Suchergebnisse

Like many regions across the globe, the Western Balkans is struggling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The region's most salient problems of prolonged political instability, economic stagnation, and emigration of its best and brightest, have worsened during the pandemic. Moving forward, the extent of the economic and social damage will be determined by two variables: the extent of political instability and the depth of the recession in the EU.

The COVID-19, or coronavirus global pandemic, has required huge responses from governments all over the world. Timor-Leste has its own unique requirements when addressing an event of this magnitude. This research aims to understand: - The concerns of the people of Timor-Leste - How well people are adopting prevention measures and taking care of their health - The level of trust in government - The use of, and satisfaction with, government programs - The social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic - How household tasks have been distributed during the pandemic - The resilience of individuals and their communities, and - The sources of news and information the people of Timor-Leste are relying on to stay informed about the pandemic.

COVID-19 is transforming cities globally. Across the world, cities have been hotspots for COVID-19 outbreaks, but they have also been at the forefront of efforts to adapt and innovate to protect citizens from COVID-19 and the damage it is causing. So far, cities across Myanmar have rightly focused on managing their short-term response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. DAOs and CDCs have been stretching their resources to implement lockdown measures, support businesses and meet residents' basic needs. However, as it is becoming clear that COVID-19's effects will not disappear quickly, it is important that DAOs/CDCs also consider how they can keep functioning sustainably in the longer-term. This report looks specifically at the sources of municipal revenue which cities need to keep running. It considers how revenues could be affected by COVID-19 and what DAOs and CDCs can do about these effects. DAOs and CDCs receive minimal financial support from Myanmar subnational and union governments and so must levy a mixture of taxes and fees on local economic activity to fund their activities. The arrival of COVID-19 has caused a slowdown in local economic activity and made it practically challenging for DAO/CDC officials to collect some revenues safely. The result is that municipalities face a difficult challenge – just as municipal revenues are urgently needed to fund a swift response to COVID-19 and sustain urban services, municipalities face the prospect of a dramatic decline in revenues. This report considers how DAOs and CDCs can respond sustainably to this new challenge. Although COVID-19 in Myanmar could remain relatively well contained with lesser health implications than in neighbouring countries, there is still a huge amount of scientific, economic and political uncertainty facing cities. The economic shock from COVID-19 is likely to be global and the risk of a second outbreak of infections is a very real threat.1 In a best-case scenario where the effects of virus are contained, we hope this report provides a useful overview of municipal revenues. In a worst-case scenario, where COVID-19 wreaks extreme public health and economic damage across Myanmar's cities, we hope that this analysis can provide a useful tool for quickly adjusting local revenue policy. Section 2 of this note looks at the current sources of municipal revenue in Taunggyi, Pathein and Mandalay to identify which sources of revenue are most important for municipalities. Section 3 considers the characteristics of each source of revenue in detail and how they are likely to be impacted by COVID-19. Section 4 considers the policy options available to DAOs, and Section 5 presents a scenario analysis exploring the possible impact of different policy options. Finally, Section 6 concludes.

All the ignorance, fibbing, and emoting doesn't change
the facts that make Republican state Rep. Gabe Firment's
HB 463
worth enacting, if not vitally so, into law.

The bill would prohibit any procedure that physically
or hormonally changes the sexual physiology of a minor, except in the very rare
instances of disorder of sex development or dealing with the consequences of
previous attempts to change sex. Science unimpeachably
supports
the proposition behind the bill that these permanent alterations to children almost
always cause more harm than good, and out of an abundance of caution under the
watchful waiting protocol typically practiced in Europe that plays out to allow for developing physical, mental, and maturity until adulthood for those who at some
point believe they want to try to change their sex, this protects children from rash decision-making by them and others affecting their adolescent
lives.

Unfortunately, this area of investigation suffers from
a plague of poor research quality. Common problems of these studies feature
unrepresentative samples, lack of adequate controls, and unjustified inferential
leaps. The efforts that do the best in avoiding these pitfalls shatter common myths
circulated by advocates of making permanent physical changes to children who at
some point identify as transgender.

One myth concerning about these children is they
have an elevated desire for suicide and related indicators of harm solely
because they feel their identity mismatched with their sex. In fact, that risk
is comparable to that of other psychological conditions such as depression, anorexia,
and autism that predisposes them to suicide, and in some cases differ little significantly
from the population without these conditions.

Where elevated levels are observed in large part occur
because of the high degree of association of transgender identification with
these and other psychological disorders. (Also associated: natal sex, where
girls are significantly more likely to report a desire to change sex.) As for a
counter hypothesis that societal attitudes create a stigma driving confused
children to self-harm, quality research simply doesn't support that and this notion
runs counter to experiences in previous historical periods where even greater societal
pressures operated on children to conform to certain sex roles yet the child
suicide rate was much lower.

