Day: March 4, 2022

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Harbert Management Corporation Announces Global Head of Capital Markets

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Harbert Management Corporation (“HMC”) announces that Lee Purcell has joined the firm as the Global Head of Capital Markets. Lee will lead a global team tasked with providing solutions for HMC’s existing investors as well as developing new limited partner relationships. Lee has 25 years of experience in investment management as well as a successful 15-year history as a marketing professional having held senior positions with Meyer Bergman, Carlyle Group, Greenhill and Credit Suisse.

HMC Chairman and CEO, Raymond Harbert commented, “Entering our 27th year as an investment manager, it is more important than ever to engage leaders who are deeply experienced and energized to deliver results for our clients. Lee is the right leader for HMC’s capital formation group. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in capital raising and investing.”

Lee shares in Raymond’s enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to join HMC for multiple reasons, but I was most impressed with HMC’s deep bench of investment professionals, world-class fund administration team, and inspiring leadership. This construct enables me to focus on developing a strategy for long-term success including continuing the momentum of our existing strategies, serving our existing investors and growing new opportunities.”

HMC President and COO, Travis Pritchett added, “We are excited to add someone of Lee’s caliber to the firm. As our business evolves and becomes more complex, we are committed to investing in resources to support our growing global investor base. Lee is joining HMC at an exciting time and I believe our partners will benefit greatly from his strategic leadership.”

About Harbert Management Corporation

Harbert Management Corporation is an alternative asset manager with approximately $8.0 billion in Regulatory Assets Under Management as of March 1, 2022. Formed in 1993, the firm is privately owned and serves foundations and endowments, fund of funds, pension funds, financial institutions, insurance companies, family offices, and high net worth individuals across multiple asset classes. Investment strategies include European and U.S. real estate, seniors housing, U.S. growth capital, credit solutions, infrastructure, and absolute return funds. For additional information about HMC visit, www.harbert.net.

Contact: HMC Corporate Communications
Telephone: 205.987.5500
E-mail: tmaddox@harbert.net

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The Highly Anticipated Cascade Keyboard by AZIO Launches on Kickstarter

The fully customizable 75% layout mechanical keyboard is packed with premium features and unlimited possibilities for Mac and Windows users.

Cascade Keyboard

Cascade Keyboard

LOS ANGELES, March 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AZIO, the company that created the popular Retro Classic Keyboard Series, announced today the launch of Cascade on Kickstarter. Last year, they successfully funded the IZO Keyboard Series on Kickstarter and hit their funding goal within the first week. The new Cascade keyboard is available in standard and slim profiles, giving users the option of a low-profile keyboard, which is trending among keyboard enthusiasts.

With a fully customizable feature, users can expect to be able to customize their choice of key switches, keycaps, and even the aluminum top plate. The Cascade keyboard is currently available in a 75% layout, which is a mix of form and function for users that prefer a compact keyboard.

The Cascade and Cascade Slim come in two base keycap themes, Galaxy and Forest, with laser-etched font for a backlit effect. Four PBT-themed keycap sets can be purchased separately, with additional designs to come.

Most notably, the mechanical keyboard is designed with a hot-swappable switch mechanism that allows users to choose their preferred mechanical switch. Options on their Kickstarter include four different Gateron G-Pro switches: Blue, Brown, Yellow or Red, and three different Low-Profile Gateron switches: Blue, Brown or Red. The Cascade keyboard is compatible with any MX switches, so users can swap out and use their own preferred switches.

Other features of the Cascade include:

  • Screw-in stabilizers for the standard model, and built-in dual sound dampers for enhanced acoustics, and reduced vibration and rattle.
  • Pre-Lubed switches.
  • A variety of different backlight settings, including RGB colors and animation patterns.
  • Three adjustable feet positions for optimal comfort.
  • System and connectivity toggles that let users shift between Mac & PC mode, or Bluetooth & USB mode.

The Cascade is now available on Kickstarter. Backers can take advantage of the Early Bird special, starting at $89 for any base model.

About AZIO Corporation

Founded in Los Angeles in 2009, AZIO was created as the answer to stagnant aesthetics of workspace accessories. Technology can simplify complicated things or complicate simple things. Our design goal is to create cutting-edge products that are intuitively easy to use, provide maximum comfort, and leave a minimal environmental footprint.

By circumventing traditional materials, forms, and functions, we break through conventional designs to create your dream workspace. Our goal is to spark creativity and uplift the way you work through a unique narrative that is efficient yet beautiful. Let us guide you to revolutionize the way you work.

Media Contact:
Alex Sok
marketing@aziocorp.com
www.aziocorp.com
Related Images

Image 1: Cascade Keyboard

Cascade Slim model in Bronze

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

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Microsoft Suspends Sales, Services in Russia Over Ukraine Invasion

Software giant Microsoft announced Friday that it is suspending “all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia” over that country’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia,” the company said in a statement.

The company added that it was ‘stopping many aspects of our business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions.’

Many companies have announced they are ending or limiting their activity in Russia. Some companies include Apple, Nike and Dell Technologies.

Microsoft added that it will continue to work with Ukraine to protect the country from Russian cyberattacks, noting it already had during an attack on a “major Ukrainian broadcaster.”

