Which language would you like to use this site in Ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Zimbabwean journalist and pro-democracy activist Itai Peace Dzamara Amnesty International calls on authorities to urgently establish an independent impartial and transparent investigation into his whereabouts On the morning of 9 March 2015, five men abducted Dzamara from a barber shop in the capital Harare’s Glen View suburb The men accused him of stealing cattle before handcuffing him and driving off with him in a white truck with concealed number plates All attempts by relatives and human rights lawyers to establish his whereabouts have been unsuccessful “Itai Dzamara’s family and loved ones have endured ten years without answers The authorities have ignored calls for information and investigation including from his wife Sheffra Dzamara,” said Tigere Chagutah Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa “Zimbabwean authorities must urgently carry out an effective investigation into what happened to Itai Dzamara and end their official silence on his case.”  Dzamara was a leader of the Occupy Africa Unity Square Two days before his enforced disappearance Dzamara addressed an opposition rally where he called for mass action against Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic conditions his wife filed a missing person report at Glen Norah Police Station in Harare Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights approached the High Court to try to force the state to expend all available resources to investigate and locate Dzamara The High Court of Zimbabwe ordered police and state security agents to search for Dzamara and report on their progress every two weeks none of the security services have fully complied with the order Police have reportedly not given any substantial information on the details of their supposed investigation when they submitted reports to the court “Authorities have yet to conduct any credible inquiry into Itai Dzamara’s fate or whereabouts,” said Tigere Chagutah “It is time for the authorities to stop pretending and get serious about finding Itai Dzamara and holding accountable whoever is suspected of responsibility for his enforced disappearance.”  Dzamara’s enforced disappearance followed months of persecution after he submitted a petition calling on Zimbabwe’s then-President anti-riot police beat Dzamara until he lost consciousness while he was engaging in a peaceful protest in Harare Dzamara collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated in the intensive care unit It is time for the authorities to stop pretending and get serious about finding Itai Dzamara unknown men abducted Dzamara and two other activists allegedly took them to an office of the ruling ZANU-PF party and severely beat them with metal rods before bringing them to a police station The police let the abductors go free without charge Dzamara and the two activists required hospitalization for injuries inflicted during the abduction “Itai Dzamara’s enforced disappearance was the culmination of a pattern of brutal repression of his peaceful activism,” said Tigere Chagutah many other activists and human rights defenders in Zimbabwe have suffered harassment at least ten opposition activists have been abducted Six people were abducted after disputed elections in 2023 including opposition activist and church leader Tapfumaneyi Masaya whose body was later found dumped on a farm some reported being injected with an unknown substance With the perpetrators of Itai Dzamara’s enforced disappearance enjoying complete impunity it should be no surprise that similar human rights violations continue in Zimbabwe Last year, amid a massive crackdown on dissent before a regional summit held in Harare security agents pulled four activists off a plane and reportedly tortured them for up to eight hours Authorities have not conducted investigations into any of these cases “With the perpetrators of Itai Dzamara’s enforced disappearance enjoying complete impunity it should be no surprise that similar human rights violations continue in Zimbabwe,” said Tigere Chagutah “Zimbabwe’s government must protect human rights defenders activists and opposition political parties to ensure they are able to do their work.”  Together we can fight for human rights everywhere Your donation can transform the lives of millions If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you Are you ready to join the thousands of companies who rely on Blue Book to drive smarter decisions We’d love to show you what Blue Book can do for you Drop us a line– we’ve been waiting for you What is BeeHero and how can it help growers increase yields Israel and provides pollination services across the United States and in over 10 other countries The company uses high-tech tools to optimize pollination for growers while providing detailed data on the strength and viability of bees and hives We spoke to Fresno, CA-based cofounder and Chief Growth Officer Itai Kanot about how BeeHero can help growers achieve better results in pollination and yields.  I grew up in a small village in rural Israel taught me everything about bees and by the time I was old enough to attend Reichman University I had already spent most of my life working with them But I never imagined that beekeeping and technology could collide in the ways we’ve achieved at BeeHero We realized that by working together we could solve one of the biggest challenges in agriculture: pollination Seventy-five percent of the world’s food crops depend on insect pollination and traditional pollination methods are inefficient and outdated We wondered if we could use technology to optimize pollination By leveraging machine learning algorithms and IoT sensors we set out to revolutionize the way commercial pollination is managed Our technology provides data-backed insights to help farmers maximize crop yields and enable beekeepers to monitor and improve the health and welfare of bees What started as a conversation between unlikely classmates quickly became a mission to transform global agriculture we’re proving that innovation and nature don’t have to be at odds—they can work together to create a more sustainable future BeeHero contracts with beekeepers to provide precision pollination services to growers we help beekeepers strengthen the beehives they provide for growers BeeHero partners with experienced beekeepers who provide healthy strong bee colonies for pollination services We place our IoT sensors in hives (via our Precision Pollination as a Service offering) and fields (via our Pollination Insight Platform) to collect real-time data on hive health enabling continuous monitoring of the pollination process The data is analyzed using machine learning to assess bee health and pollination needs to provide beekeepers and growers with actionable insights to enhance pollination efficiency bridging technology and traditional beekeeping for a more sustainable agricultural system We began working with beekeepers in the United States in November 2018 and officially provided pollination services to growers for the first time in January 2020 We contract with expert beekeepers who rent their hives to growers By establishing positive relationships with the beekeeping community and their grower-customers we’ve been able to expand our network of growers we established connections in California’s almond industry and have since expanded to a variety of growers across the USA and abroad The difference between our in-hive and in-field sensing solutions lies in where and how we collect and utilize data to optimize pollination Our PPaaS focuses on monitoring bee colony health inside the hive using IoT sensors to track hive conditions This helps beekeepers maintain healthy colonies ensuring they’re strong and optimized for pollination By improving bee health and reducing risks like colony collapse PPaaS directly enhances pollination efficiency for growers Our PIP provides real-time monitoring of pollination activity in fields and orchards allowing growers to optimize hive placement This technology is especially valuable for crops like apples which require precise pollination timing and density to maximize fruit size and quality​​​ seed producing crops such as onions and carrots benefit significantly from real-time tracking of bee activity​ While both technologies contribute to improving pollination outcomes their applications vary based on crop type making PIP essential for optimizing pollination strategies crops that are less dependent on pollinators may not need as much in-field tracking but still benefit from healthier hives which can be achieved and maintained through PPaaS which are a vital link between our sensors and the central data platform They aggregate data from multiple sensors and relay the data to the cloud using wireless protocols like cellular networks They also sometimes perform initial processing to filter noise and optimize bandwidth sensors store data locally and upload it once restored In areas with limited direct wireless access a mesh networking approach allows sensors to relay data through nearby nodes while backup solutions like cellular or satellite communication ensure uninterrupted data transmission Security features encrypt the transmitted data protecting hive and agricultural information the gateway ensures seamless communication and reliable pollination management Weather significantly impacts both bees and pollination processes influencing everything from bloom timing to colony health Poor weather conditions can delay flower bloom not only reducing the food supply essential for colony growth but affecting crop yields Bees are also highly sensitive to weather; rain and extreme temperatures can limit foraging activity and pollination effectiveness Adverse weather also affects colony health potentially shortening bee lifespans and increasing the risk of disease and stress within the hive Given its profound impact on bee colonies and pollination weather remains a critical factor for both beekeepers and agricultural practices Bee distribution among comb frames in a hive varies due to several key factors typically have a higher concentration of worker bees as they regulate temperature and provide necessary care for larvae frames used for storing honey and pollen attract large numbers of bees ensuring the colony has essential food resources with bees clustering together to maintain warmth around the brood in cooler conditions and spreading out in warmer temperatures to cool the hive The queen’s presence significantly influences bee movement as bees naturally congregate around her to support reproduction and maintain social structure the condition of the frames matters—newer frames tend to attract more bees as they build up wax and store resources less active frames may see reduced activity also affect where bees position themselves within the hive BeeHero’s mission is to become an essential component of global food production We plan to expand our precision pollination technology We have a strong and expanding presence in North America and Australia and we’re targeting further expansion into European and Latin American markets focusing on crops like berries and avocados that face significant pollination challenges​ and machine learning to refine predictive pollination models and further enhance sensor connectivity in remote areas​ we aim to make pollination more data-driven cementing our role as a global leader in precision pollination we’re driving the future of precision pollination and sustainable agriculture expanding our reach and deepening