The best, most recent research reveals that transgendered-identified
youth respond well to traditional psychotherapy in alleviating psychological
distress, whereas long-run studies of those who underwent medical transition show
this doesn't reduce and perhaps even exacerbates distress. Other research
indicates that social contagion or psychological difficulties with
parents encourages adopting identification differing from sex as a response
to these stimuli.

Another myth is that the rate of suicide and other
contemplated harmful behavior decreases with physical alterations. Collectively,
quality research suggests a "honeymoon" period in the short run, but the sparse
long-term research available paints a disturbing picture where harmful thinking
returns, with those who underwent surgery or medication having a significantly higher
rate of suicide attempts, pointing to the underlying mental health causes
associated with a desire to change sex.

Finally, there is the myth that those who do undergo
physical transition overwhelmingly are satisfied. Again, when reviewing the
best research, there is no evidence of this, and there is plenty of anecdotal
evidence demonstrating a significant number of those altered surgically or
medicinally having regrets. Further, any observed childhood dysphoria if left
untreated physically typically turns
into desisting from a desire to change sex and by adulthood those who had it
most likely will adopt homosexuality.

In other words, given the state of quality
research, claims that preference must be given to the wishes of children at a
given moment that they should undergo physical and endocrinological mutilation
are reckless and irresponsible, built upon myth and ideological opportunism,
and that medical professionals complicit in this shamefully either are ignorant
about the area in which they assert to have expertise or they are driven by
motives unrecognizable from those associated with the Hippocratic Oath.
Regrettably, several such individuals appeared to testify against the bill.

(Also deserving of opprobrium is a study,
requested by a resolution Firment had pass last year, by the Department of
Health utilizing Medicaid data which it largely contracted out that did provide
some useful data but completely botched an assessment of outcomes, due to search
criteria that ignored research quality and limited substantially the number evaluated
while including studies with the problems listed above. This stood in stark
contrast to a much more comprehensive and careful study
compiled for the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration last year that
didn't largely waste taxpayer dollars.)

The emoting part was left to a parade of allegedly
potentially aggrieved adults over these restrictions. They represent the
children of intellectual trends that have invaded the academy and public square
that place primacy on people's feelings and perceptions rather than evidence-based
data and critical thinking in the making of policy, a mindset that increasingly
marks the thinking of the political left.

Even so, some leftist allies didn't buy it. This
week, the House
Health and Welfare Committee passed
the bill by substitute with only a couple of Democrats, state Reps. Jason Hughes
and Larry
Selders, and the most roguish Republican in the chamber, state Rep. Joe Stagni,
opposing the other 14 members (including recent new Democrat Roy Daryl Adams).
This poses a big political problem for Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards,
who two years ago said he
would veto that kind of bill and others restricting a transgender agenda.

That's because last
year with Democrats aiding Republicans, he capitulated on a bill he vetoed the
year before that prevented biological males from competing in athletic events restricted
to biological females and also had
a veto overturned, demonstrating if the numbers are enough he can't stop
bills from becoming law. The committee vote's overwhelming nature compels the
bill's moving forward until it becomes law, and rightly so. Children's welfare
and lives depend upon it.

