Day: March 7, 2022

Posted on

The Great Metagration, a New Blockchain Life NFT Collection, Launches Engaging Thousands of Top Celebrities, Businesses, and Brands in Hopes of Saving the New Metaverse

“The metaverse is red hot,” says Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kary Oberbrunner. “Look no further than The United States Patent and Trademark Office.” However, there’s another side too. Web3 should scare the hell out of humans. This is why a new NFT collection, dropping on March 14, is engaging thousands of the world’s biggest businesses, brands, and celebrities, in an effort to imagine how humans and machines might live peacefully and wholly in our inevitable metaverse reality.

New NFT Collection

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blockchain Life has partnered with the artist known as “the metagration” to create a unique NFT collection—The Great Metagration—which reimagines a new future of opportunities. The official drop takes place on March 14, at 1 PM ET on OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace.

“The metaverse is red hot,” says Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kary Oberbrunner. “Look no further than The United States Patent and Trademark Office. The past 90 days, many brands officially entered the metaverse, a new immersive reality.”

Businesses (like Disney) appointed chief metaverse officers. Celebrities (like Snoop Dogg) bought virtual properties. Designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Nike created digital lines of clothing and shoes. And artists like Marshmello, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande hosted virtual concerts for millions of fans in recent times.

What’s the context for the new NFT project? 

“Web3 opens a world of possibilities—literally,” says Oberbrunner, CEO of Igniting Souls Publishing Agency and creator of Blockchain Life.

However, there’s another side too. Web3 should scare the hell out of humans—and—borrowing a line from Star Trek, “resistance is futile.” Headlines swirling around the metaverse reveal a disturbing, darker picture of humanity.

From virtual Nazi concentration camp digital reenactments, to strip clubs where kids’ avatars are invited to get naked to do “unspeakable” things, this new digital world is in desperate need of saving, even before it officially begins.

What’s the NFT Collection?

The new NFT collection—The Great Metagration—offers a moment in time when people can create an ideal third reality, the culmination of digital and physical worlds. By wrapping these NFTs with strategic domain names, stakeholders will decide which worlds to unlock within the metaverse and which ones to shut forever. And according to Oberbrunner, “The elements they choose to include could decide our future as a species.”

This NFT collection is engaging thousands of the world’s biggest businesses, brands, and celebrities, in an effort to imagine how humans and machines might live peacefully and wholly in our inevitable metaverse reality.

How did the NFT project come about? 

The metagration’s initial minting— 60 digital assets and domain names—started appearing on OpenSea the morning of February 25, 2022. Thousands of unique NFTs will be available at the official launch on March 14, at 1 PM ET. Insider updates can be obtained at the NFT project website: TheGreatMetagration.io

Although none of the NFTs are presently for sale, this collection of who’s who includes celebrities from many industries such as film, art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, and fashion.

“The metagration has already secured nearly 10,000 more of the hottest domain names associated with leading businesses, brands, and influencers, collectively representing billions of followers and trillions of dollars,” said Oberbrunner, a spokesperson for the metagration.

Evidently, the metagration noticed an emerging trend with new tech. In recent years, he saw more and more brands and businesses using .io extensions for websites. Examples include etherscan.io, metamask.io, and autograph.io Even the latest Matrix movie references .io, a new underground human city.

His timing was spot on because December 2021 through February 2022, proved to be a popular time for corporations to onboard into the metaverse.

Why is the NFT project important?

Oberbrunner said, “The metagration has several essential forthcoming twists that demonstrate the true utility of the NFT collection and how together humans could create a safer Web3 world.”

When he asked how, the NFT artist gave Oberbrunner an example. Evidently disgusted by the headlines of the recent sexual assault of a mother in the metaverse, the metagration purchased several domain names with the purpose of minting them as NFTs and forever retiring them, symbolically abolishing what they represent.

MetaverseRape.io, MetaverseRape.com, and MetaverseRape.xyz will never be used for evil in the new world. Instead, these NFTs and domain names will be leveraged to provide financial, emotional, and spiritual support for victims of rape in the real world and the digital world.

the metagration is not naïve. He knows owning a domain name and NFT will not eliminate evil. However, through the deeper message and movement intrinsic to his new NFT art collection, he aims to bring hope and healing to the new Web3 world.

