Four things to do in the Hastings area – Bexhill Observer

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Wondering what to do over the next few weeks? Here are four of the best events.

Neo burlesque pioneers at piano festival this weekend

The Puppini Sisters perform with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra on Saturday, March 7 (7.30pm), at St Mary in the Castle.

The event is part of the Hastings International Piano Festival (pages 60-61).

Tickets cost 27.50 from whiterocktheatre.org.uk.

The Puppini Sisters are known for their gorgeous close harmonies, impeccable fashion sense and trailblazing re-workings of pop and classic songs, said a festival spokesperson. They released their first album, Betcha Bottom Dollar, in 2006, produced by the Oscar nominated Charest. The album was labelled the fastest selling jazz album of all time when it hit no.1 in the UK Jazz Charts and went gold. They quickly became musical pioneers of the neo burlesque/swing scene in the early noughties and continue to this day as mainstays of the underground performance art scene.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra was founded in 1969 and enjoys a busy schedule playing the best music from the 1920s and 1930s.

Helen performs the great tunes of inspiring diva vocalists

Helen Ward-Jackson sings at the Stables Theatre, Hastings, on Monday and Tuesday, March 9-10 (7.30pm).

She returns to the venue after her sell-out show last year.

Helen is set to perform the music of Adele, as well as the tunes of the many diva vocalists who have inspired her, from Etta James to Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

A spokesperson said: With a laid back acoustic set she will blow you away with her vocal talent. Regarded as the most accurate tribute to Adele, Helen has wowed audiences all over the world and on the high seas, not only as Adele but also with her diva show This Is Me.

Tickets cost 12-15. Call 01424 423221 or visit stablestheatre.co.uk.

Steve and Arthur get real at Stables Theatre

Steve Hewlett brings his comedy ventriloquism to Stables Theatre next week.

Arthur Lagers Get Real tour will be at the venue on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11-12 (7.30pm).

Tickets cost 15 for adults, and 12 for under-18s and members. Call 01424 423221 or visit stablestheatre.co.uk.

A spokesperson said: Steve and Arthur came to prominence after their successful appearance on Britains Got Talent and have toured together since. Highlights have included appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, the last ever Atlantic crossing of the QE2 and as special guest with Claudia Winkleman for her Ts and Cs on Strictly Come Dancing.

Sensational tour brings 1960s hits to Hastings

The Sensational 60s Experience Tenth Anniversary heads to Hastings White Rock Theatre on Thursday, March 19 (7.30pm).

It features Mike Pender MBE (the original voice of The Searchers) with The Trems (all former members of The Tremeloes), The Fortunes, The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Dakotas.

Classic pop and rock fans can take a trip back in time with tunes like Needles and Pins, Silence Is Golden, Storm In A Teacup, Hippy Hippy Shake, Little Children and many more.

Tickets cost 30 (2 off for White Rock Friends). Call 01424 462288.

RPO Gala Concert, review: Hastings International Piano Festival, White Rock Theatre, February 29. Click here to read more.

Aysen Ulucan violin recital, review, Christ Church, St Leonards-on-sea, February 21. Click here to read more.

Boney M, Maizie Williams and Odyssey bring disco, funk and soul to Hastings. Click here to read more.

A unique play set on Beachy Head. Click here to read more.

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Four things to do in the Hastings area - Bexhill Observer

If Honesty Is The Best Policy, Why Do We Forget It? – Forbes

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Franklin Roosevelt on December 8, 1941

Be honest!

Thats the sentiment that my friend John U. Bacon, best-selling author and sports historian, expressed in a recentcommentaryfor Michigan Radio. Bacon was referencing advice from the University of Michigans former sports information director, Bruce Madej, who said,First, lets start with the truth.While the advice is simple it is often ignored, and it leads to a failure of integrity.

Being honest about wrongdoing requires courage. The reason that organizations, large and small, for-profit and non-profit, get into trouble is that too often when a crisis strikes, the instinct is to protect the institution before addressing the harm done to its victims.

There is another aspect of honesty. Tell people what they need to hear. During a crisis, people are upset; they seek reassurance. A leader who delivers the truth and does so calmly and confidently gives people a reason to believe that the right people are in charge and will do what they can to improve the situation. At the same time, honesty dictates being straight with people. Just because they seek comfort does not mean you dispense bromides like everything will be better, trust me. No, be brutally honest.

A history lesson

A classic example of brutal honesty was Franklin Rooseveltsaddress to Congressand the nation on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese navys attack on Pearl Harbor. While we remember his comments as the Day of Infamy Speech, we forget the tenor and tone of his voice. It was firm and resolute. After excoriating the aggression, Roosevelt did not pull any punches. Although he did not reveal the full damage done to the U.S. Navy, but he did not sugarcoat the losses.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Then, Roosevelt asserted his leadership and his faith in our military.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

Roosevelt lastly turned to what had happened on this day of infamy into a righteous cause for all Americans.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

In the novel,The Kite Runner,the author Khaled Hosseini, writes, When you tell a lie, you steal someones elses right to the truth.

Honesty raises a cause to righteousness. Dishonesty taints not only the leader but also erodes faith in the institution. When people lose confidence in their leader, they also turn away from that institution. By contrast, as Roosevelt did, when people believe in their leader, they join with him to put things right.

Better then to face an ugly reality immediately than to have it rot. Be honest.

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If Honesty Is The Best Policy, Why Do We Forget It? - Forbes

This is a solution that could help end illegal fishing – GreenBiz

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This article originally was published on World Resources Institute.

When the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) five years ago, the world aligned around the need to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by 2020 (SDG 14.4). Seen then as an achievable target, it is now a deadline were going to miss.

IUU fishing accounts for nearly 20 percent of the world catch; up to 50 percent in some areas, with poorer coastal states disproportionately affected. In the Pacific Ocean, a report estimated 24 percent of the fish are unreported and illegally traded in international markets. This directly leads to $4.3 billion to $8.3 billion of loss in gross revenues every year to the formal economy, and up to $21 billion per year across the fish value chain. In addition, destructive fishing methods and deceptive practices are being used to reap profits at the expense of local fisheries, coastal states and the marine environment. In some cases, IUU fishers are associated with crimes including drugs, weapons and human rights abuses.

The problem stands to worsen. Climate change is expected to decrease the quantity of fish available globally and alter where they can be caught. At the same time, global consumption and demand for seafood is projected to increase by 20 percent (30 million metric tons) by 2030, particularly in developing nations. Conflicts over increasingly scarce resources already have begun, such as in Sierra Leone, where skirmishes between artisanal fishers and larger IUU trawlers are common.

The problem stands to worsen. ... Global consumption and demand for seafood is projected to increase by 20 percent (30 million metric tons) by 2030, particularly in developing nations.

Thats the bad news. The good news is that we have a suite of tools with which to take on IUU fishers.

A new paper prepared as an input to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy shows that major strides in regulation, technology and cooperation are underway to curb illegal fishing.

The European Union has enacted robust legislation over the past decade to close markets to illegally harvested fish, and other nations are improving their legislation and regulations. The global law enforcement body Interpol has a special unit to help countries identify and capture offenders. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Spain are dealing heavier penalties to IUU fishing vessels. And great advances in technology such as machine-learning and satellite data on vessel movements make it easier to spot suspected wrongdoing.

The obvious problem with trying to police the ocean is that it covers 70 percent of the planet. Few countries have the resources to effectively monitor and enforce their own waters, let alone the high seas. But coastal states have the opportunity to patrol who can use their ports, which brings the fight against IUU fishing to the land, and within reach.

To that end, one of the most significant recent developments in curbing IUU fishing is the 2016 Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). The only binding international agreement focused on combatting IUU fishing, it sets minimum standards and processes that ports need to apply when foreign vessels seek entry whether to offload catch, refuel or make repairs. Any vessel suspected of IUU fishing practices can be inspected or denied access to port. Nothing deters a thief better than not being able to offload the goods.

But the PSMA isnt yet as effective as it needs to be.

For one, only 64 countries have adopted it. For it to be truly effective, all countries with ports must join and apply the system uniformly.

Under the PSMA, officials check fishing vessels permits and records whenever they request entry to dock, but all too often, information is missing or conflicting. Illegal fishers frequently switch vessels names and flags before they come to port so that their records cant be traced. And with pressure on to unload the fish, the time to dig into a vessels background is short. Despite all the progress made, the global fishing fleet is dogged by a lack of required, uniform, robust vessel identification and activity information. Port inspections are less expensive and safer than monitoring, pursuing and inspecting vessels at sea, but it does still require adequate investment in people, technology and training to track this information and share it effectively across relevant agencies and countries.

The PSMA isnt yet as effective as it needs to be. For one, only 64 countries have adopted it. For it to be truly effective, all countries with ports must join and apply the system uniformly.

What if instead of expending precious resources running down bad actors, authorities focused more on rewarding good ones?

We could learn from "trusted traveller" border control programs, which operate in Canada, Germany, Japan, the United States and United Kingdom, among others, and allow low-risk travellers expedited clearance upon arrival in a country, with trusted travellers often exempt from routine questioning. A similar process could apply to fishing vessels, with pre-screened, compliant ones being fast-tracked, while those with a record of infringements or missing paperwork face automatic scrutiny and a possible bar on entry. This is wholly in line with the principles of the PSMA, but reverses the burden of proof: Operators must prove they are compliant.