Analysis of the experience of performing tasks by units and subdivisions of territorial defense (ТD) in 2014-2015 allows us to conclude that the degree of compliance with the construction of the ТD system for a specific task largely depends on how fully and correctly the effect of external and internal factors is taken into account TD.The degree of influence of conditions and factors on the degree of compliance with the construction of the TD system for a specific task varies depending on changes in the military-political situation, the level of economic development of states and armed forces of the opposing sides, the state of the infrastructure, and operational equipment of the country.The purpose of the article is to determine the conditions and factors affecting the use of troop forces (forces) when performing certain tasks.External conditions and factors can be considered objective for the troops of the Troops (forces) TD, since they characterize the elements of the situation that the troops (forces) of TD do not influence. In this case, we are talking about taking into account the influence of these factors on the performance of assigned tasks in order to minimize negative and enhance positive signs.Internal conditions and factors in this situation should be considered as subjective, since changes in their quantitative and qualitative parameters are in the sphere of activity of the troop (force) command and control bodies.External and internal conditions and factors, as essential components of the conditions of use of troop forces (forces), directly affect the definition of the tasks of the solid radioactive waste, the choice of forms of application and the mode of operation of troop forces (forces) TD. The composition of the conditions and factors influencing the use of troops (forces) of the TD, in general, for different conditions remain unchanged. Only the content of conditions and factors will change, which will characterize the varying degree of influence of conditions on the use of troops (forces) of the TD: objectives, forms of application, and methods of action.It is shown that the factors that determine the impact of conditions on the use of troops (forces) of the TD when performing tasks are inherent in a multilateral, complex nature, which requires their mandatory consideration.In further studies it is advisable to highlight the indicators for assessing the degree of compliance with the construction of a territorial defense system with certain tasks. ; Анализ опыта выполнения задач частями и подразделениями территориальной обороны (ТРо) в 2014-2015 годах позволяет сделать вывод, что степень соответствия построения системы ТРо определенной задачи в значительной степени зависит от того, насколько полно и правильно учтено влияние внешних и внутренних факторов, условий выполнения задач ТРo.Степень влияния условий и факторов на степень соответствия построения системы ТРо определенной задачи меняется в зависимости от изменений военно-политической обстановки, уровня развития экономики государств и вооруженных сил противоборствующих сторон, состояния инфраструктуры, оперативного оборудования территории страны.Целью статьи является определение условий и факторов, влияющих на применение войск (сил) ТРо при выполнении ими определенных задач.Внешние условия и факторы можно считать объективными для войск (сил) ТРо, поскольку они характеризует элементы обстановки, на которые войска (силы) ТРо не влияют. В данном случае речь идет об учете влияния этих факторов на выполнение возложенных задач для минимизации негативных и усиления положительных признаков.Внутренние условия и факторы в этой ситуации следует рассматривать как субъективные, поскольку изменения их количественных и качественных параметров находятся в сфере деятельности органов управления войсками (силами) ТРо.Внешние и внутренние условия и факторы, как существенные составляющие условий применения войск (сил) ТРо, непосредственно влияют на определение задач ТРО, выбора форм применения и способа действий войск (сил) ТРо. Состав условий и факторов, влияющих на применение войск (сил) ТРо, в целом, для разных условий остаются неизменным. Изменится лишь содержание условий и факторов, что и будет характеризовать различную степень влияния условий на применение войск (сил) ТРо: задачи, формы применения, способы действий.Показано, что факторам, которые определяют влияние условий на применение войск (сил) ТРо при выполнении задач присущ многосторонний, комплексный характер, что требует обязательного их учета.В дальнейших исследованиях целесообразно осветить показатели оценки степени соответствия построения системы территориальной обороны определенным заданиям. ; Аналіз досвіду виконання завдань частинами та підрозділами територіальної оборони (ТрО) у 2014–2015 роках дає змогу дійти висновку, що ступінь відповідності побудови системи ТрО визначеним завданням значною мірою залежить від того, наскільки повно і правильно враховано вплив зовнішніх і внутрішніх чинників, умов виконання завдань ТрО.Ступінь впливу умов і чинників на ступінь відповідності побудови системи ТрО визначеним завданням змінюється залежно від змін воєнно-політичної обстановки, рівня розвитку економіки держав і збройних сил протиборчих сторін, стану інфраструктури, оперативного обладнання території країни тощо.Метою статті є визначення умов і чинників, які впливають на застосування військ (сил) ТрО під час виконання ними визначених завдань.Зовнішні умови та чинники можна вважати об'єктивними для військ (сил) ТрО, оскільки характеризують елементи обстановки, на які війська (сили) ТрО не впливають. У цьому разі йдеться про врахування впливу цих факторів на виконання покладених завдань для мінімізації негативних і посилення позитивних ознак.Внутрішні умови та чинники в цій ситуації слід розглядати як суб'єктивні, оскільки зміни їх кількісних і якісних параметрів перебувають у сфері діяльності органів управління військами (силами) ТрО.Зовнішні та внутрішні умови і чинники, як найсуттєвіші складові умов застосування військ (сил) ТрО, безпосередньо впливатимуть на визначення завдань ТрО, вибору форм застосування та способу дій військ (сил) ТрО. Склад умов і чинників, які впливають на застосування військ (сил) ТрО, у цілому, для різних умов залишатиметься незмінним. Зміниться лише зміст умов і чинників, що й буде характеризувати різний ступінь впливу умов на застосування військ (сил) ТрО: завдання, форми застосування, способи дій тощо.Показано, що чинникам, які визначають вплив умов на застосування військ (сил) ТрО під час виконання завдань притаманний багатобічний, комплексний характер, що потребує обов'язкового їх урахування.У подальших дослідженнях доцільно висвітлити показники оцінювання ступеня відповідності побудови системи територіальної оборони визначеним завданням.