How can you find out more about the NFT Project?

The manifesto, core values, and updates related to this project can be found at the website. the metagration posts new NFTs regularly on social media via Twitter or Instagram. To see the growing list of engaged influencers, brands, and businesses, visit the collection. All relevant links are below:

SOURCE: Blockchain Life

Media Contact
Email: support@theblockchainlife.io
‭Phone: (646) 397-7702‬
Related Images

Image 1: New NFT Collection

The Great Metagration could become the most valuable art collection on the planet and for good reason. It includes the hottest domain names associated with leading brands, collectively representing billions of followers and trillions of dollars.

Image 2: Blockchain Life

The metaverse opens up a world of possibilities. But, there’s another side too and it’s scaring the hell out of people. New NFT project engages thousands of top celebrities and businesses to help bring good.

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

Attachment

Posted on

Propeller Health accelerates push towards value-based care with new digital health solutions for patients, providers and health systems

  • Announces integrations with multiple leading Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
  • Introduces a new solution to enable Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) by healthcare providers
  • Launches digital platform updates to enable respiratory care at home, in-clinic, and on-the-go

MIAMI, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Propeller Health, a leader in digital health for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), today announced three exciting updates and new solutions to bring its clinically proven, FDA-cleared platform to more patients, providers and health systems.

Integrations expand the reach of Propeller’s digital platform to more health systems
Propeller announced integration with leading EHR systems to expand in-EHR access to its digital platform to more health systems. This includes integration with Cerner Millennium EHR as a validated CODE application and access to Epic EHR through Propeller’s integration engine powered by Redox.

These EHR integrations enable:

  • Streamlined provider workflows with the Propeller clinician portal accessible within the EHR
  • Seamless data transmission so patient data collected by Propeller can be made available in the EHR
  • Integrated experience for physicians and clinical staff to enroll and monitor patients onto the Propeller platform, receive notifications, and adjust treatment decisions as needed. At CommonSpirit’s Dignity Health, Propeller’s EHR integration resulted in a 75-80% reduction in time to enroll a patient – down to just two minutes

New solution to support health systems on RTM
Propeller announced a new solution for respiratory care for independent clinics, physician groups and health systems to provide remote monitoring for eligible Medicare patients that may be reimbursable under the new RTM codes added to the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule in January 2022 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)1.

The solution, which may be provided under an RTM arrangement or as a chronic care offering sponsored by a clinic or health system, offers physicians and clinical staff:

  • Web-based Propeller clinician portal to enroll patients with chronic respiratory conditions who could benefit from remote monitoring
  • Templates for patient education materials and platform education through Propeller’s self-study training library
  • Insights for ongoing patient monitoring, including data and messaging on medication use and adherence

The solution was designed especially for older individuals with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, with plans to expand to the asthma population.
Enrolled patients benefit from:

  • Propeller sensors that attach to their maintenance and rescue inhalers and cellular hub that automatically collects and transmits medication use data to their provider
  • Patient and caregiver access to actionable insights through Propeller’s web portal or smartphone app
  • Propeller’s guided onboarding and support for clinicians and to engage and motivate patients

Digital platform updates expand accessibility to more patients to improve health equity
Propeller also announced significant updates to its digital platform that improve health equity by making it accessible to more patients, particularly vulnerable populations and older adults. These include:

  • Expanded availability of Propeller sensor for AstraZeneca’s SymbicortⓇ, a leading solution in today’s market for inhaled prescriptions for COPD and asthma in the U.S.
  • Improved medication management in the smartphone app including tracking for generics and expanded prescription refill options in Propeller’s My Pharmacy tool
  • Propeller’s Virtual Care Team, adding high-touch support and coaching shown to promote improved outcomes such as reduced rescue inhaler use and better retention2

About Propeller Health
At Propeller Health, our mission is to empower every person living with a chronic respiratory disease to take control of their health so they can live a better life. As a leader in digital health and therapeutics for asthma and COPD, we work to improve clinical outcomes, healthcare costs, and quality of life by supporting patients in managing their condition with their healthcare provider.

