The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) Largest Indie Player in Projected Billion-Dollar Water Market

NEW YORK, May 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NetworkNewsAudio – The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) announces the availability of a broadcast titled, “M&A Activity Picks Up in F&B Sectors, Including Functional Water Assets Space.”

To hear the AudioPressRelease, please visit: The NetworkNewsAudio News Podcast

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The megatrend the water majors are now trying to capture is the increasing consumer health consciousness towards enhanced water as a replacement for sugary drinks. The trend accelerated with people on lockdown buying enhanced water for a slew of reasons, but the fact remains that many consumers have now incorporated value-added waters as part of their lifestyle.

The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) is the largest independent player in the alkaline water market that is expected to reach $1 billion by next year. As the name implies, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company specializes in producing drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and a higher pH, specifically 8.8, than regular drinking water, which has a neutral pH of 7.

About The Alkaline Water Company

Founded in 2012, The Alkaline Water Company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its flagship product, Alkaline88(R), is a leading premier alkaline water brand available in bulk and single-serve sizes along with eco-friendly aluminum packaging options. With its innovative, state-of-the-art proprietary electrolysis process, Alkaline88 delivers perfect 8.8 pH-balanced alkaline drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and boasts its trademarked label: Clean Beverage. Quickly being recognized as a growing lifestyle brand, Alkaline88 launched A88 Infused(TM) in 2019 to meet consumer demand for flavor-infused products. A88 Infused flavored water is available in six unique all-natural flavors with new flavors coming soon. Additionally, in 2020, the company launched A88 Infused Beverage Division Inc., which includes the company’s CBD water and flavor-infused water. For the company’s topical and ingestible offerings, A88 Infused Products includes both the company’s lab-tested, full-spectrum hemp salves, balms, lotions, essential oils and bath salts, along with broad-spectrum hemp, powder packs, oil tinctures, capsules and gummies.

To learn more about the company, visit https://TheAlkalineWaterCo.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to WTER are available in the company’s newsroom at http://nnw.fm/WTER

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Khiron Life Sciences Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Record revenues of $2.8 million in Q1 2021, a 49% increase from the prior year and 13% increase from Q4 2020
Record gross profits (before fair market value adjustments) of $1.1 million, a 171% improvement over Q4 2020 and record consolidated gross margin of 38%
Medical cannabis sales reach 20% of revenues, contributing over 45% of gross profits
More than 7,500 prescriptions filled in Q1 2021 and over 19,000 to date
First sales in Germany achieved in Q1 2021, with international sales representing approximately 10% of total Medical Cannabis Product revenues
Khiron real-world evidence is improving physician engagement, patient outcomes and strategic decision-making; initial results show significant benefits to quality of life as well as significant cost benefit to key insurance clients
$12.5 million in cash as of March 31, 2021 with working capital of $22.5 million

TORONTO, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN) (OTCQX: KHRNF)(Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America and Europe, announced today its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. These filings are available for review on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Khiron Life Sciences Corp (CNW Group/Khiron Life Sciences Corp.)

Summary of Key Financial Results

	3 Months	3 Months	3 Months
	ended Mar	ended Mar	ended Dec
Canadian dollars	31 2021	31 2020	31 2020
	$	$	$
Revenues ('000s)	2,837	1,901	2,518
Medical Cannabis	563	1	234
Gross profit before fair value adjustments ('000s)	1,090	437	402
General and administrative costs ('000s)	5,592	5,847	5,157
Net loss ('000s)	(5,494)	(9,237)	(2,374)
Adjusted EBITDA ⁽¹⁾ ('000s)	(4,019)	(5,865)	(4,335)
Net loss per share (basic and diluted)	(0.04)	(0.08)	(0.01)
Weighted average shares outstanding ('000s)	150,718	116,607	130,292

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or in this case loss) is a non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") measure calculated as net loss before tax as reported under IFRS and adding back share-based compensation expense, transaction fees, unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets, depreciation and non-recurring items. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" note below for further information and the Company's MD&A for a reconciliation.