Analysis of the experience of performing tasks by units and subdivisions of territorial defense (ТD) in 2014-2015 allows us to conclude that the degree of compliance with the construction of the ТD system for a specific task largely depends on how fully and correctly the effect of external and internal factors is taken into account TD.The degree of influence of conditions and factors on the degree of compliance with the construction of the TD system for a specific task varies depending on changes in the military-political situation, the level of economic development of states and armed forces of the opposing sides, the state of the infrastructure, and operational equipment of the country.The purpose of the article is to determine the conditions and factors affecting the use of troop forces (forces) when performing certain tasks.External conditions and factors can be considered objective for the troops of the Troops (forces) TD, since they characterize the elements of the situation that the troops (forces) of TD do not influence. In this case, we are talking about taking into account the influence of these factors on the performance of assigned tasks in order to minimize negative and enhance positive signs.Internal conditions and factors in this situation should be considered as subjective, since changes in their quantitative and qualitative parameters are in the sphere of activity of the troop (force) command and control bodies.External and internal conditions and factors, as essential components of the conditions of use of troop forces (forces), directly affect the definition of the tasks of the solid radioactive waste, the choice of forms of application and the mode of operation of troop forces (forces) TD. The composition of the conditions and factors influencing the use of troops (forces) of the TD, in general, for different conditions remain unchanged. Only the content of conditions and factors will change, which will characterize the varying degree of influence of conditions on the use of troops (forces) of the TD: objectives, forms of application, and methods of action.It is shown that the factors that determine the impact of conditions on the use of troops (forces) of the TD when performing tasks are inherent in a multilateral, complex nature, which requires their mandatory consideration.In further studies it is advisable to highlight the indicators for assessing the degree of compliance with the construction of a territorial defense system with certain tasks. ; Анализ опыта выполнения задач частями и подразделениями территориальной обороны (ТРо) в 2014-2015 годах позволяет сделать вывод, что степень соответствия построения системы ТРо определенной задачи в значительной степени зависит от того, насколько полно и правильно учтено влияние внешних и внутренних факторов, условий выполнения задач ТРo.Степень влияния условий и факторов на степень соответствия построения системы ТРо определенной задачи меняется в зависимости от изменений военно-политической обстановки, уровня развития экономики государств и вооруженных сил противоборствующих сторон, состояния инфраструктуры, оперативного оборудования территории страны.Целью статьи является определение условий и факторов, влияющих на применение войск (сил) ТРо при выполнении ими определенных задач.Внешние условия и факторы можно считать объективными для войск (сил) ТРо, поскольку они характеризует элементы обстановки, на которые войска (силы) ТРо не влияют. В данном случае речь идет об учете влияния этих факторов на выполнение возложенных задач для минимизации негативных и усиления положительных признаков.Внутренние условия и факторы в этой ситуации следует рассматривать как субъективные, поскольку изменения их количественных и качественных параметров находятся в сфере деятельности органов управления войсками (силами) ТРо.Внешние и внутренние условия и факторы, как существенные составляющие условий применения войск (сил) ТРо, непосредственно влияют на определение задач ТРО, выбора форм применения и способа действий войск (сил) ТРо. Состав условий и факторов, влияющих на применение войск (сил) ТРо, в целом, для разных условий остаются неизменным. Изменится лишь содержание условий и факторов, что и будет характеризовать различную степень влияния условий на применение войск (сил) ТРо: задачи, формы применения, способы действий.Показано, что факторам, которые определяют влияние условий на применение войск (сил) ТРо при выполнении задач присущ многосторонний, комплексный характер, что требует обязательного их учета.В дальнейших исследованиях целесообразно осветить показатели оценки степени соответствия построения системы территориальной обороны определенным заданиям. ; Аналіз досвіду виконання завдань частинами та підрозділами територіальної оборони (ТрО) у 2014–2015 роках дає змогу дійти висновку, що ступінь відповідності побудови системи ТрО визначеним завданням значною мірою залежить від того, наскільки повно і правильно враховано вплив зовнішніх і внутрішніх чинників, умов виконання завдань ТрО.Ступінь впливу умов і чинників на ступінь відповідності побудови системи ТрО визначеним завданням змінюється залежно від змін воєнно-політичної обстановки, рівня розвитку економіки держав і збройних сил протиборчих сторін, стану інфраструктури, оперативного обладнання території країни тощо.Метою статті є визначення умов і чинників, які впливають на застосування військ (сил) ТрО під час виконання ними визначених завдань.Зовнішні умови та чинники можна вважати об'єктивними для військ (сил) ТрО, оскільки характеризують елементи обстановки, на які війська (сили) ТрО не впливають. У цьому разі йдеться про врахування впливу цих факторів на виконання покладених завдань для мінімізації негативних і посилення позитивних ознак.Внутрішні умови та чинники в цій ситуації слід розглядати як суб'єктивні, оскільки зміни їх кількісних і якісних параметрів перебувають у сфері діяльності органів управління військами (силами) ТрО.Зовнішні та внутрішні умови і чинники, як найсуттєвіші складові умов застосування військ (сил) ТрО, безпосередньо впливатимуть на визначення завдань ТрО, вибору форм застосування та способу дій військ (сил) ТрО. Склад умов і чинників, які впливають на застосування військ (сил) ТрО, у цілому, для різних умов залишатиметься незмінним. Зміниться лише зміст умов і чинників, що й буде характеризувати різний ступінь впливу умов на застосування військ (сил) ТрО: завдання, форми застосування, способи дій тощо.Показано, що чинникам, які визначають вплив умов на застосування військ (сил) ТрО під час виконання завдань притаманний багатобічний, комплексний характер, що потребує обов'язкового їх урахування.У подальших дослідженнях доцільно висвітлити показники оцінювання ступеня відповідності побудови системи територіальної оборони визначеним завданням.