By applying this "trusted traveller"-like principle, vessels would be required to put in place elements that speed up the checks needed to enter port, such as on-board signal systems that publicly tracks their journey and activities. Ports themselves also would need to implement measures for document checking and inspection.

By adopting these cost-effective measures, illegal fishers that often switch vessels names and flags or turn off trackers to mask activity immediately would be considered suspicious. Port officials also would have more time to scrutinize potential IUU fishers by automatically greenlighting compliant fishers.

Countries may miss this years deadline for ending unsustainable fishing, but 2020 should serve as the moment to focus minds sharply and secure commitments. The explosion in new data on the ocean has created enormous potential for advances in our understanding and stewardship of ocean resources and countries must take the opportunity to make this information widely known, applied and available. Adopting radical global transparency, concerted international cooperation and stringent, uniform entry requirements at all ports is the formula for ending the great ocean heist.

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This is a solution that could help end illegal fishing - GreenBiz

Doomed: The Story of How Nazi Germany’s Best Battleship Was Sunk – The National Interest Online

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Key Point:Berlin's battleships didn't have a good chance against the Royal Navy. Nazi Germany might have good submarines, but their capital ships were too few in number.

April 1, 1939, was a red-letter day in the history of the reborn German Kriegsmarine for two key reasons. First, Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler presented the fleets chief, Erich Raeder, with an ornate, icon-studded Navy blue baton of office as the first grand admiral since the days of the Kaiser Wilhelm II. This was done with great ceremony and a gala luncheon afterward aboard the new battle cruiser Scharnhorst, anchored on Jade Bay in the former Imperial port of Wilhelmshaven. Second, the Kriegsmarine christened and launched the Third Reichs newest and most modern battleship, the Tirpitz, on the same day. The Tirpitz, the last battleship the Third Reich would build, was the sister ship to the Bismarck. But the Tirpitz was heavier than the Bismarck. Moreover, it had the distinction of being the largest warship built in Europe up to that point in time.

The name of the new battleship paid tribute to Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, who worked with the Kaiser to create Germanys powerful and impressive High Seas Fleet, which served and protected the empire from 1898 to 1918. Tirpitz was a gruff old salt who sported a Neptune-like pointed beard. When the Kaiser refused to allow him to command the fleet during the Great War, he resigned in a huff in 1916. Turning his attention to politics, he founded the pro-war Fatherland Party and was subsequently elected to the German Reichstag as a deputy. Sadly, he was not alive to see the ship that bore his name slide into the water in 1939 for he had died nine years earlier. But his daughter, Ilse von Hassell, was present. She was on hand for the April 1 ceremony in which Hitler named the mighty vessel honoring her late father and she christened it.

Just two months before Hitler had authorized Raeder to enact his ambitious Plan Z. The plan entailed the expansion of the Kriegsmarine so that it could successfully challenge the naval power of the United Kingdom. The ambitious plan called for a naval force composed of 10 battleships, 15 pocket battleships, four aircraft carriers, 250 submarines, and more than 100 cruisers and destroyers.

The Kriegsmarine had sketched out the ambitious plan the previous year. The grandiose German super fleet envisioned by Hitler and the Kriegsmarine would not be ready until 1948. But the British declared war on September 3, 1939, on Nazi Germany before the Kriegsmarine had made any tangible progress toward the plans goals.

At that point, Raeder had only two 15-inch-gun battleships, three 11-inch-gun pocket battleships, two 11-inch-gun battle cruisers, two 8-inch-gun heavy cruisers, six 6-inch-gun light cruisers, 34 destroyers, and 57 U-boats. The Bismarck had launched on February 14, and the Tirpitz on April 1.

The Germans never built any aircraft carriers with which to counter the French and British fleets. The odds against the Germans at sea increased dramatically when the Soviet Union and United States entered the war in 1941. Raeder faced an early sea war that he neither expected nor wanted, but Hitler showed little concern for grand admirals wishes.

The Tirpitz displaced 41,700 tons, was 828 feet long, and had a beam of 119 feet and a draft of 36 feet. Three geared steam turbine engines powered the Bismarck-class battleship. She had a dozen superheated boilers that when working in tandem produced a maximum speed of 30 knots. Her wartime crew numbered 108 officers and 2,500 enlisted sailors.

The Tirpitzs main armament was her eight deadly 15-inch guns, which were housed in four turrets. One pair of the 15-inch guns was located forward and another pair was located aft. The guns had a maximum range of 22.4 miles. The fore turrets were named Anton and Bruno, and the aft turrets were named Caesar and Dora.

The Tirpitzs secondary armament consisted of a dozen 5.9-inch guns housed in six double turrets, three of which were located on each side amidships. For protection against incoming enemy rounds, the Tirpitz had belted armor plating that was 13 inches thick. The battleships turrets, gunnery control, and command posts were individually protected with additional armor; however, the antiaircraft positions lacked overhead cover. In addition, she also boasted two quadruple 21-inch torpedo mountings on deck.

Installed foreward, foretop, and aft, the Tirpitz featured Model 26 search radar rangefinders, as well as a Model 30 on her topmast and a Model 213 fire-control radar unit aft, which complemented her 4.1-inch antiaircraft gun rangefinders.

To meet her aerial reconnaissance needs, the Tirpitz possessed four Arado Ar-196 seaplanes. The crew launched the single-wing seaplanes using a double-ended, 34-yard-long telescoping catapult. The seaplanes were armed with machine guns and cannons, and also could carry one 110-pound bomb to strike enemy submarines caught on the surface. The crew retrieved the seaplanes from the ocean surface by hauling them back on board by crane.

The Royal Navy viewed the Tirpitz as a menace not only to its warships, but also to merchant vessels that brought food and ammunition to the British Isles. From her Baltic Sea home port, the Tirpitz could intercept Allied convoys bound for Murmansk in the Arctic Circle. Because of these threats, the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force had to delegate a large complement of naval and air resources to counter the threat the Tirpitz posed. This was known as the fleet-in-being concept by which a powerful warship or naval force poses a threat without ever leaving port.

In the aftermath of the sinking of the Bismarck on May 27, 1941, the Kriegsmarine was reluctant to send the Tirpitz on raiding missions in the North Atlantic Ocean. Such missions became even less practical in the wake of the British commando raid against St. Nazaire on March 28, 1942, in which the ports dry dock was severely damaged.

In light of such setbacks, Hitler insisted that the Tirpitz deploy to Norwegian waters to shore up the German-occupied countrys maritime defenses. Hitlers rationale was that the Tirpitz could help defend the Norwegian coast against an Allied invasion. Despite evidence to the contrary, he firmly believed that the Western Allies would attempt a seaborne invasion of Norway. He even feared a possible invasion of northern Norway by the Soviet Union.

The first attacks by the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm occurred while the Tirpitz was under construction at Wilhelmshaven, but she was not hit. The Tirpitz was commissioned on February 25, 1941. British Royal Air Force aircraft failed to score any hits on the Tirpitz while she was undergoing extensive trials and crew training in the Baltic Sea.

As captain of the Kaisers yacht Hohenzollern before World War I, Raeder had firsthand knowledge of the location of many of the protective Norwegian fjords to which he ordered Tirpitz to set sail on January 14, 1942. But the Germans did not know that the British were able to decipher their radio traffic through Enigma machines.

Captain at Sea Karl Topp, the Tirpitzs commander, pronounced her ready for combat operations on January 10, 1942. Four days later she departed Wilhelmshaven bound for Trondheim. Although the British knew that she had sailed, inclement weather conditions in England prevented any aerial sorties against her while she was en route to Trondheim.

The Tirpitz dropped anchor at Faetten Fjord on Trondheims eastern end on January 16, 1942, where she was duly discovered eight days later by a startled Forward Air Arm pilot who initially mistook the behemoth battleship for an island.

Besides her own powerful guns, Tirpitz was protected by multiple antiaircraft batteries ashore and from 100 yards away by sunken steel antisubmarine and antitorpedo netting. The Germans also had Junkers Ju-88 fast bombers and Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers stationed on nearby airfields.

The shore-based antiaircraft gunnery defenses were aided by heavy booms installed in the fjord moorings mouth. To keep the crew both busy and in good physical shape, Topp dispatched tree-cutting details ashore to provide camouflage on-deck for the huge vessel.

In February 1942, Tirpitz had her first real combat jaunt at sea when she participated in a deceptive sortie to draw away Royal Navy attention from the coming English Channel dash of Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen returning to German home ports.

Operation Cerberus was a successful joint Luftwaffe-Kriegsmarine episode of good cooperation between the two normally rival services. In concert with both destroyers and torpedo boats, the following month the Tirpitz had orders to begin assaulting both inbound and outgoing Allied convoys in Operation Sports Palace, but the enemy was forewarned by Engima intercepts that helped to foil the mission.

On March 9, 1942, the RAFs Forward Air Arm conducted a series of aerial torpedo attacks against the Tirpitz that resulted in the wounding of three sailors. The RAF lost two aircraft to the Tirpitzs antiaircraft guns.

Back at Trondheim on March 30-31, 33 Halifax bombers failed to score a single hit at the cost of five bombers. Follow-up raids conducted on April 27-28 by Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax bombers resulted in the loss of seven more bombers without any hits on the battleship.

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Doomed: The Story of How Nazi Germany's Best Battleship Was Sunk - The National Interest Online

Susan Calman announced to host Cruising With after Jane McDonald quit – Metro.co.uk

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Jane decided to step down as host after four years (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images/BBC)

Susan Calman has been announced to replace Jane McDonald as the new host of Channel 5s Cruising With and Holidaying With.

