Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Covia

Polyolefins, particularly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are some of the most widely used materials in the world. As performance expectations rise, businesses need to balance more variables than ever before to produce modern polyolefin applications.

Today’s manufacturers are navigating a more complex formulation environment that creates new technical and operational challenges. Covia is actively responding to these changes by expanding how we engage with the polyolefin market.  

The Evolution of Polyolefins

Polyolefins have always been valued for their versatility, processability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the definition of “performance” in these materials has expanded significantly.

According to Application Technology Sales Manager John Chee, both application-specific requirements and broader forces are shaping the market. Changing technical needs call for additives that improve products and streamline production. At the same time, factors like regulatory considerations, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability goals are prompting manufacturers to evaluate new mineral solutions for their compounds.

Together, these challenges are driving a shift toward more sophisticated formulation strategies, requiring new additive and filler solutions to contribute to multiple performance objectives.

Meeting Customers Where They Are

As the polyolefin landscape evolves, understanding customer needs requires more than traditional supplier relationships. According to John, Covia is expanding the depth with which it gathers insight by more closely engaging with its customers.

“Covia has been active in the polyolefin space for more than 25 years, but there are always new applications and opportunities for us to add value,” John said. “We understand that it’s essential to be diversified to drive new business development.”

For John, that expansion includes partnering with various players in the polyolefin market—connecting with masterbatch manufacturers, converters, OEMs, and other businesses that need different mineral solutions for their polyolefin applications.

Covia is a regular presence at conferences, expos, and other events across North America. According to John, attending shows like the SPE International Polyolefins Conference and AMI’s Polyethylene Films Event allows Covia to build valuable relationships and gather new market information to develop unique solutions for the industry.

“We meet with many different polyolefin-based customers ranging from major organizations to small- and medium-sized compounders,” John said. “Attending these shows has really helped us uncover new technical trends, regulatory issues, and specific challenges that we can address through application and product development.”

Turning Market Insights into Polyolefin Innovation

Gathering market information is a key step toward spearheading new polyolefin solutions, but it still takes work to turn ideas into advancement in mineral products.

Covia’s approach to polyolefins is to provide new solutions to customer needs using its strong foundation of products. Covia has a long history of providing innovative antiblocking products, with MINBLOC® HC and HIFILL® N serving as a well-established solution for films and other plastic applications. Covia is excited to add even more value for customers through ongoing research and development.

“We are working on several projects to address our customers’ changing needs,” John said. “We’re looking into expanding into different markets that are actively seeking new types of fillers that provide better reinforcement, resistance, and other necessary qualities.”

John highlighted nepheline syenite as a key mineral Covia uses to provide improved, more sustainable products for polyolefin applications. Other advancements include using air-floated kaolin clay to address applications that require a high aspect ratio for gas barrier performance.

Regardless of the minerals, the goal is simple: deliver the right products when customers need them. Polymer scientists, marketing, and sales teams at Covia’s Innovation Center collaborate closely to test new mineral fillers based on current needs and future possibilities. By listening to our customers and actively pursuing innovation, Covia is prepared to provide industry-leading solutions for the polyolefin market.

Learn more about the expanding possibility of plastics on Covia’s Insights blog

Decades of war, conflict, and economic hardship have plunged millions of Afghans into extreme poverty and food insecurity. Among the most vulnerable are infants, who face alarming rates of acute malnutrition. The shortage of professional medical services, combined with rising costs and limited humanitarian aid, leaves many families unable to access lifesaving treatment.

Combatting Infant Malnutrition with Breastfeeding

Action Against Hunger staff meet mothers every day who are desperate to get care for their babies — and the malnutrition situation in Afghanistan is only deteriorating.

The key to reducing malnutrition in infants is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months. According to the World Health Organization, breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year. Additionally, breastfeeding can help protect babies against short-and long-term illnesses and diseases.

However, data collected by our teams shows that in 2024, about 85% of all children admitted to our therapeutic feeding units for treatment of severe acute malnutrition with complications were under 24 months old. This means most complicated cases occur during infancy, when children should be protected from developing malnutrition through the nutrients they receive via breastfeeding. The fact that infants are overrepresented in complicated cases is an indicator that malnutrition is rising among the general population, including mothers — who then face challenges producing breastmilk.