A rough estimation for avoidable losses in the European Union (EU) is 280 kg per capita per year, of which 13% can arise from agricultural production, 31% from product processing and 45% from households. The role of packaging in preserving fresh and processed foods is well known and documented but little research is available about the relation existing among new packaging solutions, shelf life extension and Food Loss, and waste reduction at different levels at the supply chain. Techniques as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) have been largely used to determine the Environmental Impact of food production and processing and packaging materials. However, the assessment taking into account the food and its packaging as a whole system, and of Food Loss reduction is necessary. In fact, from a life cycle perspective, no assessment of the Environmental Impact of food packaging showed the positive benefits of reduced Food Losses in the value chain. In this PhD project, the shelf life extension of red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) and strawberries (Fragaria x Ananassa Duch) using active packaging solutions was investigated. The shelf life extension, critical indicators and cut-off criteria were defined as a tool to point out the time at which the lifetime ended and they were elaborated by multivariate approach. The final aim was to estimate the role of a new packaging technology in reducing the Environmental Impact along the supply chain in relation to the benefits of the Food Loss reduction derived from the actual Shelf Life Extension. For raspberries trial, three packaging solutions was studied: a) Lidded macro-perforated PET trays containing 125 g of berries, stored in air and considered as "traditional" packaging; b) lidded macro-perforated PET trays containing 125 g of berries inserted into master bags made of plastic materials with different permeabilities to gas and water vapour. This solution was referred to a passive modified packaging solution. c) macro-perforated PET trays containing 125 g of berries inserted into a master bag unit made of LDPE (OTR 4000 cm3*m-2*day-1 at 23 °C and 0 %RH). Before sealing, a defined volume of compressed dry air (moisturized by using distilled water applied onto paper towels), one oxygen scavenger, and a different number of pre-activated carbon dioxide emitters were added to the master bag. For strawberries trial three packaging solutions was studied: a) Lidded PET macro-perforated trays containing 250 g of fruits and stored in air were considered as "traditional" packaging; b) lidded PET macro-perforated trays (250 g of berries/tray) were inserted into an LDPE (OTR 4000 cm3*m-2*day-1 at 23 °C and 0 %RH) master bag. c) A different number of PET macro-perforated trays were inserted into an LDPE master bag. A central composite design (CCD) with four factors (number of CO2 emitters, number of O2 scavengers, ratio between packaging surface area and unfilled volume, storage time) at five levels was performed to optimize the active packaging solution. All the samples were stored in a cold chamber (5±1 °C; 70±5 %RH). Different physical-chemical and sensorial analyses were performed as following to identify for each packaging solution the shelf life value: Damaged berries (%), Mouldy berries (%); Weight loss (%); Colour (CIE L*, a* and b* parameters); Total solids (g/100g); Soluble solids (g/100g); pH; Titratable acidity (g citric acid/100 g); Consistency determined by single compression test (force*deformation at 60% of deformation); Volatile compounds by SPME-GC-MS technique; Sensorial global and Visual acceptability. In order to analyze the results from a multidimensional point of view, the obtained data were analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Il ciclo di vita per ogni soluzione di imballaggio è stata valutata utilizzando il software 8.0.1 SimaPro®. The boundaries of the system was set from the berries production until the retailer storage, take into consideration also the operations to disposal of the packaging materials. The functional unit for this study was set as the day of shelf life. In the raspberries studies, the active packaging solution allowed the raspberries storage up to 11 days. This value was almost three times longer than the "traditional" packaging solution that allowed a shelf life value of 4 days. The Passive packaging solution allowed lead to a shelf life extension as 2 days in comparison to the traditional packaging. For each packaging solution have been done the assessment of the environmental impact using the LCA methodology. The "traditional" packaging solution determined the highest daily impact among the packaging solutions evaluated. The passive and active packaging solutions determined a significative reduction, in terms of environmental load, up to 55% and 70%, respectively. The extension of the lifetime of berries contribute also to reduce the food loss even if the environmental impact of packaging system (active devices and master bag) was increased. This increment was balanced from the environmental impact of food saved by using the new packaging solution. The assessment of strawberries shelf life stored in the traditional packaging systems established only 2 days as value, while in the passive packaging solution lead to a shelf life extension up to 4 days longer. The optimization of the packaging factors in the active packaging solution extended the berries storage until 12 days. The "traditional" packaging determined the highest daily impact than the other packaging solutions. The passive and active packaging solutions determined a significative reduction in environmental load respect to the "traditional" solution up to 66% and 82%, respectively. The implementation of LCA methodology with lifetime data assessed by experimental shelf life trials and multivariate analyses allowed the definition of the impact of new technologies based on active packaging, taking into account their role in shelf life extension. Although based on some assumptions, this PhD study tried to explain and measure how new packaging can affect fruits losses directly or indirectly by influencing the scenarios at different levels of the supply chain. The lack of economic and logistic information about Food Losses (and specific data on this kind of fruits) in the Italian supply and distribution chain should open to new and more useful considerations.

