Josh Drew doesnt have to imagine it. He, along with his entire team, lived through it.

After five years at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Drew joined Amsterdam-based telecommunications company VimpelCom as associate general counsel of investigations in July 2016a trying time in the companys history, to say the least. Just five months earlier, VimpelComs wholly owned Uzbek subsidiary, Unitel, pleaded guilty, and VimpelCom entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice for having engaged in a systemic and long-running corruption scheme in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The company also was still feeling the sting from the consequential $795 million global foreign bribery settlement with U.S. and Dutch authorities.

Since that time, the company has significantly overhauled its governance structure, along with changing its name to VEON in March 2017. It was around this time of major upheaval that Drew was named acting group chief compliance officer, following the resignation of his predecessor just six months into the job and after the compliance monitorships heavy scrutiny had already begun.

All of this is to say that when Drew was offered the permanent post of group chief ethics and compliance officer in October 2017, it was not a decision to be taken lightly for both personal and professional reasons. It was definitely a family decision, Drew says of the job opportunity and having to move his family from the United States to Amsterdam. My wife has a career, and we have three kids. So, we had to evaluate how this would work from all angles.

Turns out, the family didnt need much convincing. For my wifes job, we had done a short stint in Paris. The experience of living overseas was great for our family and whetted our appetite for more, Drew says. As a family, we were very excited to move to Amsterdam.

The more substantial challenge would be on a professional level: how to right the ship at VEON. The task at handmonumental, to say the leastwas to create and implement an effective global ethics and compliance program nearly from the ground up; to shift the cultural mindset of people from all across the organization and at all levels of the organization; and to do so under a very aggressive timetable, as set forth under the terms of the DPA.

Drew says he accepted this challenge with a sense of both excitement and humility. I wanted to be the chief compliance officer, but I also understood the size of the challenge and that it was going to take a tremendous team effort if the company was going to succeed, he says. It was not going to be all about what I could do. It was really going to be much more about how I could help channel all the resources in the organization in the right direction to help the company succeed.

In the following weeks and months, he would tackle that challenge head on. It is for those rebuilding efforts that he earned the distinction of winning Compliance Weeks first-ever Compliance Comeback of the Year Award.

Current and former colleagues credit the effortless way Drew took the helm, even in uncharted waters, and note that its not inconsequential that he wasnt yet at the company when the settlement terms were negotiated. He inherited them, says Yvonne Hilst, ethics and compliance officer at VEON. If he ever doubted himself, he never let it show. Thats a characteristic of a good leader.

Drew says he was able to leverage his former experience at Hewlett-Packard in his role as vice president and associate general counsel. Hewlett-Packard had also gone through an FCPA investigation, settlement, and post-settlement reporting obligations. So, I had a skillset that was transferable to VEON and what the company needed, he says.

The hallmarks of an effective compliance program are virtually the same from one company to the next, adds Drew, who was also a former trial attorney in the Fraud Section of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. Its not rocket science. You need to make a work plan and start executing on it, and that was a very high priority [at VEON] from the start.

Drew says the first step in that process was to make sure I understood the state of play with the existing compliance program and have a full understanding of the problems and historical compliance failures that had led the company to that point. No company that is under a DPA has a compliance program that can continue operating in the same way it has been historically, he says. VEON was no exception.

There was a lot of work to be done, for sure, Hilst says of the compliance program when she joined VEON in September 2017. It needed to change and improve basically everything. In the first three months that I was with the company, we had to either revise or introduce more than 20 compliance governance documents, including the Code of Conduct.

Drew understood that engagement and commitment from the board and senior leadership would be an essential part of VEONs compliance comeback. I spent quite a bit of time with our board, with our audit and risk committee, with the senior management team, to make sure they were fully engaged and that they were prepared to play their critical role as champions of the compliance program, he says.

I wanted to be the chief compliance officer, but I also understood the size of the challenge and that it was going to take a tremendous team effort if the company was going to succeed. It was not going to be all about what I could do. It was really going to be much more about how I could help channel all the resources in the organization in the right direction to help the company succeed.

Joshua Drew, Group Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, VEON

Drew also focused on building not only a bigger compliance team, but the right compliance team, making sure that we had the right skills, that we had the right people in the right roles to do the joball of those areas needed prompt attention, he says. That required recruiting and hiring new talent, seeking those who had direct experience in the field, embedded within VEONs operating companies.

Under his leadership, the compliance function grew from a small team of four to a team of over 100, made up of ethics and compliance professionals with diverse backgrounds from all over the world, including places like Uzbekistan and Russia. It really is a testament to what he was able to achieve, to do exactly what he said, which is to create a structure that just didnt exist before, says Alison Howell, who headed VEONs Monitor Liaison Office, responsible for developing the monitoring and testing program to assess the effectiveness of the ethics and compliance program.

Fundamental to Drews success is his unwavering integrity. Josh is a person of outstanding personal integrity, such that he embodies the values that underlie an effective compliance program, says Mark Rochon, a member of law firm Miller & Chevalier who, together with Tom Firestone at Baker McKenzie, served as VEONs outside counsel.

He is a person who always does exactly what he says he is going to do, and that steadiness is an essential part of why he is such a good leader, Rochon adds. He worked throughout the organization to instill necessary change, and he did so through building a good team and using teamwork in bringing about that change.

And colleagues appreciated that Drew was not a yes-man type of leader. He really considered the views of everyone, right down to the most junior person on the team, Howell says.

Thats how he is as a person both inside and outside the walls of the company. If he had his team flying economy, he would decline his business-class seat, which he was entitled to as an executive, and instead would sit with his team, says Pat Garcia, then-group chief compliance officer at VEON and Drews No. 2 deputy during the companys three-year DPA. More important than any leadership skill is genuine caring for others. He is a person dedicated to his family and loyal to his friends. He is a good person. Josh is not a politician. What you see is what you get.

Another great leadership quality is that he would let his leaders lead, Garcia adds. He allowed me to manage my global responsibilities without being a micro-manager.

That level of trust filtered into the compliance teams relationship with the monitor as well. Josh trusted his direct reports to have an open and transparent dialogue directly with the monitor team itself, so communication didnt necessarily have to be filtered through Josh or Alison, Hilst says. He also set the tone from the beginning that dialogue between the company and the monitor wouldnt be filtered through outside counsel, which also helped create greater transparency, she says.

We really had to make sure that the relationship and engagement with U.S. enforcement authorities was on solid footing, that we had a clear line of communication, that we were doing what we needed to do, Drew says. You have to develop an effective, collaborative relationship with your monitor or youre just not going to be successful as a company getting through your post-settlement period.

Facilitating interactions between the monitor, senior management, and the board to ensure those meetings were productive was also important. It was really important to communicate openly and be responsive with the monitor and at the same time establish myself as a credible and trusted adviser for the board, for the executive team, and sort of lead them through the process so that the monitor was getting what he needed and we were on good footing to be successful.

We understood from the outset that if we tried to drive change as a mandate from compliance that we would not be successful, Drew says. Thus, it was critical that all leaders throughout the business were on board with what the company was trying to do and could effectively articulate the need for compliance and the need for strong internal controls.

Josh is not a politician. What you see is what you get.