Propeller’s platform includes FDA-cleared medical devices, consumer apps and access to clinical data for provider monitoring throughout the care journey, to create value to all stakeholders. We enable a personalized digital experience with a human touch used by patients, caregivers, providers, payers, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare organizations across the US, Europe and Asia.

Propeller Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of ResMed. For more information, visit www.propellerhealth.com.

1 Providers are responsible for determining the tools and practices that they need to use to achieve reimbursement for remote therapeutic monitoring
2 Passive Monitoring of Short-Acting Beta-Agonist Use via Digital Platform in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: https://formative.jmir.org/2019/4/e13286/

For media
Cate Layne
+1 608.466.2444
cate.layne@propellerhealth.com

Posted on

Ukraine’s fight an inspiration for Taiwan, foreign minister says

Published by
Reuters UK

By Sarah Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) – Ukrainians fighting against Russian invaders have inspired the people of Taiwan, the island’s foreign minister said on Monday, as he announced millions of dollars in aid for Ukrainian refugees. “Despite great adversity, the government and people of Ukraine have been fighting with tremendous courage and determination,” the minister, Joseph Wu, told a news conference. “Let me say this from the bottom of my heart: You have been an inspiration to the Taiwanese people in facing threats and coercion from authoritarian power.” Democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is claimed by… Continue reading “Ukraine’s fight an inspiration for Taiwan, foreign minister says”

Posted on

Japan airs strong concern about China’s military buildup

Published by
Kyodo News

Japan on Monday urged China to be more transparent in its growing defense spending, saying its rapid military buildup and increased activities at sea and in the air are a “strong concern.” China’s military spending has been closely watched as its assertive moves have raised tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. China said Saturday it will increase its defense spending by 7.1 percent in 2022 from a year earlier to 1.45 trillion yuan ($229 billion). “There should be more transparency in China’s defense spending and policy as well as its military power, given that its expenditure has been increasi… Continue reading “Japan airs strong concern about China’s military buildup”

Posted on

Alpine Optoelectronics introduces 100G QSFP28 O-band xWDM PAM4 Transceivers for Passive Multiple Channel Interconnects

Enabled by nCP4™ Silicon Photonics Optical Engine

100G QSFP28 xWDM PAM4 Optical Transceiver

Alpine Optoelectronics’ Single-Wavelength 100G QSFP28 O-band xWDM PAM4 module will support passive fiber links up to 1.6Tbps and reach up to 25km.

FREMONT, Calif., March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alpine Optoelectronics, Inc., a leading innovator of optical networking technology, introduces a new Single-Wavelength 100G QSFP28 O-band xWDM PAM4 transceiver.

The 100G QSFP28 xWDM transceiver is built on Alpine’s patented nCP4™ Silicon Photonics Optical Engine. Featuring 16 wavelengths from 1295-1312nm at 200GHz spacing aligned to the LAN-WDM grid, the product supports up to 1.6Tbps of data capacity and up to 25km reach over single-mode fiber without dispersion compensation or amplification. Additional wavelengths and spacing may be available on a custom basis. The module offers low latency for delay sensitive applications, and its low power consumption and CAUI-4 host interface are compatible with common 100GE switches.

In addition, the company introduces a 100G QSFP28 ER Lite version to support single channel applications up to 30km or more.

“Alpine’s new 100G QSFP28 xWDM PAM4 transceiver expands our portfolio of silicon photonics-based transceivers and addresses the need for a straightforward and scalable high-speed, low-cost solution for long to extended reach optical interconnects,” said Tongqing Wang, President and CEO of Alpine Optoelectronics. “It provides our partners in datacenter and wireless markets with another innovative and effective tool to meet their increasingly diverse and cost-sensitive requirements.”

Alpine Optoelectronics plans to demonstrate its 100G QSFP28 xWDM technology and other optical connectivity solutions in Booth #3750 at OFC 2022 in San Diego, California from March 8-10.

