Latest news with #PASC
ME Construction
4 days ago
- Business
- ME Construction
Egis appointed as PASC for Riyadh Integrated Project Phase 1 infrastructure
Consultant Egis appointed as PASC for Riyadh Integrated Project Phase 1 infrastructure By Located near King Khalid International Airport, the project holds immense importance as a future hub for trade, transportation, and advanced logistics Egis has announced its appointment as a Package Administration and Supervision Consultant (PASC) for Phase 1 of infrastructure works at Riyadh Integrated, operated by the Special Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ) Company. The appointment is said to mark an important role for the Kingdom's aspirations to establish itself as a logistics leader. Situated near King Khalid International Airport, the project holds immense importance as a future hub for trade, transportation, and advanced logistics. Egis will collaborate with other supervision partners to oversee critical infrastructure works that form the backbone of Riyadh Integrated. These works include a comprehensive network of roads, utilities, landscaping, perimeter fencing, utility buildings, and key enabling works. Egis will ensure that all these works are planned and delivered with long term scalability and operational efficiency in mind. Abdulmohsen Aldhubaya, Construction Management GM at SILZ Company said, 'We are pleased to collaborate with Egis in the development of Phase 1 at Riyadh Integrated. This initial phase is a pivotal undertaking that will redefine benchmarks for integrated zones, both within the region and on a global scale. Through our partnership with leading experts like Egis, we are cultivating a dynamic platform that actively contributes to the Kingdom's ambitious diversification agenda and unlocks substantial growth opportunities across diverse sectors reliant on smart and sustainable infrastructure.' 'We are honoured to have been entrusted with this grand endeavour. Projects like Riyadh Integrated reflect a shift in how nations build for today's requirements and tomorrow's opportunities,' said Mohammed Ben Messaoud, Country Managing Director, Egis in Saudi Arabia. 'Our role in delivering technical oversight means we're focused on ensuring every element—whether visible or underground supports a more agile, connected, and investment-ready future. The success of this phase shows what can happen when our teams, working alongside our clients ensure that infrastructure is aligned with long-term economic strategy.' Riyadh Integrated, a flagship special logistics zone under SILZ Company's masterplan, aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Its connectivity, competitive business environment, and next-generation logistics capabilities will attract global investors, local supply chains, and new avenues for talent development and knowledge transfer, the statement noted.
Newsweek
27-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
What to Eat When You're Living With Long COVID
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With the many debilitating symptoms of long COVID, diet often takes a backseat to medication or supplements. However, "the [COVID-19] virus activates your whole immune system, and we have most of our immune system housed in the gut, so what we eat really does matter," Lily Spechler, a registered dietician in Vermont who works with long COVID patients and has the condition herself, told Newsweek. What Is Long Covid? Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to ongoing or new symptoms that persist weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 illness. Common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and joint pain. It can affect anyone, regardless of initial infection severity. Stock image. A new study found that most young people recover from long COVID within two years. Stock image. A new study found that most young people recover from long COVID within two years. Photo by Tatiana Duyuvbanova / Getty Images A Common Mistake Long COVID Patients Make One major mistake long COVID patients make is not consuming enough calories, Spechler said. "People don't understand how metabolically expensive inflammation can be," she added. Symptoms like tachycardia, breathlessness, and temperature dysregulation significantly increase caloric needs. Just being breathless, Spechler noted, can add around 800 calories to daily requirements. Diet supports the body's foundation to fight the virus and manage oxidative stress, which can linger even after infection. Spechler recommends using a TDEE calculator (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) to estimate baseline caloric needs, then adding 10 to 15 percent more to account for increased demand. File photo: ingredients on a table. File photo: ingredients on a table. Sina Schuldt/dpa via AP What Foods Help Long COVID Recovery? There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Diet should be personalized and consider allergies or intolerances, said Boston University professor Joan Salge Blake, adding that guidance from a professional is highly recommended. Considering individual allergies and intolerances is also vital, the registered nutritionist told Newsweek. The Mediterranean diet can be "particularly helpful," Blake said. Known for its high-quality nutrients, it "can help reduce inflammation in the body and support a healthy immune system." She also advises limiting caffeine after noon and avoiding alcohol before bed. Here are some key food groups long COVID patients should look to get in their diet, according to experts. Protein Protein is vital for tissue repair, which can be impaired by oxidative stress. "Fatigue and a loss of lean body mass are often a side-effect of long COVID," Blake said, adding that it is important patients consume enough protein "throughout the day, at each meal, to encourage the synthesis of lean body mass." Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals "Fiber plays such a big role too," Spechler said. It feeds the gut microbiome—the foundation of the immune system. Having fiber in your diet also acts as a safeguard to your gut lining, Spechler said. Some studies suggest that low fiber intake may lead certain gut microbes to degrade the intestinal lining, potentially weakening gut barrier function. By increasing fiber through high fiber carbs like sweet potatoes, it also increases potassium intake which is really important for people with long COVID, according to Spechler. "I see potassium as one of those key nutrients that really matters because we now know COVID is a vascular disease in a lot of ways, so it's almost like a blood injury," she said. COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, but it is also increasingly recognized as a vascular disease due to its significant impact on the blood vessels and circulatory system. Emerging evidence suggests vascular dysfunction plays a role in long COVID. Potassium-rich foods may support vascular health. Some clinicians have also observed low vitamin E levels in patients, though more research is needed to determine how widespread this is. Fats Fats are essential for nervous system repair and help maintain the myelin sheath,the fatty layer that protects nerve cells, Spechler said. "Omega-3 fatty acid-rich seafood such as salmon and tuna, provide an additional bonus as they are 'food for your brain'," Blake said. Blake added some research supports they may "enhance cognitive functioning," which is important given many with long COVID suffer from cognitive issues. Why Diet Matters in the Long Run While there's still much to learn about long COVID, one thing is increasingly clear: nutrition plays a pivotal role in supporting recovery. Eating enough to meet heightened energy demands, prioritizing anti-inflammatory foods, and ensuring a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats can help the body repair and regulate itself. And while diet isn't a cure, it's a crucial tool that can empower patients to regain strength and resilience—one meal at a time.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wales holiday let rules are putting ‘thousands of jobs at risk'
