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The Government of Canada is taking steps to address plastic waste and pollution from the textile and apparel sector

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GATINEAU, QC, July 4, 2024 /CNW/ – Textiles is the fifth-largest category of plastic waste sent to landfills in Canada. Furthermore, through regular wear and tear and when washed, synthetic clothing sheds plastic microfibres—tiny thread-like fibres that become microplastic pollution. As part of its comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution, the Government of Canada is looking for ways to increase the circularity of the textile and apparel sector to keep these materials in the economy and out of the environment.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched a consultation to solicit feedback on the development of a roadmap to address plastic waste and pollution from the textile and apparel sector.

Building on the early interest and engagement from key stakeholders in the sector, the consultation document suggests a waste-management approach that keeps textiles and apparel in the circular economy for as long as possible. Prioritization will focus on the redesign, reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling of products over energy recovery and landfilling.

Until September 1, 2024, Canadians and interested parties are invited to comment on the consultation document and provide feedback. Comments received will help develop the draft roadmap to be published later this year.

Quotes

“After welcoming the world last April in Ottawa for the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, we are more committed than ever to ending plastic waste and pollution in our own country. We are now reflecting on how we can prevent textile and apparel waste from going to landfill, being incinerated, or leaking into the environment as pollution. Addressing plastic waste and pollution in all sectors of our economy is the key to protecting the planet and creating a greener and prosperous future, while keeping plastics in the economy and out of the environment.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

Globally, about 80 billion new pieces of clothing are made each year—this is 400 percent more than 20 years ago. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, represent around 54 percent of the world’s fibre production.In Canada, there is currently very limited collection and recycling of textiles, and approximately 98 percent of plastic textile waste ends up in landfills. In addition, about 878 tonnes of microfibres are released from synthetic textiles during laundering into fresh and marine waters in Canada and the United States annually.According to Statistics Canada’s Physical Flow Account for Plastic Material, around 290 kilotons of synthetic textile products (for example, made of polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and/or acrylic) were purchased in Canada in 2020. In that same year, around 280 kilotons were discarded as waste.Since 2018, the Government of Canada has been working with and supported organizations and key stakeholders to advance research on microfibre pollution, assess and identify challenges and opportunities to reduce waste, and pilot recycling and waste diversion programs in the textile and apparel sector.Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry will collect data on plastics in textiles, including quantities of textiles placed on the market and their end-of-life management.Working with the textile and apparel sector to develop and implement targeted solutions is an important part of Canada’s ambitious, evidence-based, and comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution and move toward a circular economy for plastics through a range of complementary actions across the plastics lifecycle.

Associated links

Share and View Ideas: Consultation to Address Plastic Pollution and Waste from the Textile and Apparel SectorFederal Plastics RegistryCanada Zero Plastic Waste Agenda

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s X (Twitter) page

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

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48-Hour Saudi Visa Processing, Major Discounts and Unmissable Giveaways – Only at ‘Spectacular Saudi’ in Mumbai

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Saudi’s national tourism brand, ‘Saudi Welcome to Arabia’ is hosting its first-ever immersive consumer event ‘Spectacular Saudi’, from September 25 to October 2,  from 2:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at R2 Ground in BKC, Mumbai.

Slated to transport visitors straight to the Heart of Arabia; the 8-day immersive experience will give visitors a glimpse into Saudi’s many wonders and iconic experiences – all while extending the warm Saudi welcome. To give consumers a truly memorable experience Saudi is offering exclusive giveaways and discounts specially curated for Indian travellers.

What’s more, Indian travellers can fast-track their Saudi visas exclusively at the event. All you need is a valid Visa or Mastercard credit card! Head on over to one of eight dedicated Tasheer kiosks, ensure the name on the credit card matches the passport, and have sufficient funds available on the card. After that, sit back and relax as your visa will be in hand within 48 hours!

It has never been easier to visit Saudi. With the most seamless visa process offered to date, the excitement doesn’t end there. On the travel front, SAUDIA Airlines is offering special deals, including a buy one get 50% off on the second ticket if travelling business class. Additionally, all economy class tickets will be 15% off. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in daily giveaways for free flight tickets for two to Saudi. With over 50+ travel trade offers, visitors can access incredible cashback and discounts on Saudi travel packages. Additionally, those booking Saudi packages will enjoy complimentary cultural city tours. Group tour packages to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam will be available exclusively at the event, starting at INR 99,999 for 5 nights.

Visitors can expect unique immersive experiences–including exhibits, culinary delights, Ardah dancers, Saudi coffee, traditional scents, and fashion–all under one roof. So don’t miss out and register here to experience a piece of Saudi, right in the heart of Mumbai.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2511104/Spectacular_Saudi.jpg

 

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Indian Cancer Genome Atlas Launches the Country’s First Comprehensive Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal

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Offers open access to cancer data for research

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) has launched India’s first comprehensive cancer multi-omics data portal. This pioneering platform provides open access to clinically correlated data from Indian cancer patients, aimed at transforming cancer research and treatment for Indian populations.

Historically, cancer treatments in India have been based on Western data sets. However, cancers in Indian patients can differ significantly at the molecular level. ICGA’s mission is to create Indian-specific datasets to help researchers and clinicians develop personalized treatment protocols. This new open-access portal represents a monumental step in revolutionizing cancer research, specifically for Indian patients.