Pat Garcia, Drews No. 2 deputy during three-year DPA

During the term of the DPA and compliance monitorship, VEON underwent several changes to its senior leadership team, including the appointment of a new chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and board chairman. But colleagues say Drew managed these changes and various relationships with ease, keeping the compliance programs development and implementation on track. He was particularly effective in his work with the board and involving them in the companys compliance transformation, which was essential to success, Rochon says.

Another key focus was shifting the culturemoving people away from thinking about compliance to thinking about ethics and compliance. There is a real art to implementing change in a way that it will stick, in a way that it will become embedded into the culture of the company, and that is what we had to do, Drew says.

Ultimately, VEON rebranded its function from compliance to ethics and compliance and incorporated much more content on integrity and values and the importance of ethical decision-making in our communications and into our training, Drew says. It is absolutely the wrong approach to try to have a rule that covers every scenario.

Employees wont always find themselves in situations that are covered by a specific policy, procedure, or rule that tells them what theyre supposed to do. In those circumstances, they need to use other resources and their own judgment to decide what is the best approach, Drew adds.

In large part due to Drews leadership, the monitor certified to the effectiveness of the companys anti-corruption compliance program late last year, and the Justice Department dismissed VEONs DPA right on time.

Any time a company faces great challenges, stress, and difficulty, its an opportunity for compliance professionals to demonstrate their value and leadership in the organization, Drew says. Especially with the coronavirus pandemic, the biggest challenge for VEONs ethics and compliance team has been to go cold turkey and not travel at all, he says. A lot of the value we bring, especially the headquarters team, is being able to travel to our operating companies, to meet with local leaders, to have town hall type of events, to deliver training, to meet with the local ethics and compliance team. Its been a big adjustment to have to do all of that virtually and not lose effectiveness.

But at the same time, Drew says he believes the pandemic will elevate the compliance function. Effective compliance teams change and adapt to the business, and certainly businesses of all sizes and types are going to have to do that post-pandemic, he says.

In all respects, those who know Drew say he leads by example. He would remind us about his three rules for doing great work and what his expectations were of us and his team: Be accountable. Be a problem solver. And innovate, Hilst says. He also reminded us to have fun.

That approach is as applicable now as it was pre-pandemic, Drew concludes. If compliance professionals can do those things, they will be effective in their role, and theyll provide what the company needs, when it needs it most.

Link:
Josh Drew led by example in getting VEON through DPA - Compliance Week

Lynn Dominguez in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration is used to going along on the guided nature hikes her students lead as part of their RPL 552 Environmental Interpretation course.

But the pandemic upended nearly everything Central Michigan University students and faculty are used to, and so her students ventured out alone into parks and backyards all over Michigan to fulfill their assignment with cellphone videos.

"I started noticing all the pine needles and moss all over the trails at the Ludington State Park, and I honestly didn't know much about the different things that are all over the forest floor," said Amber Sadler, a senior majoring in recreation and event management. "That's how the idea originated."

She created themes, goals and objectives; messaged classmates to compare ideas; and took to the trails to record her video.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, a few College of Medicine team members suited up in personal protective equipment to run medical scenarios at the simulation lab in Saginaw as students and residents watched and learned from home.

Finding remote learning solutions and successes became a new way of life for students and faculty this semester. Here are a few more examples.

School of Music faculty member Alicia Marie Valoti set out to involve her entire viola studio class in a musical video. She ended up also involving alumni from around the world.

"Each of the violists you see was a CMU student of mine in some way," Valoti said, "and each, including myself, recorded three different parts to be mixed together.

"The students come from Brazil, China, Ecuador and many different parts of Michigan, and in fact, in some of the videos, students recorded themselves in their home country."Graduate assistant Shawn Bouck edited and produced the video.

In the Department of Theatre and Dance, Heather Trommer-Beardslee's DAN 232 Dance Composition students also needed to find a way to perform together. The resulting assignment became a video, "Still Dancing Together," to which each dancer contributed a solo performance.

"Students used the choreography skills they had been working on in class to continue learning and creating together despite the physical distance," Trommer-Beardslee said. Class member Alynne Welch edited the video.

'Live from Home'

Meanwhile, integrative public relations students received real-life lessons in crisis management by watching videos CMU Police Chief Larry Klaus created as he and the department managed the impact of the pandemic on campus. Elina Erzikova's JRN 551 Case Studies in Public Relations class discussed the handling from a PR perspective.

Preschoolers plug in

CMU's Child Development and Learning Laboratory connected with its preschool students and their families through an online learning service called Storypark. Daily video sessions with songs, stories and movement activities kept the children engaged and their teachers and student teachers focused on learning, said Human Development and Family Studies faculty member Holly Hoffman.

MOVE doesn't stop

Community members with Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis rely on the CMU physical therapy program's popular MOVE for Health exercise class. Unable to host it in person, student leaders in the program created a YouTube video to keep participants moving.

Honoring an Honors tradition

CMU Honors Program students wait years to ring the gong in Powers Hall to celebrate completing their senior capstone research projects. The stay-home order only spurred their creativity. Students took to Facebook to "virtually" ring the gong using everything from wind chimes to a dinner bell to a metal bowl to the power of Photoshop.

Pipeline goes online

The nine-week Health Careers Pipeline program recruits a diverse group of ninth and 10 graders from area high schools who are interested in health professions careers. It was scheduled to begin the first week of Michigan's stay-home order, so organizers took it virtual with interactive games and videos and drew nearly 100% participation, said April Osburn, executive director of the Mid-Central Area Health Education Center.

Threads can't be broken

The annual student-run Threads Fashion show, scheduled for April, took on a new look after the pandemic canceled campus events. Instead of sending models to walk the runway, organizers called on alumni to post supportive videos on Facebook and continued to create social media posts with the event's look and theme.

"Threads Fashion show is continuing to promote the brand," said faculty advisor Ian R. Mull. Organizers also created a Threads Fashion show 2020 program, offered for sale, to spotlight the designers who would have been in the show.

Lessons from nonprofits

Even from home, the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance stuck to its 5 p.m. Thursday meetings. The academic registered student organization's members aim for careers leading nonprofit organizations. Turning their attention to the ways nonprofits are meeting needs during the pandemic, they produced a video to showcase what they've learned.

"The learning comes from students staying connected and committed," said Political Science and Public Administration faculty member Emma Powell, who works with the alliance. "I am so proud of this group I could probably write a book."

Shifting sales strategy

Marketing and Hospitality Services Administration faculty member Rebecca Dingus' MKT 340 Personal Selling course normally builds up to sales role-plays between Dingus and each of her students. This year, recognizing that not all students could meet virtually from home, she and a colleague from Marquette University recorded four versions of a sales call. Pairs of students critiqued them using the knowledge they'd gained from the course.

"They got to watch me sell four different ways," Dingus said. "It created a much richer learning experience than what I ever could have predicted." She plans to use the new assignment even when classes transition back to campus.

Sharing science stories

Anyone wanting to find successes in the College of Science and Engineering can look to the college's Facebook page.

"We've been highlighting faculty and students since the quarantine started," said Rob Wang, the college's communications coordinator. Among them:

Faculty members Jason Keeler and Jordan Watts teach with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in mind at this time, understanding that students need food, shelter, friendship and a sense of self-esteem before they can expect to succeed academically.

