May 14, 2021
In an update to the Board of Regents Finance & Operations Committee, University of Minnesota leaders discussed pandemic-related deficits in the current fiscal year and approaches that continue to help the University close budget gaps. Current projections suggest systemwide shortfalls totalling $172.5 million when the fiscal year ends on June 30, a relatively small change to the $166 million in projected deficits shared with the Board last December.
Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Myron Frans and Associate Vice President and Budget Director Julie Tonneson outlined recommendations to address the budget shortfall, many of which were already approved by the Board and are currently in place. They include:
10 May 2021 0:55 GMT Updated 10 May 2021 12:22 GMT in Singapore
Dozens of cruiseships are slated to return to service in the next few months. For their operators, keeping them in lay-up for any longer will only increase their financial nightmare.
But as the cruise industry stands poised to stage its relaunch, can it be done safely when Covid-19 is still wreaking havoc?
The answer to that question may lie in Asia, where Genting Cruise Lines brand Dream Cruises was the first major cruise operator to do so, beginning in Taiwan last July and Singapore in November.
Other cruise operators in Asia and Europe followed suit, and in April the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated it might allow cruises out of US ports from July.
April 14, 2021
Ms Hairina Abu Bakar, whose baking business relied on Instagram sales last Ramadan, has prepared more Raya kuih this year in anticipation of a bigger bazaar.
Harina Abu Bakar
Last year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Muslims here observed Ramadan differently from what they were used to.
Family traditions were shelved as the Islamic holy month fell right in the middle of the circuit breaker, when mosques were closed.
This year, however, even though the pandemic is not over, things are looking up ahead of Hari Raya Puasa on May 13.
Muslims can engage in Ramadan congregational prayers and other programmes at mosques and break fast with family and friends, all with safety measures in place.