The Constitution of Kenya provides that most functions of the state are decentralized in a devolution process. The devolved health system is four tiered: community health services, primary care services, county referral services, and national referral services. However, even though roles and responsibilities are elaborately outlined, in practice the transition from national to county governments has been marred by inconsistency, poor understanding of the system, management challenges, and lack of coordination between the national and county governments. This policy note provides observations from a pilot that tested integration of social accountability mechanisms in healthcare delivery in Kenya between 2011 and 2013.

The year 2020 will be recorded in world history as one of the most challenging periods. With the benefit of hindsight from previous crises, humanity will eventually (and this time hopefully) prevail. Covid-19 pandemic which has been around for a full calendar year sets a reminder and a call for us to adapt with a new mindset to embrace the new normal in our life. Not many countries can strike a delicate balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods during this difficult time. Obviously, most developing countries have been struggling to control this seemingly intractable calamity from the first day of the outbreak. Covid-19 pandemic has sent the world one strong message, it is that we are only as safe as the most vulnerable among us. This indicates the central place of solidarity in our life. While we are predicting the emergency-authorized vaccine as the "game-changer", estimating the outcome in the following years leads us to numerous possibilities and scenarios. Questions surrounding vaccine distribution, efficacy rate, and unintended consequences will still linger. Narrowing down the probabilities will lead us to two contrasting scenarios either growth will be propelled immediately or growth will not be accelerated due to various factors. Echoing previous editorial notes, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on SDGs targets (also to other global and national development plans) can be mixed. The quintessential question is on how we maintain positive outcomes when the pandemic is over and how to get back on the right track. Apparently, many development targets need to be revised and some if not most of them might not be easy to catch up with. This situation arguably sets a backdrop for "the great reset" where all development strategies need to be restarted, policies have to be scrutinized, and targets must be re-calibrated. Undoubtedly, making predictions these days is not an easy job indeed. Too many variables and events need to be taken into account so as to reflect the complex world we live in. Sophisticated statistical methods and state-of-the-art computation technology do not really guarantee accuracy. It only needs a shock which makes our prediction becomes irrelevant. Many these days acknowledge VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) as inherent characteristics of modern development. This poses serious challenges for those who work as planners in various contexts. Revising our projection might increase credibility but nobody knows for how long the revised targets will remain in a dynamic setting like nowadays. The year 2020 gives a lesson that we seemingly learn the hard way. One important lesson is on finding the correct perspective in viewing government spending. For many years we have seen the dominant role of government spending in development and it becomes more prominent when the economy stagnates. However, we have also been constantly looking for a better way to increase the quality of spending and more importantly: the way we measure it. Apparently, it seems, current measurement is inextricably linked with rigid public accounting standard which does not allow much flexibility and largely fulfills an administrative purpose. Sadly, it tends to normalize the "gold standard" of government spending: "the more we spend, the better" which unfortunately reveals the downside of such a spending pattern. That explains the acceleration of absorption rate at the end of the fiscal year, anecdotes on a spending frenzy, and whimsical disbursement for the sake of spending. Alternative measurement like efficiency score needs to be introduced immediately as a replacement of current performance indicators which is merely based on the monetary-based absorption rate of the annual budget. A simplistic method of budget absorption rate might still be relevant with tangible projects like infrastructure but it might be barely sensible within the context of intangible activities such as research, studies, advisory, and other knowledge sector-related projects. In order to reduce the Covid-19 contagion, governments opt for mobility restriction which consequently causes almost entirely business activities into the hold. Travelling and MICE industries—which arguably predominates government spending on knowledge-sector as well as one of the most prioritized sectors in the economy—have been hit the hardest during the pandemic. The inefficiency problem has been rising to the surface and this time should attract more attention to policymakers and scholars. This sends an urgent call for those who are competent to develop a correct alternative to measure one's performance. Indeed, government spending is considered as the prime mover during difficult times and plays a pivotal role to accelerate economic recovery. However, the quality of spending will determine policy effectiveness. Mobility restriction brings a corollary that practices like working from home, digital economy, and assistive technology become a new normal. Numerous companies in developed countries pledged to resume this highly efficient and environment-friendly practice even after the pandemic. Yet, we have to ponder upon this shift into the context of developing countries where the informal economy is still rampant with the labor force population entering its peak. Probably unbeknownst to many, this "inefficiency" and negative externality (air pollution, road congestion, disposed waste) somehow correlates with employment creation and significantly acts as an economic multiplier. Finding the balance between "multiplier" and "efficiency" on government spending is therefore another issue that should be on the problem-solving bucket list. With quality spending, the policy effectiveness will lead to better outcomes which hopefully will bring rapid recovery. Not only have the Covid-19 crisis taken a heavy toll on people's lives, but it also made a dent in the global economy. Its adverse impact on jobs, livelihoods, poverty, and inequality has been reversing some of the gains that countries had made over the past few decades. To contain the damage, countries the world over have been adopting and adapting various policies to protect their populations and stabilize the economy. Problems and challenges that remain unsolved before the pandemic have been looking for solutions. Therefore, in this issue, we invite authors from diverse academic backgrounds to present their works not exclusively revolving around topics on Covid-19 pandemic but also to other important themes such as poverty (Nuryitmawan), urban planning (Sari et al), public finance (Putri), disaster mitigation (Erlinna), environment (Yazawa and Shimizu), well-being measurement (Suriadi and Kususanto), middle class (Pratomo et al), and tourism (Warganegara). We invite the readership to give us feedback on these articles and we surely welcome submissions on other topics from all fields of science in the upcoming issue.