Barriers to Breastfeeding in Afghanistan

Action Against Hunger has identified four significant barriers to exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months in Afghanistan. All these constraints mean that mothers in Afghanistan may face challenges properly feeding their young children.

1. Financial Constraints and Labor

Economic hardships leave many families unable to provide enough food to make sure no one needs to go hungry. As mothers usually leave more food for their children, they are often the ones with the least food intake within their households, which can lead to malnutrition. In addition, mothers living in rural areas are often busy with heavy physical work like agriculture and farming, impeding their ability to breastfeed their children.

2. Lack of Access to Healthcare

Poor coverage of health facilities across Afghanistan contributes to issues in treating babies when they are suffering malnutrition. In fact, 10 million people in Afghanistan live more than a one-hour walking distance away from the nearest health facility. Walking for one hour or more may be impossible for those who are ill or weak. This is made worse in the winter, when high snowfall impedes access. Without public transport or proper road conditions, health facilities can be too far out of reach for some families.

Additionally, women are only allowed travel outside of their homes when accompanied by an immediate male relative, called a “mahram”. If a mahram is not available, for example because they are working, then mothers cannot bring their children to health facilities.

3. Barriers to Women’s Education and Healthcare Professionals

Education bans on women in Afghanistan have resulted in fewer female nurses, midwives, and doctors available to counsel female patients. This hinders the spread of information about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding techniques.

With fewer public spaces are available for women, there are less opportunities for them to learn about family planning, reproductive rights, and professional childcare. Women depend on the knowledge available in their immediate family. However, some have reported not knowing anyone in their immediate community they could ask for guidance.

4. Misinformation about Breastfeeding

Misinformation about breastfeeding is prevalent. Traditional beliefs sometimes discourage mothers from exclusive breastfeeding, and older members of the community often advise mothers to feed their baby with honey or butter.

The reasoning behind this advice varies. Some communities believe that clostrum (the first form of breastmilk released after giving birth) is impure and harmful to the baby, while others believe that a mother’s milk is not sufficient for nourishing the child. Companies promoting formula milks often reiterate the latter piece of misinformation. It is a growing concern for our teams, who have observed increasing numbers of middle-class and educated families using formula milk.

Community Efforts to Fight Malnutrition

Action Against Hunger has been working with communities in Afghanistan to fight malnutrition since 1979. Our teams manage seven Therapeutic Feeding Units and support 40 health centers across the country. In each of Action Against Hunger’s clinics, teams provide screening services for all children and medical treatment for all cases found to suffer from moderate or severe acute malnutrition, providing essential, lifesaving care.

Our teams’ work also extends to community education services:

• Clinics are equipped with child-friendly spaces with painted walls, cushions to sit on, and a variety of toys for children to choose from
• Teams provide health education on optimal breastfeeding practices for caregivers
• Educational sessions cover practices such as bathing, massaging, and proper breastfeeding techniques
• A private consultation room is available for mothers to talk to nutrition and psychosocial counsellors
• Awareness is raised among community elders on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for children, facilitating the spread of knowledge amongst the community that will be self-perpetuated in the long term.

With these services, information on the best practices to support breastfeeding and prevent malnutrition become more accessible to communities, helping ensure mothers and babies have the resources they need to thrive.

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., April 23, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today released its Higg FEM Verification 2025 Annual Report, demonstrating progress in delivering consistent, comparable, and credible environmental performance data to help inform decision making across global consumer goods supply chains.

2025 Higg FEM Verification, At A Glance

• 13,500 completed verifications
• 70+ countries
• 500+ approved verifiers
• 70+ approved Verifier Bodies

The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) is a core component of the Higg Index, which is stewarded and governed by Cascale and accessible through Worldly, the sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform. Verification is a critical component of the Higg FEM system. It improves the accuracy of assessments, reduces variability in how assessments are applied, and enables more consistent interpretation of results across facilities and regions.

As adoption of Higg FEM continues to scale across the consumer goods industry, data verification is increasingly important to help brands and manufacturers make more informed decisions. Cascale continues to evaluate and evolve the verification program to ensure it delivers value, supports increasing expectations on data quality, and enables more reliable performance tracking. In 2025, Cascale prioritized stabilizing operations, strengthening quality assurance systems, and reinforcing integrity mechanisms following the rollout of Higg FEM 4.0.