Following on from the success of her popular series Secret Scotland with Susan Calman, the comedian will be heading out on new adventures, exploring the high seas and popular holiday destinations.

Im over the moon to be working with Channel 5 on such a prestigious group of shows, she explained.

I cant wait to go on exciting voyages and incredible journeys and take the wonderful viewers with me. Its the start of a magnificent chapter and I cant wait to get going.

Director of Programming at Channel 5 Ben Frow added: Susan was my first and only choice for these shows and I am absolutely cock-a-hoop that she is doing more with Channel 5.

I have encouraged her to make both shows uniquely hers and I am genuinely excited to see how she evolves them in her own, inimitable style. The world is, literally, her oyster and I cant wait to travel it with her.

Jane McDonald quit Cruising With Jane McDonald and Holidaying with Jane McDonald after more than four years sailing the high seas.

The 56-year-old confirmed the news in a statement, thanking Channel 5 for blessing her and the rest of us with some amazing memories.

It has been a privilege to call this a job, she said.

After so many years of filming abroad, I am looking forward to some much needed time in the UK and to focus on my music and tours and exciting new projects.

Thank you Channel 5 for some great trips and many fabulous memories.

The Loose Women star has spent four-and-a-half years living her best life around the world on our TV screens and picked up a Bafta in 2018 for her troubles.

The series won the best feature award and marked the corporations first-ever win at the annual bash.

She is currently recording her final stint on the show.

Jane teased that she has exciting new projects coming up on her return to dry land but a stint on Im A Celeb probably wont be one of them.

After Adele Roberts took a framed photo of the TV icon into the camp with her last year, she insisted that will be the closest she gets to jungle life.

Oh gosh, no. Its not for me, she told Metro.co.uk. I like my creature comforts. Literally creature comforts in there!

But no, Im very, very fond of my hairdryer and Im not good without makeup. I mean no, its not a good look!

And its on for so long and my schedule doesnt allow me that much time off.

Got a story?

If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with theMetro.co.ukentertainment team by emailing uscelebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you.

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Susan Calman announced to host Cruising With after Jane McDonald quit - Metro.co.uk

Is Turkey right on Idlib and refugees? – Ahval

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Turkeys military has likely been preventing an unprecedented massacre in Syrias last rebel-held province, while Greek and European authorities have appeared to violate international law in recent days by blocking new refugee arrivals, creating scenes of violence and chaos along the Greek-Turkish border.

Following a Syrian government strike that killed some 35 Turkish soldiers last week, the Turkish government launched a major offensive against Russian-backed Syrian forces in Idlib, while also encouraging refugees within Turkey to head for the Greek border and cross into Europe.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan said Ankara needed more support in managing the humanitarian situation in Idlib, where as many as 3 million displaced people are caught between advancing Syrian troops and the Turkish border. He also said Turkey had been carrying the refugee burden alone for nine years, and warned that those millions of displaced would soon be headed to Europe.

Hours later, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who in January signalled Berlins willingness to help fund Turkeys refugee resettlement plan, appeared to agree with the Turkish leader. We need a ceasefire in Idlib, she told reporters, according to Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency. We also need a safe zone for hundreds of thousands of Syrians on the border with Turkey."

Erdoan has come under considerable criticism in recent days for using refugees as a tool to force the European Union to come to its aid on Idlib. And with its years of support of various rebel groups, including jihadists, many observers argue that Turkey helped exacerbate the Syrian war and the refugee problem, as explained by former senior U.S. State Department official David Phillips in Ahval this week.

Many also see why the West might be reluctant to help Turkey, pointing to a laundry list of offences in recent years: accusing the United States of masterminding the 2016 failed coup; holding Americans hostage as a negotiating tactic; calling European leaders Nazis; and buying Russian S-400 missile defences despite repeated U.S. and NATO warnings, to name a few.

Yet Turkey has shown considerable generosity in taking in some 3.7 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country, and hosting them for years, even as their welcome has worn thin. In addition, Turkey is yet to receive more than $3 billion of the $6.6 billion the EU promised as part of the 2016 deal spurred by an earlier refugee wave.

For me it is hard for the West to throw stones at Turkey when it hosts close to 4 million refugees, economist and analyst Timothy Ash wrote in a Sunday tweet. We need to do something about Syria rather than close our borders and blame Turkey.

Migrant arrivals spiked at Greeces land border and on its Aegean islands over the weekend, even as Greek authorities sought to stop the crossings and vowed to refuse all asylum applicants for a month. Border forces have clashed with thousands of migrants along the border, using tear gas and water cannons.

On Monday, the Turkish government released video that appeared to show Greek Coast Guard vessels blocking the advance of migrant boats coming from Turkey as soldiers fired warning shots into the water. Men on smaller boats menaced the migrants with paddles and fired shots into the air.

Men, women and children seeking safety are shot at; their boats pushed back towards High Seas, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said in a Monday tweet, pointing out that this was not a scene from World War Two. This is EUROPE in 2020.

The U.N. High Commission on Refugees issued a statement calling on Greece to refrain from excessive or disproportionate force and reminding Greek and European authorities that neither the international convention on refugees, nor European Union law provides any legal basis for suspending the granting of asylum.

The human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe called for urgent action to deal with the crisis. The European Council president was expected to visit the Greek-Turkish border on Tuesday with Greeces prime minister, while EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the crisis.

In Syria, many analysts agree that the Turkish military is all that has stood between the millions of displaced civilians in Idlib and the wrath of President Bashar Assads forces, which are backed by Russia and Iran.

Turkey is correct to say that it has prevented a massacre in Idlib and/or another wave of refugees, independent Syria analyst Kyle Orton told Ahval.

If Turkey had pulled back from Idlib, he said, Syrian forces would most likely have retaken the province with a strong reliance on Russian air power, which would have created a death toll into five figures and forced the remaining displaced toward the Turkish border.

Ankara would then have faced a devil's choice of admitting a million and more Syrians, further destabilising its domestic situation, or keeping the border closed and seeing a massacre on a scale that's novel even for Syria's war, said Orton.

Aron Lund, a fellow with the Century Foundation, largely agreed. Without Turkish support, rebel groups in Idlib, led by al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), would likely have fallen to the Syrian advance, either after a pitched battle or negotiated handover.

It's very hard to imagine any scenario at all for Idlib, retaken or not retaken, that wouldn't result in a lot of fighting, incarceration, abuse, and killing, he said, pointing out that many of Idlibs displaced are Assad opponents who have fled fighting in other provinces.

There are a lot of people in the Idlib region who would be unwilling to surrender to Assad, or too afraid to do so. Many would likely be jailed, tortured, and in some cases killed if the area is retaken.

As tensions grow along Turkeys borders with Syria and with Greece, all eyes turn to Thursdays meeting between Erdoan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, at which they will discuss a possible Idlib ceasefire.

Ahval English

The views expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Ahval.

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Is Turkey right on Idlib and refugees? - Ahval

The Perfect Time to Visit Panama City Beach for Every Type of Traveler – Thrillist

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The Best Festivals & Special Events to Visit in Panama City Beach - Thrillist Courtesy of Visit Panama City Beach

Every spring in Panama City Beach, Florida, a group of burly men in kilts compete to hurl a burlap sack over a bar using only pitchforks. If that sounds strange to you, you might be underestimating this waterfront city. While PCB has a well-deserved reputation for resorts and pristine beaches, the full calendar of events here is staggering, ranging from zany pirate battles to stacked music festivals -- and yes, Scottish sheaf tossing. Foodies, athletes, and families will all find something to do in Panama City Beach, so weve outlined the perfect time to visit based on what type of event youre into.

Panama City Beach Scottish Festival, March 7Florida was a major destination for Irish and Scottish immigrants to the US, and thanks to those settlers, Panama City Beach is now home to the Celtic Heritage Alliance. At their yearly Scottish Festival, attendees rock kilts, show off tartans, and participate in the Highland Games, which are central to the festivities. The open-registration games feature traditional Scottish sporting events like the caber (basically throwing a huge log over your shoulder) and the sheaf toss (the previously mentioned hurling of burlap sacks). If you want to start the festivities early, partake in single malt Scotch whisky tasting on March 6. Tickets are $35 for the whisky tasting and just $15 for the festival if you buy in advance, so scoop them up while you can.Dont leave without: Trying PCBs most authentic fish & chips at Temperleys British Eatery.

UNwineD, March 20 & 21UNwineD is PCBs festival dedicated to wine, spirits, and craft beer, which makes it the perfect excuse for a girls weekend, especially when combined with plenty of time on the beach and live music in the park. This years concert is headlined by Death Cab for Cutie, and is a steal at just $20 a ticket. The exclusive Friday night kickoff party ($175) is hosted by Southern Living magazine, and will feature an appearance by Top Chef winner Kelsey Barnard Clark, plus custom cocktails and live music. Saturdays Grand Afternoon Tasting ($75) is the main event, however, with endless craft beers, wine, and spirits from around the world, and food from chefs across Northwest Florida. Plus, the Art & Vendor Row will be selling crafts, cookbooks, and home decor for you to browse while sipping drinks.Dont leave without: Booking massages and facials at Serenity Spa.