Q1 2021 operating highlights and subsequent events

Insurance coverage in Colombia continues to be a catalyst for growth, with more than 7,500 prescriptions filled in Q1 2021 and over 19,000 prescriptions filled to date. With continued month-over-month growth, Q2 2021 continues to build on the achievements of Q1 2021.
Insurance coverage continues to improve patient access to medical cannabis, with the percentage of prescriptions issued and covered by insurance increasing from over 40% in Q4 2020 to over 60% in Q1 2021.
Returning medical cannabis patients in Colombia reached nearly 50% in Q1 2021, as compared to approximately 20% in Q3 2020, providing a more stable Medical Cannabis revenue base.
Khiron real-world evidence is improving physician engagement, patient outcomes and strategic decision-making.
Initial analysis of Khiron medical cannabis patient data for various neuropathic conditions shows a significant reduction in the intake of other medications (including opioids), improved quality of life, and material annual savings. Khiron's patient data continues to mount and will provide real-world evidence for pharmacoeconomic studies intended to support the Company's goal of reaching more patients.
Following the initial success of its Medellin satellite clinic, the Company opened five additional satellite clinics in Colombia in 2021, for a total of nine clinics including the three health centres in Bogota and six satellite clinics across the country.
Khiron recently partnered with the Colombia Cancer League to deliver an additional 3,000 medical cannabis patient consultations during the month of June, in collaboration with 21 leading medical institutions in 11 cities throughout Colombia.
Q1 2021 medical cannabis sales in Peru increased by over 175% compared to sales in 2020 (which began late in Q3 2020). Given the positive reception to Khiron products in Peru, the Company expects to open its first international Zerenia™ satellite clinic in Peru in the coming weeks.
The Company plans to deploy its Zerenia™ medical cannabis clinic and telehealth strategy in Mexico and Brazil, building on the success of its vertical integration strategy in Colombia.
In March 2021, the Company successfully exported its Colombian-registered cannabis strains, in the form of live clones, from Colombia to Europe.
In March 2021, Khiron commenced sales in Germany with the successful delivery of EU-GMP medical cannabis products. Khiron 1/14 (High CBD flower) has been used to treat indications such as anxiety, substance-use disorder and migraines.
The Company continues to advance its operations in the UK. In April 2021, the Company introduced Khiron 1/14 (High CBD flower) in addition to 5-gram jars of flower products. In addition, the Company's medical cannabis e-learning certification, Khiron Academy, recently received accreditation for Continuing Professional Development credits in the UK.

Discussion of Operations for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2021
During the first quarter of 2021, the Company reported record revenues of $2.8 million, a 49% increase as compared to Q1 2020 due to normalized clinic operations and the growth of medical cannabis sales. Relative to Q4 2020, first quarter revenues increased 13% due to a 141% increase in Medical Cannabis Product sales, which reached $563,000 in the quarter, as the Company benefited from medical cannabis insurance coverage in its core market of Colombia.

At $1.1 million, or 38% of revenues, the Company achieved record gross profits due to increasing Medical Cannabis Product sales and margin improvements within the Health Services segment. Notably, Medical Cannabis margins remained high at 90% of revenues, while Health Service margins increased to 26% of revenues in Q1 2021, from 7% in Q4 2020.

In Q1 2021, the Company incurred lower general and administrative costs as compared to Q1 2020 due cost cutting measures implemented in the second quarter of 2020 and the devaluation of the Colombian peso. Overall, the Company recorded a net loss of $5.5 million in Q1 2021, which compares to a net loss of $9.2 million in Q1 2020 and $2.4 million in Q4 2020. Adjusted EBITDA losses of $4.0 million compared to losses of $5.9 million in Q1 2020 due to ongoing cost management initiatives and improved sales and margins.