Junior mechanical engineering major Katya Dominguez shifted from a canceled study abroad program in South Korea to being able to quickly register for online classes and two independent studies.

Actuarial sciences and statistics sophomore Julie Colling shares strategies for keeping up with studies and taking time to reduce stress.

Forward into summer

With all campus events, camps and gatherings canceled through June 25 and the first session of CMU summer classes online only, remote connections will grow past the end of the spring semester.

The Speech-Language Specialty Clinic for area children is just one example of a vital program taking new form. About 40 virtual campers in the annual nine-week speech and language therapy program will connect through telepractice one to three times a week beginning May 26. Telepractice links the CMU student clinicians and the clinical instructors supervising them for assessment, intervention and consultation with children and their parents.

Another example is the Center for Excellence in STEM Education's summer camps, which will be held virtually as they begin in June. The free classes open for registration May 18. This year's camps will be smaller to allow for meaningful connections and will offer curbside pick-up for needed materials.

Read more:
In a changed reality, finding new paths to success - The Morning Sun

She may have some interesting stories to tell her grandchildren about the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Like many other people her age, Emma Elwell is dealing with the disruption of normal life by engaging in virtual schooling and home-based workouts. But the Boyertown senior has another perspective on the situation: That of an employee of Walmart, a business classified as essential in this time of social distancing and stay-at-home requirements.

I get thanked a lot for serving. Its crazy, Elwell said of the hero status accorded her and others a category headed by medical professionals and first responders that includes retail store workers.

In that capacity, Emma gets a close-up look at how the consumer public is responding to the health-mandated requirements and restrictions placed by the government on retail businesses.

Its mostly pretty good, she said. But you can get someone who doesnt follow the rules or the medical conditions, someone else complains about that and a fight breaks out. It can be a little awkward.

Its nonetheless a meaningful contribution to a society dealing with the closure of schools, restaurants and bars, many stores and personal-service businesses, among others.

It also helps Elwell fill time left empty by the loss of her last high-school athletic season to the pandemic.

The holder of no less than 12 school records in winter and spring track, Elwell was primed for a big final go-round on the track. Coming off an indoor season that saw her top her own standards in all but two of eight events and qualify for nationals, she was looking to enhance her standing as the schools fastest sprinter and add to her medal collection from her junior season.

This spring was supposed to be awesome, Elwell said. We had crazy 4100 and 4200 relays. We were excited.

Boyertown seniors Mattie Gallagher, left, and Emma Elwell bite their medals after winning the state title Friday. (Austin Hertzog MediaNews Group)

Her 2019 spring season was no less awesome. Elwell placed second in the 100 (12.27) and third in the 200 (25.54) at the Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships, and she was eighth in both AAA races at the District 1 meet.

Elwell came into outdoor track season off a strong showing in the Pa. Track and Field Coaches Association (PTFCA) meet March 1 at Penn State University. She placed sixth in the 200 (25.35) and seventh in the 60 (7.86) while helping Boyertowns 4200 relay (Renee Simmonds, Lillian Mauger, Alona Hopkins) scored a fourth in 1:45.50 which qualified them for the New Balance Indoor Nationals. But the event slated for March 13-15 in New York fell victim to the pandemic.

Its really hard to cope with, she added. It was all taken away. We realized bigger things were within reach.

I was focusing on the sprints. Id like to be good in the 200. In the 65, Id like to drop my time.

All was not lost for Elwells senior year of sports: she was the starting right back of the PIAA Class 4A champion Boyertown girls soccer team, earning Mercury All-Area second team selection after the forward converted to defense and added a seasoned and dynamic presence on the Bears right side.

Elwell will be in position to pursue more big things when her time at Boyertown is finished. She will be heading to Millersville University in the fall with the unique status of being a three-sport athlete. In addition to running winter and spring track, Emma will be part of the Marauder womens soccer program.

Millersville plays a back-and-winger shift, she explained. I was used to getting stuck anywhere.

After competing in three sports in high school, Elwell doesnt see that routine being a challenge at the collegiate level.

I focus on nutrition, sleep and hydration. Thats important, she said.

At Millersville, Emma will be reunited with former Boyertown teammate Aurora Conrad. Like Elwell, Conrad was a sprinter who medalled at the PACs 2019 meet she was eighth in the 100 and 200 and is currently finishing up her freshman year at Millersville.

Were close, Elwell noted. It was fun to run track with her. Shes one of my best friends.

Elwell will be pursuing studies in early childhood education at Millersville. She had previously done a student-teaching gig with a class of first-graders and enjoyed the experience.

View original post here:
Senior Spotlight: Boyertown's Elwell contributes to success on and off the track and field - papreplive.com

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Tony Yates will go down as animportant figurein University of Cincinnati basketball history, having been a part of the program for three decades.

He had two distinct careers with the Bearcats: His mega-successful time as a player in the 1960s and his frustrating years as UCs head coach in the 1980s.

Yates, a member of the UC James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame (inducted in 1985) and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (2020), died Saturday night at age 82, it was confirmed by JCBattle &Sons Funeral Home.

Born in September 1937 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Yates was a 1954 graduate of Lockland Wayne High School and helped lead the school to the 1952 state championship with his brother Fletcher.

[Download the Cincinnati.com App]

[Check out this special subscription offer]

Yates turned down partial scholarship offers to play basketball from Cincinnati and Xavier University because he was disappointed not to get full scholarship offers. He worked and played for a barnstorming all-star basketball team for the year,then joined the United States Air Force. In 1958, he got married, and in 1959, he accepted a partial scholarship offer from UC, with a chance to play with all-time great Oscar Robertson.

Who wouldnt want to be associated with him? Yates said in the book Tales from Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball.

Yates was considered an instant leader on the Bearcats freshmen team and went on to average 7.4 points (1960-61), 8.2 points (1961-62) and 7.6 points (1962-63) in his three seasons on varsity. As a senior team captain, he was chosen third-team All-America by The Associated Press and first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference.

As a sophomore, Yateswas 23 years old and nicknamed Gramps. He assumed the role of starting point guard and was considered Ed Jucker's coach on the floor.

When George Wilson arrived to play for UC in 1960, he said, there were only a few African American players, including Yates, Paul Hogue and Tom Thacker. They were all older than Wilson. He said Hogue and Thacker were like my big brothers and Tony was like papa.

Wilson looked to Yates for guidance about life as a minority in Cincinnati.

"We always did what he said to do and always followed his advice, Wilson said.

Yateshelped lead the Bearcats to their national championships in 1961 and 1962 and a runner-up finish in 1963. He won UCs teamBest Defensive Player award all three years during which UC's teams went 82-7. Yates and Thacker are the only players in program history to play in three NCAA championship games.

Cincinnati starters from 1961-1962 team standing up: Coach Ed Jucker. kneeling left to right: Ron Bonham, Capt. Tony Yates, George Wilson and Tom Thacker. They were the 1962 NCAA championship team.(Photo: Enquirer file)

The St. Louis Hawks was selected Yates 41st overall in the fifth round of the 1963 NBA draft.

At UC, Yateswas also a member of Sigma Sigma mens honorary.

Yates was an assistant coach at UC underTay Baker andGale Catlett from 1972-74. He left to become an assistant to Gene Bartow at theUniversity of Illinoisin 1974-75. He then became Lou Hensons assistant and was at Illinois for a total of nine seasons, earning a reputation as strong recruiter and helping the Illini to two NCAA Tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments.