Sandjam Fest, April 24-26Sandjam is relatively new to the music festival circuit, having only started in 2018, but its already booking solid lineups to rock out at M.B. Miller County Pier. The alt-rock fest returns this year with headliners Shinedown, 311, and Weezer, plus supporting acts such as Rival Sons and White Reaper. Be sure to bring sunscreen and towels, as this is one festival that truly takes place on the beach. If youre willing to throw down for VIP tickets, youll get additional access to firepits, hammocks, and a two-story viewing platform.Dont leave without: Keeping the party going at local venue Tootsies Orchid Lounge.

Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast, May 9Some people come to PCB to run on island time, other people come just to run. The Ironman 70.3 is sometimes called the intro Ironman, in that its only 70.3 total miles -- a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run. If youre ready for a challenge, this might be the race for you, as it weaves through St. Andrews State Park and across beautiful beaches. For those of us more accustomed to the gym treadmill, its still well worth the watch. The course is spectator-friendly with great views of the swim loop and finish line.Dont leave without: Taking in the nature trails at Conservation Park.

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, September 4-6In most cities, Labor Day means the end of summer. In PCB, it means breaking out your cowboy hat and heading down to Frank Brown Park for the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. The festival is known for A-list headliners (last year brought Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, and Kid Rock) but also for sponsoring the Pepsi Southern Original Contest, where up-and-coming artists compete for a spot on the lineup. Lineups havent been released yet, so keep an eye on their website and be sure to grab tickets early -- pricing is tiered and will go up as September approaches.Dont leave without: Going on a pilgrimage to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville.

Pirates of the High Seas Fest, October 9-11Legend has it that pirates used to roam the waters around PCBs St. Andrews Bay, and you can celebrate that swashbuckling history at Pirates of the High Seas, the citys immersive (and free) family festival. The Columbus Day weekend event is packed with parades, fireworks, storytelling & music shows, and more, all pirate-themed. Dont miss the pirate invasion where ships dock by Russell-Fields pier and battle with the towns defenses. (Of course, a victory parade ensues afterwards.)Dont leave without: Taking to the high seas in search of treasure (read: dolphins) on a family dolphin tour.

Schooners Lobster Festival, October 12-18Consider the lobster. More specifically, consider eating a ton of lobsters, prepared in every way you can imagine. Schooners Lobster Fest brings divers from all across the coast to compete in crustacean catching competitions, judged by the weigh-in scales. You can also watch professional sand sculptors compete to build extravagant castles, or enter with your own design. And, of course, there will be plenty of food tents serving grilled tails, smoked lobster dip, lobster mac & cheese if you can put lobster in it, theyre cooking it. The vibe here is that of a weeklong party, with endless live music and daily raffles for cash prizes.Dont leave without: Trying the fried green tomatoes and gator bites at Dustys Oyster Bar & Eatery.

Panama City Beach Oktoberfest, October 16-18PCB is stacked with plenty of stellar breweries, but theres only one time that the citys beer fans all converge in one place: Oktoberfest. Just like the one in Munich, this fest features a massive traditional tent, beer gardens, and plenty of German brats, sauerkraut, and beer-infused cheese. If youre worried about bringing the family, dont be: There are kid-friendly activities like a bounce castle, face painting, and arts & crafts (plus kids 12 and under can get in free).Dont leave without: Exploring the local brews at The Craft Bar.

Emerald Coast Cruizin Car Show, November 11-14For anyone who daydreams about driving down to the Keys in a vintage hot rod, Emerald Coast Cruizin is a must-see. PCBs premier car show turns Aaron Bessant Park into 17 acres of showroom, with car enthusiasts and dealers converging for live auctions, meet-and-greets, and music. After the official events are over, local bars host cruise-ins where owners can show off their rides in a more informal setting, and Hammerhead Freds even hosts a Flame Throwing Contest for modded hot rods to show off their pyrotechnics.Dont leave without: Riding without limits on the go-kart track at Hidden Lagoon.

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The Perfect Time to Visit Panama City Beach for Every Type of Traveler - Thrillist

From the Mountain To The Sea: Highlander Teacher, Says Island Life Amazes Him – Fiji Sun Online

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Coming from the highlands and to experiencing island life has given him a totally new perception of life especially travelling the high seas by boat.

Manasa Yavala with the Year 11 students of Ratu Finau Secondary School in Lau. Sitting second from left is his younger sister, Vika Yavala.

Living in the island is amazing, says Manasa Yavala.

Mr Yavala, who got his first rural posting to Ratu Finau Secondary School in Tubou, Lakeba, Lau, early this year, says the experience was something he never expected.

He is originally from Narukunibua Village in Namosi.

Coming from the highlands and to experiencing island life has given him a totally new perception of life especially travelling the high seas by boat.

Mr Yavala was accompanied by his father Joe and younger sister Vika, who now joins Ratu Finau Secondary School.

They left Suva for Lakeba on the MV Brianna franchise last month.

He said they spent two nights and a day at sea before reaching Lakeba.

This is his fourth year teaching Applied Technology. He spent three years at Marist Brothers High School before he was posted to Lau.

Mr Yavala said he was shocked when he received his new posting, but happy at the same time.

This is my first rural posting, he said.

Im happy because this is the first time I visited islands in Lau.

I enjoyed the sights, people and the island itself, its so beautiful.

Mr Yavala said he was welcomed by the teachers and the principal of the school.

I only have five students in my class, so theres not much to worry about.

He is teaching Technical Drawing, Basic Technology and Applied Technology for Year Nine to Year 13 students.

Manasa Yavala (left), with fellow teachers of Ratu Finau Secondary School in Lau.

The school is located away from the village on a hill, looking down at the sea, he said.

Here I go to mass every Sunday in Tubou, and last week was my first Ash Wednesday away from my loved ones.

The school has internet access where Mr Yavala gets the chance to update himself with the news and also reach out to his family members through social media platforms.

Mr Yavala was homesick during his first month.

He said living on the island includes social and geographical isolation, transportation problems and some community challenges.

Manasa Yavala and his father, Joe Yavala.

I love the food here, we eat seafood every day. It took me time to learn how to eat crabs.

Mr Yavala said now he was able to save money compared to his years of teaching in Suva.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

Feedback: lusiana.tuimaisala@fijisun.com.fj

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From the Mountain To The Sea: Highlander Teacher, Says Island Life Amazes Him - Fiji Sun Online

From Brexit to coronavirus: warehousing threats – Tina Massey

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Logistics businesses are faced not just with the consequences of Brexit but now coronavirus. Steve Purvis, operations director, Bis Henderson Space, has some answers

Northampton, UK: As manufacturers and retailers run down their pre-Brexit stockpiles, pressure on warehouse space in the UK may appear to be tempered for the moment although there can be little doubt that there will be another cliff-edge event at the end of the year as the EU-UK trade talks approach Boris deadline.

Meanwhile, however, there is a new and very real risk to supply chains from the growing threat of the Coronavirus.

With the virus having become an epidemic during, and perhaps partly because of, the Chinese New Year break, it is too early to quantify likely impacts on production, but not good seems a reasonable assessment. The automotive industry, with its tight Just-In-Time operations, is naturally the bell-weather: Hyundai temporarily closed South Korean plants because of a shortage of wiring harnesses, Fiat Chrysler reported that one European plant is two weeks from closure because of shutdowns at one critical supplier (and potentially three others), while Ford was airlifting parts out of China while it still can. Regarding UK manufacturers, there are similar reports related to Jaguar Land Rover (parts couriered out in suitcases!) and JCB too.

Other sectors feeling an early impact include pharmaceuticals, where China supplies many drug precursors, fashion, where production for the Autumn season should be ramping up right now, and almost any industry dependent upon electronic components. There are already concerns over goods for the Christmas 2020 market. While some firms had coincidentally built up stocks against the usual Chinese New Year shut-down, this can only be a short-term relief.

Production isnt the only issue shipping will also be affected. There are reports of backlogs building on the Yangtze River, airfreight out of China is well down, and ship operators may be unwilling to visit Chinese ports the prospect of a viral outbreak on a large but minimally manned container vessel on the high seas is not a happy one. If vessels are avoiding China that also reduces service to intermediate ports such as Singapore. Meanwhile empty containers are stranded in the wrong locations.

Industry will be doing what it can to mitigate the risks of disruption. Obviously it is too late to start stockpiling Chinese goods but businesses will be loading orders on to alternative suppliers particularly where these suppliers are in other Far Eastern countries that could be at risk from the virus, although with the disease now established in Northern Italy, even sources closer to home cannot be considered secure. Companies may also be bringing forward orders, even from suppliers in currently unaffected areas, before global prices rise. Conversely, buyers of goods whose price is largely determined by metal and other markets may see opportunities to exploit depressed commodity prices.

This will undoubtedly lead to stockpiling but there are other effects that will increase demand for warehouse space in the UK. A manufacturer whose production is slowed or halted by the absence of perhaps just a single component still has all the other parts coming in indeed, many of these may already be on the high seas. The supply tap cant be turned off instantly and these materials will have to be stored, either as they are or as semi-finished goods for completion when normal service is resumed. Component and finished goods suppliers in this country also will prefer to maintain some level of production rather than shut down, even if their customers here or abroad cant or wont take delivery. These goods too will need to be stored and, for parts in shortage or for high-end finished goods, security of storage will also be an issue.

The course of these events is impossible to predict. But for many businesses there is a real likelihood that stocks will build up at some point in their supply chains, and it is only sensible to start scoping out contingency arrangements.

At Bis Henderson Space, we are already helping clients with their strategies to meet different challenges. One retailer, besides actively looking to domestic manufacturers for alternative sources of supply, is also reviewing its sales promotion cycle. It is likely that this will mean fewer and smaller-scale promotions to protect revenue. This in turn means that requirement stock peaks will be higher, and last longer, than in previous years, with implications for stockholding space requirements.