Management Commentary
"Q1 was a record quarter for the company, in terms of both revenues and gross profits, driven by strong results in our Medical Cannabis segment, which achieved another quarter of more than 100% growth. Insurance coverage for medical cannabis in Colombia continues to have a positive impact, providing greater revenue stability as returning patients reached 50% of medical cannabis patient volumes in Q1. I am also happy to report that our gross profits were well above Q4 2020, driven by strong clinic performance and growth from our vertical integrated medical cannabis strategy. As of April, prescriptions in Colombia were already equal to 44% of those filled in Q1, positioning us for another record quarter in Q2," comments Alvaro Torres, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company.

"In Europe, our world-class team continues to execute, recently delivering first sales in Germany and a strategic partnership with Cellen Therapeutics, a leader in digital healthcare in the UK and fellow founding member of Project Twenty21. We also received UK CPD accreditation for our global medical cannabis education platform, Khiron Academy, and imported the first ever live cannabis clones from Colombia to Europe. Collectively, these achievements will help us deliver on our mission of improving patients' lives by increasing access to medical cannabis products both at home and abroad," continued Alvaro Torres.

Webcast Details
Khiron invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend a webcast and Q&A to discuss the Company's Q1 2021 financial statements and further activities.

DATE: May 28, 2021
TIME: 10:00am ET/7:00am PT
PRESENTERS: Alvaro Torres, Khiron Chief Executive Officer and Director, Joel Friedman, Khiron Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Naprawa, Chairman of Khiron's Board of Directors
FORMAT: Live 30 minutes presentation & Q&A session
REGISTER LINK:
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3196006/0652A31C731C234FE0C2F998FCEBFFEB

About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
Khiron is a vertically integrated medical and CPG cannabis company with core operations in Latin America, and operational activity in Europe and North America. Khiron is the leading medical cannabis provider in Colombia and the first company licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution and sales, and international export of both low and high THC medical cannabis products. The Company has filled medical cannabis prescriptions in Colombia, Peru, Germany and the United Kingdom, and is positioned to commence sales in Mexico and Brazil in 2021.

Leveraging wholly-owned medical clinics and proprietary telemedicine platforms, Khiron combines a patient-oriented approach, physician education programs, scientific expertise, product innovation, and agricultural infrastructure to drive prescriptions and brand loyalty. Its Wellbeing unit launched the first branded CBD skincare brand in Colombia, with KuidaTM now marketed in multiple jurisdictions in Latin America, the US and United Kingdom. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and diverse executive team and Board of Directors.

Visit Khiron online at investors.khiron.ca and on Instagram @khironlife.

Cautionary Notes

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Investor Contact:
Paola Ricardo
E: investors@khiron.ca
T: +1 (647) 556-5750

Media Contact:
Elsa Navarro
Vice President, Communications
E: enavarro@khiron.ca

Khiron Europe:
Tejinder Virk
Europe President
E: tvirk@khiron.ca

SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.

Tap into Trauma’s Emotional Energy and Use it to Power a Fulfilling Future

Los Angeles, CA, May 27, 2021 — Trauma doesn’t have to lead to a lifetime of weakness or hardship. In fact, trauma can lead to greater resilience and higher levels of achievement than we thought possible.

Dr. Randall Bell, widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving, shares a process for not only surviving trauma but also thriving in the aftermath in his latest book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience.

“It can’t happen to me” is one of life’s greatest lies, he notes. But if or when it does happen, it’s possible to harness the emotional energy generated by the traumatic event — whether it was losing a loved one, surviving a natural disaster or being a victim of violence — and use it to heal and grow in entirely new directions.

“How do you take that energy from the trauma and tap into it to do something really remarkable that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?” asks Dr. Bell.

In Post-Traumatic Thriving, he shares stories of real people (many of them, like Leo Fender, are familiar) who have done exactly that, including:

• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.

• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.

• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.

• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.

• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.

• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.

• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.