But what Yates always wanted was to be UCs head coach. He said he applied for the job in 1972 when Catlett was hired and in 1978 when Ed Badger was chosen. Finally, in 1983, Yates was hired to replace Badger.

It was a very happy moment, Yates said in the UC basketball book. I was going home.

Yates was tearful at his introductory press conference when he received a standing ovation.

That day Robertson told The Enquirer: Am I happy? You bet. He knows the game. He knows how to recruit. Hes just what we need.

JANUARY 1, 1988: Pete Gillen (left) and Tony Yates hold the Crosstown Shootout trophy.(Photo: Enquirer file)

Yates'six years as head coach did not go as planned. His teams finished 70-100 overall with just two winning seasons 17-14 with an NIT berth in 1984-85 and 15-12 in 1988-89. He was then fired andreplaced by Bob Huggins.

He did not coach again.

"I had my fling," Yatessaid in the UC basketball book. "I didwhat I wanted to do. I wanted to coach at the University ofCincinnati. Im very pleased, very blessed, and very happy aboutwhat we had done. There were a lot of very special momentswith a lot of special people. There are a lot of great, great memories.

Hewill forever be rememberedasthe architect behind UCs stall-ball gameagainst the University of Kentucky in December 1983. UK ended up winning 24-11. It was Yates eighth game as a head coach. The Bearcats were 1-6, and the Wildcats were No. 2 in the country.

The game was on national TV. On game day, Yatestold the players the plan was to hold the ball on every possession until they had a chance for a layup. I thought the only way we had a chance to win, was to do what we did, Yates said in the book. And they did it to the letter.

Yates also will be remembered for recruiting three of UC's1,000-point scorers: Roger McClendon, Louis Banksand LevertisRobinson. McClendon and Banks are among the program's top10 all-time scorers.

"He was very stern in his values and what he thoughtwas important," McClendon said Sunday. "He was a family man. He taught people about life. People called him stubborn in a way, but what he went through in the military to battling racism, to being in sales, and then getting the privilege to be a coach ... he came from the school of hard knocks.

"He was the pillar. He gave back, volunteeredin the community. Hes going to be missed. He was our leader, and people really respected him."

Yates contributed to the community with theTony Yates Caring For Kids Foundation, anon-profit designed "to uplift, assist, and train youth and their families."

There also is theTony Yates Junior Golf Academy.According to the Cincinnati Recreation Commission web site, it "uses the game of golf to teach discipline, encourage personal growth and self esteem and also fosters personal success for the boys and girls attending. The program provides golf instruction along with life skill training to enable participants to become better, more productive citizens."

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005: Two former UC basketball coaches: Tony Yates introduces some friends to Bob Huggins as they talk backstage. US Bank Arena was the site of a roast/salute to fired former University of Cincinnati Basketball Coach Bob Huggins.(Photo: The Enquirer/Michael E. Keating)

Read this article:
Tony Yates: Former University of Cincinnati basketball player and coach dies at 82 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

As of Saturday, Taiwan has recorded 440 coronavirus cases and seven deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. By comparison, Australia -- with a population of 25 million -- has reported more than 7,000 infections and 98 deaths.

Eager to share its experiences in fighting Covid-19, Taiwan is now pushing for a greater voice in global health discussions. The United States, Japan and New Zealand have all voiced support for Taiwan to join next week's World Health Assembly -- an annual meeting of World Health Organization (WHO) members.

And this doesn't sit well with Beijing.

China regards the island as part of its territory, and has for years blocked it from taking part in many global institutions, while also refusing to have diplomatic relations with countries that maintain official ties with Taiwan.

Taiwan, which is not a WHO member, joined the WHA as an observer from 2009 to 2016, when the island was governed by the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT). But when the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in 2016, ties frayed with Beijing -- and Taipei hasn't joined the WHA since.

But as the virus gives Taiwan a rare opportunity to boost its international profile, Beijing has accused Taipei of pushing for formal independence -- and stepped up military drills around the island. There have even been some fringe calls within China for the country to use the pandemic as an opportunity to invade Taiwan.

As the number of new infections dropped in China and surged abroad in recent months, state media touted Beijing's success in defeating the virus while highlighting the failures of other governments to contain its spread -- particularly the US and other Western democracies.

Inside China, that sparked claims its authoritarian political system was superior to those of liberal democracies when it came to tackling the pandemic.

Furthermore, the Chinese government has faced criticism for its initial handling of the outbreak. Authorities have been accused of silencing medical workers who tried to sound the alarm on the virus, downplaying the severity of the outbreak and delaying admission of human-to-human transmission in the critical early stages.

As China moved to help countries by donating personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies, questions have been raised as to the motives behind its so-called "mask diplomacy."

In March, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned about the "geopolitical component" of Beijing soft-power push, saying Europe must be aware of "a struggle for influence through spinning and the 'politics of generosity.'"

As well as donating medical supplies, Taiwan has sought to develop bilateral partnerships to fight the pandemic -- a move that has drawn the wrath of Beijing.

In addition to bilateral cooperation, Taiwan has doubled down on its bid to return to the WHO's annual assembly.

On March 27, the US passed a law supporting Taipei's participation in international institutions and its efforts to strengthen ties with other countries, and multiple nations usually wary of being on the wrong side of Beijing, such as Japan, Canada and New Zealand, have publicly spoken out in favor of Taiwan rejoining the WHA.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian rebuked New Zealand for just that, calling on it to "immediately stop making wrong statements on Taiwan, to avoid damaging our bilateral relationship." Beijing has called Taipei's attempt to rejoin the WHA a "political plot."

"In the United States, there are people who blatantly support Taiwan to join the WHO," a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said last week. "They are politicizing epidemic prevention issues and sending a seriously wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces. We resolutely object to that."

On social media and in the Chinese press, some have called on the People's Liberation Army to take advantage of the pandemic to invade Taiwan, arguing that the timing could not be better, with the US preoccupied with the coronavirus and its military might in the region crimped by an outbreak on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

However, most observers agree that such posturing is unlikely to be matched by any hostile action against Taiwan.

Timothy Heath, a senior international researcher at the RAND Corporation, a US think tank, said the weakness of China's economy precludes any such move. The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in the Chinese economy contracting by 6.8% in the first part of this year -- the worst plunge since quarterly records began in 1992.

"China needs access to (global) markets once they recover, and so it is in China's interests to maintain good ties with the US and the world," Heath said. "A reckless attack on Taiwan would only exacerbate tensions with Washington and could elevate the risk of economic sanctions and other penalties -- potentially crippling the Chinese economy."

He added that while Beijing "cares a great deal about Taiwan," the Chinese government cares "even more about maintaining the economic growth that underpins the (Communist Party's) rule."

See the original post:
Taiwan's success in fighting coronavirus has bolstered its global standing. This has infuriated Beijing - CNN

Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has many ambitions that she is pursuing. She wants to win an NWSL title with her club, Sky Blue FC. She wants to become the No. 1 keeper with Canada. She also wants a dog.

Ive always had a weird obsession with dogs, and I think its because I could never have one. We didnt have them growing up and I always wanted them, she said.

