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Gates Foundation Funds Dissertation Fellowships for Gender in the Economy Research

Gates Foundation Funds Dissertation Fellowships for Gender in the Economy Research

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is offering three dissertation fellowships for doctoral students. These fellowships are designed to encourage research on gender issues globally and historically, focusing on economics and related fields. Eligible topics for research include victimization and violence against women, household finance, women's roles in health and education, gender and the labor market, economic development and female labor force participation, women- and child-centered policies, and masculinity norms. Fellows will receive a stipend of $45,000, an additional $3,000 for research costs, and $13,000 to cover tuition and fees. Applicants must be full-time PhD students at a U.S. or Canadian university and have advanced to dissertation candidacy status by the fellowship's start. The application deadline is January 20, 2027, at 5 pm EST. Fellows are also expected to participate in the Gender in the Economy meetings at the NBER ...

Asian Development Bank Provides $100 Million Loan to Boost Sri Lanka's Vocational Education and Female Employment

Asian Development Bank Provides $100 Million Loan to Boost Sri Lanka's Vocational Education and Female Employment

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan for Sri Lanka to enhance its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system and increase women's employment in non-traditional sectors. The financing package includes a $50 million regular loan, a $50 million concessional loan, and a $500,000 technical assistance grant. This initiative, known as the Skills Development System Transformation Program, aims to equip young people with industry-relevant skills, bolster the country's competitiveness, and expand job opportunities for women in fields such as automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy. The program is designed to address Sri Lanka's skills shortages, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation, which have been identified as significant challenges by employers.

Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, Maintains Status as Key Regional Venue Through Public-Private Partnership

Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, Maintains Status as Key Regional Venue Through Public-Private Partnership

Allstate Arena, a prominent indoor multipurpose venue in Rosemont, Illinois, continues to operate under a stable public-private partnership involving the village of Rosemont and the operator VenuWorks. Opened in 1980, the arena is known for hosting a diverse range of events, including concerts, family entertainment, professional sports, and corporate gatherings. Its strategic location near O’Hare International Airport and major highways makes it a practical option for regional audiences and event organizers. The long-standing naming rights agreement with Allstate plays a crucial role in funding facility maintenance and improvements, ensuring the venue's continued viability. The arena's flexible floor plan supports various configurations, with typical capacities ranging from 16,000 to 17,000 for concerts and 16,600 to 17,500 for ice hockey, accommodating a wide array of events. This operational model has remained consistent through multiple ownership transitions, highlighting its effectiveness in managing a...

International Trade Centre (ITC) Advances Global Coffee Initiatives to Empower Producers and Enhance Value at Origin

International Trade Centre (ITC) Advances Global Coffee Initiatives to Empower Producers and Enhance Value at Origin

International Trade Centre (ITC) Advances Global Coffee Initiatives to Empower Producers and Enhance Value at Origin

Hilo Considers New Bowling Alley and Entertainment Complex, Addressing Community Need

Hilo Considers New Bowling Alley and Entertainment Complex, Addressing Community Need

Hilo Considers New Bowling Alley and Entertainment Complex, Addressing Community Need

University of Tennessee at Knoxville Demolishes Parking Garage for New Entertainment District

University of Tennessee at Knoxville Demolishes Parking Garage for New Entertainment District

University of Tennessee at Knoxville Demolishes Parking Garage for New Entertainment District

Asian Development Bank Funds Sri Lanka's Skills Development Program with $100 Million Loan

Asian Development Bank Funds Sri Lanka's Skills Development Program with $100 Million Loan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to support Sri Lanka's Skills Development System Transformation Program. This initiative aims to overhaul the country's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, benefiting over 100,000 young people. The program, scheduled for implementation from 2027 to 2031, will focus on aligning TVET with employer needs, thereby addressing the skills gap in Sri Lanka's recovering economy. Key components include strengthening relationships between training institutions and industry, improving the quality and relevance of TVET, and providing greater support for women to enter traditionally male-dominated occupations such as automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy. The funding package comprises a $50 million regular loan and a $50 million concessional loan, supplemented by a $500,000 technical assistance grant. This marks a significant investment in ...

Bangladesh Women Face Reduced Public Sector Representation Following Quota Reforms

Bangladesh Women Face Reduced Public Sector Representation Following Quota Reforms

Following the abolition of public sector job quotas in Bangladesh, women are experiencing a significant reduction in their share of government positions. Previously, quotas accounted for 56 percent of Class I posts, with 10 percent specifically reserved for women. This system was largely scrapped in 2018 after student protests, and a subsequent attempt to reinstate quotas in 2024 led to a mass uprising and the overthrow of the then-prime minister. Currently, 93 percent of positions are filled based on merit, with no specific quota for women. Data from the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) indicates that the percentage of female recruits has dropped from up to 35 percent (including both quota and merit-based appointments) to 19 percent in the latest exam round. This decline is also evident in other sectors, such as the police force and primary teaching positions, where quotas for women have also been eliminated.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Column about Dolly Parton's statue reverts to old-fashioned sexism | Letter

Column about Dolly Parton's statue reverts to old-fashioned sexism | Letter

A reader found the final paragraph of Sam Venable’s column about artist Jim Gray and Dolly Parton deeply disappointing.

Mountain View Treatment Home Opens in Southeast Portland to Support Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Mountain View Treatment Home Opens in Southeast Portland to Support Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Cascadia Health, Multnomah County, and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have opened Mountain View, a new 10-bed treatment home in Southeast Portland. This facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for adults with serious mental illness to receive care. The OHA contributed $5 million in funding for the project through House Bill 5024 (2021), as part of a statewide effort to increase the number of treatment beds in Oregon. Mountain View aims to offer a calm living space where residents can receive support for their mental health, and potentially address co-occurring physical, learning, or substance use challenges. Staff at the facility will focus on helping residents develop skills to achieve greater stability and independence. Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson spoke at the opening, emphasizing the extensive planning and teamwork required to establish such a supportive treatment home.

Eswatini Implements Clean Energy Solutions for Small Businesses and Communities with WFP Support

Eswatini Implements Clean Energy Solutions for Small Businesses and Communities with WFP Support

Eswatini is actively implementing clean energy solutions to power small businesses and improve livelihoods, with support from the Joint SDG Fund. The initiative, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP), focuses on expanding access to clean energy and facilitating a just energy transition. Currently, 17 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are receiving renewable energy solutions, including solar photovoltaic systems and solar-powered irrigation. Additionally, WFP is introducing clean energy for lighting, cooking, and irrigation in 12 schools and 11 neighborhood care points, utilizing electric pressure cookers and biogas systems to reduce reliance on firewood.

Springworks Farms' Lisbon Headquarters to be Sold at Lender-Ordered Auction

Springworks Farms' Lisbon Headquarters to be Sold at Lender-Ordered Auction

Springworks Farms' Lisbon Headquarters to be Sold at Lender-Ordered Auction