About Alpine Optoelectronics
Alpine Optoelectronics, Inc. is a US-based innovator in photonic products headquartered in Fremont, California. The company develops and commercializes Silicon Photonics, PAM4, and Coherent optical technologies to deliver advanced solutions for next generation optical networks to our customers and partners.

nCP4 is a trademark of Alpine Optoelectronics, Inc.

For more information visit Alpine Optoelectronics at www.alpineoptoelectronics.com or email us at sales@alpineoptoelectronics.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2364cab3-4147-4b53-ab57-9411038c4499

Posted on

Jay Ambrose: Speech just shows Biden’s failings

Published by
Tribune News Service

He’s confused, President Joe Biden is, and he ought to refuse State of the Union speeches in which this truth spills out and viewers confirm what they have already learned, that he has no idea what he’s doing. It’s not that ideological exhibitionists posing as experts haven’t advised him, but, for starters, how is it that he brings up his American Rescue Plan, saying it helped produce 6.5 million new jobs? Understand as others have noted that the pandemic cost us something like 9 million jobs and, after prolonged pain, we began to experience at least a semblance of recovery and businesses came… Continue reading “Jay Ambrose: Speech just shows Biden’s failings”

Posted on

Hitachi Energy selected as technology partner for the world’s longest AC power-from-shore project in Norway

World-first solution will combine two power quality technologies to deliver renewable energy reliably and safely from the mainland power grid

Zurich, Switzerland, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, the global technology and market leader in power grids, announced today that it has been selected by Aker BP, the Norwegian oil and gas exploration and production company, as technology partner for the NOAKA power-from-shore project off the Norwegian coast. The entire project will be powered by up to 150 megawatts of power from the mainland grid – making it the world’s longest power-from-shore AC connection at around 250 km.

Hitachi Energy will perform detailed front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for a power quality solution that will enable the Aker BP operated NOA Fulla field and the Equinor operated Krafla field in the North Sea to be powered from the mainland. The contract awarded to Hitachi Energy includes an option to deliver the power quality solution when the FEED studies are completed.

By using power from the mainland grid, which is mainly renewable hydropower,  minimizes NOAKA’s carbon footprint. To ensure the smooth, reliable and safe transmission of electricity to the offshore platforms, Hitachi Energy’s solution combines two power quality technologies that have never been used before for this type of application: a high-performance STATCOM, called SVC Light®, and thyristor-controlled series capacitors. The MACH™ control and protection system, will enable the two technologies to work in harmony as a single synchronized solution. This will be made possible by leveraging Hitachi Energy’s extensive and unique know-how in power quality solutions as well as its domain integration capabilities.

“We are delighted that Aker BP has selected our pioneering power quality solution, enabling this vital energy project to be powered with emission-free renewable energy,” says Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “This world-first solution will also enable progress toward mega-scale offshore renewable power installations, offering viable alternative pathways for connecting power from shore with AC over long distances.”

“Our ambition is to develop the NOAKA area with a minimum carbon footprint and a prerequisite for this is that the fields are supplied with power-from-shore,” says Lars Høier, Senior Vice President and Asset Manager for NOAKA at Aker BP. “We selected Hitachi Energy as our trusted technology partner to provide a reliable and flexible grid connection and power quality solution to secure high reliability in our operations.”

Hitachi Energy’s proposed solution comprises a new grid connection to house the STATCOM, thyristor-controlled series capacitors, shunt reactors and gas-insulated switchgear. The solution will also increase the transmission capacity of an existing 420 kV mainland grid connection with new gas-insulated switchgear and a power transformer. These are all technologies made by Hitachi Energy to secure exceptional levels of grid availability and reliability.

Hitachi Energy: proven track record in long-distance power-from-shore

Hitachi Energy supplied the world’s first long-distance power-from-shore installation in Norway in 2005 using its HVDC Light® high-voltage direct current technology. Since then, Hitachi Energy has supplied four of the five HVDC power-from-shore installations, all of which supply platforms off the Norwegian coast. In December 2021, Hitachi Energy won a contract to supply the most powerful power-from-shore solution in the Middle East and North Africa. The solution will deliver 3,200 MW of low-carbon power to two offshore production clusters, reducing the clusters’ emissions by up to 35 percent.