Dr. Bell juxtaposes outcomes of scientific studies with these stories to reveal common denominators among “thrivers.” He divides his insights into three sections: The Dive Stage, The Survive Stage and The Thrive Stage, and outlines a step-by-step process toward authentic healing.

As a socio-economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”

Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.

Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience

Publisher: Core IQ Press

ISBN 978-0-9967931-7-9

Available from Amazon.com and all bookstores

Switch Health Partners with Voyce to Improve Patient-Focused Healthcare in More Than 235 Languages and Dialects

TORONTO, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Switch Health today announced it is offering at-home and mobile COVID-testing services in more than 235 languages and dialects, including American Sign Language, through a partnership with Voyce. Voyce is a technology company that provides real-time, on-demand access to professional medical interpreters by video or audio connection.

Switch Health Logo (CNW Group/Switch Health Inc.)

Switch Health provides Canadians with its safe and innovative end-to-end at-home and mobile COVID-testing solution through its at-home collection kits, at-home virtual consults with trusted healthcare professionals, and digital results reporting through its proprietary telehealth platform and partner laboratories.

"Our partnership with Voyce demonstrates another important step towards accessible, patient-focused, digital healthcare," said Dilian Stoyanov, CEO of Switch Health. "With Voyce, Switch Health will continue to transform the way Canada delivers healthcare through cutting-edge telehealth solutions that serve patients in the comfort of their home or workplace, and in the language they are most comfortable communicating in."

"According to the 2016 census, more than 20% of people living in Canada speak a primary language other than English or French," said Andrew Royce, CEO of Voyce. "Voyce technology strives to empower all patients by making healthcare accessible in their preferred language. We are proud to support Switch Health with professional medical interpreters available on demand."

The partnership with Voyce means that more patients will have access to service in the language of their choice and, because the language interpretation is provided in near real-time, it will reduce waiting times for these patients in need.

"Today's announcement is another example of how we're building on partnerships with leading companies, like Purolator, Uber, and some of Canada's top laboratories to enhance our ability to provide Canadians with reliable next generation testing tools that they can use at home, no matter where they live in Canada, and in the language of their choice," added Stoyanov.

About Switch Health

Switch Health Holdings Inc. (Switch Health) is an industry leader that is transforming how healthcare is delivered in Canada through cutting edge decentralized next generation diagnostics and patient-focused digital solutions. Switch Health has developed an end-to-end, innovative, and accessible testing-solution in Canada's fight against COVID-19, with its at-home and mobile collection kit to test Canadians safely, rapidly, and reliably for COVID-19. Switch Health offers its gold standard of rapid and PCR testing in over 200 languages from the comfort of peoples' homes or workplaces, with the guidance of trusted healthcare professionals and the delivery of results through some of Canada's top laboratories.

About Voyce

Voyce is a technology company deeply committed to helping people in need facing language barriers, enabling them to easily and quickly communicate and get help. Its professional and qualified language interpreters provide interpretation across a variety of technology and telehealth platforms in 235+ languages and dialects, including American Sign Language. Across Canada, the U.K., the U.S. and globally, Voyce supports thousands of sessions a day providing language assistance to those in need.

Voyce Logo (CNW Group/Switch Health Inc.)

SOURCE Switch Health Inc.

Ontario government launches Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Thunder Bay, ON, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) and Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services acknowledges and honours the thousands of Indigenous women and girls taken from us by violence. Many of these women were mothers whose children have now been forced to navigate their lives without them. And so, we also honour and acknowledge the children, families, friends, and loved ones of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

ONWA and Ganohkwasra also recognizes the awareness raising efforts of grassroots organizers, community activists, and Indigenous women’s organizations who took up their leadership roles and responsibilities and successfully advocated for the National Inquiry. The work that collectively needs to be done is to prevent all forms of violence for future generations of Indigenous women and girls.

