Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabonese Republic, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2024 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education in Gabon and the rest of Africa.

The program was chaired by The First Lady of Gabon, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej. The program took place at the State House, Gabon.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It is a great honor to meet my dear sister, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabon. We officially declared her as the Ambassador of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign. We also formally launched the Merck Foundation programs in the country and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp added, “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program.”

H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of Gabonese Republic & Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO to our country. Together, we officially launched our joint programs and also celebrated important milestones of the great success of our joint programs to build healthcare capacity, transform patientcare, break infertility stigma and support girl education. This is the first time that we are working on such impactful programs, it is history in the making. We have achieved a lot in a very short span of time, through our long-term partnership, which started in 2024.

I am very proud to share that through our partnership, we have provided 16 scholarships for our local healthcare providers who will be the future healthcare experts of Gabon, who have either graduated, undergoing or will be starting soon the Merck Foundation scholarships of training in critical and underserved specialties such as Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes and Hypertension.”

“I am also very happy to share that together with The First Lady of Gabon, we are also supporting girl education by providing annual scholarships to support the education of 40 high-performing yet underprivileged schoolgirls, till they graduate, so that they can reach their potentials and achieve their dreams,” Dr. Rasha Kelej added.

Merck Foundation has provided more than 2600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

Out of the total 16 scholarships provided in Gabon, Merck Foundation has provided:

• 4 scholarships for Fertility and Embryology. These were hands-on practical trainings in India. The first ever embryologist of the country has been trained through the program.
• 4 scholarships for Diabetes & Hypertension, including a special 3 months Diabetes Mastercourse in French language and Clinical Fellowship in Diabetes and Hypertension. Upon completion of the training, these specialists will have the expertise to establish dedicated clinics in hospitals and health centers, significantly enhancing the prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, bringing immense benefits to the people of Gabon.
• 8 Scholarships for Oncology Nursing, which is very critical for cancer care.

During the launch program, the beneficiaries of the Educating Linda program were also present, where a few of them shared inspiring testimonies on how the scholarships have changed their lives.

“I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger & prosperous,” added Senator Kelej.

Merck Foundation, in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon has launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”. These books address critical social and health issues to young children. Few copies of the storybooks were signed by The First Lady of Gabon, Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO. Thousands of copies of these storybooks will be distributed to schoolchildren.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has conducted two editions of their Online Health Media Training for the Gabonese journalists in order to empower them to raise awareness about sensitive issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, ending Child marriage and FGM and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon has also announced the Call for Application for their 8 important annual Awards for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Details of the Awards:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2026.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2026.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2026.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30^th September 2026.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2026.

6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2026.

7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2026.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30^th October 2026.

Apply here: https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form

Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to:

submit@merck-foundation.com

Click the link below to Download Merck Foundation App

https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection

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Kinaxis® Inc. (TSX:KXS), a global leader in supply chain orchestration, today announced that it has scheduled its conference call to discuss the financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026. The call will be hosted on Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time by Razat Gaurav, chief executive officer, and Blaine Fitzgerald, chief financial officer, followed by a question and answer period. The Company will report its financial results for the first quarter after the close of markets on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

About Kinaxis

Kinaxis is a leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro, combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain — from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate today’s volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Source: Kinaxis Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260413783077/en/

Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) today announced it will serve as Principal Partner of Ferrari Hypersail, an initiative that applies Ferrari engineering and racing spirit to a new frontier at sea. PMI has shared with Ferrari one of the most enduring partnerships in Formula 1 since its origins in 1973 – a relationship defined by reinvention, ambition, and an unwavering belief that progress matters. Philip Morris International’s commitment to science-backed innovation, including smoke-free technologies, echoes the same passion for progress that propels Ferrari Hypersail.

Hypersail serves as a platform for breakthrough ideas that can inspire new solutions across industries, including automotive engineering, energy efficiency, and advanced control systems. The Ferrari Hypersail program centers on a 30-meter (100-foot) full-foiling ocean racing monohull that is engineered to explore new frontiers of innovation, self-sufficiency and performance in ocean racing, with launch and initial sea trials scheduled for 2026. The program will be powered entirely by renewable energy, engineered through open innovation, and shaped in collaboration with leading experts in aerodynamics, naval architecture, and high-performance systems.

“Ferrari’s pursuit of record-breaking performance at sea mirrors PMI’s own journey of change and innovation – bold, forward-looking, and driven by the conviction that technology, coupled with human ingenuity, can help tackle long-standing challenges,” said Jacek Olczak, Group CEO, PMI. “This moment is more than an announcement. It is a continuation of a journey that began more than 50 years ago, charting a new course defined by shared ambition, bold challenges, and a belief that progress matters.”

“I believe that true innovation is born at the intersection of diverse ideas and expertise. Our collaboration with partners is rooted in this philosophy,” Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari CEO, commented. “With Hypersail, a platform for testing and validation under extreme conditions, we are embracing a scientific approach to redefine the limits of what’s possible. This project exemplifies our shared commitment with partners to pioneering technology and innovation, and we are proud to embark on this new journey with Philip Morris International.”

Innovation and change are core to Philip Morris International’s DNA. For the first time externally, a new expression of the company’s visual identity will appear on the Ferrari Hypersail—a modern, dynamic iconography that reflects PMI’s evolution as a consumer packaged goods company.

Philip Morris International: A Global Smoke-Free Champion

Philip Morris International is a leading international consumer goods company, actively delivering a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company’s current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smokefree products, including heat-not-burn, nicotine pouch and e-vapor products. Our smoke-free products are available for sale in 106 markets, and as of December 31, 2025, PMI estimates they were used by over 43 million legal-age consumers around the world, many of whom have moved away from cigarettes or significantly reduced their consumption. The smoke-free business accounted for 41.5% of PMI’s total adjusted net revenues in 2025. Since 2008, PMI has invested over $14 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of worldclass scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies. Following a robust science-based review, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the marketing of Swedish Match’s General snus and ZYN nicotine pouches and versions of PMI’s IQOS devices and consumables – the first-ever such authorizations in their respective categories. Versions of IQOS devices and consumables and General snus also obtained the first-ever Modified Risk Tobacco Product authorizations from the FDA. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, PMI has a long-term ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and aims to enhance life through the delivery of seamless health experiences. References to “PMI”, “we”, “our” and “us” mean Philip Morris International Inc., and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260413478412/en/

Kathmandu, April 13: Nepal’s newly formed government under Prime Minister Balendra Shah has unveiled an ambitious ‘Good Governance Blueprint 2082’ alongside a sweeping 100-point reform agenda, marking a decisive push to overhaul governance, digitise public services, and reshape the country’s economic and institutional framework.

Approved during the first Cabinet meeting at Singha Durbar, the reform package reflects a transition toward efficiency, transparency, and citizen-first governance—aligned with the expectations of a younger, more digitally aware generation.

A Rapid Reform Push

Since taking office on March 27, the administration has moved swiftly to introduce structural and policy changes aimed at transforming the state from a regulator into a facilitator of growth. Key measures include capping the cabinet at 18 members, reducing administrative layers to three, and limiting central ministries to 17 within 30 days.

The government has also initiated wide-ranging reforms across anti-corruption, civil service restructuring, and digital governance to accelerate decision-making and improve institutional accountability.

Governance & Transparency at the Core

A major anti-corruption drive will investigate financial assets of politicians and officials dating back to 1991. Complementing this is a real-time digital platform that will allow citizens to track government promises, monitor execution, and evaluate performance—introducing unprecedented public oversight.

All ministries will operate under defined KPIs with mandatory monthly reporting to the Prime Minister’s Office, reinforcing performance-based governance.

Education & Institutional Reforms

In a landmark move to depoliticise education, political student unions will be phased out and replaced with non-partisan student councils. Additional education reforms include:

• No formal examinations up to Grade 5
• Mandatory government school attendance for children of ministers and senior officials

Civil service reforms further prohibit political affiliations for government employees and teachers, aiming to professionalise institutions and eliminate partisan influence.

Digital Governance & Citizen Services

The blueprint places strong emphasis on digital transformation. A unified governance framework will position the National ID as the primary access point for public services. Key initiatives include:

• 24×7 grievance redressal platforms
• Integrated service centres operating extended hours
• “Ask Once” policy for seamless data usage across departments

These measures aim to reduce bureaucratic friction and enhance service delivery efficiency.

Economic Strategy with Global Expertise

To steer economic reforms, the government has appointed Swarnim Wagle as Finance Minister. The strategy focuses on a digital-first, private sector-led growth model designed to attract domestic and foreign investment, create high-quality jobs, and drive structural transformation.

Reforms also include faster startup approvals, single-window clearance systems, and strengthened infrastructure planning across logistics, energy, and urban development.

A Gen Z-Driven Political Shift

Prime Minister Shah’s rise reflects a broader generational transformation in Nepal’s political landscape. Emerging from the September 2025 Gen Z-led protests, his leadership represents a shift toward accountability, meritocracy, and system-driven governance.

With a largely young cabinet drawn from non-traditional and reform-oriented backgrounds, the administration is positioning itself as a response to evolving public expectations.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the strong mandate, implementation faces notable hurdles. Early actions, including arrests linked to the Gen Z protest crackdown, have drawn legal scrutiny, with Nepal’s Supreme Court seeking clarification.

The government must also navigate structural challenges such as youth unemployment, brain drain, and entrenched institutional inefficiencies. Sustained execution and broad stakeholder alignment will be critical to delivering on reform promises.

A Defining Moment for Nepal

The ‘Good Governance Blueprint 2082’ represents one of Nepal’s most comprehensive reform efforts in recent years. By combining policy reform, digital innovation, and institutional restructuring, the government aims to build a resilient, transparent, and future-ready state.

As Nepal embarks on this transformation, the success of the agenda will depend on its ability to translate ambition into measurable outcomes while maintaining public trust and momentum.