For now, her on-the-go lifestyle (at least before COVID-19) means she has had to put pet ownership on hold, but she is working towards her professional dreams. Sheridan is currently in New Jersey, resuming individual workouts with Sky Blue as the NWSL hopes to begin its season in the near future.

I think right now Ive just been really focusing on being prepared for when were allowed to come back in and doing all the workouts we need to do, she told TSN.

Sheridan, 24, is preparing for her fourth season with Sky Blue. Her tenure with the club has been tumultuous at times, with Sky Blue finishing near or at the bottom of the league in the past two years, but this upcoming season was looking promising. Newly appointed general manager Alyse LaHue had brought in a surge of new talent, including two-time NWSL champion McCall Zerboni and American international Mallory Pugh, along with a new head coach, Freya Coombe.

Im extremely excited, Sheridan said. I think when all those changes were made, it put an extra light in the team, and made us more excited than we were coming off of last season... just bringing in a little more experience and star power that we havent maybe had in the past.

Also joining the fold is fellow Canadian Evelyne Viens, who was drafted fifth overall earlier this year. The native of Lancienne-Lorette, Que.,is coming off an impressive collegiate career with USF, recording 73 goals and 23 assists in 77 appearances, although she is still awaiting her first call-up to the Canadian national team.

I was extremely excited personally to have another Canadian with me on the team, Sheridan said. [Shes] a Canadian we can all see coming through the ranks. She definitely came underneath [the radar] and maybe got bypassed a little bit, but I think that we can build her up at Sky Blue and give her an opportunity to really showcase her abilities.

She just has an amazing attitude from what Ive met with her so far just always wanting to train and learn and get into this environment. It sucks [in] your rookie year not to be able to do that right away in the typical manner, but I know when we get the opportunity shes definitely ready to show.

Sheridan is also a draft pick of Sky Blue, selected 23rdoverall in 2017. She has been able to find personal success even while her club has struggled. In 2019, Sky Blue finished second-last, but Sheridan was named as a finalist for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year (ultimately losing to Washingtons Aubrey Bledsoe). A year earlier, the Canadian set an NWSL record for most saves in a season, while her club finished dead-last with just one win.

I think that was the year I got to face so many things, she said. Maybe from the outside it looks like a really rough year for the team, and for me personally coming in last and not winning. It doesnt look like a typical year where you say, Oh, I was successful. But I definitely came out of that year thinking that I grew as a goalkeeper and became a better player, just because I got to see so much, face so much, and grow a bigger understanding of the game.

My journey with Sky Blue is definitely something that nobody could have predicted. I couldnt have predicted it. I couldnt have written a better story myself.

Sheridan has endured some hardships with the club off the field as well. In 2018, an article fromThe Equalizer revealed substandard training and living conditions that Sky Blue players were forced to withstand, such as not having showers at their training facilities. Sheridan stepped up to advocate for better conditions, addressing the issues in a conference call that included the clubs owners and New Jersey governor Phil Murphy.

This was not OK, this wasnt the standard, and it was OK not to be OK with it, even though I felt that maybe I had to be, Sheridan said. It just really taught me that in order to make a difference, we did have to speak up. We couldnt just be quiet. It was maybe a risk that we would have to take, but we had to trust that this risk was worth it, and that we deserved more than we were being given.

After former general manager Tony Novo resigned in 2019 and was replaced by LaHue, Sheridan said the changes in the teams living and training conditions have been night and day. The club now practises at the Red Bulls Training Facility, furthering a partnership forged with the MLS side during the off-season, when it was announced that all Sky Blue home games will be played at Red Bull Arena.

We are in amazing accommodations, our training facility even though I have not been there yet because of this whole pandemic but from what Ive heard from the girls and what Ive seen from the pictures, its just phenomenal, Sheridan said. If I had a side-by-side, you wouldnt believe where we were training and where we were living before.... Its just massive to be able to be at that first year where I was and see what we had to see what we have now in just three years.

Sheridans willingness to speak up is just one example of her fearlessness off and on the pitch. This bold display may also be one of the reasons that keepers have the reputation of being a bit odd, something that Sheridan happily admits.

I think if a goalkeeper answers no to that, then theyre lying, she said with a laugh. Definitely, Im crazy. I think were all weird and different in a way, but that just kind of makes us the people that we are and the athletes that we are. Were willing to do the crazy things and push our bodies to limits that we didnt think that we could or other people didnt think that we could. Youve got to be a little crazy to do what we do, but I think at the end of the day, it makes you a better goalkeeper.

For Sheridan, one of her particular quirks is her koumpounophobia fear of buttons.

We can talk about that... let the world know, Sheridan laughed. I was pretty young, and I just didnt want to get put in buttoned clothes. My parents were like, What is wrong with this kid? I dont know what it is. I still just dont like them. I dont want to touch them. I dont want them near me. Nobody knows what happened with the buttons. Its just one of those things.

Sheridan, sans buttons, has been a regular on the Canadian roster since earning her first cap in 2016. The native of Whitby, Ont.,has seen some early success, with six clean sheets in nine appearances, and has also forged a strong bond with starting goalkeeper Stephanie Labb.

I think one of the best things that she has given me [is] the opportunity to ask me to push her, and allowed me to come in and feel like I can really compete for that spot, and she wants me to, said Sheridan. She wants me to come and push her and make her better. Thats just how you know shes such an amazing person and athlete. She wants to be better. She wants me to give everything that I can give, and if Im better at the end of the day, shell be proud of me, and if she gets better because of me, shell be happy.

Labb, 33, has hinted in recent interviews that she plans to retire after the now-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which would open the door for Sheridan as Canadas No.1 keeper (alongside Sabrina DAngelo). But despite her personal aspirations, Sheridan wants to be clear:

Nobody is asking her [Labb] to leave.... Im never going to push her to retire, and shes never going to decide that without feeling completely confident. She is one of those people who completely knows and trusts in her decisions, she said.

Sheridan is also a mentor in her own right. During her off-seasons in New Jersey, she trains and works at The Keeper Institute, helping to instruct young goalkeepers.

I do love coaching, she said. I think thats one of the amazing gifts you can give back when youre at such a high level, because you have the knowledge and the ability. Being able to work with kids and give back is a really good thing for me to be able to do, and I feel really passionate about it.

Read more:
Keeper Sheridan talks Sky Blue FC training, national team aspirations and why she wants a dog - TSN

Adele nearly broke the internet earlier this month when she revealed her jaw-droppingtransformation photo to her fans on the occasion of her 32nd birthday. What was so remarkable was not only that the Grammy Award-winning singer had lost 100 pounds, but also that she emerged as a toned, sleek and strong looking body, with the legs of a Pilates instructor. We all collectively wondered: How did she do that?

The Beet published the exact diet called the sirtfood diet,that Adele reportedly followed to shed the 100 pounds since last year, including three green juices a day and a diet that included plenty of healthy plant-based foods like kale, Brussel sprouts, and matcha. The good news is that the sirtfood diet also allows antioxidant-rich treats like dark chocolate and red wine. For the exact diet to follow, and how to do it, click on The Beet's story here.