The ICGA cancer multi-omics portal is the first in India to offer data that includes DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, integrated with clinical outcomes. Currently, the platform consists of data from 50 breast cancer patients, with plans to expand to over 500 patients in the coming year. This data is freely accessible to the global research community under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which promote ethical sharing and collaboration in cancer research.

Key Highlights of this portal include:

India’s First Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal: A comprehensive resource that offers detailed multi-omics data for breast cancer patients, including genomic and proteomic information.Based on cBioPortal Platform: Derived from the internationally recognized cBioPortal, this platform ensures seamless integration with global cancer research efforts.Initial Dataset from 50 Indian Patients: Provides clinically annotated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles, along with treatment histories and patient outcomes, with an aim to scale up to 500 in a year.Free Access Under PRIDE Guidelines: Adhering to responsible and ethical data-sharing practices, the portal is freely accessible to the scientific community.A Step Toward Precision Oncology for Indian Patients: This initiative is designed to enable the development of personalized cancer treatments tailored to Indian patients.Call for Collaboration:  ICGA invites researchers worldwide to contribute and expand the platform, fostering global collaboration in cancer research.

Professor Shekhar C. Mande, Former DG-CSIR, Currently Senior Professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University
“Making this invaluable cancer data publicly accessible marks a pivotal step in accelerating scientific discoveries and enhancing patient outcomes. By openly sharing this data, we are empowering researchers, clinicians, and innovators to collaborate, explore new frontiers, and drive transformative breakthroughs in cancer treatment.”

Joint Statement from Dr JC Zenklusen – Director of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) at the NCI, NIH, USA, and Prof Sunil Badve – Vice Chair, Pathology Cancer Programs, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
“Fifteen years ago, when we launched TCGA, we could not have foreseen the remarkable progress cancer research would make. It is incredibly exciting to see ICGA advancing so rapidly and taking bold steps in revolutionizing cancer research. Understanding the genome of cancer patients will improve the treatment of Indians not only in India but also worldwide. We, both, encourage others with similar data to actively contribute to ICGA, so this initiative can grow even faster and drive greater breakthroughs.”

Dr. Anand Deshpande, Chairman and Managing Director at Persistent, and Non-Executive Director at ICGA
“We have made an excellent start with this groundbreaking multi-omics cancer portal. Cancer touches all of us, and the need for more effective, personalized treatments—especially tailored to the unique genetic and environmental factors in India—is urgent. This portal will empower researchers with crucial data to advance customized cancer research for better treatment outcomes. I encourage everyone to contribute and support this vital cause, helping us accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.”

About Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA):
The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) is a national initiative focused on mapping the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes of cancers across India. As a section 8 not-for-profit organization, the ICGA Foundation, operates through a public-private-philanthropic partnership, with active support from over 50 clinicians, researchers, and data analysts. Its mission is to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment for Indian patients and contribute to the global understanding of cancer biology. The foundation’s first project focuses on the multi-omics profiling of breast cancer, with plans to extend this effort to other types of cancer in the future.

https://www.icga.in/

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Huawei Launches All-New Xinghe Intelligent Campus with Full Upgrades, Maximizing Enterprises’ Intelligent Productivity

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — During HUAWEI CONNECT 2024, the Xinghe Intelligent Campus session was successfully held, attracting more than 200 industry pioneers, experts, and scholars from around the world to explore campus network trends and technological innovations. Also at the event, Huawei unveiled its all-new Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution that stands out for full upgrades to wireless, application, and operations & maintenance (O&M) experience.

Shawn Zhao, President of the Campus Network Domain, Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, said, “As video conferencing, AI terminals, and AI applications become more widespread, the campus network access density has increased threefold, and the demand for bandwidth has grown tenfold. In this case, users place new requirements on the assurance for AI applications and audio/video services while expecting more intelligent O&M.”

To meet these needs, Huawei launched its all-new Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution with full upgrades. Specifically, this solution upgrades wireless experience in performance, roaming, and IoT convergence. It also leverages X-Scheduler (an experience scheduling engine) to upgrade application experience, while drawing on AI-assisted decision-making and a tidal prediction algorithm to upgrade O&M experience. These help customers build an industry-leading digital infrastructure and facilitate the digital and intelligent transformation of enterprises.

In addition, the solution provides end-to-end security assurance. On the wireless side, the innovative Wi-Fi Shield technology radically prevents packet eavesdropping on the air interface. On the wired side, the full-link MACsec capabilities from switches to APs ensure secure campus network data transmission since the very beginning.

Also at the session, leading analyst firms, customers, and partners in various industries shared their unique insights, best practices, and successful cases. Key speakers include Sian Morgan, Research Director of Dell’Oro Group; Dr. Haitham S. Hamsa, Professor of Information Technology, Cairo University; Shang Qun, Assistant to the Director of the Computing Center, Peking University; Sun Pan, Director of Infrastructure Operations Dept, System Digitalization Dept, FAW Group; Connee Zhang, CEO of CypressTel. Their valuable practices will provide a unique reference for the digital and intelligent transformation of enterprises across industries.

Looking ahead, Huawei believes that the Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution will become the preferred choice for global enterprises’ digital and intelligent transformation to reap more benefits.

For more information about Huawei’s Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution, visit https://e.huawei.com/en/solutions/enterprise-network/campus-network.

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SOURCE Huawei

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