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

 

 

Attachment


Rebecca Bleasdale
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
+41 78643 2613
rebecca.bleasdale@hitachienergy.com
Posted on

Iveco Group and Hyundai Motor Company sign Memorandum of Understanding to explore future collaboration

IVECO GROUP N.V.

Iveco_Group_Hyundai_Motor_Company_MoU_signing

Turin, Italy and Seoul, South Korea, 7 March 2022. Iveco Group (MI: IVG) and Hyundai Motor Company (HYMTF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 4th of March to explore possible collaborations on shared vehicle technology, joint sourcing, and mutual supply.

The signing took place at Hyundai Motor Company and the major participants include Gerrit Marx, CEO of Iveco Group; Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer of Iveco Group; Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company; and Martin Zeilinger, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Development Tech Unit of Hyundai Motor Company.

The MoU is a preliminary step in assessing the potential for the two groups to cooperate in the domains of technology and platforms, encompassing components and systems. Areas of possible mutual interest pertain to electric powertrains and platforms including fuel-cell systems, vehicle automation and connectivity for commercial vehicles.

This agreement is a further step in Iveco Group’s and Hyundai Motor Company’s independent strategies to create leading innovative solutions in today’s fast-changing environment by building an ecosystem of mutually beneficial partnerships.

Iveco Group N.V. (MI: IVG) is a global automotive leader active in the Commercial & Specialty Vehicles, Powertrain, and related Financial Services arenas. Each of its eight brands is a major force in its specific business: IVECO, a pioneering commercial vehicles brand that designs, manufactures, and markets heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks; FPT Industrial, a global leader in a vast array of advanced powertrain technologies in the agriculture, construction, marine, power generation, and commercial vehicles sectors; IVECO BUS and HEULIEZ, mass-transit and premium bus and coach brands; Iveco Defence Vehicles, for highly-specialised defence and civil protection equipment; ASTRA, a leader in large-scale heavy-duty quarry and construction vehicles; Magirus, the industry-reputed firefighting vehicle and equipment manufacturer; and IVECO CAPITAL, the financing arm which supports them all. Iveco Group employs approximately 34,000 people around the world and has 29 manufacturing plants and 31 R&D centres. Further information is available on the Company’s website www.ivecogroup.com

Media Contacts:
Francesco Polsinelli, Tel: +39 335 1776091
Fabio Lepore, Tel: +39 335 7469007
E-mail: mediarelations@ivecogroup.com

About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe.
Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.
The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services.
In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
http://worldwide.hyundai.com or http://globalpr.hyundai.com

Contact:
Jin Cha
Global PR Team / Hyundai Motor Company
sjcar@hyundai.com
+82 2 3464 2128

Attachments

Posted on

CORONAVIRUS/CECC proposes NT$500 incentives to spur COVID vaccination of seniors

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Monday advised local governments to offer incentives valued at up to NT$500 (US$17.6) per shot to encourage seniors to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The incentives will be offered to people aged 65 and above who receive either their first, second, or third COVID-19 vaccine shot from March 10 to April 10, said Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung (???), who heads the CECC.

The cost of the incentives will be borne by the central government, and local governments can decide what forms the incentives take, Chen said.

In Taiwan, 76.5 percent of people aged 75 and above have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, 69.9 percent have gotten at least two doses, and 50.1 percent have gotten a booster shot, according to CECC data valid as of the end of February.

The first-dose and second-dose vaccination rates of this age group are the lowest of all age groups eligible for the vaccine in Taiwan, followed by those in the 50-64 age group and the 65-74 age group, whose vaccination rates differ only slightly, CECC data shows.

In the 50-64 age group, 86.9 percent have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, 81.6 percent have gotten at least two doses, and 50.8 percent have gotten a booster shot.