Now The Beet has the goods on howAdelegot that toned body, including a video that shows the star pushing it to the limit on a Pilates Reformer.Losing weight is one thing, but showing off lean, toned muscles and astrong body takes some hard work, and some sweat. In an October post on IG, Adele said, "I used to cry but now I sweat." It worked for her and it will work for you too. The Beethas the secrets toAdele's success, from her former personal trainer and her Pilates instructor. Here is exactly what you need to know to tone up now. The best news? You can get it done at home.

"Getting skinny was never the goal", says Pete Geracimo, Adele's former personal trainer who moved from London to Ontario.Geracimorevealed toAccess Hollywood that Adele's body transformation was not for attention, press purposes, or album sales, it was simply for herself.

"This metamorphosis is not for album sales, publicity or to be a role model. She is doing it for herself and her son Angelo," he explained. He added weight loss can be "massively empowering: and "a truly personal thing."

Geracimo says that it is always so rewarding when he "sees his clients blossom during their fitness journeys," according toUS Magazine, and he is always their biggest cheerleader." He alsoexplained that the best motivation is one that comes from within and that Adele was facing hardships after her divorce, and she wanted to be healthier for herself and for her seven-year son, Angelo. Geracimo saysthe singer was committed to her fitness and is "sweating" to achieve her personal health goals, which makes uscuriousas to what kinds of moves she has beenusing togetthere.

Pilates appears to be Adele's go-to workout of choice. Her pilates instructor, Camila Goodisappeared on a videoonAccess Hollywood congratulating Adele for achieving her health goals. What was most shocking was that Goodissays for a moment she didn't recognize Adele after the initial weight loss, when the star walked into the studio for class one day. (Adele joins a small group workout, which many people find more effective than one-on-one training.)

In theshort video clip,Adeleis shown on the pilates reformer exercising and working hard. If you don't want to watch the entire clip you can fast forward to 2 minutes and 9 seconds to see the star putting in her reps. Pilates is a great toner for abs, legs, abs, and all-around strengthening, and this type of low-impact exercise is effective for toning up as you lose weight. Adele and others use Pilates t build lean muscle, improve posture by target core strength-- all of which lets you wear your clothes better, perfect as shorts season is upon us.Adele seems to be a big fan of Pilates but from what the media can see, at least, she only needs to hit the studio a few times a week to get these impressive results.

Camila Goodis even admits,I dont think she is a huge fan of exercise like Robbie [Williams] and Ayda [Field, his wife who are Adele's workout friends], who exercise five or six days a week,"according toThe Sun, Ayda is credited as the one who brought Adele to Pilates in the first place. She introduced the star to the workout after her divorce to help her feel better, The Sun story reports.

"One day I was attheir house [meaning the Williams'] in Los Angeles and Ayda asked me if I would train one of her best friends who was visiting," Goodis told The Sun. "So the exercise had to be very gentle. Pilates was perfect for her. She said she had done Pilates before in London, and she was very appreciative. The funny thing was I hadn't caught her name and I didn't recognize her at the time. She wasn't wearing makeup or her eyelashes and was wearing sweatpants and a loose top. After she left I mentioned to Ayda that she looked a little bit like Adele and Ayda gave me this look ... and thought it was hilarious." When Adele returned to LA she did more sessions and the weight started dropping off.

Adele'sphysical exercise program also incorporates weight training with dumbells, as you can see from Geracimo's post, whichhelps to stimulate muscle growth, increase metabolism, and burn even more calories while at rest. Perhaps what is most shocking to cardio devotes is that there is no evidence that Adele is doing much in the way of cardio. But strength training helps burn fat even after you stop working out, according to exercise research.

"Metabolism may stay elevated for longer afterweightsthan cardio," according to severalweight-loss studies published by Healthline.The research suggests that "weightlifting is better for building muscle." Another thing that we can learn from Adele is you don't need massively heavyweights to feel the burn, as the photo below posted by Geracimo indicates. As long as you work muscles to exhaustion you can get toned withsmall handhelddumbells. This is great to keep in mind now that everyone is working out at home and may not have access to weight training machines.

Pete Geracimo is now hosting free Instagram Live classes so you can literally workout like Adele for free! Sign up at his Instagram account.And get your set of hand weights delivered today. We love this set because it hasdifferent sizes and you can work up to the heavier ones.

In a press release, Pete Germacio mentioned, "It's disheartening to read the negative commentary and fatphobic accusations questioning the genuineness of her amazing weight loss." The talented celeb received harshcomments about her weight loss, whichsome criticscalled "unhealthy."Meanwhile, other fans commented with support for Adele such as "you've worked so hard to look like this and I'm so glad you've got your purpose, but I want to tell you that for me you were always a spectacular, beautiful and sexy woman."

The Beet agrees that being healthy and happy is the goal, and the only thing that really matters here is if Adele herself feelshappy and healthy.

Bottom Line: You don't have to be a world-famous superstar to transform your body or reach your personal wellbeing goals. Adele's workout regime consists of personal training sessions with Pete Germacio, which now you can do on IG Live thanks to his daily classes.

As for the Pilates classes, Goodis has a video you can try in your own living room. And someday we will all be allowed back into the workout studio, but until then floor exercises can provide plenty of core strength and toning so the key is finding the discipline to do it on your own.

Way to go, Adele, we applaud all your hard work to reach your goal. You are an inspiration.

Originally posted here:
Here Is the Workout Adele Used to Tone Up As She Lost 100 Lbs - The Beet

Three years ago, The Undertaker was done. For good. At least, he was supposed to be.

At WrestleMania 33 in April 2017, the man legally known as Mark Calaway -- who by that point had been wrestling for the better part of three decades -- had every intention of leaving his in-ring career behind and continuing with the rest of his life.

After falling to Roman Reigns in the main event of WWE's biggest show of the year and suffering just the second loss on his pristine WrestleMania record, The Undertaker left his robe, hat and gloves in the middle of the ring. That was supposed to be the final time he would lace up the boots and battle it out for WWE.

"That was 100% real and me saying goodbye," Calaway claims during his acclaimed limited documentary series "Undertaker: The Last Ride," the second episode of which will debut Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on the WWE Network.

But even in that moment, as Calaway literally left his on-screen persona in the ring, his performance in that match gnawed at his mind. Calaway was slow, immobile and lacking the explosion that made him such a legendary superstar, largely due to the fact that he was putting off a needed surgery on his right hip.

The climax of the match, in which Reigns was supposed to reverse a Tombstone Piledriver -- The Undertaker's signature finishing maneuver -- was clearly botched as Calaway was unable to do his part and spring his body up into the air. He fell -- twice and the end of the match was exceedingly lackluster because of it.

"There's the utter disappointment of the performance that I just gave, there's the searing pain that's running down my leg coupled with the fact that this is the last time that I'm going to come and be on this stage in this manner. I don't think there's anything any more real than me putting the gloves and the hat and the coat down," Calaway said.

In the episode, Calaway is clearly disgusted with himself as he watches the match back for the first time nine months later in January 2018. Sunday's show covers his long, unexpected return to the ring, which was not as clear a path as fans may have believed.

"It reaffirmed 10 fold everything that I thought. I looked old. I looked slow. I was overweight. I couldn't move. It just wasn't Undertaker-esque, I guess, in any sense, really. I had one match too many," he said watching the match. " So that's when the wheels started turning that I need redemption."