“As the bearers of the future generations of our peoples, Indigenous women, mothers, are physically and symbolically the source of resistance against those who would see us disappear.” – Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, Board President, ONWA

A wholistic, community-based, cross-jurisdictional approach is key to ending this tragedy. Partnership with the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council and Indigenous partners, alongside engagement with Indigenous women, survivors and families was fundamental to developing Ontario’s strategy, and will be integral to its implementation.

“So many initiatives that have the power to lead our Indigenous Women and Girls to a safe and secure outcome are revealed in this document being released today.” – Sandra Montour, Co-Chair, Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council

The Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council has developed a placemat that is a companion to Ontario’s Response. The placemat illustrates the structure and recommendations of Ontario's MMIWG response, while also incorporating cultural elements. To view the placemat go to: www.onwa.ca/learning-resources-mmiwg

Ontario’s strategy aligns with what Indigenous women have been asking for because they listened to our voices, expertise, guidance, and recommendations. When our truths are listened to and governments respect the recommendations of Indigenous women, we begin to build a foundation for change.

While Ontario’s response represents progress, we must remember that a lot of work still lays ahead of us. It is imperative that this plan remains accountable to Indigenous women and their organizations, and that any proposed investments in Ontario’s response are met and upheld, with particular focus on the immediate safety needs of Indigenous Women, and healing for Indigenous women, families, and communities.

The Ontario Native Women’s Association and Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services look forward to continuing to work as a collective force. Sharing a vision where Indigenous women and girls live in safety and security, free from violence and exploitation, supported by accountable and ongoing systemic and structural change in the province.

To view the report go to: Ontario.ca/PathwaysToSafety (English), or Ontario.ca/parcoursverslasecurite(French).

What Kinds of Food Can Supplement Your Exercise?

Exercise and diet go hand in hand when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you want to get the most from each workout and live the healthiest life possible, you should be eating the right foods to supplement your fitness routine. By eating more of these five healthy foods, you’ll likely have an easier time reaching your fitness goals as you continue to exercise.

Whole Grain Wheat

Wheat from whole grains can be utilized by the body for energy better than crappy bleached white wheat grain. Whole grain wheat offers carbohydrates that can act as fuel sources so that you stay more energized through tough and long workouts. Bread or cereal that’s made from whole grain wheat can be eaten before workouts to get the maximum benefits.

High Protein Foods

There are many high-protein foods that can help you build more muscle. Poultry and red meat are among the best food sources for protein, but you can also increase your protein intake by eating more fish, such as tuna or salmon. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you can get more protein in your diet by eating plenty of beans, chickpeas, and peanuts.

Supplement Bars

There are many supplement bars on the market that can be eaten as snacks to boost your workout routine. Protein bars are never in short supply, but you can also find antioxidant bars that help protect the body from free radicals, which can damage cells and decrease your fitness. Many of the best supplement bars contain natural ingredients and are free of refined sugar, gluten, and soy.

Leafy Greens

You probably already know the importance of eating vegetables, but eating more leafy greens can have even more health benefits. The good nitrates that are found in leafy green vegetables are known to increase energy and give the muscles more of the oxygen and nutrients that they need to perform better during challenging workouts. Cabbage, spinach, and kale are among the best leafy greens for nutrition.

Fruits

Certain fruit types are known to be especially beneficial for exercise. By eating a pear, an apple, or some grapes before a workout, you can give your body more of the fuel that it needs to stay energized. Bananas, berries, and cherries are among the best fruits to eat after a workout and can aid in your recovery periods.

These foods should be part of any workout plan if you want to get the fittest and live the healthiest. Adding more of these foods to your diet shouldn’t be difficult, and you’ll likely notice a big improvement in your performance when it’s time to exercise.