The vast majority of environmental problems derive from human action, by dangerously disrupting the natural activity of the biosphere. However, as ecological problems are piling up also a greater ecological awareness is developing in the world, supported by several Non-Governmental Organizations – NGO. These organizations often lead governments in the creation of funds for the protection of ecosystems and endangered species. In fact, although legal regulations put pressure on governments to adopt greener policies, recent history shows that there is still a long way to go, since the ecological question does not obey merely the legal norms, but mainly to individual and community ethical values. This work examines the environmental crisis in the perspective of a real and global problem, linked to the concept of Sustainable Development – SD. It aims to instigate a greater sensitivity to environmental issues in the decision-making entities, encouraging them to be more involved in the adoption of more sustainable development models. The study relies on a critical review of the literature. To understand how it reached to a saturation point of the environment on a global scale, it highlights the environmental crisis and the awakening of consciences to the principles of SD, the hegemonic development of capitalism and the environmental ethics, in the context of carrying capacity of the planet. The environmental ethics and the planet's carrying capacity At the beginning of the new millennium the indicators show that mankind consumes natural resources 50% more than the Earth can provide. The ecological footprint is twice the 1966 ecological footprint (WWF, 2010), requiring 1.5 planets to satisfy the needs of the current society. A sustainable community is generally defined as one that is able to meet their needs without reducing the related odds for the next generations. The Earth resistance limits clearly indicate that as the consumption of energy accelerates more quickly decreases the real time available for species. Thus, an organism that consumes their livelihood faster than the environment produces them has no chance to survive (Tiezzi 1988). Throughout human evolution, it can be found registers of societies whose criteria to satisfaction of needs have their genesis in the carrying capacity of the environment (Fernandes, 2001), connecting to the cosmos and feeling part of it. In these societies, the man is connected by ties of training and information to land, air, water, plants and animals (Branco 1989). Closely linked to the society development is the concept of 'carrying capacity' expression originally proposed by the ecology, indicating the maximum theoretical density of individuals that the environment can support in the long-term (Odum 1997). This concept is much more complex when related to human societies. In fact, in these societies, the carrying capacity takes on a new dimension to incorporate other elements such as technology, accumulated knowledge and the relationship between social groups (Odum, 1997). It shows how human societies have skills to acquire and incorporate natural resources from other environments or societies (Odum, 1997). So, while poor countries cannot meet their needs with their own resources, technological resources and accumulation of knowledge, the rich countries' lifestyle based on high consumption of resources, energy and technology largely exceeded the carrying capacity of their territories. To satisfy their demand, they import energy, goods and services from poor countries, which mean an extension of the carrying capacity promoted by political, economic and even military mechanisms (Odum, 1997). If, for example, each person wishes to achieve the lifestyle of an American, it would not be possible to accommodate the entire planet's population. Americans represent 4% of world population, but consume 33% of energy and natural resources of the world (Medina, 2010). In the begin of this millennium the developed countries represented less than 25% of the world population, but consuming 75% of all the energy produced, 70% of fuels, 85% of timber and 72% of steel (Kraemer, 2003). This development model requires high rates of rejection of waste and effluents. Therefore, while developed societies perform as a model for all other societies, it rejects the maintenance of the natural system which systematically is destroyed (Medina, 2010). There have been several discourses grounded in ethics and solidarity to deal with the ecological crisis. Arruda (1998) appeals to the logics of the 'solidarity socio-economy', of the 'being' and the 'enough', as opposed to the logic of the 'big', of the 'only has value who owns' and the 'unlimited growth'. Similarly, Fernandes (2001) considers the 'ethics of the necessary', a reflection on what is the quality of life and the individual and social needs and desires, given the physical limits of the Earth, the technological uncertainties and the prospective of reducing inequalities between people. Acselrad (2006) argues that the 'discourse of efficiency' is the dominant model in liberal economies; the remaining ones correspond to alternative proposals to achieve sustainable development, all having the same common denominator – the reduction. Main findings Development is a geographical, vast, dynamic and constantly changing concept. What seems to be transversal to all communities is ensuring an improvement project of life quality. Thus, in every time and place, each social group acquires and adapts the resources according to their beliefs, values, culture, social organization and the dominant economic system. In the last half of the twentieth century, societies assumed the development as a right, and the governments were responsible for achieving it. However, the economic centred models that were adopted resulted in extreme inequalities between world northern and southern countries. Overall, cultural diversity was despised and adjusted to global hegemonic model, turning people into monocultural societies. The ecology radically reproves the rationality of modern society and the prevailing economic ideology, and various thinkers claim that the current capitalist expansion stage will result in further increase in social inequalities, injustices and intense devastation of nature. Even so, the socio-political dynamic continues incompatible with the carrying capacity of the planet, compromising the quality of life of future generations. Therefore, it is necessary to change mentalities and to promote an ethical attitude of respect for nature, as advocated by the world summits, environmental NGO and science, in order to test a new paradigm of social organization.