Another of our retail clients reports that only 5% of their Chinese production capacity is operative, and even stock that exists at production sites cannot be transported due to movement restrictions. They too are looking for additional domestic supply and expecting slower unit sales, which they believe will require an increased forecasted stock holding of 35,000 pallets. An end to the epidemic would not be the end of the problem: a return to normality later in the year would see a surge of container movements creating a requirement for additional de-stuffing capacity.

Both these retailers have their own networks and, in the second case, 3PL support, but have previous experience of Bis Henderson Spaces capabilities in securing additional and seasonal capacity and have turned to us for planning assistance and support. We have extensive experience, and unrivalled network of UK wide suppliers, partners and providers to source the best possible space solution for your individual requirements. We can offer short term temporary space solutions as well as supporting you with your over-arching long term supply chain strategy. For guidance on finding flexible warehousing arrangements that are available at competitive rates, contact us today.

Steve Purvis is operations director at Bis Henderson Space.

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From Brexit to coronavirus: warehousing threats - Tina Massey

Rear admiral added to Comox Valley Walk of Achievement – Comox Valley Record

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Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie and his career on the high seas will be honoured in the Comox Valley this Saturday.

The Cumberland native will be the latest person to receive a star on the Comox Valley Walk of Achievement. The Walk celebrates individuals from the area who have excelled in their chosen field. It is also to inspire young people and instill a sense of civic pride.

Once we get all the logistics done, we set up the day, says committee member Erik Eriksson. We do the ceremony and unveil the plaque on 5th Street.

The event is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at the Sid Williams Theatre, before moving over to 5th Street for the unveiling.

Auchterlonies family has strong ties to the Comox Valley, and the family bakery was a fixture in Cumberland for decades. He attended Cumberland Elementary, Cumberland Junior and George P. Vanier Secondary. He later graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1991 with a BA in economics. He also served as captain of the varsity hockey team.

Auchterlonie has had an esteemed career in the military, commanding ships and formations at every senior rank. He was commander of the HMCS Fredericton from 2007 to 2009, captain at CFB Esquimalt from 2012 to 2103, commodore of the Canadian Pacific Fleet from 2013 to 2015 and rear admiral of the Maritime Pacific Forces / Joint Task Force Pacific starting in 2018.

RELATED STORY: B.C. man (pick up truck, Lucky Beer poster, and all) revels in return to Esquimalt

RELATED STORY: Cumberlands second-in-command son

He has also served four tours at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. His educational background includes being a graduate of Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, the Naval Command College at the U.S. Naval War College, a masters degree in defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard and a fellow of the U.S. GOFO Capstone and Pinnacle programs.

When he got appointed admiral and then when he became head of the Pacific fleet, it just rang huge bells for us, says Eriksson. We checked him and we found out his history and where hes from and what hes done, and it all came together and we figured this is totally the kind of person that should be honoured on the Walk of Achievement.

The Walk of Achievement started in 2006. Over the years, it had added a number of esteemed people from the Comox Valley community.

We got the support from all the municipalities, and in its been going really well ever since, says Eriksson.

RELATED STORY: Local musicians inducted into Comox Valley Walk of Achievement

The list on honourees includes Red Robinson, Dr. Fred Leung, Stan Hagen, Jack Hodgins, Kim Cattrall, Iona Campagnolo, Stocky Edwards and Jock Finlayson. For more information, see walkofachievement.com

mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Rear admiral added to Comox Valley Walk of Achievement - Comox Valley Record

Ancient Earth Was A Waterworld Covered In Oceans That Had No Continents According To A New Study – BroBible

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Our planet is always changing, but a scientific study claims that the Earth was once a waterworld that had no continents. Wait. Does that mean that Waterworld was a documentary? The study said that the Earth was covered in vast oceans 3.2 billion years ago. Wait. Does that mean that Waterworld a time-travel movie?

A new study titled Limited Archaean continental emergence reflected in an early Archaean 18O-enriched ocean published Monday in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Geoscience brought evidence pointing out that ancient Earth was a waterworld. Dont tell Kevin Costner, he is still probably having nightmares from 1995.

Two researchers from the University of Colorado-Boulder and Iowa State University noted an ancient piece of marine sediment in the arid inland of the Western Australian outback. Not exactly the place you would expect to find marine sediment.

RELATED: Scientists Found Breathable Oxygen In Another Galaxy For The First Time Ever

The Aussie area where the remnants of the ancient ocean were found is called Panorama. In the outback, geologists discovered leftovers in the oceanic crust from a time when the entire planet was covered in water.

Scientists examined 100 sediment samples from the Panorama, and it looked a lot like the oceans from billions of years ago. Researchers believe that 3.2 billion years ago that the composition of the oceans contained more oxygen-18 than oxygen-16, the latter of which is more common in the modern ocean and is a slightly lighter isotope. Oxygen-16 is a lighter isotope than the heavier Oxygen-18.

Though these mass differences seem small, they are super sensitive, said Boswell Wing, study co-author and an associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. Theres nothing in what weve done that says you cant have teeny, micro-continents sticking out of the oceans.

We just dont think that there were global-scale formation of continental soils like we have today, Wing added.

The belief is that there were no continents 3.2 billion years ago, and that the formation of continents absorbed the oxygen-18 isotopes from the oceans. Scientists believe that there were some land masses, but only small-sized islands on Earth, which likely formed 4.5 billion years ago.

RELATED: Listen To The Crazy Laser Gun Noise That Happens When You Drop Ice Down A Super Deep Hole In Antarctica

Our work doesnt mean there was zero dry land, just that it must have been much, much smaller in extent than today, with only small island chains emergent above the ocean, said Benjamin W. Johnson, an assistant professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State. This value is different than the modern ocean in a way that can be explained most easily by a lack of emergent continental crust.

There are no samples of really ancient ocean water lying around, but we do have rocks that interacted with that seawater and remembered that interaction, said Johnson, who is the studys other co-author.

The study gives scientists hope that other planets could evolve into water worlds that could sustain life.

If the Earth was a water world for the first quarter or so of its history, then perhaps other Earth-like planets elsewhere in the galaxy would undergo a similar evolution, Johnson said.

via GIPHY

The study alleges that tectonic plates pushed the massive land masses up to create continents.

Lets hope that the Earth doesnt become a waterworld again, fighting for five limes on the high seas doesnt look fun.

RELATED: Earth Is Getting A New Moon But We Cant Land On It

[LiveScience]

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Ancient Earth Was A Waterworld Covered In Oceans That Had No Continents According To A New Study - BroBible

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) A Threat To Humans? – Forbes

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Are artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligent machines the best or worst thing that could ever happen to humankind? This has been a question in existence since the 1940s when computer scientist Alan Turing wondered and began to believe that there would be a time when machines could have an unlimited impact on humanity through a process that mimicked evolution.

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) A Threat To Humans?

When Oxford University Professor Nick Bostroms New York Times best-seller, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies was first published in 2014, it struck a nerve at the heart of this debate with its focus on all the things that could go wrong. However, in my recent conversation with Bostrom, he also acknowledged theres an enormous upside to artificial intelligence technology.

You can see the full video of our conversation here:

Since the writing of Bostrom's book in 2014, progress has been very rapid in artificial intelligence and machine and deep learning. Artificial intelligence is in the public discourse, and most governments have some sort of strategy or road map to address AI. In his book, he talked about AI being a little bit like children playing with a bomb that could go off at any time.

Bostrom explained, "There's a mismatch between our level of maturity in terms of our wisdom, our ability to cooperate as a species on the one hand and on the other hand our instrumental ability to use technology to make big changes in the world. It seems like we've grown stronger faster than we've grown wiser."

There are all kinds of exciting AI tools and applications that are beginning to affect the economy in many ways. These shouldnt be overshadowed by the overhype on the hypothetical future point where you get AIs with the same general learning and planning abilities that humans have as well as superintelligent machines.These are two different contexts that require attention.

Today, the more imminent threat isn't from a superintelligence, but the usefulyet potentially dangerousapplications AI is used for presently.

How is AI dangerous?

If we focus on whats possible today with AI, here are some of the potential negative impacts of artificial intelligence that we should consider and plan for:

Change the jobs humans do/job automation: AI will change the workplace and the jobs that humans do. Some jobs will be lost to AI technology, so humans will need to embrace the change and find new activities that will provide them the social and mental benefits their job provided.

Political, legal, and social ramifications: As Bostrom advises, rather than avoid pursuing AI innovation, "Our focus should be on putting ourselves in the best possible position so that when all the pieces fall into place, we've done our homework. We've developed scalable AI control methods, we've thought hard about the ethics and the governments, etc. And then proceed further and then hopefully have an extremely good outcome from that." If our governments and business institutions don't spend time now formulating rules, regulations, and responsibilities, there could be significant negative ramifications as AI continues to mature.

AI-enabled terrorism: Artificial intelligence will change the way conflicts are fought from autonomous drones, robotic swarms, and remote and nanorobot attacks. In addition to being concerned with a nuclear arms race, we'll need to monitor the global autonomous weapons race.

Social manipulation and AI bias: So far, AI is still at risk for being biased by the humans that build it. If there is bias in the data sets the AI is trained from, that bias will affect AI action. In the wrong hands, AI can be used, as it was in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, for social manipulation and to amplify misinformation.