In that nine-month span, which included the right hip procedure four weeks after 'Mania -- his 16th career surgery following one on his left hip, rotator cuff, bicep, pectoral, both eye sockets and others on his knees, fingers and other areas of his body -- Calaway claimed he had no intention of gearing back up to get in the ring at WrestleMania 34.

Except, he had every intention.

Awake in his hospital bed following his surgery, during which he went under anesthesia to his own Undertaker entrance music, Calaway was already talking to wife Michelle McCool, perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek, about performing in New Orleans just 11 months later.

There were a couple things standing in Calaway's way. Primarily, his health and wellness. Not wanting to be a parody of himself, he understood how poorly he performed against Reigns despite not yet watching the match back. It hurt him not only professionally but personally as a long-time locker room leader who aimed to put over the WWE's biggest star on his way out the door.

"I feel bad for Roman. You dream about that match -- to be in that match tearing the house down. I wasn't able to give him that. That bothers me. I can make excuses all day long. Excuses are like assholes, everybody has one," Calaway said the following January. "[Watching the match] It's like I don't even know where I'm supposed to be. I haven't spoken to him about it. He's probably looking at me right now, thinking, 'What was that guy all about?' Really disappointing. I'm sure he [thought that] when it watched it back. I feel like I need some redemption for that performance."

Vince McMahon, WWE's famed chairman and CEO, was more than aware that Calaway was a shell of his former self that night. Reigns, who in 2017 was just over six years into his career but had been positioned as WWE's signature superstar since 2015, knew it, too.

"It's like heartbreaking. It affected me. It made me emotional. it made me want to cry," he said, knowing what The Undertaker wanted to do but was unable to provide for him in that match. "I don't regret anything. Was it perfect? No. We were in the moment and, as live television performers, anything can happen.

"To be able to do [as much as he did], it's just all coming back on his character. It's all coming back to the responsibility that he holds and that he succeeds at. If there's something that has to be done and there's a goal at hand, the man gets it done, plain and simple. I think that it couldn't have been easy. I couldn't imagine that decision or being at that point in my career or my life to where this is the last one. It's still hard to fathom."

Three months after his right hip surgery, as outlined in the second episode of "The Last Ride," Calaway traveled to WWE's corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, to meet with McMahon in August 2017. While his WWE contract had expired and it was a bit of a formality that Calaway would agree to remain with the company in some manner, there was no commitment that The Undertaker would return to the ring.

Calaway admitted that his tank was empty, but he also struggled to completely eliminate the idea of performing again. And considering he was about to enter negotiations with McMahon, with whom he has an incredibly close personal relationship, Calaway knew ahead of time that the meeting may take an unexpected turn.

McMahon, despite his reputation for being a demanding boss, has a legendary soft spot for those most loyal to him. And perhaps no one has been more loyal over a longer period of time than Calaway, who stuck by WWE in the mid-1990s when many of McMahon's other top stars bolted for far more money and far less work with competitor WCW.

"Undertaker, Mark Calaway is the most loyal performer I've ever dealt with. He is the kind of man you would want -- literally and figuratively -- in the foxhole with you," McMahon said.

The Undertaker never left WWE, and neither Calaway nor McMahon has forgotten that.

So while Calaway had no intention of getting in the ring again, and he asserted that McMahon "is going to want what's best for me physically [and] mentally," he had been in enough meetings with the man to know that he must expect the unexpected.

"I gave up on strategizing meetings with Vince a long time ago. I've been so dead set in what I was going to do and say in a meeting. Walk out, the door shuts behind me and then [I] realize, 'I got absolutely nothing that I meant to say out,'" Calaway said.

McMahon holds a special place in Calaway's heart. He named his son, Gunner Vincent, after his boss. Other than his father, Calaway claims no one has been more influential in his life. "He'd be the first one to pat you on the back but also the first one to kick you in the ass when you needed it," he said.

Calaway later added: "I love Vince to death. I would take a bullet for the man. Honestly, I would. Yes, he's my boss, my friend. He's been like a dad. He's been like a brother. He's been it all to me."

McMahon, asked by "The Last Ride" producers to share his personal thoughts about Calaway, immediately teared up. He then cut off the question, motioning his hand across his neck. "Can't do that," he said.

As history bore out, Calaway re-signed with WWE, but it is revealed in the documentary that he only told McMahon he would be available in an emergency situation for WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans. Calaway had not tested his surgically-repaired hip, nor did he feel the rush of momentum to redeem himself from his performance the year prior in Orlando, Florida, despite knowing deep down that he needed to.

That January, backstage at the annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view watching his wife compete in the women's signature match, the wheels began turning for Calaway. He even commented on a match being wrestled by AJ Styles, his eventual opponent two years later at WrestleMania 36, noting that he wished he got to work with him before hanging up his boots because he reminded him of Shawn Michaels.

McMahon called Calaway after the show, suggesting a match with John Cena if he felt The Undertaker could go. That led to Calaway watching his match with Reigns and knowing he had to give it another shot -- if his body was up to it.

The WWE storyline leading into the Taker-Cena match mimicked real life. Cena spent weeks calling out Taker on television, claiming if he did not fight him at 'Mania, he would only attend the event as a fan. In actuality, McMahon gave Calaway four weeks to make a decision, saying he needed to know by the conclusion of the Elimination Chamber PPV in February.

In the meantime, McMahon sent an entire WWE ring down to a warehouse in Texas so Calaway could train. Once his cardio had picked up, Calaway knew he would be able to perform at a level that not would far exceed his 2017 form. So he sent a text message to McMahon during the Elimination Chamber show to commit to WrestleMania.

"F--- yeah!" McMahon supposedly replied.

WrestleMania 34 was a healing experience for Calaway in mind, body and soul. He entered the event the best he had felt in a decade again with the intention of it being his swan song.

"After last year's performance, I think there was a lot of reason to doubt. That's not how I want to be remembered," he said. "Yeah, it's for the fans, but a lot of it is for myself and my pride and the legacy that I want to leave in this business."

Taker's short match with Cena repaired his image in front of fans and gave him confidence to go again, but Calaway sought out a receptive and forgiving Reigns afterward to repair his conscience.

"I feel so bad about last year. I just want you to know that bothers me," he told Reigns backstage. "I didn't have it. You know that."

Calaway then met up with McMahon, and the two had a loving embrace that has become almost an annual ritual.

"None of this happens without him. He gave me an opportunity a long time ago. Obviously, he changed my life," Calaway said. "It's something I do every year: give him a hug, tell him, 'thank you.'"

The well-received performance against Cena gave both The Undertaker and Calaway himself new life. Moments after his match, Calaway told McCool he was ready for the following year's show.

As "The Last Ride" will play out, this unexpected yet successful final wave of The Undertaker's career is met with more peaks and valleys, more successes and utter disappointments.

It feels as if it is headed for a crescendo, the announcement or intimation of one final match at an upcoming show, perhaps SummerSlam, Survivor Series (where The Undertaker made his WWE debut) or WrestleMania 37, scheduled for Los Angeles in 2021.

But as we have learned, when it comes to Calaway and The Undertaker, the end of the road always seems to be a bit further than we expect.

The second episode of "Undertaker: The Last Ride," a five-part limited documentary series about one of the most private superstars in WWE history, will be released on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on WWE Network.