The ongoing Covid-19 crisis has severely affected the key economic sectors of Nepal. As the fiscal policy is one of the key tools used by the governments around the world, the government and other key stakeholders in Nepal naturally expect this tool to incorporate enough provisions to support the national economy. This policy brief aims to provide policy recommendations to the GoN towards the preparation of the White Paper and the Fiscal Policy.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Leaving No Country Behind is the thematic report of the Asia-Pacific SDG partnership for 2021. Reflecting on the theme of the 8th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, it informs regional and global dialogue on sustainable development as well as national and regional implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It invites governments and stakeholders to align COVID-19 response and recovery strategies with the achievement of the SDGs and provides insights for the way forward.

The COVID-19, or coronavirus global pandemic has required huge responses from governments all over the world; and Timor-Leste has its own unique requirements when addressing an evolving event of this magnitude. This report synthesizes the findings of six survey rounds undertaken by The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) in Timor-Leste, from May 2020 to May 2021.1 This work was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the Governance for Development (Gadd) program. In partnership with local partner MDI (Mata Dilan Institute), six phone surveys were conducted at bi-monthly intervals. With support from ORIMA Research, the findings of each survey round were made available through reports and fact sheets in both English and Tetum. The data from these survey rounds was shared with key stakeholders in government and other development partners; and enabled the Foundation to better understand the concerns of the people of Timor-Leste; how well they are adopting prevention measures and taking care of their health; the level of trust in Government; the use of, and satisfaction with, government programs; the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated control measures; the resilience of individuals and communities; and the sources of news and information the people of Timor-Leste are relying on to stay informed about the pandemic. By synthesizing the information available across the survey rounds in this report, we are able to see how people's perceptions, understandings and practices changed over time. This in turn will hopefully, inform a more strategic and responsive policy response from government.

The report consists of five sections. The first section comprises a short literature review to see the loss to food system in Pakistan amid COVID-19. The second and third sections present data collection and methodology and COVID-19 spread, perceptions and responses in rural areas. The fourth section provides a thorough discussion on the impact made on farming, agro-processing firms, food prices, workers, and migration returnees. The last section furnishes conclusion and policy recommendations.

The impact of COVID-19 on the Russian economy was undoubtedly enormous, clearly, negatively. The GDP of the Russian economy shrank 3% in 2020, the sharpest contraction after the previous economic disaster in 2008. The two economic downturns resemble each other. They show that resource dependent economies are susceptible to sudden declines in raw material prices, where they resort to too much. It is not anew that fossil fuel exports, including oil and natural gas, serve as a linchpin for the Russian economic system. Exports of the energy resources constitute a whopping 60% of all goods exports while accounting for more than a major bulk of government revenues. Excessive economic dependence on the resource sector has been a perennial concern, and the ominous premonition was correct again. The Russian economy contracted 8.5% in the second quarter of 2020 when the Ural oil price plummeted to $18 per barrel, reminiscent of the 2008 economic recession sparked by the sudden collapse of the oil price by more than 70% of its peak value.