AI surveillance: AIs face recognition capabilities give us conveniences such as being able to unlock phones and gain access to a building without keys, but it also launched what many civil liberties groups believe is alarming surveillance of the public. In China and other countries, the police and government are invading public privacy by using face recognition technology. Bostrom explains that AI's ability to monitor the global information systems from surveillance data, cameras, and mining social network communication has great potential for good and for bad.

Deepfakes: AI technology makes it very easy to create "fake" videos of real people. These can be used without an individual's permission to spread fake news, create porn in a person's likeness who actually isn't acting in it, and more to not only damage an individual's reputation but livelihood. The technology is getting so good the possibility for people to be duped by it is high.

As Nick Bostrom explained, The biggest threat is the longer-term problem introducing something radical thats super intelligent and failing to align it with human values and intentions. This is a big technical problem. Wed succeed at solving the capability problem before we succeed at solving the safety and alignment problem.

Today, Nick describes himself as a frightful optimist that is very excited about what AI can do if we get it right. He said, The near-term effects are just overwhelmingly positive. The longer-term effect is more of an open question and is very hard to predict. If we do our homework and the more we get our act together as a world and a species in whatever time we have available, the better we are prepared for this, the better the odds for a favorable outcome. In that case, it could be extremely favorable.

For more on AI and other technology trends, see Bernard Marrs new book Tech Trends in Practice: The 25 Technologies That Are Driving The 4Th Industrial Revolution, which is available to pre-order now.

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Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) A Threat To Humans? - Forbes

Gene Therapy Is Successfully Treating a Common Form of Inherited Blindness – Singularity Hub

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K.L. always knew he might be completely blind before reaching adulthood.

Even as a child he realized something was wrong with his eyes. Although he could see enough to navigate the world in daytime, as soon as the sun set so did his eyesight. Going out with friends was impossible at night. Eventually the world looked as if he was seeing through a large tunnel, focusing on only a tiny fraction at a time.

K.Ls condition didnt have a cure. His family, and he himself, were well aware. I was struggling deeply with what I thought my life would become, he said, but then my mum spotted the trial in a newsletter.

This month, K.L. became one of the first patients to receive a new experimental gene therapy for children with a severe form of inherited vision loss. The treatment, currently not yet named, targets young men who are susceptible to a particularly vicious genetic disorder that gradually destroys the light-sensing portion of their eyes.

Within a month following a single injection, my vision was beginning to return in the treated eye. The sharpness and depth of colors I was slowly beginning to see were so clear and attractive, said K.L.

The trial, a first-in-human case for X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), was led by Dr. Robert MacLaren at the University of Oxford but spanned multiple centers including the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, which previously championed Luxterna, the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a type of inherited blindness. The results are some of the first targeting a particularly difficult gene prone to mutation in humans. Amazingly, despite some inflammation in early stages, the therapy provided massive improvements in eyesight as early as two weeks following treatment.

Although primarily designed for safety and not to comprehensively study efficacy, the trail still offers hope to 1 in 4,000 people around the world battling gradual, unstoppable vision loss. But it also signals that gene therapy is rapidly coming of age for other neural degenerative problemsperhaps faster than previously anticipated.

It is becoming more apparent to us that novel genetic therapies, when working, lead to a clear improvement in neuronal function, which holds great hope for a variety of other degenerative conditions that have a genetic basis, said MacLaren.

K.L. is one of 80,000 or so people in the US with RP, a genetic condition that slowly eats away at the light-sensing portion of the eyes. RP can be due to one of tens of different mutations in genes that control how light receptors in the eyes develop. RP never had a treatment or a curethe only option for people with the condition is to learn to navigate it without severely disrupting their lives.

In late 2017, everything changed. Luxturna, a gene therapy for inherited RP, was approved by the FDA. The treatment, a synthetic version of a healthy gene, was delivered directly into patients eyesoften young boysto replace a faulty version that eats away at the back of their eyes, the retina.

The retina is a delicate, wispy sheet of tissue that contains elements sensitive to light. In RP, two light-sensing proteins in the retina begin dying out as early as infancy, wiping out a persons peripheral vision and night vision. Most are legally, if not biologically, blind by their early 20s.

Luxturna came as a galvanizing shot to RP sufferers, yet it had severe limitations. A large portion of RP cases are caused by a particularly complex and volatile gene, dubbed RPGR, prone to mutations and other rearrangements. Even as a miracle cure, Luxturna could only tackle a small subset of patients with RPabout 1,000that had a very specific mutation relying on Vitamin A chemical processing.

In other words, for K.L. and other RP suffers, Luxturna offered hope, but not relief.

K.L.s treatment took a direct stab at RPGR, which sits on the X chromosome.

Stay with me. We all know that biological females are generally dubbed XX and males XY. Biological females usually have two copies of the X chromosome, whereas males only have one copy.

This means that biological males are far more susceptible than females to contracting X-linked RP. If anything goes wrong with their single copy, unlike females, they dont have a healthy backup to save the day. Unfortunately, the RPGR gene also happens to be quite temperamental and prone to genetic shifts that cause disease. It makes the gene a terrible test subject in the lab, where it tends to be unstable and difficult to work with.

After years of wrangling in animal models, however, the Oxford team was able to increase its stability and fidelity, so much so that when given to animal models with retinal disease, the stabilized, healthy version was able to restore visual properties.

In their first human trial, 18 patients with confirmed RPGR gene mutations and severe eyesight problems were separated into 6 groups, with each receiving a different dose of the therapy.

Similar to Luxturna, the healthy gene was packaged inside a virus carrier to deliver it into retinal cells in a simple injection surgery. To combat potential side effects of inflammation, which scientists previously found with similar treatments, the patients were given steroid pills to combat inflammation in the eyes.

Only one eye of each patient was treated in an effort to compare to the other, non-treated one. K.L., for example, opted to go for the one with poorer vision, thinking there was nothing to lose.

The speed of my conditions degeneration was unknown, so I had no choice but to apply and do whatever I could to hopefully help others in the future, as well as myself, he said.

Although the three patients receiving low-dose treatment didnt see notable results, others did.

Within a month, said K.L., my visual field exploded and I could see so much more at once than ever before in that eye. Before long, the eye was undoubtedly better than the untreated eye.

The improvements lasted at least six months, and only those who received the highest doses of the virus had minimal signs of inflammation, suggesting that the treatment is relatively safe.

Overall, seven patients gained back significant functionality in their eyesnot just night vision, as with Luxturna, but also their visual fields and clarity. Whats more, in some patients the outer regions of the retina also seemed to kick back into gear, regenerating their functionality even without direct treatment.

We are delighted with the early results of this clinical trial for a degenerative eye disease, said MacLaren. With X-linked RP, the goal is to slow or stop degeneration of the eyes, and despite somewhat inconsistent results between people, the therapy seems overall beneficial.

The results will next be validated in a broader population. Since performing the therapy, the Bascom Palmer team has further treated nine patients using the optimized dose determined from the trial, though outcomes have not yet been published.

For K.L., however, the trial has already revamped his life for the better.

The results have been nothing short of astonishing and life changing for me, I really hope this trial is approved and they can treat what once was my better eye, said K.L.

Image Credit: Free-Photos from Pixabay

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Gene Therapy Is Successfully Treating a Common Form of Inherited Blindness - Singularity Hub

Staff: Cell gene therapy sector needs reinforcements – Bioprocess Insider – BioProcess Insider

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Cell and gene therapy manufacturers need staff with laboratory skills and GMP know-how, according to an expert from Texas A&M.

Cell and gene therapies attract a lot of attention. In recent years products like Yescarta, Kymriah and Zolgensma and the debate about their prices $373,000, $475,000 and $2.1m respectively have dominated the headlines.

In industry circles the focus has shifted to the manufacture of such therapies. Developers are working to ensure there are sufficient vectors, or to make production systems more cost efficient.

Ex-military personnel could be a good fit for the cell and gene therapy industry. Image: iStock/ChrisSuperseal

But biopharma should not forget its staff.

Even automated lines need skilled operators says Jenny Ligon, assistant director of workforce development at Texas A&Ms National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM).

For cell and gene therapy, technicians need to have a better understanding of molecular biology and even immunology and virology.

She told us: The reality is we just need more people with practical laboratory experience. In general, upstream manufacturing technicians seem to be in high demand, so those individuals with experience with good cell culture technique will be highly marketable.

With gene and cell therapy taking off, there will be an even larger demand for those with experience in mammalian cell culture.

Adaptability is key. Ligon told us: By and large, there arent any new unit operations in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, however, because of the novelty of this field, manufacturing processes are still evolving.

Staff training is dictated by resources. Large biopharma firms have systems in place to ensure staff have the right skills, but small companies may find it more difficult.

Many gene and cell therapy companies are still in start-up mode, Ligon said. For them, the critical need for technicians is an understanding of cGMP manufacturing processes as many of them may only be familiar with bench-scale manufacturing.

Fortunately, there is support according to Ligon, who cited a Texas A&M course funded by the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaeuticals (NIIMBL) as an example.

The course was developed by BTEC through NIIMBL funding and remains the only hands-on short course focused on vector manufacturing.NCTM will be offering the course beginning in the latter half of 2020.

Cell and gene therapy firms also struggle to find staff according to Ligon, who says competition for skilled employees will have negative consequences.

Current cell and gene therapy roles are being filled with those workers who have been in traditional biomanufacturing for several years, which will create a tremendous gap in positions for traditional manufacturers, confirming the demand for more trained workers, period.

