the key to dealing with today’s stressors? Zen meditation practitioner Nora D’Ecclesis opens her new book, Zen Rohatsu, with a guided visualization that places readers at the time of the Buddha, under the sacred fig tree, as he sought to obtain enlightenment.
“Buddha was a man who found his enlightenment and set his path, avoiding suffering by controlling his thoughts and desires,” wrote D’Ecclesis. “He was not and is not considered a deity.”
And with this historical perspective into how the concept of Buddhist enlightenment emerged, D’Ecclesis sets the stage for Zen Rohatsu, which provides thoroughly researched insights into the origins of meditation, its rituals and the ways in which living mindfully can be transformative. Included are simple meditation techniques, such as postures, breathing exercises and the use of mala beads.
Written for anyone wanting to cultivate a deeper sense of mindfulness and spirituality — from beginners to advanced meditation practitioners — Zen Rohatsu guides readers down the proverbial path of enlightenment.
“Zen Rohatsu is a microcosm of Zen meditation which best explains why we meditate and why most should consider this spiritual practice,” D’Ecclesis said. “I sat to outline a story about my spiritual practice, which I wrote from the memory of my own experiences as a lay meditator. The result is this book.”
The book explains that Rohatsu is a spiritual practice of meditative zazen that occurs on the eighth day of the twelfth month on the Gregorian calendar. The meditation sessions, which focus on Zazen Meditation rather than scriptures or rituals, are celebrated for seven days in advance of December 8 by Zen practitioners all over the world. Zen Rohatsu will help readers understand this type of meditation and how it might help them.
D’Ecclesis also added: “Zazen, a Japanese style dating back to the Buddha, is a meditation that keeps us in the present with focus, equanimity and stress management by clearing our thoughts from the various anxieties that permeate them. We turn off the chatter in our own heads and establish a place of compassion. We all experience interoceptive responses to the stressors and suffering and even the great joys in life, as all sentient beings do, so the balance of meditation and concept of equanimity are a welcome alternative.”
Nora D’Ecclesis is an American bestselling nonfiction author and Haiku poet. Her international No.1 bestseller The Retro Budget Prescription held the top spot in Kindle book downloads for the business/self-help category for over a year. She is a graduate of Kean University of New Jersey with post graduate degrees in administration and education. Her other published nonfiction includes Amazon No. 1 bestseller Haiku: Natures Meditation and paperbacks/eBooks on such topics as time management, guided visualizations, gratitude/equanimity, journaling and Zen meditation.
For more information about the author, visit https://noradecclesis.com/, or follow her on Twitter at @DECCLESIS or on Facebook at NoraDEcclesis.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention honours World Suicide Prevention Day with VIRTUAL EVENT to help raise awareness and understanding
CANMORE, Alberta, Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Each year on September 10th, people in over 50 countries around the world connect with each other by officially recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day. World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance to promote understanding about suicide: those impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, family or friends, organizations, professionals, politicians, volunteers, and community members.
The national association for suicide prevention in Canada, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), will be hosting a virtual ONLINE EVENT on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST, in English with French subtitles, on this year’s theme of “Creating Hope Through Action”, with a focus on suicide prevention in the workplace.
The event will feature presentations by a group of panelists who will share their unique experiences of navigating suicide prevention in the workplace. Following the presentations, there will be a live Q & A. At the end of the session, participants will be encouraged to participate later that evening in a “Candle Vigil”, by placing a lit candle in their window to “Light a Flame of Hope” at 8:00 pm in their respective time zones. To register for this event, please visit: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-association-for-suicide-prevention/events/2022-world-suicide-prevention-day/
“Every year, 160 million people worldwide contemplate suicide and, tragically, 800.000 of them die by suicide,” says Sean Krausert, Executive Director for the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. “This year’s theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is “Creating Hope Through Action” and this message is crucial for communities to ignite a spark to assist those struggling and give those hope in the name of suicide prevention and life promotion.”