Speaker and Brain Health Expert Shares Ways to Alter the Brain’s Reaction to Fear and Stress

Chattanooga, TN, May 26, 2021 ― Hi, I’m your brain. And 2020 wreaked havoc on my chemical makeup. Forced social isolation, job loss, loneliness and other anxiety-inducing uncertainties continue to activate my stress pathways — thereby increasing your body’s inflammatory factors, diminishing immune response and increasing your vulnerability to viral infections and cancer. Is there anything you can do to rewire the way I react to fear and stress?

The good news is, the answer is yes, and Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., board-certified psychiatrist, master psychopharmacologist and founder of Come and Reason Ministries can explain how.

Dr. Jennings is a much sought-after speaker who regularly addresses non-medical professionals on Spirituality in Medicine, Depression and its Spiritual and Physical Connections, and Alzheimer’s Dementia. He also speaks to medical professionals on the topics of Psychotherapy in Clinical Practice, Major Depression in the Primary Care Setting, and the Neurobiology of Depression — among many others.

He expertly weaves spirituality with brain science to address fear, depression, anxiety and relationship issues. He recently explored at length the damaging effects of social isolation (https://comeandreason.com/index.php/en/blogs-main/903-social-isolation-during-covid-19) and its profound impact on physical and mental health, particularly for those already suffering from chronic conditions.

As for altering the way our brains react to stress, he suggests we can boost our resilience through physical exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting regular sleep, cognitive training, having a healthy relationship with God and spiritual development.

“Healthy spirituality confers resilience in a multitude of ways,” he says. “It develops your higher cortex, which calms your fear circuits.”

As the world searches for a clear path toward physical and mental recovery, Dr. Jennings is uniquely poised to address the very serious subject of brain health from both scientific and spiritual perspectives — a much needed and welcomed approach during these extremely distressing times.

Dr. Jennings operates a private practice in Chattanooga and has successfully treated thousands of patients. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Life-Fellow of the Southern Psychiatric Association.

He is also a prolific author whose books include The God-Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life; Could It Be This Simple? A Biblical Model for Healing the Mind; The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind; and The God-Shaped Heart: How Correctly Understanding God’s Love Transforms Us.

To hear his presentations and to learn more about Dr. Timothy R. Jennings and his approach to brain and body health, please visit: www.comeandreason.com.

Fraser Institute News Release: Canada ranks poorly for testing rates and hospital beds, keys to successful COVID response; prolonged lockdowns deemed ineffective

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A detailed statistical analysis of nearly 200 countries and their experiences with and responses to COVID-19 found that Canada ranked poorly compared to other industrialized countries on testing and hospital beds, which were determined to be key in responding to COVID-19, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan, Canadian public policy think-tank.

Global Storm: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Responses around the World is a new study that analyses the COVID-19 responses of nearly 200 countries around the world over the past year.

“While no two countries tackled COVID-19 the same way, there are important lessons that Canada should learn going forward,” said Livio Di Matteo, an economics professor at Lakehead University, Fraser Institute senior fellow and study author.

The study highlights factors that have been successful at reducing transmission of COVID-19 cases and lowering mortality rates based on a detailed statistical analysis of available data.

The study finds that early and strictly enforced lockdowns did work initially to reduce the spread and mortality, but that prolonged lockdowns instituted later in the pandemic were less effective.

Instead, high rates of testing and access to hospital beds have proven successful at reducing transmission and lowering mortality rates.

Canada ranked 26^th out of 35 IMF advanced economies in its COVID-19 tests per million population. Another important factor was the number of hospital beds per 1,000 population as each additional bed was associated with 31.5 fewer COVID-19 deaths per million population.

Among the 35 IMF advanced economies, Canada ranked 32^nd in terms of the number of hospital beds per capita, with 2.5 per 1,000 people. Among the advanced economies, hospital beds per 1,000 population ranged from highs of 13.1 in Japan, 12.2 in South Korea to lows of 2.5 in Canada and Denmark, and 2.2 in Sweden.

The study also notes that of the five jurisdictions (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada) that saw more than 100 cases of SARS between 2002 and 2004, Canada has fared the worst during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Taiwan in 2020 saw their COVID-19 deaths per million range from 0.3 to 22 while Canada’s deaths per million is nearly 500.