Ligon suggests ex-military personnel could be a good fit for the cell and gene therapy industry.

Im still a strong advocate for former service members to fill many of the future jobs in this industry, given their strong sense of responsibility, dedication to accomplishing a mission, ability to innovate and identify solutions to challenging and demanding work environments, attention to detail, and understanding of following protocol and doing it right the first time.

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Staff: Cell gene therapy sector needs reinforcements - Bioprocess Insider - BioProcess Insider

Biogen teams up with Sangamo in gene therapy deal worth up to $2.7B – MedCity News

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A large biotech is partnering with a firm developing cell and gene therapies on treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen said Thursday afternoon after markets closed that it had partnered with Brisbane, California-based Sangamo Therapeutics in a deal that could be worth up to $2.7 billion. The partnership will initially focus on two preclinical Sangamo gene therapy candidates ST-501 for tauopathies such as Alzheimers and ST-502 for synucleinopathies like Parkinsons disease, plus an undisclosed neuromuscular target. It also includes exclusive rights for up to nine other undisclosed neurological targets.

Biogen will pay Sangamo $350 million upfront, which includes a license fee and equity investment, while Sangamo will be eligible for up to $2.37 billion in milestone payments, plus royalties.

Shares of Sangamo were up more than 28% on the Nasdaq after markets opened Friday. The company had also announced its fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results. Biogens shares were down 2.6%.

Sangamo had reached out to multiple companies in a competitive process. While declining to say how many companies the biotech had spoken to, Sangamo head of corporate strategy Stephane Boissel said in a phone interview that it had put together multiple term sheets.

Its a combination of economics, but also the expertise of that partner in that particular field, Boissel said, referring to why the company had chosen Biogen. Biogen, in the pharma world, is probably the best franchise when it comes to neurology.

Adrian Woolfson, Sangamos executive vice president for research and development, said in the same call that it was also because of an appreciation for Biogens enthusiasm and energy.

I think its fair to say we had a very good chemistry with them at a personal level when we went to meet with them in Boston, and we seemed to get along very well, Woolfson said.

Sangamo has existing partnerships with a number of other firms, including Pfizer and Gilead Sciences.

Biogens moves into Alzheimers disease have not been without controversy. The company plans to file for Food and Drug Administration approval of aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the amyloid beta protein that has long dominated Alzheimers research. The company initially halted the Phase III development program for the drug when it was predicted to fail, but revived it when a post-hoc analysis indicated potential efficacy. Investors have remained skeptical.

Still, that did not come up in the minds of Sangamos executives, Boissel said. While emphasizing that he could not compare the two companies approaches, Woolfson added that gene therapies are potentially better ways to address neurological diseases like Alzheimers because they can switch off genes completely rather than being limited to taking out specific proteins, as monoclonal antibodies are.

ST-501 targets tau, another protein that has been researched as a potential therapeutic target in Alzheimers. ST-501 and ST-502 use adeno-associated viral vectors to deliver zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP-TFs), a form of gene therapy that Sangamo said in its quarterly earnings presentation is ideally suited to neurological disorders due to its ability to up- or down-regulate gene expression.

Boissel did not disclose specific timelines for ST-501 and ST-502, but noted that the next steps in their development will be preclinical studies to enable them to enter the clinic.

Photo: John Tlumacki, The Boston Globe, via Getty Images

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CYTOO and AskBio Enter Research Agreement to Screen Gene Therapy Candidates for Rare Muscle Disorder – Yahoo Finance

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GRENOBLE, France and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CYTOO, a leading drug discovery company on muscle disorders, today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration aimed at selecting a gene therapy candidate for a rare muscle disorder withAsklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc.(AskBio), a clinical-stage, fully integrated adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy company. Under the terms of the agreement, AskBio and CYTOO will work together to develop an AAV-based screening platform derived from patient cells. The goal of the collaboration is to screen and select a preclinical candidate capable of restoring a healthy phenotype from patient cells culturedin vitro.

CYTOO has developed a muscle-on-a-plate platform using patients primary cells, called MyoScreen. MyoScreen is anin vitrosystem in which skeletal muscle cells mimic the physiology, contractile and metabolic functions of human musclein vivoand allow infection by AAV-based gene therapy vectors targeting muscle.

Dr. Philippe Moullier, Chief Scientific Officer, AskBio Europe, said, As a leader in the gene therapy space, the ability to quickly and efficiently screen potential therapeutic candidates will be invaluable. The expertise provided by CYTOO and the MyoScreen platform will potentially give us a better understanding of how those candidates perform in patient cells and improve efficiency throughout the R&D process.

Luc Selig, CYTOOs CEO, added, Gene therapy for muscle disorders is becoming a reality for patients and their families, and we are proud that AskBio has chosen our expertise to investigate a potential new treatment. We have developed MyoScreen as a laboratory model of patient-derived muscle that can be used to screen gene therapy candidates and QC clinical and commercial batches.

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About CYTOOCYTOO is a preclinical-stage drug discovery company addressing muscular disorders (NMDs, muscle waste, muscle disuse, metabolic ageing). The company has developed MyoScreen, a versatile and high-throughput muscle-on-a-plate R&D platform, from patient-derived myotubes, that can be used to model any muscle disorder and screen any type of therapeutic candidate. The platform is open to partnering with biotech and pharmaceutical companies and has been the starting point of CYTOOs internal drug discovery program on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Among partners of CYTOO: Daiichi Sankyo, Pfizer, Axcella. CYTOO has offices in Grenoble, France and Bethesda, MD, USA.

About AskBioFounded in 2001, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is a privately held, clinical-stage gene therapy company dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with genetic disorders. AskBios gene therapy platform includes an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process called Pro10 and an extensive AAV capsid and promoter library. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary third-generation AAV capsids and promoters, several of which have entered clinical testing. An early innovator in the space, the company holds more than 500 patents in areas such as AAV production and chimeric and self-complementary capsids. AskBio maintains a portfolio of clinical programs across a range of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular indications with a current clinical pipeline that includes therapeutics for Pompe disease, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2i/R9 and congestive heart failure, as well as out-licensed clinical indications for hemophilia (Chatham Therapeutics acquired by Takeda) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Bamboo Therapeutics acquired by Pfizer). Learn more atwww.askbio.comor follow us onLinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

FP2COMFlorence Portejoiefportejoie@fp2com.frMob: + 33 (0)6 07 76 82 83

AskBioRobin FastenauVice President, Communicationsrfastenau@askbio.com+1 984 275 2705

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Symbiosis on increased demand for viral vectors – BioPharma-Reporter.com

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The growing prevalence of cell and gene therapies in both the clinical and the commercial side of the biopharmaceutical industry is leading to increased demand for viral vectors, with companies within the contract manufacturing sector building their capacity to meet clients needs.

BioPharma-Reporter (BPR) spoke to Colin MacKay (CM), CEO of viral vector manufacturer Symbiosis, about how companies in this sector are addressing the rising demand, how the lack of capacity is affecting the industry, and what are the other challenges that manufacturers face.

MacKay told us that the demand needs to be addressed with improved technical expertise, but the industry is learning experientially on how to deal with these new technologies.

Moreover, he explained how adding capacity has to come concurrently with ensuring compliance to regulations, and how the inherent biological nature of these products, and the sensitivity and complexity of their production systems, needs to be put under the spotlight.

BPR: What are the current challenges in viral vector manufacturing?

CM: The positive regulatory climate with regards to the approval of viral vector-based biopharmaceuticals is further fueling focused investment across the industry in drugs of this nature. In essence, the technology has been vindicated in a commercial setting. Although point-of-use pricing remains a contentious talking point, regulatory, technical and commercial tail-winds are driving the industry to adapt in many ways, and to do so quickly.With respect to manufacturing, for example, there is strong demand for both drug substance and drug product manufacturing, while CMOs like Symbiosis continue to invest in additional manufacturing capacity in direct response to that demand. With high demand, and relatively smaller supply, the foundation is laid for the value of strategic relationships to be realized and to gain prioritized access to manufacturing capacity, for example, while the commercial successes of those CMOs is providing relatively easier access to both internal and external financial resources to further grow overall manufacturing capacity.

Challenges include balancing supply versus demand for a growing business while ensuring that the competitive strengths that come from short lead-times to access manufacturing slots, for example, is positioned to support the accelerated development timeframes which drug developing client companies are working to.

BPR: How have the demands of the cell and gene therapies development market evolved during the past year?

CM: The successes of cell and gene therapy products being approved for market and their breathtakingly positive therapeutic impact on patients has, I believe, driven the market to evolve quickly. The overarching commercial driver in our industry to take investors dollars and to develop innovative and profitable new medicines is undiminished, and indeed has been amplified in niche sectors, such as cell and gene therapies.

In tandem, technology platforms are being validated, meaning that multiple further drugs in companies pipelines are being accelerated down the previously ploughed furrow of those pioneering therapies which went first. That is fueling demand for all services which support the development of cell and gene therapies and the appetite of investors to finance the profitable growth of those service providers.

BPR: What is the main challenge that cell and gene developers face?

CM: The technical challenges of developing, and then robustly and reproducibly manufacturing cell and gene therapy products to GMP is a major challenge, principally due to the inherent biological nature of these products and the sensitivity and complexity of their production systems.

Access to manufacturing capacity, particularly amongst the bigger CMO players, is challenging clients and their drug development timeline planning.