Originally posted here:
How The Undertaker's unique relationship with Vince McMahon, surgical success led to his WWE return - CBS Sports

caption Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a range of free online courses that can help you advance your career. source GaudiLab/Shutterstock

The coronavirus pandemic has left millions of Americans with more time on their hands.

Some workers have faced layoffs, furlough, reduced hours, or are working remotely. This means now could be a good time to invest in your long-term career growth. If you want to work on landing your next job, or simply want to think more about your career during this time, now is a great time to take a free online course on those topics.

Business Insider went through some of the most well-known online education platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy, and found several courses you can take, from how to write a resume to boosting your negotiation skills and creative thinking. All thats required is an email to sign up.

Platform: Coursera

Provider: Yale University

What students learn: In this course, students learn tricks to rewire the way they think in order to have a more positive outlook on life. Its Yale Universitys most popular course.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Udemy

Provider: Rebecca Brizi, a business and entrepreneur consultant

What students learn: Want to know how to be as productive at home as you were in the office? This short video course will give helpful tips.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: edX

Provider: Imperial College London

What students learn: This course teaches people how to better solve problems, come up with ideas, and excel in your chosen career.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Michigan

What students learn: Learners will learn about growth mindset, self-limiting beliefs, and other research into what makes people successful in life, regardless of your job.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Virginia

What students learn: Users will learn how to build a brand, set themselves up on different social media platforms, and create a personal mission statement.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: edX

Provider: Catalyst

What students learn: This class teaches participants how to bolster key leadership skills to succeed in the modern, diverse workplace like empowering others, humility, and empathy.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Coursera

Provider: The State University of New York

What students learn: This course is designed mainly for college students who are writing their first rsum or for young professionals looking to give an old rsum a fresh professional look.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Coursera

Provider: McMaster University

What students learn: Users learn a variety of great career tips, including how to seek out career mentors, how to get out of a career rut, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Sign up for the course here>>

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Michigan

What students learn: In this course, students watch videos on how to prepare for a negotiation, as well as tips on how to succeed to get your desired outcome.

Sign up for the course here>>

Link:
9 free online courses you can sign up for right now to improve your professional skills and career prospects - Business Insider

In late April, Denmark, one of the first countries in Europe to shut down due to the spread of COVID-19, gradually began reopening its economy and society. Twenty-five percent of Danske Commodities employees were back in the office after working from home since March 12th. Another 25 percent will be allowed back on May 18th under strict guidelines.

In less than 10 years, Helle . Kristiansen rose from employee #35 to become CEO of Danske ... [+] Commodities.

From Day 1, I insisted on business as usual, says CEO Helle stergaard Kristiansen of working from home. It was a rather unceremonious and unsentimental way of observing the one-year anniversary of her appointment as the first female CEO in energy trading, but these areunique times. Calling the digital capabilities at DC (as the company is known) our special superpower, Kristiansen says employees were working from home within two days.

We quickly established trading desks in the homes of our traders to ensure the safety of our people while doing our part to keep the energy supply balanced and stable.

To monitor the level of activity, which actually increased, she asked for data on how many trades were done each day. I didnt want to accept that we couldnt do tomorrow what we did yesterday.

Kristiansen, who says she takes her job very seriously but not myself because then you become too constrained in life knows about achieving results. Hired in 2010, she drew on her banking background tostart the companys risk and compliance department and later its treasury department. Within four years, she had become DCs chief financial officer, and in 2018 founder and then-CEOHenrik Lind asked her to handle the sale of the company.

I had never sold a company before! she says laughing. After 12 months of constant travel, investor presentations, and due diligence, the company was sold to Equinor for $400 million euros. While Lind, whom she considers a mentor, had confidence that she ultimately would be successful, Kristiansen says, Starting as employee #35 and taking a rather small company to one of the biggest players in energy trading in Europe, and now Australia, and also entering the U.S., Ive also done a lot of things in developing myself. I took an executive management program with INSEAD and joined a couple professional boards, especially in IT, to bring some knowledge into DC.

Helle stergaard Kristiansen on top of Danske Commodities headquarters in Aarhus, the second ... [+] largest city in Denmark.

Since assuming the role of CEO,Kristiansen has had a clear vision of how she wanted to implement her leadership style. I changed the name from senior management group to senior leadership. It was not [just] a matter of wording. Its because I want leaders; I dont want managers. We have a lot of young talent and they dont want to be micro-managed. I wanted leaders that could inspire them, develop them, give them responsibilities, and support them in their professional but also their personal lives.

That philosophy is part of DCs culture. When Kristiansen, a mother of three, says that it is possible not only to have children and a family, as well as a career, she emphasizes, This is not a womens discussion; its a discussion around talent. Acknowledging the low numbers of women in the energy sector, she says, If we dont tap into 50 percent of the talent pool, do we get the right [people] and the best competencies? Im concerned about our competitiveness as a company and as a sector, if we dont improve the rate [of womens participation].

Under her leadership, DC has undertaken a number of initiatives to achieve that goal from rather small changes in employer branding changing the wording of job ads where 95 percent of the words were considered masculine and photos featuring young men in blue shirts looking at computer screens to promoting from within.

Its a challenge, but its important to have women in the company and then grow it from there. Were trying to get more female talent in the company, not with forced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), but by making sure we offer a working environment and a culture that welcome diversity and thrive upon it.

The company offers a graduate program, as well as a pre-managerial program, where participants are assigned a mentor, and Kristiansen,who holds a masters in business administration and auditing (cand. merc. aud.),runs a mentoring program for young women in finance and technology at university to show we exist in those areas and women have a place in our sector.

DC offers not just an attractive maternity package, but also four months paid paternity leave. In a company with an average age of 33 and a workforce that is 75 percent male, Kristiansen points out, This is not cheap, but when my directors or VPs have a man and a woman in front of them, I dont want them to hire the man because theyre afraid the woman will go on maternity leave.

Kristiansen mentions two female employees who recently were promoted during their pregnancies, despite the fact that the company had to find interim solutions while the women were on maternity leave.

It wasnt a hard choice because they were the right ones for the position. We have to look long-term [at an employees career] to find long-term solutions, a decision she says sends a signal to other women in the company that it is possible to have children and a career in DC.

Helle . Kristiansen presenting Danske Commodities quarterly financial performance. In 2019, the ... [+] trading company produced a revenue of USD 11.2 billion.

Creating the strongest possible workforce is important in giving a competitive edge to a company with ambitious plans for the future. In the U.S., energy trading is very much based on data and quantitative models and thats exactly where we come from. Its actually deeply rooted in our DNA to expand our business model to new markets. Equinor has ambitions in the U.S., where DC could support those ambitions within green energy and the transition [to] renewables, where we are very strong in Europe. We can use the experience we have here and take that to the U.S. while the market matures in that direction.

As Kristiansen looks back on her first year as CEO, she says frankly, Youre always concerned when you get acquired by a big company like [Equinor], but we have managed to put ourselves in a situation where our employees honestly believe that being part of Equinor is a benefit for DC as a company. We have been able to explore the synergies between our two companies, and still have agility and independence at the same time, so were actually in a much stronger position than we were a year ago. Im really proud of finding that balance.

This acquisition has been a success.

Follow this link:
Energy Tradings First Female CEO Insists On Business As Usual - Forbes