In the 65-74 age group, 87.2 percent have gotten at least one dose, 83.0 percent have gotten at least two doses, and 63.3 percent have gotten a booster.

Seniors are hesitant to get vaccinated due to concerns over the side effects and the fact that the COVID-19 situation in Taiwan has been stable recently, Chen said.

However, based on the difference in death rates and severe symptoms caused by COVID-19 between those vaccinated and unvaccinated, “the pros of getting vaccinated definitely outweigh the cons,” he said.

In Hong Kong, data from Jan. 1 to March 5 show that there was a difference of up to 17 times in the death rate of people aged 60-69 who contracted COVID-19 based on their vaccination status, Hung Tzu-jen (???), deputy superintendent at Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, said at the CECC press briefing.

The death rate of those who received two doses of the vaccine was 0.04 percent, much lower than the 0.71 percent death rate for those who had not been vaccinated or had received only one dose, Hung said.

The difference in death rate between those who have gotten two doses and those who have not was 9.5 times in the 70-79 age group, and 6.5 times in those 80 years old and above, Hung said.

One of the reasons why the recent wave of COVID-19 infections in Hong Kong has been so serious is because many seniors were unvaccinated, placing a heavy burden on the region’s healthcare system, Hung said, and he urged people in Taiwan to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

To date, 82.96 percent of Taiwan’s population of 23.35 million have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, while 77.17 percent have gotten two doses.

Since the introduction of a third dose in late December, 44.40 percent of the population have received a booster dose, and 0.82 percent have been given an additional dose, which are third shots given to immunocompromised people who may not develop the same immune response level after vaccination as others.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Posted on

Taiwan to donate NT$100 million to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Taiwan will donate NT$100 million (US$3.53 million) to help Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Poland after the Russian invasion of their country, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???) announced Monday.

The donation will be transferred soon by Taiwan’s representative to Poland Bob Chen (???) to Poland’s Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency in Warsaw before it will be spent on Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Wu said at a press briefing.

The donated money will be allocated from a government-designated account that has so far raised around NT$300 million donated by people in Taiwan to help displaced Ukrainians, according to Wu.

The fundraising account will continue to be active until April 1.

In his address, Wu said the government-backed campaign had raised nearly NT$300 million in less than five days since it was established to accept financial donations to help Ukrainians.

The donations demonstrate a strong consensus among Taiwanese that “we care and we want to help,” Wu said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also announced that for 12 consecutive days, it would be accepting donations of relief materials from Taiwanese people.

These donated supplies will later be shipped to Slovakia to help the Ukrainian refugees that fled to the country following the Russian invasion, he added.

All these efforts are being made by Taiwan as part of a humanitarian mission to show solidarity with Ukraine, according to Wu, who applauded the Ukrainians for defending their country with “tremendous courage.”

“You have been an inspiration to the Taiwanese people in facing a threat from an authoritarian regime,” Wu said.

Meanwhile, Anatolii Bakurov, a Ukrainian who has lived in Taiwan for 10 years, attended Monday’s press event on behalf of the Ukrainian community in the country.

Expressing gratitude for all the help being offered by Taiwan, Bakurov called the ongoing invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin a “genocide” against Ukrainian people but said his country would not back down.

“What Putin did has actually united all Ukrainian people to fight together,” he said.

Bakurov also reiterated the local Ukrainian community’s ongoing call for Taiwan’s government to allow Ukrainian refugees, especially youngsters and children who have relatives in Taiwan, to enter via a special visa or visa-free entry.

“We just hope that Taiwan’s government can come up with a scheme to allow more Ukrainians to come to safer places as soon as possible,” he said.

According to Bakurov, there are around 200 Ukrainians who have residency in Taiwan.

In response, Wu said that as Taiwan does not have a representative office in Ukraine and both countries have had little official interaction, it would be difficult for the government to offer visa-free entry to Ukrainians.

However, he said his ministry was holding talks with other government bodies to allow Ukrainians to come to Taiwan for certain reasons such as to study at local schools so that they can stay in the country.

These discussions are still ongoing and the government will make an official announcement if a final decision is made, said Wu.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Proudly powered by WordPress