“Unlike other countries that suffered from SARS and learned lessons, then introduced mechanisms to respond to such viruses, Canada appears to have learned very little,” commented Di Matteo.

“We are still in the midst of this pandemic, and will be studying how we responded for years to come, but already we’re seeing early signs of the lessons Canada needs to learn from COVID-19,” said Di Matteo.

Innovative Start-Up liv.rent Just Made It Possible For Renters To Pay With Bitcoin

Paying rent with bitcoin is live on the liv.rent platform

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian rental platform liv.rent is excited to announce on the full moon that it has added bitcoin as a form of payment, allowing tenants to pay their rent with cryptocurrency while the landlord receives fiat currency.

Bridging the gap

The Vancouver-based start-up has always evolved to suit the needs of its community. “People are requesting more choices,” said liv.rent’s Director of Research & Development, Fuad Arafa. “We’re giving choices to the people.”

By facilitating rental payments made in bitcoin, liv.rent is offering a bridge between the world of cryptocurrency and the rental industry, which has been typically slower in the adoption of new technologies.

How the process works

The new payment method works the same as any other form of payment on the liv.rent platform. The nominal fees involved, including 0.5% liv.rent processing fee, are much lower than your typical credit card fee.

In order to enable the cryptocurrency payment, both the renter & landlord must be on the liv.rent platform.

When a tenant receives a payment request, they can go to liv.rent and pay with bitcoin. There are two options: pay directly through Coinbase, or scan a QR code containing the address of a unique payment request and pay with the cryptocurrency wallet of their choice.

When a renter pays in bitcoin, it’s transferred and later deposited as CAD into the landlord’s bank account. With this new feature, landlords can appeal to a wider pool of potential tenants.

What Lies Ahead

For those who envision a world with completely decentralized financial systems, this is renting without borders.

liv.rent, which also supports newcomers by assisting them to secure a home in Canada prior to arrival, hopes that its latest feature will break barriers by giving people a chance to fully embrace cryptocurrencies by using it to pay for rent – one of the basics of life for more than four million Canadian renters. This new bitcoin payment option is also much more affordable than the traditional wire transfer method, therefore alleviating financial barriers that come with renting your first Canadian home.

About liv.rent

Since its first launch in 2018, liv.rent has been a leader in the rental industry, transforming the way Canadians rent with the integration of technology. By automating every step of the rental process from searching to contract signing, this platform has grown to create a safe and trusted community of landlords and renters. With the help of AI algorithms that match tenants to landlords and cloud storage solutions, everything can be done online or in-app — the perfect contactless solution for a COVID-19 world.

This has been an exciting year — from the Toronto launch in April to the release of “Pay By Bitcoin” feature, and liv.rent is planning for future expansion in North America. Subscribe for all future updates and learn more at https://renters.liv.rent/bitcoin.

The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) Finds Top Spot in Hot Market Climate

NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire — The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) today announces its placement in an editorial published by NetworkNewsWire ("NNW"), one of 50+ trusted brands in the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company for private and public entities.

To view the full publication, “M&A Activity Picks Up in F&B Sectors, Including Functional Water Assets Space,” please visit: https://nnw.fm/Gs1C2

After a sluggish start to 2020, merger and acquisition activity in the food and beverage industry survived COVID-19 and picked up in H2, with 136 of the year’s 222 transactions closing after June last year. Total transaction value for the year was $13.8 billion, only slightly lower than 2019.

Despite the lingering pandemic, consolidation continues in the industry and deal flow has returned to a torrid pace, creating an exceptionally attractive market climate for The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER), the U.S.’s largest independent alkaline water company, and its Alkaline88(R) brand, which is now endorsed by Shaquille O’Neal, NBA Hall of Famer and Papa John's International (NASDAQ: PZZA) board member.