“Verification is fundamental to ensuring sustainability data can be trusted and used to drive meaningful decisions,” said Dhawall Mane, director of verification, training & insights at Cascale. “In 2025, we focused on strengthening the systems, processes, and oversight that underpin the Higg FEM verification program. These improvements deliver more consistent, reliable data at scale, supporting greater transparency and accountability across global supply chains.”

The report details significant advancements supported by enhanced quality assurance controls, introduced on the Worldly platform in 2025, which strengthened both error prevention and real-time issue detection. Strengthened monitoring infrastructure, paired with greater stakeholder engagement through integrity reporting channels, supported the timely identification and resolution of issues throughout the year. Protecting the credibility of the verification system remains a foundational priority.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Operational enhancements in 2025 included clearer verification requirements, expanded calibration support, improved data correction processes, and strengthened categorization standards. Together, these efforts are helping reduce variability and improve consistency across verification outcomes.

Cascale also advanced several initiatives to ensure evolution of the verification program remains fit for purpose, including introducing a multi-phase initiative to better align verification timing with how data is generated and used, as well as pausing expansion of verification of Level 2 and 3 questions in order to ensure the quality and practicality of the program by focusing on Level 1 questions. As the verification program continues to scale, Cascale remains committed to strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and supporting stakeholders across the value chain.

Cascale members are invited to learn more and dive deeper into key report insights by registering for an exclusive member-only webinar on May 6.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale stewards and governs the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies, while Worldly delivers the technology platform through which they are implemented globally. Cascale also recently acquired the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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Representatives from the Greater Holyoke YMCA and Comcast were joined by State Representative Patricia Duffy to celebrate the opening of the organization’s STEAM tech center along with a recently awarded $15,000 grant from Comcast.

Through this support, the Greater Holyoke YMCA’s STEAM tech center provides access to devices, digital literacy training, coding, digital arts and online safety. YMCA programs serve over 500 youth annually and will integrate platforms such as ST Math, VR & AI programming, Cricut design and e-gaming embedded with healthy screentime habits and teamwork.

Additionally, the Greater Holyoke YMCA is a Comcast Lift Zone, which enables it to provide complimentary high-capacity WiFi to its patrons throughout its community center.

“Comcast has been an incredibly generous and dedicated partner of the Greater Holyoke YMCA, and their continued support has been instrumental in helping us open the tech center,” said Conor Bevan, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Holyoke YMCA.

Comcast’s support is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the Internet, create digital opportunity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities. This includes digital programs such as Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and Digital Navigators.

“Comcast is proud of its longstanding commitment to Holyoke and the relationships we’ve built with local organizations like Greater Holyoke YMCA, which are opening doors to transformative digital skills building and workforce development opportunities,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region. “We recognize the critical role that the Internet plays in achieving economic mobility and personal growth, which is why we’re investing in partnerships that empower residents to shape their own futures.”

Internet Essentials provides high-speed Internet to qualifying low-income households for as low as $14.95/month. Since 2015, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 801,000 low-income Massachusetts residents to broadband service at home.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

As the warm, sunny weather settles in, many home gardeners are sowing seeds or planting beautiful flowers in their garden beds. But what if we took that beyond just the plants we hope will take root and bloom into gorgeous flowers — what if we also started spreading seeds of kindness to those around us?

That’s exactly what Aflac aims to do through its Scatter Seeds of Kindness platform. Inspired by the main character of Aflac’s new children’s book, “Beyond Words,” the team at Aflac created an easy way for people from around the world to share words of kindness and hope for kids and families facing health challenges.

In “Beyond Words,” the main character, Buddy, has a friend, Bunny, who was in the hospital, and he goes on an intergalactic adventure in search of the perfect words to make her feel better. Through the magic of his imagination, Buddy journeys through outer space — exploring the depths of empathy, love and understanding — in search of what to say, and he finds that there are many ways to show you care that go “Beyond Words.”

“We’re taking a page out of Buddy’s book — pun intended — and asking people to scatter seeds of kindness by sending sweet notes to kids who are on their own health journeys and could use a little encouragement,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Since the website went live, we’ve received dozens of seeds of kindness for kids and families in 20 states, helping to remind them that they are not alone, and there’s a whole world out there cheering them on.”