Changes to holiday let tax rules in Wales have an industry body fearing that thousands of tourism jobs could be lost due to the 'brutal' regulations. In 2023, new eligibility rules for business rates for self-catering properties were introduced in England and Wales. To be eligible for business rates in Wales, the property must be available to let commercially for short periods that total 252 nights or more, and actually let commercially for 182 nights or more. The rules in Wales differ from those in England, with self-catering houses being eligible for business rates if they are available commercially for at least 140 nights and actually let out for at least 70 nights in England. If a property does not meet these rules, it will become eligible for paying council tax and lose out on business rates. The Welsh government says that these new rules have allowed residents to have 'a right to a decent, affordable home to buy or to rent that allows them to live and work locally.' However, industry bodies have voiced their concerns that the business rate rules are doing more harm than good to businesses that rely on tourists visiting popular areas. Nicky Williamson, of the Professional Association of Self Caterers (PASC) for Wales, warned many operators were struggling to meet the threshold, particularly during quieter months. She told BBC News that without the 'bed stock' of self-catering properties "we don't have the facilities for tourists to stay". If tourism failed, she added, "then the number of people that are employed in tourism, they will start to lose jobs' and pubs and cafes are 'not going to survive'. Ms Williamson claims this could lead to thousands of job losses in the sector, and could have an impact on the mental health of self-catering operators, which she described as 'brutal'. A recent PASC survey to gauge the mental health of self-catering operators showed 94 per cent of respondents said they were stressed by the 182-day rule, with 60 per cent saying they did not expect to meet the threshold this year. Conwy holiday let business owner Karen Jones told the publication that she would often contact regulars with discounts to encourage them to visit in quieter months, with 'panic' setting in if anyone cancelled. Meanwhile, Frankie Hobro, owner of Anglesey Sea Zoo, said there has been a 20 per cent drop in visitor numbers since 2023, which she attributed directly to the 182-day rule. Ms Hobro fears that empty homes would be bought by large organisations, adding: "They're the only people that can afford to keep running them as a business. That doesn't benefit anybody". The Welsh government said in a statement to The Independent: "We recognise the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy, but must balance that with the needs of our communities, as everybody has a right to a decent, affordable home to buy or to rent that allows them to live and work locally. "Our package of measures to tackle the impact of second homes and holiday lets helps ensure owners are making a fair contribution in areas where they have homes or run businesses.'
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Wales holiday let rules are putting ‘thousands of jobs at risk'
Changes to holiday let tax rules in Wales have an industry body fearing that thousands of tourism jobs could be lost due to the 'brutal' regulations. In 2023, new eligibility rules for business rates for self-catering properties were introduced in England and Wales. To be eligible for business rates in Wales, the property must be available to let commercially for short periods that total 252 nights or more, and actually let commercially for 182 nights or more. The rules in Wales differ from those in England, with self-catering houses being eligible for business rates if they are available commercially for at least 140 nights and actually let out for at least 70 nights in England. If a property does not meet these rules, it will become eligible for paying council tax and lose out on business rates. The Welsh government says that these new rules have allowed residents to have 'a right to a decent, affordable home to buy or to rent that allows them to live and work locally.' However, industry bodies have voiced their concerns that the business rate rules are doing more harm than good to businesses that rely on tourists visiting popular areas. Nicky Williamson, of the Professional Association of Self Caterers (PASC) for Wales, warned many operators were struggling to meet the threshold, particularly during quieter months. She told BBC News that without the 'bed stock' of self-catering properties "we don't have the facilities for tourists to stay". If tourism failed, she added, "then the number of people that are employed in tourism, they will start to lose jobs' and pubs and cafes are 'not going to survive'. Ms Williamson claims this could lead to thousands of job losses in the sector, and could have an impact on the mental health of self-catering operators, which she described as 'brutal'. A recent PASC survey to gauge the mental health of self-catering operators showed 94 per cent of respondents said they were stressed by the 182-day rule, with 60 per cent saying they did not expect to meet the threshold this year. Conwy holiday let business owner Karen Jones told the publication that she would often contact regulars with discounts to encourage them to visit in quieter months, with 'panic' setting in if anyone cancelled. Meanwhile, Frankie Hobro, owner of Anglesey Sea Zoo, said there has been a 20 per cent drop in visitor numbers since 2023, which she attributed directly to the 182-day rule. Ms Hobro fears that empty homes would be bought by large organisations, adding: "They're the only people that can afford to keep running them as a business. That doesn't benefit anybody". The Welsh government said in a statement to The Independent: "We recognise the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy, but must balance that with the needs of our communities, as everybody has a right to a decent, affordable home to buy or to rent that allows them to live and work locally. "Our package of measures to tackle the impact of second homes and holiday lets helps ensure owners are making a fair contribution in areas where they have homes or run businesses.'