“Since the war began, we have acted against Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations,” Microsoft said. “We have also acted against cyberattacks targeting several additional civilian sites. We have publicly raised our concerns that these attacks against civilians violate the Geneva Convention.”

Source: Voice of America

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Millions of Malawian Kids to Get Polio Vaccine

The U.N. children’s agency says it is procuring nearly seven million doses of polio vaccine to inoculate children in Malawi. The action follows a confirmed polio case last month in Malawi’s capital, the first reported in Africa in five years and the first in Malawi in decades.

Malawi had last reported a polio case in 1992. The country was declared polio-free in 2005 — 15 years before the African continent as a whole was declared polio-free.

But health experts said the polio strain which paralyzed a three-year-old child last month is similar to one in Pakistan, and noted that the child was not fully vaccinated against polio.

UNICEF said the planned mass immunization will target the unvaccinated as well as children previously vaccinated, so all can have full protection from the polio virus.

Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF’s representative in Malawi, said preparations are under way for the first round of vaccinations, expected to start March 21.

“We are installing new vaccine refrigerators, repairing vaccine refrigerators already in use or available at district level, and distributing vaccine carriers and cold boxes,” he said.

George Jobe, executive director for the Malawi Heath Equity Network, said the emphasis should be on convincing mothers to have trust in vaccines, which has eroded because of misconceptions associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

“There is need for more awareness raising by government of Malawi, different partners including UNICEF itself, and when doing that awareness raising, it should be made clear that vaccines for children have been there, earlier that the COVID-19 vaccine, and these are routine in Malawi,” Jobe said.

Schwenk said the training of health workers and community leaders is already under way.

Malawi provides a polio vaccine that targets polio virus type 1 and type 3, following the eradication of polio virus type 2 many years back.

UNICEF said the oral polio vaccine to be administered is for wild poliovirus type 1.

The U.N. agency said the 6.9 million doses will cover the first two rounds of the mass immunization campaign in March and April. It says more vaccine is expected to cover all four rounds of the polio immunization campaign, expected to end in June.

In the meantime, experts from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are working to detect any other potential cases in Malawi and neighboring countries.

Source: Voice of America

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Laos-China Railway puts trade on fast track

The Laos-China Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, has boosted regional connectivity and economic cooperation since it started operation three months ago, Xinhua reported on Mar 3.

As of Thursday, the railway has handled more than 350 international freight trains which transported over 250,000 tonnes of cargo, according to the China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd.

Driven by the increasing demand for transportation, the types of goods have expanded from fertilizers, fodder and vegetables at the beginning to electronic products, monocrystalline silicon, daily necessities and communication equipment, said Xu Chao, deputy general manager of the Kunming branch of China United International Rail Containers Co., Ltd.

In order to better serve train operation and improve efficiency, local authorities have coordinated efforts between epidemic control and transportation service, and facilitated the customs clearance at ports.

“Our train service has become more diversified, from traditional international cargo trains to Lancang-Mekong Express and cold chain trains,” Xu said, adding that the Lancang-Mekong Express only takes 26 hours from Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, to the Lao capital Vientiane.

Opening to traffic on Dec. 3, 2021, the Laos-China Railway runs over 1,000 km and links Kunming with Vientiane. It is the first overseas railway jointly constructed and operated by the two countries.

International trade companies are among those who benefit from the railway. Laos is embracing modern logistics services including road-rail combined transport and one-stop customs clearance, which improves the timeliness of cargo transportation and largely reduces costs, said Wang Lijun, chairman of Haofeng International Transport Co., Ltd, a Chinese joint venture rooted in Laos for over a decade.

Wang said the development of his company has entered into the fast lane, with business growing rapidly.

“The China-Laos Railway saves us about 30 per cent of logistics cost from Kunming to Vientiane. The rail transport is more punctual and can reduce damages to the goods,” said Yang Jie from Shanghai Rencheng Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. “We are more confident to expand Southeast Asian market.”

“The launch of the railway has not only promoted economic development along the route but also accelerated the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and the community of a shared future between the two sides,” said Ma Yong, head of the institute of Southeast Asian studies under the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences.

As the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement entered into force in January, the destinations of international freight via the Laos-China Railway have been expanded to more countries and regions including Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Source: Lao News Agency

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Laos, R. Korea strengthen parliamentary ties, cooperation

President of the National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane held a video conference with his counterpart of the Republic of Korea Park Byeong-seug to discuss the strengthening of the friendship and sound cooperation between Laos and Korea, and the two national legislative bodies, in particular.

The Lao NA President highly valued the friendship and sound cooperation between Laos and R. Korea as well as the regular and constant relations and cooperation between the two national assemblies.

He also commended the achievements the Republic of Korea has recorded in all areas over the past years including its comprehensive, constant and strong economic growth, and appreciated Speaker Park Byeong-seug upon his active role in hosting the 29th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and his performance in the regional and international arena.

Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane noted that the cooperation between Lao and Korean parliaments has enjoyed sound and constant growth as this has been reflected in visit exchange between presidents of the two national assemblies, heads of the commissions of the national legislative bodies, and the Lao-Korean Parliamentarians Friendship Group.

He also highly valued the assistance and support the Korean government has provided to Laos in various areas including the removal of unexploded ordnance, official development aid, humanitarian aid, and anti-Covid-19 response.

Source: Lao News Agency