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), envisions a Canada without Suicide. Since 1985, CASP has worked towards the achievement of its mission by advocating, communicating, and educating for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and life promotion in Canada.
Avian Flu Remains a Persistent Threat to U.S. Poultry Supplies, Export Markets
Poultry producers, exporters and consumers increasingly vulnerable to future HPAI market shocks
DENVER (September 6, 2022)—The widespread outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that roiled U.S. poultry production earlier this year and led to skyrocketing prices for eggs and turkey has subsided. Cases of HPAI diminished significantly as temperatures warmed and the migratory season for wild birds ended. However, the risk of another outbreak this fall remains elevated and the stakes for poultry producers couldn’t be higher, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
Poultry product values had increased substantially prior to this year’s HPAI outbreak due to tight supplies and strong consumer demand for animal protein products. The added burden of HPAI-related supply shocks further exacerbated tight market conditions, sending values skyrocketing. Table egg prices tripled in several markets and turkey breast meat rose to historic peaks.
Similarly, the value of U.S. poultry exports through June was up 19% year-over-year. In 2021, total U.S. poultry exports reached $5.9 billion, and the current pace of exports indicate a potential all-time record high in 2022. The increased dependence on export markets for certain poultry items like chicken paws and leg quarters brings added vulnerability for exporters subject to potential trade restrictions that could result from future HPAI outbreaks.
“Fortunately for U.S. poultry exporters, the current world views on HPAI trade restrictions have relaxed since the last major outbreak in 2014 and 2015,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist with CoBank. “Rather than a blanket ban, trade partners set new restrictions at county, state or regional levels because outbreaks had become commonplace globally, and not coincidentally, because politicians across the globe were concerned about rapidly escalating food prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
While current trade restrictions are limited, that could change. At the outset of the HPAI outbreak in 2014, China immediately closed its borders to U.S. poultry, and export-dependent leg quarter prices fell by 50% between mid-2014 and mid-2015. Chicken paw prices fell by even more. China’s markets would not reopen to U.S. poultry until 2019, which occurred as a part of the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal.
The 2014-15 HPAI outbreak devastated U.S. producers, with direct costs associated with euthanizing and depopulating 43.2 million laying hens and 7.3 million turkeys estimated at $1.6 billion. Including the associated recovery costs, the total jumped to more than $3.3 billion.
Since that outbreak, U.S. poultry production grew an average of 2% per year from 2016 to 2020. Reliance on exports has continued to climb, and access to foreign markets remains vital for the U.S. poultry industry. With the stakes that much higher, it is even more crucial to producers, consumers and other entities throughout the value chain that the production stream is secure from the threat of animal disease.
What’s Ahead for Egg, Turkey and Broiler Markets
The HPAI shock to domestic markets has been more severe than in the 2014-15 outbreak, which is considered the largest outbreak in history. The sectors hit the hardest this year are egg and turkey producers, much like in the 2014-15 outbreak. And while the industries have implemented best practices over the past seven years, production methods have not changed significantly.
In 2015, the U.S. egg industry saw an immediate rise in productivity rates after the mass depopulation, followed by flattening for several years. With feed, labor and other production costs much higher today, Earnest expects producers will be slower to rebuild their flocks this time around. “A smaller national layer flock means a smaller egg supply in coming months, higher egg prices, and fewer eggs consumed,” he said.
Coinciding with HPAI outbreaks in U.S. turkey flocks this year, wholesale spot market values for fresh tom breast meat has eclipsed $6.50 per pound in recent weeks, a level previously deemed unattainable. At the same time, breast meat in cold storage dwindled to a low of just 43 million pounds in April, before safety stocks began building again slightly during May.
The HPAI impact on broiler meat production in both 2015 and 2022 appears minimal. But the impact on exports and prices is decidedly different this time around. U.S. broiler meat exports declined by nearly one billion pounds in 2015 and dark meat prices plunged. However, export markets appear more favorable for U.S. broiler meat in 2022. The current 12-month total is within 1% of volume reported a year earlier and the total for 2022 is on pace to best 2015 volume by more than one billion pounds.
CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
Start the school year with free math tutoring, STEM games and immersive learning experiences for Kindergarten to Grade 12!
Families and educators can easily access free learning resources from TVO Learn, TVOkids, TVO ILC and TVO Today to help students progress through the Ontario curriculum
Toronto, ON, Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2022-2023 school year has arrived! To help students, families and educators make the most of this year, TVO has updated, expanded and improved numerous resources from TVO Learn, TVOkids, TVO ILC and TVO Today. This includes a new TVO Mathifyservice expansion to Ontario students in Grades 4 through 12.
“Expanding our free online math tutoring service to Grade 12 is a great example of how TVO is adapting to the evolving needs of students in this province,” says Jennifer Hinshelwood, COO of TVO. “Our entire portfolio of learning experiences has played a crucial role for so many students, their families and their communities over the past two years. As we enter this new era together, TVO plans to be there for all families whenever they need the support.”
The following K-12 learning resources are available to deepen knowledge or bridge learning gaps so Ontario students can successfully progress through the provincial curriculum. Parents, caregivers and educators are invited to bookmark this page to easily access these resources at any point during the school year.
TVO Mathify (Grades 4 to 12) Tens of thousands of students turn to TVO Mathify for free, 1:1 math tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers. Now operating seven days a week and newly expanded to support students in Grades 4 through 12, TVO Mathify helps build math skills and confidence through personalized coaching sessions that are available on demand. An interactive whiteboard and voice and text chat features make it easy to share math questions assigned in class. Register for free now: TVOMathify.com.
TVO Learn (Kindergarten to Grade 12) Explore TVO Learn’s grade-specific support for at-home learning anytime you need it. In addition to educator-curated resources like STEM games and age-appropriate, ad-free media from TVOkids, there are over 2,100 Learning Activities available in subject areas like Science and Technology (new!), Mathematics, Language, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and French as a Second Language. Visit TVOLearn.com to get started.
TVO mPower (K-Grade 6) Looking for ad-free STEM games? Take your pick of more than 60 games co-developed by educators to help students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 develop skills in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Create a free account to access games like Insect Inn, where players seek out food and building supplies for a bug hotel, or Green City, where they learn how build a city while minimizing impacts on the environment. Register for a free account at TVOmPower.com.
TVO ILC Open House (Grades 9-12) High school students looking to deepen their learning, practice for tests or explore a new subject area can access more than 140 courses in the TVO ILC Open House on TVOLearn.com. These not-for-credit courses are designed for independent study and reflect the learning experiences available through TVO ILC, Ontario’s largest online high school. Explore available courses at TVOLearn.com/collections/courses.
TVOkids (K-Grade 4) TVOkids features series, games and activities that help prepare children for school and life. Discover a range of fun and engaging TVOkids Originals that explore the natural environment (Leo’s Pollinators), independent cooking at home (5 Ingredient Challenge) and the daily adventures in a cross-cultural community (16 Hudson). The upcoming Sunny’s Quest series profiles Black Canadian children from across the country. Discover a new favourite at TVOkids.com.
TVO Today The new TVO Today website and mobile apps make it easy to read, listen and watch the latest in current affairs and documentaries. From The Agenda with Steve Paikin and The Thread with Nam Kiwanuka to podcasts, video explainers and opinion articles, TVO Today provides secondary students and adults with an engaging home for diverse perspectives and fresh storytelling about Ontario. Learn more at TVO.org.
> Visit TVO Arts to learn about iconic works of Canadian art.
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About TVO TVO inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through video, audio, games, courses, newsletters and articles, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, TVO is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. For more information, visit TVO.me, TVO.org and TVOkids.com.
TVO streaming channels: Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android, LG, Roku and Samsung.
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