BPR: How does the CMO industry assist developers in overcoming technical challenges?

CM: The experiential learning in the industry, with respect to the technical and GMP manufacture of both drug substance and drug product, continues to grow and that learning is being reflected back into overcoming the principal technical challenges the industry faces. Processes are being refined and optimized to improve yields and productivity, making the development of biopharmaceuticals faster and relatively more cost-effective.

BPR: How do you see the current lack of capacity in the CMO industry changing?

CM: My understanding is that access to manufacturing capacity, particularly amongst the bigger CMO players, is proving a challenge to customers and their ability to achieve their preferred drug development timelines. The industry is responding and investing significantly in building new capacity, and new drug (vector) substance manufacturing capacity.

The relatively smaller CMO players, such as ourselves, are strategically working hard to increase in-house manufacturing capacity while doing so in a measured way to ensure continued compliance in line with that growth, while investing in strategic relationships with existing clients to ensure they have access to our capacity to align with the increasing manufacturing requirement of their maturing products.

In tandem, we are adding new capacity output from our existing manufacturing infrastructure, allowing us to continue to add new, high-value, clients to our existing client portfolio who can use that growing capacity. Strategically, and competitively, Symbiosis is therefore well-positioned to provide sterile GMP manufacturing capacity to clients who are experiencing frustrations with the wider industry and its lack of manufacturing capacity and access to it on a short timeframe.

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Prevail Therapeutics Announces Investigational New Drug Application Active for PR006 for the Treatment of Frontotemporal Dementia with GRN Mutation |…

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DetailsCategory: DNA RNA and CellsPublished on Tuesday, 03 March 2020 17:27Hits: 481

NEW YORK, NY, USA I March 02, 2020 I Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Companys Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its experimental gene therapy program, PR006, for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia patients with GRN mutation (FTD-GRN), and that the Company may proceed with the initiation of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

PR006 is being developed as a potential one-time gene therapy for FTD-GRN, a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the GRN gene that reduce production of progranulin, a protein critical for lysosomal function, neuronal survival, and normal microglial activities. The progranulin deficiency leads to lysosomal dysfunction, ineffective protein degradation and recycling, neuroinflammation, and ultimately neurodegeneration and death, typically within three to ten years of diagnosis.

PR006 is designed to increase progranulin levels in the brains of FTD-GRN patients by delivering a healthy GRN gene using an AAV9 vector.

FTD-GRN is a serious and progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there are no approved treatments, said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. Now that the PR006 IND is active, we look forward to advancing clinical development of PR006, which has the potential to positively impact the lives of patients by slowing or stopping the progression of this devastating disease.

The PROCLAIM Phase 1/2 clinical trial will investigate the safety and tolerability of PR006, and will also measure key biomarkers and exploratory efficacy endpoints in patients with FTD-GRN. The Company plans to begin dosing for PROCLAIM this year. We believe this makes PR006 the first gene therapy for FTD-GRN to enter clinical trials.

The FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for PR006 for the treatment of patients with FTD.

About Frontotemporal Dementia with a GRN MutationFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 65, after Alzheimers disease. 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S. and 80,000 to 110,000 individuals in theEuropean Unionare affected byFTD. Frontotemporal dementia with a GRN mutation (FTD-GRN) represents 5-10% of all patients withFTD.FTDresults from the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control decision-making, behavior, emotion and language.In FTD-GRN patients, reduced levels of progranulin lead to age-dependent lysosomal dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. There are no approved treatments forFTDor FTD-GRN.

About Prevail TherapeuticsPrevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinsons disease with aGBA1mutation (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease; PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia withGRNmutation (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr.Asa Abeliovichin 2017, through a collaborative effort withThe Silverstein Foundationfor Parkinsons with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered inNewYork, NY.

SOURCE: Preavail Therapeutics

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Avectas and CCRM Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Development of Novel Technology for Cell Therapies – Yahoo Finance

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DUBLIN and TORONTO, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Avectas, a cell engineering technology business,and CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing cell and gene therapies, today announced they have entered into a collaboration to accelerate the translation of Avectas' non-viral cell engineering platform (Solupore) into the clinic.

Cell and gene therapies offer the potential to dramatically transform the treatment of diseases, including cancer, for millions of patients worldwide. However, a global viral vector shortfall could halt progress in the industry as very few CDMOs have the capabilities required to manufacture vectors that can deliver molecules to cells.

Avectas developed Solupore to address an urgent need for an efficient, non-viral cell engineering solution to facilitate therapeutic development in the areas of immuno-oncology and gene editing.Solupore is designed for use with mRNA, DNA, and proteins, including gene editing tools such as CRISPR. It achieves excellent engineering efficiencies for delivery of these payloads toprimary T cells and NK cells for immuno-oncology and gene editing applications.

Speaking today, Dr. Michael Maguire, CEO of Avectas, said: "We are delighted to partner with CCRMto leverage their deep experience in cell manufacturing processes to support the translation of our Solupore platform towards clinical applications." He continued: "Combining Avectas' novel cell engineering platform and CCRM's experience in the development of manufacturing processes for cell therapies will accelerate the transfer of the Solupore technology to our development partners."

Dr. Michael May, President and CEO of CCRM, said:"This collaboration demonstrates exactly how CCRM is able to support partners and the broader industry. It is evident there is a real need for a non-viral delivery platform to enable the manufacture of these lifesaving cellular therapies and we are eager to receive the Solupore platform and support the Avectas team in bringing this innovative platform to the clinic."

About Avectas

Avectasis a cell engineering technology business developingaunique delivery platform to enable the ex-vivo manufacture ofour partners' gene modified cell therapy products, which will retain high in-vivo functionality. Our vision is to be a leading non-viral cell engineering technology provider, integrated into manufacturing processes for multiple autologous and allogeneic therapies, commercialized through development and license agreements. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: http://www.avectas.com.

About CCRM

CCRM, a Canadian not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners, supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at http://www.ccrm.ca.

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SOURCE Avectas; CCRM

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Prevail Therapeutics Provides Clinical Advancement Update on PR001 for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease with GBA1 mutationsCompany Will Present at…

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NEW YORK, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --Prevail TherapeuticsInc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, provided an update today on the clinical advancement of its gene therapy program PR001 for patients with Parkinsons disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA). Enrollment in the PR001 Phase 1/2 PROPEL clinical trial is progressing, patient dosing continues, and the Company is on track to report interim data on a subset of patients in the second half of 2020.

The Company will present on its clinical progress at the Cowen & Co. Annual Healthcare Conference in Boston today.

We believe the PROPEL trial makes PR001 the first potentially disease-modifying gene therapy for PD-GBA patients to enter clinical trials. Its ongoing progress brings us a step closer to new treatment options for patients living with PD-GBA, said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. We are excited about the potential of PR001 to slow or stop disease progression for PD-GBA patients.

The PROPEL trial is a randomized, double-blind Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of two escalating dose levels of PR001 in up to 16 patients with moderate-to-severe PD-GBA. The trial also evaluates the effect of PR001 on biomarkers of disease activity and on Parkinsons disease clinical efficacy measures. Full trial details are available at clinicaltrials.gov.

PR001 utilizes an AAV9 viral vector to deliver theGBA1gene to a patients cells, correcting the lysosomal enzyme deficiency caused by PD-GBA patients GBA1 mutations. GBA1encodes the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucocerebrosidase, or GCase, which is required for the disposal and recycling of glycolipids. PD-GBA patients have a mutation in at least one chromosomal copy ofGBA1.

In addition to the PROPEL clinical trial for patients with PD-GBA, PR001 is also being developed for neuronopathic Gaucher disease, a devastating disorder that shares the same underlying genetic mechanism. In December 2019, the Company announced that its IND for PR001 for the treatment of neuronopathic Gaucher disease is active.

About PD-GBAParkinsons disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects up to one million people in the United States and more than seven million people worldwide. PD-GBA affects 7% to 10% of the total Parkinsons disease population worldwide and an estimated 90,000 individuals in the United States alone. GBA1 encodes the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucocerebrosidase, or GCase. Mutations in the GBA1 gene lead to a deficiency of GCase, resulting in lysosomal dysfunction in CNS cells, which we believe leads to the inflammation and neurodegeneration present in PD-GBA. GBA1 mutations impact the risk of developing Parkinsons disease as well as many other aspects of the disease course, including the severity, age of onset and rate of progression of disease and the likelihood of dementia. There are no treatments available that modify the progressive course or the underlying disease process of Parkinsons disease.

About Prevail TherapeuticsPrevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinsons disease with aGBA1mutation (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease; PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia withGRNmutation (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr.Asa Abeliovichin 2017, through a collaborative effort withThe Silverstein Foundationfor Parkinsons with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered inNewYork, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to PrevailStatements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning Prevails ability to develop meaningful therapeutic advances for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, the continued progression of our PROPEL Phase 1/2 clinical trial, the continued dosing of patients and the expected timing for the delivery of interim data from a subset of patients from our PROPEL Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevails novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevails gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; and the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevails filings with theSecurities and Exchange Commission(SEC), including the Risk Factors section of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period endedSeptember 30, 2019, filed with theSEConNovember 12, 2019, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to theSEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Media Contact:Mary CarmichaelTen Bridge Communicationsmary@tenbridgecommunications.com617-413-3543

Investor Contact:investors@prevailtherapeutics.com

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Prevail Therapeutics Provides Clinical Advancement Update on PR001 for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease with GBA1 mutationsCompany Will Present at...