1. MoCo Vendor Innovation Portal
Montgomery County Office of Procurement has announced a Vendor Innovation Portal. As per the County’s website The Vendor Innovation Portal (VIP) will allow businesses to introduce their company and connect with the most appropriate contacts in the County that could best utilize their goods or services. This initiative is a positive step in encouraging innovation and finding best value solutions to the challenges faced in government purchasing.
2. Former Child Soldier Sentenced
Notorious Ugandan rebel leader Dominic Ongwen, has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by the International Criminal Court. The Associated Press reports that Ongwen a Ugandan former child soldier was convicted in February of a total of 61 war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, forced marriage, forced pregnancy and using child soldiers as a commander in the shadowy Lord’s Resistance Army. Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said that “However, it is also confronted with a perpetrator who himself had previously endured extreme suffering himself at the hands of the group of which he later became a prominent member and leader.”
3. Australians Stranded
Australia is drawing world-wide criticism for abandoning its citizens in India due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. BBC reports that Australia will resume repatriation flights for some citizens in India after a controversial ban on arrivals India. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced criticism for failing to help citizens trapped in the Covid-ravaged nation. The ban sparked further anger after the government said Australians seeking to fly home could face jail or fines. Mr Morrison said he expects the travel ban to end on 15 May. However, his government will wait until next week to make a decision on whether to restart commercial flights from India, which is how most stranded Australians will be able to get home. Even then, many fear they may find it difficult to secure a seat on a flight, or afford the costly fares.