our impact amid dwindling global resources and appalling bee colony losses Recent milestones include a new office in Lima launching a strategic partnership with the country’s National Confederation of Apiculturists to enhance pollination in vital crops and high-level recognition for our Pollination Insight Platform as one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024 and being named as a World Ag Expo Top 10 New Product for 2025 we’re not only optimizing pollination but also strengthening biodiversity and fostering healthier ecosystems—ensuring a more sustainable future for both pollinators and global food production Taryn Pfalzgraf is senior editorial director for Blue Book Services Get access to all the news and analysis you need to make the right decision --- delivered to your inbox LLC is living up to its name in the Midwest and beyond From strawberries and blueberries to blackberries and raspberries this category of the produce industry has been experiencing an unprecedented boom Mike Xu is the founder and CEO of GrubMarket a $3.5-billion produce technology company founded in 2014 Growers in the Bakersfield area have high hopes for this season's crops after last year's mostly positive results When is a set-off permissible and what constitutes good faith or a lack thereof Mango connoisseur Chris Ciruli tells all: top varieties What opportunities do you see to simplify or speed up security token offerings with potential regulatory changes ahead INX’s journey began in 2017 when Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) often operated without regard for securities laws Recognising the need for investor protection we engaged regulators in 2018 to develop a framework for compliant token offerings This effort culminated in the filing of our F-1 registration statement in 2019 and the launch of the first-ever SEC-registered Security Token IPO in August 2020 we raised $84 million from over 7,200 investors across 74 countries validating the potential of regulated token offerings This process highlighted both challenges and areas for improvement The framework we established simplifies future Security Token Offerings (STOs) by providing a foundation for regulation combined with technological advancements in investor onboarding and verification will likely streamline these processes further This can reduce time-to-market and operational costs for new issuers our focus is shifting towards tokenising real-world assets (RWAs) such as equities These efforts aim to bring tangible value to blockchain-based markets appealing to retail and institutional investors seeking accessible and liquid alternatives to traditional markets leveraging the lessons learned from our initial efforts the regulatory and technological landscape had matured significantly marking a turning point for asset tokenisation This development represents an opportunity to expand the token economy into everyday financial infrastructure which model between Security Token Offerings (STOs) and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) do you see becoming the preferred standard STOs are poised to overtake ICOs as the preferred standard particularly with the growing focus on tokenising real-world assets (RWAs) ICOs gained initial traction due to their speed and simplicity but often lacked essential elements like investor protections and regulatory oversight making them more appealing and secure for a wider audience Tokenisation of these assets enables retail investors to access opportunities that were previously exclusive to institutions STOs bridge the gap between traditional financial markets and blockchain innovation Retail investors benefit from STOs through fractional ownership STOs provide a pathway for ordinary investors to diversify their portfolios with assets once beyond their reach The alignment of STOs with evolving regulations positions them as the future standard for token offerings Their compliant and secure framework supports the integration of blockchain technology into financial markets INX demonstrated this integration by enabling 50% of token purchases through cryptocurrencies and the remaining 50% via fiat currencies reflecting a growing demand for crypto-enabled access to real-world assets STOs and RWAs are likely to dominate the future flexible framework that bridges traditional finance and blockchain innovation while unlocking new opportunities for investors How does the tokenisation of Furahaa Group’s equity through FURA tokens offer investors advantages compared to traditional stock market investments FURA tokens offer a way to diversify portfolios with an asset backed by tangible value these tokens represent equity in a company with real-world operations and growth potential providing stability while maintaining the liquidity and accessibility of blockchain technology This approach mirrors traditional diversification strategies allowing crypto traders to balance speculative assets with equity-backed tokens gain entry to the blockchain market without the risks of unregulated assets FURA tokens provide exposure to blockchain-enabled benefits like 24/7 trading and fractional ownership making it possible to invest smaller amounts and diversify portfolios globally Investors can bypass market hours or geographic restrictions accessing a new financial frontier under regulatory oversight FURA tokens bridge traditional and blockchain-based investment markets offering tailored advantages for both crypto traders and conventional investors The result is a tokenised equity that combines stability How does the Furahaa listing support INX’s goals of democratising finance and investment opportunities Furahaa’s listing on INX marks a key step in our mission to democratise finance and create inclusive investment opportunities Furahaa opens investment access to individuals often excluded from traditional markets such as those with limited capital or in underserved regions This listing not only expands access to RWAs but also demonstrates the potential of blockchain technology to deliver tangible regulated opportunities to retail investors The ability to invest in tokenised equities like FURA tokens eliminates barriers such as high minimum investments and restricted market hours Investors can diversify portfolios with lower thresholds and benefit from the liquidity and flexibility of blockchain all within a regulated framework ensuring transparency and security INX intends to support projects aligned with our mission of financial inclusion and compliance We will prioritise initiatives focused on tokenising real-world assets which provide a stable foundation for investors while leveraging blockchain’s innovative capabilities Companies embracing tokenisation to unlock new markets and deliver value to investors will be central to our efforts INX is committed to becoming a leading platform for democratized financial opportunities Our role is to support the next generation of businesses — whether they are in real estate or other sectors — that are ready to embrace the benefits of blockchain technology and bring real-world value to the digital asset ecosystem You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Join over 9000 global opinion formers by subscribing to Fathom's influential Weekly Newsletter Itai Anghel is an Israeli correspondent and documentary filmmaker and one of the few Israelis to have traveled to Syria where he visited five times between 2012-2019 He speaks to Deputy Editor Calev Ben-Dor about the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria the blow to the Iranian sponsored regional axis and Israel’s opportunity to ally with the Kurds To watch the interview click here and Zexi Liang at Cohen’s lab in the Physical Sciences Building Cornell researchers in physics and engineering have created the smallest walking robot yet Its mission: to be tiny enough to interact with waves of visible light and still move independently so that it can maneuver to specific locations – in a tissue sample for instance – to take images and measure forces at the scale of some of the body’s smallest structures “A walking robot that’s small enough to interact with and shape light effectively takes a microscope’s lens and puts it directly into the microworld,” said Paul McEuen Newman Professor of Physical Science Emeritus in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) “It can perform up-close imaging in ways that a regular microscope never could.” The team’s paper, “Magnetically Programmed Diffractive Robotics,” published Nov. 28 in Science, with McEuen as corresponding author. Conrad Smart researcher at Cornell’s Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics (LASSP) Cornell scientists already hold the world’s record for the world’s smallest walking robot at 40-70 microns The new diffractive robots are “going to blow that record out of the water,” said Itai Cohen professor of physics (A&S) and a co-author of the study And we can get them to do whatever we want by controlling the magnetic fields driving their motions.” untethered robots with imaging techniques that depend on visible light diffraction – the bending of a light wave when it passes through an opening or around something The imaging technique requires an opening of a size comparable to the light’s wavelength and for the robots to reach targets to image The Cornell team has achieved both objectives in his lab in the Physical Sciences Building Controlled by magnets making a pinching motion the robots can inch-worm forward on a solid surface They can also “swim” through fluids using the same motion flexibility and sub-diffractive optical technology create a significant advance in the field of robotics “I’m really excited by this convergence of microrobotics and microoptics,” said co-author Francesco Monticone associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in Cornell Engineering who designed the optical diffractive elements and helped the team identify applications “The miniaturization of robotics has finally reached a point where these actuating mechanical systems can interact with and actively shape light at the scale of just a few wavelengths – a million times smaller than a meter.” To magnetically drive robots at this scale the team patterned the bots with hundreds of nanometer-scale magnets that have an equal volume of material but two different shapes – long and thin originated with Fudan University physicist Jizhai Cui thin ones need a larger magnetic field to flip them from pointing one way to pointing the other stubby ones need a smaller field,” Cohen said “That means you can apply a big magnetic field to get them all aligned Cornell scientists combined this principle with very thin films invented at the Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility to create the robots One of the main optical engineering challenges was figuring out the most suitable approach for three tasks – tuning light and super-resolution imaging – for this specific platform because “different approaches have different performance trade-offs depending on how the microrobot can move and change shape,” Monticone said There’s a benefit to being able to mechanically move the diffracting elements in order to enhance imaging The robot itself can be used as a diffraction grading the robots can act as a local extension of the microscope lens looking down from above The robots measure forces by using the same magnet-driven pinching motion that enables them to walk to push against structures Force-measurement and optical abilities can be applied in basic research as in explorations of the structure of