These seeds of kindness are anonymous messages that focus on the person and not the illness, inspiring and reminding them of how wonderful and powerful they are. These notes are provided to families through the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign and other partners who care for children with various types of illnesses.

“Beyond Words” and the Scatter Seeds of Kindness program are part of Aflac’s 30-year and nearly $200 million commitment to supporting children facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders. It was created to extend that spirit of compassion more broadly and answer the question: How can you help someone when you don’t know what to say?

Visit Aflac.com/BeyondWords to purchase this inspiring book and gain access to free resources, including the audio version of the book read by multi-mission research astronaut and mother of two, Kellie Gerardi; free coloring sheets featuring Buddy and his friends; and a link to Scatter Seeds of Kindness.

As demand for AI, cloud computing, and digital services accelerate, data centers are becoming the backbone of the global economy.

But according to a recent Fast Company Executive Board article – “The New Competitive Edge in Data Centers” – Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the U.S./Mexico and Regional Head of Contract Logistics, argues that the factors that once defined success are evolving. Power and real estate remain essential, but increasingly, it is logistics that determines how quickly and reliably infrastructure can scale.

A Structural Shift in How Data Centers Compete

Clark’s perspective points to a clear change in how operators gain advantage.

As digital demand intensifies, execution is becoming the differentiator – particularly the ability to move, stage, and install highly specialized equipment across global supply chains.

Several dynamics are driving this shift:

• The rapid growth of AI and cloud workloads is accelerating demand for new capacity
• Infrastructure deployment timelines are tightening, with little tolerance for delays
• Equipment supply chains are becoming more complex, global, and time-sensitive

Together, these factors are elevating logistics from a supporting function to a critical enabler of speed and scale.

From Physical Infrastructure to Orchestrated Systems

Despite powering virtual services, data centers are deeply physical environments.

As Clark outlines, building and maintaining them requires the coordinated movement of thousands of components — from semiconductors and server racks to cooling and power systems — often across multiple geographies.

This is driving a shift toward more integrated, end-to-end logistics models, including:

• Coordinated inbound freight and multimodal transport
• Secure, specialized warehousing and staging
• Just-in-time delivery aligned with installation schedules
• Lifecycle management, including upgrades and reverse logistics

In this model, logistics becomes not just a function, but a system that underpins performance.

Why It Matters for Business Leaders

For organizations investing in digital infrastructure, the implications are significant. As data center development expands into new regions, logistics complexity is increasing.

Business leaders are placing greater emphasis on:

• Speed to deployment and time to revenue
• Supply chain resilience and risk mitigation
• Visibility and control across global operations
• Alignment with sustainability and regulatory requirements

In this environment, logistics is no longer evaluated solely on cost; it is a key driver of competitive advantage.

Read the Full Perspective

As the digital economy continues to scale, the role of logistics in enabling resilient, high-performance infrastructure will only grow.

For a deeper look at how these trends are reshaping the data center landscape, read Glen Clark’s full Fast Company Executive Board article: “The New Competitive Edge in Data Centers.”

May is Small Business Month, a time to honor the nearly 33 million small businesses in the U.S. that drive the economy and support local communities. While it’s important to shop at small businesses, arming their owners and employees with information that can help protect them is just as important, because business fraud is rising and evolving just as quickly as the technology they rely on to operate. Across industries, criminals are deploying more sophisticated tactics that blend technical manipulation with social engineering, making it harder for organizations to spot fraud before damage is done. KeyBank is providing information about four schemes in particular that are gaining traction. Understanding how they work is becoming critical for business leaders, finance teams, and employees alike.

One growing threat is QR code fraud, sometimes called “quishing.” In these scenarios, fraudsters impersonate trusted internal teams, often IT or security, and send messages prompting employees to scan QR codes to update systems or credentials. The codes lead to fraudulent websites designed to capture login information and sensitive data. Because QR codes feel routine and bypass traditional email filters, they can be especially effective in compromising internal systems and customer information.

Another increasingly common tactic is double‑sided spoofing, a scheme that targets both employees and financial institutions. Fraudsters first contact business users, posing as banks or service providers, to extract login credentials through social engineering. They then use that information to impersonate the business user when contacting the bank, resetting account access and initiating unauthorized ACH or wire transfers. These attacks can move quickly and often go undetected until funds are already gone.

