Universal access versus digital divide

The maker of top cleaning brands including Dettol and Cillit Bang, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), has reported a recovery in condom sales thanks to relaxed coronavirus restrictions. The FTSE 100 company, which has been among the few winners in the COVID-19 crisis to date thanks to its household hygiene and healthcare products, reported a 9.5% lift in net revenue to £3.5bn during its third quarter. RB said that was mainly driven by continued strong demand for disinfectants - with sales of Dettol-branded sprays, wipes and liquid up more than 50% on the same July-September period last year. Like-for-like sales were almost 20% higher in the company's hygiene business and 12.6% up in its health division, which includes Durex condoms and Mucinex cold medicine. RB had pointed to a sharp drop in demand for condoms during the spring virus lockdowns across Europe. Advertisement But it said on Tuesday: "Following a more challenging first half of the year, … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Durex enjoys ‘double-digit’ revenue growth in Reckitt Benckiser sales boom

Clubhouse is an invite-only audio app that is surging in popularity in Thailand as a youthful protest movement continues to demand reforms of the government and monarchy. Launched in April 2020, Clubhouse recently gained traction among Thai protest circles after Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and prominent long-time critic of the Thai monarchy, joined the platform on February 12. Pavin told DW that the police crackdown on political protests in Thailand has contributed to Clubhouse's sudden popularity. "There are no open discussions … so when a new venue is introduced, people jump in to discuss politics," Pavin said. Pavin has already added nearly 300,000 followers in less than two weeks, and he said he noticed that people in many of the chat rooms on the voice-based app discuss the royal family. The app allows anonymous conversation about taboo topics "It's as if the app were created for conversations about the monarchy," Pavin joked. Thaksin … [Read more...] about Clubhouse app lets Thailand pro-democracy protesters speak freely

THE gyms may be shut, but don't despair; your health kick can still be possible with the help of many premium at home workout apps. Forget the expensive personal trainer, these are the best home workout apps to help you keep fit during lockdown. All you'll need is some leggings, and a smartphone; but with the gyms appearing to be shut for sometime, these are the best at home workout apps for a brilliant way to keep healthy at home. With planning, motivation, workouts, and motivation, they have everything you need to get your body moving, feel better, and even lose a few pounds if you wanted. Available on Google Play Store, and the App Store, the apps offer a number of subscriptions or options for every kind of exerciser. Many will offer a free trial or introductory package, so make sure you don't miss out. 1.Shreddy The Shreddy app lets users sweat it out in high-energy workouts, real-time classes and tasty, and healthy meal plans. The Shreddy Kit also allows … [Read more...] about The best at home workout apps to keep you fit during lockdown

Vincent Keymer isn't the type of individual to be easily sidetracked – not by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put a stop to chess players sitting across the board from one another, and not by the high hopes the German chess community is placing in the 16-year-old. "External pressure has never been much of a problem for me," the student from the small town of Saulheim in western Germany told DW. "If I were to start trying to live up to the expectations of others, I would lose control over my own destiny." Seven hours against Magnus Carlsen The youngster, seen as the greatest talent Germany has produced in half a century, has been steadily climbing the competitive chess ladder. Keymer first beat a grandmaster at the age of 10 and at 14 he earned the title of grandmaster himself – becoming the youngest-ever German to do so. By then he had already sat opposite world champion Magnus Carlsen for the first time – in the first round of a the Grenke Chess Open in Karlsruhe during … [Read more...] about German chess prodigy Vincent Keymer: ‘External pressure has never been a problem’

The symptoms of coronavirus can vary hugely from person to person, but those most badly affected will require intensive care in hospital. Among them is Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who was admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) after his condition worsened. But what are the reasons for moving a coronavirus patient from a ward to ICU? And what sort of treatment do doctors and nurses provide? Sky News has spoken to a number of consultants. What has to happen for you to end up in intensive care? Advertisement Patients end up in intensive care when COVID-19 makes it very difficult for them to breathe, which in worst cases can cause them to develop pneumonia - fluid on the lungs. They also may require sudden access to equipment to aid breathing that is not available on general wards. More from Covid-19 COVID-19: Airlines to burn through up to $95bn this year after restrictions tightened COVID-19: Face masks may not be needed … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Why are patients put into intensive care?