DNA Or they might be deployed in a clinical setting I can imagine swarms of diffractive microbots performing super-resolution microscopy and other sensing tasks while walking across the surface of a sample,” Monticone said “I think we are really just scratching the surface of what is possible with this new paradigm marrying robotic and optical engineering at the microscale.” Contributing authors to the study are Zexi Liang experimental fellow at the Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science (KIC); and Mohamed I doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering at Cornell Engineering The research was made possible by the Cornell Center for Materials Research the National Science Foundation and the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility Kate Blackwood is a writer for the College of Arts and Sciences Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox Itai Yanai is at the Institute of Systems Genetics and in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology New York University Grossman School of Medicine Simon Haas is in the Berlin Institute of Health Charité Universitätsmedizin and the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine and in the Precision Healthcare University Research Institute Christoph Lippert is in the Digital Health Cluster Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering Germany; and in the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai Helene Kretzmer is in the Digital Health Cluster Germany; and in the Department of Genome Regulation Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics ITAI YANAI: Exploring human systems with cellular maps Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03552-6 Korsunsky, I. et al. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/461954 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01993-3 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53340-z (2024) Download references Reprints and permissions The authors declare no competing interests Single-cell transcriptomics reveal how root tissues adapt to soil stress Spatial mapping of transcriptomic plasticity in metastatic pancreatic cancer Low overlap of transcription factor DNA binding and regulatory targets Walking in two worlds: how an Indigenous computer scientist is using AI to preserve threatened languages The use of AI in peer review could undermine science Science sleuths flag hundreds of papers that use AI without disclosing it Fungus from the human gut slows liver disease in mice Heart-attack outcomes are worse in the morning when activity of protein duo dips Memories of a cold place trigger bodily responses to warm up UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus Department of Energy and Environmental Materials and advance cancer research in a leading translational institute Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute We are seeking a tenure-track associate professor to promote interdisciplinary research in nanoprobe life sciences or related interdisciplinary field • Studying the development and metabolism of lymph nodes through melanoma metastasis Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Our weekly email is chockful of interesting and relevant insights into Jewish history As reserve commander of the Operational Support Battalion of the 460thArmor School Brigade Itai Naamat is responsible for transporting crucial supplies to the combat forces fighting inside Gaza “It’s our responsibility to supply them with much needed weapons water and food,” Itai said in an interview with Aish “Not only is this necessary for their survival but it also boosts their morale.” Itai retired from active duty more than 20 years ago and serves as a reservist I had to bring 350 soldiers to the base in the South All my soldiers were looking to me for answers and I didn’t have any.” Even though Itai is not required to serve at his age Consider this: If I had told my great-grandfather from Afghanistan 80 years ago that I would be an officer in the Israeli Army ‘You are out of your mind!’ It is incredible that today the Jewish people have an army and can protect themselves I am one in the chain of the Jewish people the Jews will be forced to go back to where they came from – Afghanistan “My scariest moment was when I lost three soldiers during a Hamas ambush They put explosives near the road we were traveling on and they were shooting at us Itai needed to go back to the same area to bring supplies to the troops that were inside “You know you need to be the first Hummer on the road and a lot of trucks with food and fuel and supplies I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when I thought about what happened just earlier that day in the same spot Itai describes the gamut of emotions he experiences when fighting You can literally feel the eyes of your soldiers on your back We all have to get over it and perform our mission I have a lot of people trusting that I will do the job in the best way possible.” Itai maintains that the real hero of his story is his wife She works crazy hours as an attorney in a large Israeli law firm In the recent 17 months she does it all alone “It was such a huge surprise and shock that I almost forgot about my wife’s cancer I knew she would eventually need to have surgery Itai had to handle the imminent danger in front of him first when Itai went back to his jeep the driver told him to call his wife he heard that something was not right in her voice “I wanted to let you know that ten hours ago I had my surgery” He had no idea that she had undergone the operation He gained permission to go to the hospital and see her “I arrived at midnight to give her a hug and comforted her.” Shimrit insisted that Itai immediately go back to his soldiers She is the brave one between the two of us.” Shimrit explained that after Itai left on October 7 she didn’t inform him of anything regarding her illness She wanted him to be focused on the battle and the safety of his soldiers was a top surgeon at the same hospital where she was receiving her cancer treatments Anat arranged an appointment for Shimrit to meet with a cancer surgeon The doctor was supposed to fly to Poland the week after October 7 but because of the war leaving him a last-minute slot for Shimrit’s surgery Shimrit hesitated because she knew her husband would probably be in Gaza at that time “I wanted Itai to focus on the war and the soldiers He won’t be a big help to the Jewish People if he’s sitting next to me.” Shimrit wasn’t afraid about going into surgery the doctor told me it was relatively mild type of cancer.” Shimrit also made the difficult choice to hold off telling her children about the cancer She didn’t want to worry them since they already had a father fighting in Gaza On Oct 17 Shmirit went into the hospital with her sister and had the surgery “I was saying my usual morning prayers and hoping for the best My sister and I were joking to keep our morale high.” The surgery was successful and she called her husband’s driver afterward to inform him but it’s not that urgent.’ That same night when Itai came to visit me at the hospital Don’t tell anyone —commanders don’t usually cry.” Shimrit’s journey to recovery did not end with the surgery “The real fear came when I had to do the CT scan afterwards Shimrit and Itai recently found out that she has been completely healed Shimrit didn’t have time to dwell on her health status preparing and packing food for soldiers as well as packages for the families of the battalion Shimrit organized a special day for the families of Itai’s soldiers There was food and activities for both the mothers and their children “It was a great day for my soldiers and their families All the children and mothers were given prizes and gifts “This event gives us the assurance that you are taking care of our husbands and remember there is a family behind each soldier There are many Israeli women who are carrying a huge burden at home while their husbands are fighting Itai believes they are the real heroines of Israel and the beacons of light for the Jewish people at this challenging time “We have to remind ourselves why we are here and how the State of Israel is a miracle.” Shimrit and Itai are among the quiet heroes that are holding up the Israeli Army and the Jewish People today I'm so proud of the soldiers and the citizens of Israel-you're all doing a remarkable job under very difficult circumstances I've been saying Tehillim everyday since October 7th for Hashem to keep its soldiers and citizens safe May Hashem continue to keep you all under his watchful eye and protect you-thank you for protecting the motherland The multiple different behaviour actions &activities that forms inspiration for many during crises shows remarkable abilities of control This story is repeated on a daily basis by the wives /husbands/partners of soldiers around the world They are true Jewish heroes🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️ When the Jews were in Egypt and were slaves the women gave the men strength to carry on and now in these days the women are also giving the men strength to fight our enemies I love the Jewish people for their Faith and love of G-d and Family You both have won any wars sent to you for how you love help and restore the pride of the Jewish people Thankful to God for your healing and your husband's safety May Israel experience lasting victory in this war against her enemies and gain the respect of the world that you deserve May you both enjoy many healthy and happy grandchildren and great grandchildren down the line putting her husband's soldiers' needs above her own I am very moved and inspired by this article May Hashem bless you both with strength ,hatzlacha and good health to overcome both your personal and national challenges the real heroes are those who put their life on the line and fight in a real and dangerous war Thank you for signing up for the aish.com free newsletter has shared her story with Amnesty International Everyone knew Itai Dzamara as a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was forcibly disappeared on 9 March 2015 after he criticised the Zimbabwean government He was a great father to our two children Nokutenda and Nenyasha He was always there for us making sure that we are happy He loved to eat sadza (staple food made from white corn) and fish and would cook it for us on Sundays after church Itai would always wear his Man U jersey whenever they played matches and that is what led him to write a petition to Zimbabwe’s then-president Robert Mugabe on 17 October 2014 police arrested Itai and fellow activists and interrogated them for eight hours at Harare Central police station Itai was fighting for every Zimbabwean regardless of political parties The man who stood against former President Mugabe The Constitution of Zimbabwe and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which the country is a state party guarantee the right to peaceful assembly the Zimbabwe Republic Police would beat and arrest him and his colleagues would hold peaceful protests at a public park opposite Zimbabwe’s parliament building Then they kept on beating him while he was unconscious He was admitted for treatment for his injuries for two weeks He went to the barbershop at 9am wearing black shorts and his Manchester United jersey there are so many things I wish I had said to him As I was preparing his breakfast for when he returned and told me that my husband was taken from the barbershop by men driving a white Isuzu with no registration number but I wanted to hear the facts directly from the people who witnessed the abduction I took my daughter and put her on my back – she was two years old then – and went straight to the barbershop Even the barber and his colleague were shaking too as they told me what happened “They told me the whole thing was like a movie.” Five men walked in and said they were looking for a cattle thief the men grabbed him and said they were taking him to the police to be questioned I walked back from the barber like a zombie I was not myself; I was confused and did not know what to do I wanted to scream and cry but when I looked at my daughter and son not realizing that I was wearing my skirt inside out and our lawyer to report the case to the police I was afraid to go through the gate thinking maybe the abductors would come back and abduct  us as well I left the house and went to the barbershop hoping my kids and I were taken to an organization where we stayed for a month for our safety I lost weight from fasting and praying for my husband to be released from his abductors I would cry at night so that my kids didn’t t see me 10 years later and everyone is still asking ‘where is Itai?’ Life has not been the same since Itai was abducted I am reminded of him every time I look at my kids because both look like their dad It hurts not to have Itai in my life and to see my kids missing him and growing up without a father who loved them so dearly The police never came back to give any update Even the Zimbabwe High Court order could not get the police find my husband or tell us what happened to him I will not stop asking until I know the fate and whereabouts of my husband I wish for Itai to one day walk through the front door and hug me and the kids or to wake up to find that this was all a bad dream 2015 by five unknown men at a barber shop in Harare’s Glen View suburb his loved ones have not seen him and have received no information about his fate or whereabouts Sign the petition and call for an independent commission of inquiry headed by a judge to effectively investigate the disappearance '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); Five unidentified men suspected to be state security They accused him of stealing cattle before grabbing handcuffing and driving him away in a white truck with concealed license plates 10 years have passed and Itai’s fate and whereabouts remain unknown The efforts of his attorneys and family to ensure the authorities conduct an effective investigation have failed the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights petitioned the High Court to order the government to use every resource at its disposal to find Itai the High Court of Zimbabwe ordered the Central Intelligence Organization’s Director General and the Minister of Home Affairs to investigate and report the progress of their search to the High Court’s Registrar fortnightly until Itai’s fate or whereabouts was determined None of the state authorities have fully complied with the directive to notify the High Court of their progress on the investigation and the police have stopped reporting The authorities have not gone back to Itai’s family to update on any progress on the case Itai’s wife Sheffra Dzamara wrote an open letter to President Mnangagwa appealing for help in finding her husband; she never received a response The Zimbabwe government has ignored pleas to effectively investigate Itai’s fate or whereabouts from multiple civil society international and regional human rights bodies it will be more difficult for them to continue ignoring her voice and request Sign the petition and join Sheffra and the people of Zimbabwe in demanding the authorities set up an independent judge led commission of inquiry to effectively investigate the disappearance of Itai establish his fate or whereabouts and bring to justice anyone suspected of criminal responsibility « Back This website uses cookies to improve and promote our services. 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Itai Erdal stands before footage of his mother in How to Disappear Completely WHEN LIGHTING DESIGNER Itai Erdal was young His mother would use an old trick of dropping glass marbles into the caramelized milk-and-sugar mixture to keep it from sticking to the pot while it was simmering on the stovetop Erdal shares that he was extremely close with his mother a wise woman who raised him and his sister on her own threw elaborate dinner parties for their friends and family and took him to Madrid to see the artwork of Picasso and Goya She showed him affection often by running her fingers through his hair and giving him hugs and kisses So when she called him in September 2000 to tell him she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer Erdal dropped everything to be by her side for the last nine months of her life It’s now the memories of her doing what she loved that he cherishes most “The smell of the dulce de leche in the house would just drive me crazy for hours,” Erdal recalls my job was to fish out the marbles and to lick the hot marbles and I would always burn myself because I couldn’t wait long enough for the dulce de leche to cool down So my fondest memories of her have to be around cooking and she taught me all her recipes before she died….I still cook all my mother’s food for my friends and for my family now.” Mery Erdal’s final months are now the basis of her son’s one-man theatre show Presented by The Chop Theatre in collaboration with The Elbow Theatre the profound and sharply funny production premiered in Vancouver at the Chutzpah and over the next eight years it was remounted more than 25 times in several cities around the world The Cultch’s upcoming presentation of How to Disappear Completely at the Historic Theatre from March 15 to 22 marks the first time Erdal will perform it since the pandemic his mother was very matter-of-fact about her diagnosis She asked her son to be her main caregiver as she was opposed to staying in a hospital They spent a few wonderful months together watching movies and visiting with his mother’s old friends before things got hard Erdal filmed hours of footage and took hundreds of photographs “I just wanted to capture her so that I could show my children one day who their grandmother was,” Erdal says why don’t you make a documentary and call it Towards My Mother’s Death And then she started directing the documentary about her you can capture this and this and this.’ And when she had enough Cut!’ So she was kind of directing her own movie Erdal came to realize that documentary filmmaking was not his calling Several years later when he showed the footage to his friend James Long (who was co-artistic director of Theatre Replacement with Maiko Yamamoto at the time) he encouraged Erdal to use it in a theatre project with which he has co-written and performed in Soldiers of Tomorrow Pivoting from film to theatre allowed Erdal to lean into his expertise as a lighting designer in the show’s creation Having worked on more than 350 productions around North America and Europe he has won six Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards and a Lustrum Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe “Lighting became a metaphor for so many things that we did not plan,” Erdal says my director [Long] asked me ‘What’s your favourite light?’ And I said a PAR can because it’s durable and it spills all over the place but it produces the prettiest light of all theatrical instruments.’ And then word for word that made it into the show Then I wanted to show how a PAR can gets warmer and warmer as you dim it people got super emotional because they thought about the life leaving my mother’s body that PAR can moment is the strongest thing in the entire show How to Disappear Completely was created in collaboration with Long and dramaturge Anita Rochon (the latter two artists are cofounders of The Chop Theatre) It features projections of Erdal’s footage and photographs chronicling the last nine months of his mother’s life for audiences It has been 14 years now since the work premiered and Erdal says he has become more relaxed in his dialogue delivery There has also been a recent change to the plotline “The big theme in the show is how I’m lonely and I really want children and how my mother thinks that children are so important We had to adjust the show a little bit to say that I do have children That’s also changed my relationship with my mother a little bit I sort of understand even more the importance of having children.” The lighting designer says his mother was a true hedonist with a love for people and the arts She instilled in Erdal a passion for theatre that has since allowed his career to blossom in ways he could have never imagined How to Disappear Completely has taken him around the world and allowed him to form meaningful connections with the people who see the show “This was the hardest thing that has ever happened to me,” Erdal says “And you would think that it’s a daunting task to have to relive the toughest moment of your life onstage every day and she’s also smart—and it feels like I’m introducing my mother to my friends or to people in general People have gone as far as to say that by doing a show about my mother because now all the people who’ve seen the show know my mom “And I’ll tell you something else,” he adds it’s a wonderful experience every night.”   Stir editorial assistant Emily Lyth is a Vancouver-based writer and editor who graduated from Langara College’s Journalism program Her decade of dance training and passion for all things food-related are the foundation of her love for telling arts Roster also includes the troupe’s 40th panto Ten episodes feature play excerpts and interviews with emerging theatre artists who identify with D/disability Annual accolade honours an individual who has significantly enriched Metro Vancouver’s arts and culture community Seventy years after the classic musical’s debut its theme of love transcending hate continues to inspire performers and audiences Offerings at The Cultch span coming-of-age stories The journey through Cree artist’s real-life memories follows a young Indigenous girl growing up in Alberta The offbeat logic of being a kid gets tangled up with adult social dynamics in Clare Barron’s acclaimed play Director Andrew Kushnir says Nick Green’s play also highlights the key role of the Princess of Wales in destigmatizing contact with patients Royal City Musical Theatre’s inspired take on ’70s-era office politics is boldly relevant the politically pointed show interweaves songs and satire in a battle cry for Asian femmes Valerie Methot says new play takes place in the near future Codirectors Cameron Mackenzie and Diane Roberts unpack the story of two friends struggling with political differences after the Black Lives Matter protest at a Toronto Pride Parade Joan Bryans directs the adaptation that explores what could happen if the characters decide their own fates Director Cory Haas reflects on how six characters emphasize the importance of proper communication and unapologetic individuality Among the theatre offerings in store are Same Same Different Enriched by a team of cultural consultants Zahida Rahemtulla’s new play offers new insight on an urgent chapter of recent Canadian history Immersive show centres a group of people at a Sex Helped by Kate Besworth’s irreverent sparkle as Lizzy Gateway Theatre’s adaptation loses the restraint and dives headfirst into Austen’s humour production revolves around a funeral party for a man with an adventurous past the titular mouse comes to life with 1940s flair reminiscent of E.B Clare Barron’s Pulitzer Prize–nominated production traces themes of friendship and jealousy as young athletes train for a national title Email us at hello@createastir.ca and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations What is Stir?Support StirDiversity & InclusionAdvertisingRSS FEED Legal | Site Credits We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. ShareItai Reuveni member of IDF's elite Paratrooper BrigadeAs hundreds of missiles rained across Israel's skies, 40-year-old Itai Reuveni, an Israeli of Iranian descent, sought refuge in a bomb shelter with his family as his nation was attacked by the very country which was once his parents’ homeland. He heard ‘endless booms’ as Tehran reportedly fired more than 200 missiles in a wave of launches in retaliation for the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah’s leaders. The IRGC announced it had struck "the heart of Israel" in retaliation for the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC's top regional commander Abbas Nilforoushan. "If Israel responds to the Islamic Republic's operation, it will face devastating attacks," the statement said.  