SIM swapping attacks extend fraud beyond email and banking platforms into the mobile ecosystem. In these cases, criminals gather enough personal information to convince a wireless carrier to transfer a business user’s phone number to a new SIM card they control. Once completed, fraudsters intercept calls and text messages, including one‑time passcodes used for multifactor authentication, allowing them to take over online business accounts and financial platforms with alarming efficiency.

Still, one of the most damaging and persistent threats remains Business Email Compromise (BEC). Fraudsters impersonate vendors, suppliers, or merchants and request payment changes, such as new banking instructions. The messages often appear legitimate, referencing real projects or invoices. Without strict verification procedures, businesses may unknowingly reroute payments directly to criminal accounts.

While the tactics vary, prevention strategies share common ground. Regular employee training helps teams recognize red flags and report suspicious activity early. Strong password policies—combined with multifactor authentication—reduce the risk of stolen credentials being misused. Secure network practices, routine system updates, and consistent monitoring of accounts and transactions can further limit exposure.

Perhaps most importantly, businesses should establish clear procedures for validating payment changes, credential resets, and unusual requests before taking action. Fraud thrives on urgency and assumptions.

As fraud schemes continue to evolve, awareness remains one of the most effective defenses. By understanding the most common attacks and reinforcing protective controls, businesses can reduce risk, respond faster, and stay one step ahead of today’s fraud landscape.

If you suspect your business has been exposed to fraud, immediately contact any financial institution where you maintain an account. If you are a KeyBank client, contact KeyBank’s Fraud Client Service Center immediately at 1-800-433-0124 or dial 711 for TTY/TRS.

Get more tips from KeyBank that can help protect you from fraud

_{The information and recommendations contained here have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable based on current information and conditions and are subject to change. KeyBank assumes no duty to update any information in the material in the event that such information changes. KeyBank does not represent or warrant its accuracy, reliability, or completeness or accept any liability for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This material is provided as general information only; particular situations may require additional information or actions. Nothing in material shall be regarded as an offer, solicitation, recommendation or advice (whether financial, accounting, legal, tax or other) given by KeyBank and/or its officers or employees or other presenters. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. ©2026 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved. KeyBank Member FDIC. CFMA #260414-4341978}

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

ROANOKE, VA – Aetna Better Health® of Virginia, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), announced the opening of its new Community Resource Center (CRC) in Roanoke, located at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s EnVision Center. The CRC is open to the public and expands access to health and wellness services by helping individuals and families navigate health care benefits, connect to local resources and better understand and manage their health – including support for maternal health, chronic conditions such as diabetes and social care needs. The center is also equipped with computers, state of the art teleconferencing and a private space for medical conversations.

For many families, navigating health care and social services can feel overwhelming. That is why the CRC is staffed with a dedicated team of Aetna community engagement staff members who can help families access health services and available benefits with the goal of removing barriers and making critical connections to care.

“Improving health starts with meeting people where they are, and this new Community Resource Center gives us a tangible way to do that in Roanoke,” said Joel Gray, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Virginia. “By bringing together trusted guidance, practical tools and connections to local resources, we’re helping individuals and families take meaningful steps toward better health – whether that means managing a chronic condition, supporting a healthy pregnancy or accessing benefits that enable long-term well-being.”

The opening of Aetna’s Community Resource Center coincided with the EnVision Center’s annual spring community cookout which took place on April 4 and brought families together to enjoy a free book fair, food and giveaways. The Aetna Wellness on Wheels (AWoW) mobile RV unit was also onsite to provide free blood pressure and BMI screenings for attendees.

“The EnVision Center was created to be a trusted hub where residents can access the services and support they need in one place,” said Lynelle Lewis, EnVision Center Manager. “Adding Aetna Better Health of Virginia’s Community Resource Center strengthens that mission by expanding access to health-focused resources that can help individuals better manage their health and make informed decisions about their care.”

Aetna Better Health of Virginia is a Managed Care Organization serving 242,000 Medicaid members statewide in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information, visit https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/virginia.

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About Aetna Medicaid

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of Medicaid members, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact

Monica Prinzing
Monica.Prinzing@CVSHealth.com