While Iran launched missiles, a terrorist attack unfolded in Tel Aviv, with at least eight people killed by gunfire. It is not known at this time if those attacks were coordinated, though the timing does appear to be suspicious. One person, a Palestinian, has been killed in Iran’s strike against Israel, according to local reports. Israeli Military Spokesperson said Tuesday this attack was serious and will have consequences. According to CNN, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also described the attack as “ineffective”, referring to it as a “significant escalation” by Iran. Despite the ongoing animosity between Iran and Israel, Itai feels deeply connected to his Iranian roots and culture while he sees himself as a proud Israeli ready to defend his nation -- even against his parent’s country of birth. In an interview with Iran International, Itai said it’s important to make a clear distinction between the people of Iran and its government. His father left Iran as a young child in the 1950s, a few short years after the establishment of the State of Israel. His mother, Diana, on the other hand, had a much different journey to Israel. Having fled Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, she had to rebuild her life from scratch as a 27-year-old chemist with no command of Hebrew. Itai Reuveni pictured as a baby with his mother Diana. The establishment of the Islamic Republic had changed her life in a flash. Diana’s parents stayed in Iran where her father, Itai’s grandfather, was arrested and jailed because his daughter and eventually other children escaped to Israel. It wasn’t until Itai was a teenager that he met his maternal grandparents in Israel. Photo of Itai's mother Diana receiving an award from the late Shah for her academic achievements. Itai, who studied Iranian studies and Political Science, specializes in civil society, terrorism and the Middle East – working at nonprofit ‘NGO Monitor’ when the country is not in a time of war. Having served in the North, fighting Hezbollah, and being of Iranian origin, he offers an inside look and unique perspective into what it’s like for Israelis and what could unfold next after the Islamic Republic's strike Since Oct 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying to maneuver a multi-front war, the Iran threat and pressures from the United States and Europe demanding a ceasefire – to put an end to the war against Hamas, said Itai over a zoom interview with Iran International. But he said everything changed last week when Israel launched a targeted strike, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Itai viewed this as a turning point, marking the collapse of Iran’s proxy deterrence. What Iran had reportedly invested billions in over decades was largely dismantled from top to bottom. “I think that's a historic point. It's exactly like October 7th was a very negative historic point. But what happened in the past week is going to change the interactions in the Middle East.” The destruction of one of Iran’s biggest proxies, he believes, changes the balance of power in the region, destroys Iran’s deterrence strategy and leaves the Iranian government vulnerable. Prior to that, Israel’s use of pagers and walk-talkie loaded with explosives left Hezbollah operatives reeling. That’s when Itai knew the Israeli government’s policy and war tactic was changing. “I think they're in shock. They don't understand how we destroyed their greatest asset in their international politics.” Itai said Israel finally reached a breaking point, declaring, “enough is enough.” He sensed that Israelis felt trapped in a cycle of violence where diplomacy had no impact, and border skirmishes and missile strikes offered no resolution, leaving people on both sides stuck in a constant state of conflict. The attacks are an effort to prevent Hezbollah from continuing to fire rockets at northern Israel, which it has been doing since the war against Hamas. Israel's airstrikes are continuing to widen, and their military started a ground invasion on Monday. “We are removing the gloves, and we don't care what others will say. And I think it showed. We eliminated one of the biggest command structures of the biggest terror organizations in the world. We celebrated it, the Lebanese celebrated, the Syrians, the Iranians. All the people that are affected by this, by the behavior and the activities of Hezbollah,” he said. Taking out the leader of Hezbollah, Itai said, showed a dramatic shift in Isarel’s policy to take matters into their own hands and send a clear message to its boss: the Ayatollahs in Iran. It also sent a clear message to the United States that Israel was no longer yielding to pressure for a ceasefire and was prepared to chart its own course. Going after someone high-level like Nasrallah also means the fear surrounding him diminished in the eyes of the public. Itai said Nasrallah was often seen as the “big bad wolf,” and that eliminating him helped to dispel the myth around him being untouchable and in turn injected positive energy into Israeli society. Something he said Israel hasn’t felt since Oct 7. “With all the sadness of the hostages, with all the sadness that we are still at war. And we have 200,000 people that left their homes in the north and in the south. Still, it was a boost of energy. And I think not only for us, for many other people in the region,” he added. The Middle East, Itai said, looks to Israel for support to help dismantle the Islamic Republic, which many Arab countries also see as an extensional threat. “Other countries look on us and understand that if we will not stop this momentum of murderous terror organizations that is raping and mutilating people, they will be next. Everyone looks upon us.” an NFA Member commodity trading advisor located in Burlingame an associated person (AP) and a principal of Rimar Capital NFA membership and principal status for 30 months If either Rimar Capital or Liptz seeks NFA membership or principal status following the 30-month period The Decision, issued by NFA’s Business Conduct Committee (BCC), is based on a Complaint issued by the BCC and a settlement offer submitted by Rimar Capital and Liptz in which they neither admitted nor denied the allegations in the Complaint the BCC found that Rimar Capital and Liptz failed to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade by trading ahead of customer accounts used deceptive and misleading communications with potential customers and failed to supervise its operations and employees The BCC also found that Rimar Capital allowed an individual to act as an AP without being registered in that capacity Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" With FNG's Newsletter you'll get all the latest breaking FX Industry news stories - in a concise daily email Get FNG's daily newsletter to receive notice of all articles like this one I dabbled with the thought of going in-house for some time I started out in IP litigation and really liked it I was never quite sure what an in-house IP counsel could do in Israel – either with a local or international company.  When Playtika reached out to me with an offer The opportunity to build an IP department for an online gaming company was hard to pass.  I would say that in-house counsel work is more challenging and demanding than private practice you are the client and you have to make the hard choices For anyone looking to make that transition I would recommend studying the industry that you are looking to enter learning the legal challenges that it faces – from litigation to regulation – and expressing that knowledge in interviews I started as the sole IP counsel for my company patents to trade secrets – and now generative AI – and everything in between stay on top of current events in the relevant fields and You have to see the bigger picture and understand your business Make sure that you align with all relevant business units You need to know where to be more aggressive and where to be more lenient as well as where to focus and where to skim Surrounding yourself with strong team members who are eager to learn love what they do and are there to support you is my method of handling everything.  I would have to say that generative AI was one of the biggest and most difficult ones New gen-AI tools still come out almost on a daily basis – everyone wants to use them and for what use?” There was no precedent and you have many different business units wanting answers.  We had to adapt very fast and introduce a process that allows the business to test new tools and train itself to make sure we will not face unnecessary risks we started raising awareness about the legal challenges and risks through regular dedicated trainings internal blogs and articles and generally talking about it at every chance we had we formed an in-house legal AI task force for all of these new challenges which are broader than just intellectual property We work closely together and with relevant stakeholders in the company to make sure that all of the business’s needs are met We are seeing gen-AI tools that are learning and being taught to respect trademarks and other IP rights and to work with brand owners when you ask a gen-AI text-to-image tool to create an image that includes a brand the brand name or logo will not appear in most cases We are also seeing generative AI being utilised to protect trademarks I believe that this shows us that trademarks are here to stay and that any legitimate gen-AI tool or provider must respect them Senior Director, Legal - Intellectual Property[email protected]  Itai Sela Saldinger is the senior director of intellectual property at Playtika He is responsible for all of the global IP aspects of the company including its trademark and patent portfolios Mr Saldinger worked at some of Israel’s leading IP firms and represented many international clients and brands in various matters – from patent litigation to trademark prosecution and enforcement Register for limited access to subscriber only content and to receive our weekly newsletter Unlock unlimited access to all WTR content "\/anti-israel-mob-sways-europes-universities-to-ignorance\/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=mAyxmxdeYwgZVEME5XvF5YLJdALNUoJhN5W.ZZ47x6Y-1746451646-1.0.1.1-ExM40ZgvXZcquC4MLuhCLCv0zBGUeAQvMgRdKQTfpNU" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null Cardiff City midfielder Andy Rinomhota has paid tribute to his brother after he tragically passed away at the age of 30 Joseph Itai Rinomhota died after being stopped in his first Muay Thai kickboxing bout on Friday the Zimbabwe international shared a tribute to his late brother He wrote: 'Nothing could’ve prepared me for what’s happened and no words or pictures are going to be enough to show or express the love I have and will always have for you my brother 'I’m hoping this will help to heal the pain even if only slightly You were the most driven and positive minded person I know always pushing for more and never settling for the minimum always looking for that next thing to try and achieve 'You lived life to the fullest and I know you’d have no regrets even now 'As a brother they don’t come better than you you always looked after me in every way possible and I should’ve told you more just how much that meant to me they walk beside us everyday" I know you’ll continue to watch over me and provide me with the strength and love you always have 'You’ll be with me doing the things we had planned to do together you will always be in my heart and never forgotten.' Rinomhota also shared of series of pictures of the pair dating back to their childhood The former Reading star also shared a screenshot of a message he sent Joseph on the day of his kickboxing debut wishing him luck just hours before the tragic incident occurred on Friday night the referee stopped the contest in the third round after Rinomhota reportedly sustained a series of kicks to the body from his opponent The 30-year-old was able to leave the ring and removed his gloves, but fell unwell while taking off his hand wraps according to a report from local news outlet, Khaosod English. He experienced muscle tension, while his breathing became laboured and his eyes were rolling, according to witnesses. Rinomhota remained conscious, but just moments later he collapsed, with his heart having reportedly stopped. His trainer is said to have given him CPR until emergency services arrived and took him to Thai International Hospital, just under two miles away from the venue on the island of Koh Samui. Despite their efforts, Rinomhota was tragically pronounced dead at 11pm. No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: Professional: Founder and CEO of Honeycomb a company providing digital insurance for properties in the US Childhood and family: "I grew up in Rishon LeZion My father worked in marketing at Bank Leumi we moved to Paris because of my father's job It was a formative experience; I was exposed to the wider world and learned a great deal very quickly but academic achievements weren’t my main focus I was more interested in girls and spent most of my time with my rock band." Military service: "I served as an intelligence officer in the Military Intelligence Research Department I was exposed to hidden worlds that most people don’t see but I didn’t envision a career in the military I wanted to transition to civilian life and work on things unrelated to war." Travel and the accident: "During my post-army trip I was involved in a serious bus accident in Bolivia I suffered severe burns and nearly suffocated Returning abroad: "I earned a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Hebrew University and then worked as an engineer at Intel I left to pursue an MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania I stayed in the US as a strategic consultant at BCG where I learned much about business management I realized that consulting wasn’t for me-I’m more of an entrepreneur." Management experience: "My next step was with QuinStreet a digital marketing company that had acquired the site insure.com which is how I was introduced to the insurance world The business quickly grew from three employees to 50 after 12 years in Pennsylvania and San Francisco I co-founded the startup Comprendi with two partners The company enabled advertisers to target customers based on text analysis I realized this wasn’t the right market for me I learned from the experience that in my next venture I would need to be more precise in selecting the market and the role of technology in solving the problem Closing Comprendi was incredibly difficult but it was one of the most important decisions of my life." Transition to insurance: "After closing the company I took on a few consulting projects in Israeli venture capital but soon leaned toward the insurance sector-it felt like the next big thing for me I wanted a complex market with numerous players without excessive dominance I also preferred to compete against established companies that were good at insurance but less adept with technology A friend suggested exploring the US shared property insurance market." Honeycomb: "I founded Honeycomb in early 2019 with my partner and the company’s Israel operations lead The company offers digital insurance for buildings using technology to streamline and reduce costs We automate the underwriting process with data from policyholders with about 75 in the US (headquarters and sales) and 60 in Israel (product development we’ve raised approximately $55 million from investors and insure more than 20,000 buildings worth $35-40 billion." The US market: "About 30% of Americans live in multi-family properties Many traditional insurance companies have suffered losses due to risky decisions and events like hurricanes This has led them to abandon this market segment or resort to expensive manual underwriting." human: "Honeycomb’s technology brings algorithms into this field pixel-by-pixel analysis of the condition of a roof doesn’t necessarily require a human Our underwriters train the algorithms to identify well-maintained buildings and flag those needing further inspection About 70-80% of our decisions are technology-driven but we always strive for balance and avoid going too far." What we avoid: "We don’t operate in regions with high hurricane risks or significant wildfire threats as we lack a competitive edge in those areas unlike many insurers who have withdrawn from California due to only 15-20% of properties being insurable Our technology is specifically designed to identify and evaluate these insurable buildings effectively." Looking ahead: "I aim to make Honeycomb the leading real estate insurance company in the US Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on January 21 © Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. Eight years after journalist and pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara went missing authorities are yet to give progress report on their investigation efforts to ensure his family receives justice The failure of Zimbabwean authorities to account for Itai Dzamara speaks volumes about the lack of political will to account for him The organization believes the continued failure of Zimbabwe’s authorities to launch an effective investigation into Dzamara’s disappearance is a travesty of justice and that it sends a chilling message about the security of others who demand accountability from the government “The failure of Zimbabwean authorities to account for the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, eight years after he was last seen, speaks volumes about the lack of political will to account for him,” said Lucia Masuka, Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe. “The world and Itai Dzamara’s family want truth and justice for his disappearance His family also want to be freed from the agonizing uncertainty they have been subjected to since his disappearance.” we join Itai’s family in calling on the Zimbabwean authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Itai Dzamara’s disappearance,” said Lucia Masuka The world and Itai Dzamara’s family want truth and justice for his disappearance no meaningful investigation has taken place and his whereabouts remain unknown We need to see an inquiry with findings that are made public and suspected perpetrators brought to justice.” and transparent investigation into Itai Dzamara’s disappearance Amnesty International is re-iterating its call for the government to set up an independent judge-led Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances around the abduction of Itai Dzamara The findings of any inquiry must be made public and those suspected should be brought to justice Members of the public with information to contribute to the Commission through submissions must also be allowed to do so and ensure of their safety and protection Itai Dzamara was abducted on 9 March 2015 by five men while he was at a barber shop in Harare’s Glen View suburb His abductors are said to have accused him of stealing cattle before handcuffing him forcing him into a white truck with concealed number plates He has not been seen since then and Amnesty International believes he is a victim of enforced disappearance he had called for former President Robert Mugabe to step down and criticized his handling of Zimbabwe’s economy he had addressed a rally in the capital Harare where he called for mass action to address the deteriorating economic conditions in Zimbabwe He had previously been targeted by state security agents Late president Robert Mugabe had been in power for almost four decades until he was removed from office in 2017 by the ruling ZANU-PF with the help of the army then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva that the government was actively pursuing the search for Itai the government has failed to give regular updates on the search efforts for the activist despite a court order issued in 2016 instructing it to do so Ahead of the ninth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted in Harare on 9 March 2015 Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa “Nine years after the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara the Zimbabwean authorities continue to impede the delivery of justice Their failure to launch an effective investigation into Dzamara’s disappearance sends the chilling message that activists seeking to demand accountability from the government are no longer safe Nine years after the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara “Itai Dzamara’s family and friends have endured nine painful years waiting for truth and justice over his enforced disappearance His family needs closure from the agonizing uncertainty they have been subjected to The feeling of insecurity and fear that his disappearance has generated is not limited to his close relatives but also affects the broader civil society community “Amnesty International reiterates its call for the government to set up an independent judge-led Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Dzamara’s abduction The findings must be made public and those suspected of criminal responsibility should be brought to justice in fair trials Members of the public with information to contribute to the Commission through submissions must be allowed to do so and the authorities must ensure their safety and protection.” Amnesty International believes he is a victim of enforced disappearance Itai had addressed a rally in Harare where he called for mass action to address the deteriorating economic conditions in Zimbabwe and for the late President Robert Mugabe to step down He was previously targeted by state security agents Itai’s case is one of many in Zimbabwe’s long history of abductions and enforced disappearances that the authorities are yet to investigate and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute in fair trials. Together we can fight for human rights everywhere. Your donation can transform the lives of millions. If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you. A DECADE after the disappearance of human rights activist and journalist Itai Dzamara pressure is mounting on the Zanu PF government to provide answers Campaigners and activists have condemned the ruling party with some branding it a terrorist organisation that must be held to account for Dzamara’s disappearance when he was allegedly taken from his home in Glenview by State security operatives in an unmarked vehicle The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain shrouded in mystery prompting renewed calls for a thorough and transparent investigation Award-winning human rights lawyer and Principal Managing Partner at Tsunga Bhamu Law International has implored the President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government to make a public announcement explaining why it has failed to bring the perpetrators of Dzamara’s disappearance to justice “The government has to do all in its powers to make a public and open announcement on why it has not been possible to bring the perpetrators of the abduction of Itai Dzamara to account,” he said it really affects human rights activists and in particular it affects the family “It’s a threat to the rule of law; it’s a threat to the justice and accountability It reduces confidence of people in the ability of our law enforcement system to be able to protect the citizens.” Former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala stated that the Zanu PF-led government knows the whereabouts of Dzamara and owes the public an explanation as to what happened to him “The regime knows what happened to Itai Dzamara,” Sikhala said “It is the duty of every government to protect its citizens The security of every person falls in the hands of the State We still demand with our loud voices to know what happened to Itai It remains a serious issue of public interest,” he added Human rights defender and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure minced no words for Zanu PF describing it as a terrorist organisation and warning that the perpetrators of Dzamara’s disappearance would eventually face retribution “The Dzamara story reminds us that the Zanu PF party is a terrorist organisation We will not tire to demand the return of Dzamara Those who abducted him Dzamara will be forced to pay in the coming Zimbabwe,” he said Efforts to obtain comment from the government were unsuccessful as both Information Minister Jenfan Muswere and Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana could not be reached on their mobile phones Zanu PF Director of Communication Farai Marapira asserted that human rights defenders and activists carry the burden of proof as they are the ones making unfounded allegations against his party which he described as a law-abiding institution It is sad that some people would seek cheap mileage over another family’s anguish We are a law-abiding institution which holds the laws of our land sacrosanct It is crass madness to then associate us with such a vile accusation,” Marapira said Zimbabwe has neither signed nor ratified the United Nations International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance despite repeated calls to do so by UN Member States This convention came into being in 2006 and started being implemented in 2010 represented by renowned lawyer Tendai Biti took Mnangagwa’s government to the High Court arguing that the administration must ratify the United Nations Convention against enforced disappearance treaty Shava deplored what he described as a systematic pattern of enforced disappearance with some also being injected with unknown substances New Zimbabwe.com Tweets by NewZimbabweCom NewZimbabwe.com – The Zimbabwe News You Trust is Zimbabwe’s leading online newspaper and published by New Zimbabwe Media Ltd. The platform brings you the latest breaking News, Business, Showbiz, Sports, Diaspora and gives you everything you’ve come to expect and love. Our Forums are vibrant and gives everyone a chance to be heard. On your computer, tablet smart phone or on our App its quick, easy and free access all the news you love. NewZimbabwe.com is updated continually with the latest news to help you feed your addiction with stories & photos from Zimbabwe and many more! TEN years after the mysterious disappearance of human rights activist-cum-journalist Itai Dzamara after openly criticizing the Zimbabwean government over the country’s worsening economic conditions Dzamara’s wife Sheffra told human rights watchdog Amnesty International Zimbabwe that she longs for his return emphasising the past 10 years have been painful without closure to the matter “I will not stop asking until I know the fate and whereabouts of my husband,” Sheffra said “I wish for Itai to one day walk through the front door and hug me and the kids or to wake up to find that this was all a bad dream “Life has not been the same since Itai was abducted “It hurts not to have Itai in my life and to see my kids missing him and growing up without a father who loved them so dearly When I look at them l feel God’s grace,” she said Sheffra also said the police never investigated Dzamara’s disappearance or provided any updates ignoring even a High Court of Zimbabwe order to take action She also accused the government of ignoring the family’s requests for answers “The police never came back to give any update Even the High Court of Zimbabwe order could not get the police to find my husband or tell us what happened to him “As a family we did everything to get answers For the past 10 years the government of Zimbabwe has ignored my requests and turned a blind eye to the demand for answers by everyone including friends media and the international community.” NewZimbabwe.com – The Zimbabwe News You Trust is Zimbabwe’s leading online newspaper and published by New Zimbabwe Media Ltd The platform brings you the latest breaking News Diaspora and gives you everything you’ve come to expect and love Our Forums are vibrant and gives everyone a chance to be heard tablet smart phone or on our App its quick easy and free access all the news you love NewZimbabwe.com is updated continually with the latest news to help you feed your addiction with stories & photos from Zimbabwe and many more Five years after journalist and pro-democracy activist his whereabouts remains a mystery and his family are stuck in agonizing limbo Itai Dzamara is a well-known activist and had been a vocal critic of Robert Mugabe before he was abducted from a barbershop on 9 March 2015 Imagine not being able to tell your children if their father is alive or dead but they have chosen to subject his family to five long years of uncertainty The organization is in copy of a heart-wrenching letter from Dzamara’s wife Sheffra in which she appeals to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to help find her husband and describes the pain of raising her two children alone “Imagine not being able to tell your children if their father is alive or dead but they have chosen to subject his family to five long years of uncertainty,” said Muleya Mwananyanda Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa Today we join Itai’s family in calling on the Zimbabwean authorities to conduct a thorough effective and transparent investigation into his disappearance “Today we join Itai’s family in calling on the Zimbabwean authorities to conduct a thorough and suspected perpetrators brought to justice as well as an end to the harassment and intimidation of activists and critics in Zimbabwe.” Before he disappeared Itai Dzamara had been repeatedly harassed and beaten up by Zimbabwe’s security forces Amnesty International believes he has been forcibly disappeared as a result of his activism and outspoken criticism of the government Itai Dzamara was abducted on 9 March 2015 by five men while he was at a barbers’ shop in Harare’s Glen View suburb forcing him into a white truck with concealed number plates and driving off Itai Dzamara was a well-known activist who had campaigned to improve accountability in Zimbabwe He had called for former President Robert Mugabe to step down and criticized his handling of Zimbabwe’s economy Mugabe had been in power for almost four decades until he was removed from office in 2017 by the ruling ZANU-PF with the help of the army Under President Mnangagwa Zimbabwe remains a dangerous place to criticize the government Security forces routinely use repressive laws such as the Public Order and Security Act now the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act to prevent people from carrying out peaceful protests and voicing their criticism Government critics have increasingly faced harassment and intimidation under president Mnangagwa’s administration including being charged with trumped-up treason charges for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly Amnesty International is calling on the government to set up an independent judge-led Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances around the abduction of Itai Dzamara The findings of any inquiry must be made public and those suspected to be responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials Members of the public with information to contribute to the Commission through submissions must also be allowed to do so President Mnangagwa was Vice President when he told the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva in 2016 that the government was actively pursuing the search for Itai PLX is known for its accurate control of light and alignment of different optical instruments—endless possibilities and applications are available Vishnia wants to see PLX begin to enter the communications and artificial intelligence markets—all of which rely on photonics will be the core to providing faster and more accurate products to these industries The business advantage comes in the form of volume maximization PLX consistently pushes the limits of Boresighting technology which significantly enhances targeting capabilities This technology employs PLX's proprietary high-accuracy beam delivery system that can be customized to suit any application Even under the most extreme levels of vibration and shock such as those experienced during helicopter flight or battlefield conditions PLX's Boresighting systems operate with extreme stability ensuring maximum performance in harsh environments PLX bolstered their capabilities in active optics with their innovative Beam Steering Technology which combines micro-electromechanical scanning mirrors (MEMS) and their M.O.S.T technology to deliver unmatched performance and accuracy in laser scanning systems for targeting and metrology applications Vishnia sees PLX being more involved in developing data-storage technologies and particularly fusion technologies There are many companies involved in achieving this mission But this is not going to be a technology that can be commercialized within two years; this is a decades-long project to create a high-power and low-cost technology that meets the global energy challenge Vishnia is fully committed to the development of fusion technology and believes PLX can meet the energy challenge of tomorrow Vishnia offers the younger generation this advice: “Make sure you have done everything first before you direct others.” He adds that if you demand excellence from yourself Vishnia recommends early career professionals be “keenly aware of business trends” both inside and outside of one’s specific market This strategy can help innovate an entire industry “Know what your brand stands for and be consistent,” he says and has spent more than 25 years working in photonics He earned a PhD in quantum physics from the University of Bristol (U.K.) Prior to joining the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) in 2015 as CTO Jose was a Senior Photonics Technology Consultant with PNO Consultants with some of the main accounts such as CERN The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research and as a postdoctoral researcher at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands where he contributed to the early development of EFFECT Photonics Ana Fowler is market research analyst and coordinator at Optica (Washington Discover a new live experience with thrilling moments & frequent bonuses delivering wins up to 7200x wrapped in a superbly designed studio with hosts trained to entertain will be stepping in as the executive chair on an interim basis while the board searches for a permanent CEO Lord Mendelsohn thanked Pazner for his contributions to the company over the past 20 years “Itai has played a very important role in building a business with powerful proprietary technology and has overseen successful early stages to the William Hill integration process We wish him well in his future endeavours,” he said in a brief statement 888 acquired William Hill’s European operations for a sum of approximately £1.9bn However, the company incurred a substantial debt of £1.76bn to finance the acquisition Pazner joined 888 Holdings in 2001 as marketing manager and held various senior positions before being appointed COO in 2017 and CEO in 2019 Pazner described working for 888 for more than two decades as a “great honour” he said: “The main achievement that stands out for me is my role in creating the 888casino into a leading online casino brand globally “Working with a great team of colleagues we built 888 into a top-tier player in sportsbook and 888poker to be one of the leading poker networks globally,” he added 888 revealed that it has suspended VIP activities in some of its .com markets due to an internal compliance investigation The review has revealed that best practices regarding Know Your Client (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes have not been followed for VIP customers in the Middle East region the board has decided to suspend the VIP customer accounts in the region which is estimated to impact less than 3% of the operator’s revenues Lord Mendelsohn commented: “The board and I take the group’s compliance responsibilities incredibly seriously When we were alerted to issues with some of 888’s VIP customers “We will be uncompromising in our approach to compliance as we build a strong and sustainable business,” he added iGaming NEXT has reached out to 888 for comment Advisory firm Regulus Partners linked Panzer’s departure to the “dangerous” nature of “grey-market operating practices” The firm also pointed out that 888 made redundancies at its Israel office a few days ago “The Middle East contains a full house of ample VIPs to the extent where the act of doing business is potentially as a big a problem as the amount from a legal risk standpoint,” said Regulus Partners analyst Paul Leyland it is likely to become increasingly difficult to hide systemic AML failings in plain sight in our view; indeed we are surprised that it has taken this long for a blow-up of this nature to happen,” the firm added Regulus predicts that Pazner won’t be the last senior executive to face consequences for questionable .com practices of publicly listed and domestically regulated operators whether a senior scalp will be enough to appease inquisitive regulators 888 said CFO Yariv Dafna has now agreed to stay on until end of 2023 Earlier in January, it was announced that Dafna would leave 888 after publication of the firm’s full-year 2022 financial results in March According to a recently issued trading update overall revenue for Q4 2022 slipped by 2.6% year-on-year to £458m 888 ended the year with £1.8bn in equivalent debt with some 70% of its interest costs fixed for at least three years 888 operates from 15 offices around the world and employs over 12,000 people globally London-based brokerage Peel Hunt admitted its Buy rating for the stock was less credible following today’s news It lowered its target price to 150p per share “The share price decline implies investor concern that we are not being told what is really going on,” said Peel Hunt analyst Ivor Jones “The board has a lot to do to reassure that there are no more problems to be revealed,” he added Regulatory scrutiny of third-party partnerships has had banks and fintechs on edge But with scrutiny comes recognition that such tie-ups are important Embedded finance platform Unit Finance invested in strengthening its bank oversight products this year to help banks respond to an uptick of regulatory scrutiny of third-party partnerships Unit's oversight suite provides banks tools for managing compliance and third-party risk; and aims to give banks real-time data access and improved controls to mitigate risk and perform oversight over programs “We're at a point in time where the bar for operating in the space is rising quickly for banks and Unit wants to be well-positioned to serve those banks and grow our partner bank network,” Damti told Banking Dive As regulators try to play catch up with the fast-moving world of fintech, “banks have to answer more questions as part of their exam cycles, and the better we are at helping them answer those questions, the more they are well-positioned to provide in the space,” Damti said. Questions banks face from regulators “move in seasons,” he said: After the Russia-Ukraine war started, banks faced more questions related to IT and security; and after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, they faced more questions on deposit stability. “By staying attuned to the needs of the bank partners and to the type of questions that they might have about their audiences, we can build more tools that make them successful and make them answer [regulator] questions at higher quality. We don't believe that tech can be a replacement for risk management, but tech can enhance risk management, and make things more efficient for the bank partners,” Damti said. He sees regulatory scrutiny as a sign of a maturing ecosystem – and overall, a good thing, even if it means some players within the system see it as a time to step away. “Historically, these things happen when ecosystems become more important. And historically, the result of elevated scrutiny is more clarity,” he said. Clarity, he said, “leads to companies and banks operating with more confidence and the understanding that regulators want to sustain the space, they just want to sustain it in the best way, as opposed to being fearful that there is a future event that might take the ecosystem back.” The pendulum between investing in the future, as with the bank oversight investment, and seeking more immediate lucrative results is constantly swinging, Damti said. Based on the company’s existing balance sheet, Unit can “eventually become profitable without additional fundraisers,” he said. He stopped short of providing a timeline, noting that investors can choose to invest more, thus delaying profitability. “If there's an opportunity that presents itself or set of opportunities that present themselves, we want to be able to make those judgments in real time and not bind ourselves now to a timeline that we decide on today,” Damti said. “But we are definitely trying to be thoughtful about our business success, revenue growth and margins of the company.” Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Tariff volatility has roiled bank stocks, creating roadblocks for some would-be mergers and acquisitions that lean on valuations, analysts said. Regulators, however, handed Discover several consent orders. Most notably, the FDIC ordered the company to distribute $1.225 billion in restitution to customers overcharged between 2007 and 2023. Keep up with the story. Subscribe to the Banking Dive free daily newsletter Subscribe to Banking Dive for top news, trends & analysis Want to share a company announcement with your peers? The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines From February 7, and continuing every Friday for the next two months, several youths from the southwestern peninsula in Trinidad are set to benefit from the Step to Success project. This initiative aims to open doors to future opportunities and, in doing so, help shape the leaders of tomorrow. This new project is designed to empower 30 youths, from 12 to 18, to take charge of their academic and professional futures. Secondary school teacher Adanna Leonard-Williams is the project co-ordinator. Ambassador of Israel to Panama and the Southeast Caribbean, Itai Bardov, presents Adanna Leonard-Williams with electronic items at the launch in Point Fortin. The programme seeks to bridge the gap between education and career readiness by equipping participants with essential skills for success. It will run from February to April, providing students with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s digital age. “This journey will be transformational. Each session, on Fridays from February to April, will facilitate the building of their confidence, enhance their knowledge, and prepare them to seize future opportunities,” Leonard-Williams said. Leonard-Williams told Newsday that the project is funded by Mashav, with the support of the Embassy of Israel to Panama and Southeast Caribbean. Mashav, launched in 1957, is the agency for International Development Co-operation and falls under the purview of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Leonard-Williams is also a 2023 scholarship recipient of Mashav. “The Step to Success project is born out of a vision to bridge the gap between education and career readiness by equipping our youth with critical skills for academic and professional excellence,” she said. “Through focused training in digital literacy, including tools like Microsoft Office and netiquette education, our programme will ensure that participants can navigate platforms like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom. These skills are no longer optional, they are essential.” The project was launched on January 22, at the Port Fortin Borough Town Hall, the same place where the classes will be held. Adanna Leonard-Willimas, the project co-ordinator of the Step to Success project. The ambassador of Israel to Panama and the Southeast Caribbean, Itai Bardov, also attended. Leonard-Williams thanked Bardov for his guidance and commitment to the initiative, which she said further solidified the bond between Trinidad and Tobago and the State of Israel. The ambassador donated two computers and a projector to support the programme. Leonard-Williams also runs a private learning institute, AL Williams Educational Services and Consultancy, in Point Fortin. “This project is more than a series of sessions; it is a foundation for lifelong success. It is a chance for our youth to not only master tools but to envision and create a better future for themselves and their communities,” Leonard-Williams said. “As we move forward, we must remember that investments in our youth are investments in our nation’s prosperity. Programmes like Step to Success are essential for unlocking the potential of our young people and empowering them to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers.” Leonard-Williams coached the Vessigny Secondary School debate team, which won the 2024 Energy Sustainability Debate Competition hosted by the National Energy Corporation. Send help right to the people and causes you care about Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee