NewzIntel.com

Category: Artificial Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at the Clinton Global Initiative

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Thank you so much. And, President Clinton, just the good that you have done in your life as President, before you were president at CGI [Clinton Global Initiative], just thank you so much. Thank you, truly.

    So, I have been working for three decades in the international domain, seeking ways to improve and save lives. And, honestly, never in my career have I seen such a compelling, low-cost opportunity to make such a massive impact on a major global killer. 

    The scale of lead poisoning around the world is actually mind boggling. Right now, in low- and middle-income countries, half of children have elevated blood lead levels – lead that slows their brain development, harms their bodies, and can even kill them. Imagine: one in two kids. 

    The damage that lead is causing to children’s brains is actually estimated to account for 20 percent of the education gap between high- and low-income countries. Every year, lead poisoning is estimated to cost the global economy a trillion dollars, and it kills at least 1.5 million people, as you just heard. 

    But, none of this has to happen. This problem is solvable. 

    Decades ago, we banned leaded gasoline, long the biggest source of lead exposure here in the United States. And then, we worked with countries across the planet to phase out lead from gas, which continues to save over a million lives every year. 

    Of course, in high income countries, we didn’t stop with gasoline. We worked to remove lead from consumer products and to clean up industrial operations that leach lead into the environment. But, for those sources, we didn’t replicate the playbook in other countries, so kids there simply continue to be poisoned. 

    Well, it is time to change that – and, partner countries abroad have started leading the way. 

    Countries like Bangladesh and Malawi, for instance, have launched campaigns that eliminated lead from spices and paint for a total cost of just a few million dollars or less. 

    In just the eight months since we began a concerted push to galvanize awareness and support for this global issue, six countries have committed to banning lead in paint. They are showing us that stopping lead pollution at its source is both achievable and it is affordable. 

    USAID, UNICEF, and Open Philanthropy are announcing a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to launch the Partnership for a Lead Free Future — a global coalition to end childhood lead poisoning in developing countries once and for all. 

    Up to now, as you heard, just $15 million a year in donor capital was supporting this effort. Well, today, on behalf of the Partnership, we are delighted to commit $150 million to get the lead out. This is ten times the previous annual funding levels. This is remarkable, but it is just the start. 

    We need you all to help generate more resources and more awareness that gets governments and companies to act. So we hope you will join us and come together to help put an end to one of the great injustices of our time. 

    Thank you so much. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The United States Announces Nearly $199 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

    Source: USAID

    Today, the United States announced nearly $199 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the region, including over $129 million through USAID and nearly $70 million from the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced the funding at a Rohingya-focused event during the UN General Assembly High-level week. 

    USAID’s assistance includes funding from the bipartisan National Security Supplemental as well as $78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, which will help to purchase, ship, and distribute approximately 52,200 metric tons of food commodities from American farmers to approximately 610,000 refugees experiencing acute food insecurity in Bangladesh. It will also support the International Rescue Committee, UNICEF, and the UN World Food Program to provide food, nutrition, and protection assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities.

    The U.S. government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh. We remain committed to delivering assistance to crisis-affected communities in Burma, Bangladesh, and the region and call on other donors to increase their support in order to fill critical funding gaps and meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman at the U.S. – Africa: emPowering West African Energy Solutions

    Source: USAID

    DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR ISOBEL COLEMAN: Good afternoon, everyone. And, thank you all for joining this discussion about the transformative role of energy in driving economic growth – in West Africa and around the world.

    A recent study from Our World in Data, a reputable nonprofit research consortium, reinforces the direct positive correlation between electricity and income. Most notably, the data shows that high-income, low-energy countries simply do not exist. Economic growth requires available, affordable, and reliable electricity. Access to energy goes hand in hand with economic development. And, when we invest in expanding access to energy, we create the conditions for transformative economic growth.

    African-led approaches are indispensable to achieve this transformation. 

    Just this week, Power Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union Development Agency in support of their Continental Power System Master Plan, which lays out a framework for the creation of an African Single Electricity Market, and ultimately, achieving universal electrification across the African continent. This plan is the culmination of years of analysis, and reflects African ingenuity, creativity, and leadership. And, the plan prioritizes the creation of strong, reliable, and interconnected transmission networks, and of promoting the effective governance of regional power pools.

    The West Africa Power Pool is a shining example of efficient energy trading that lowers overall costs. West Africa is uniquely positioned to meet its energy demands. The region boasts vast natural resources and has made significant investments in the infrastructure necessary to facilitate cross-border energy trade. 

    In 2023, twelve West African countries achieved a monumental milestone by uniting their national power grids. This historic achievement is expected to generate up to $32 billion in trade benefits for ECOWAS countries over the next decade.

    The U.S. government has been a strong supporter of the West Africa Power Pool since its inception over two decades ago. In particular, Power Africa has been deeply involved, providing critical support to advance cross-border transmission lines, facilitate regional power purchase agreements, and enhance bilateral power trade. Over the past five years, our shared efforts have helped boost regional electricity trade by roughly ten percent a year, totaling four terawatt-hours of additional regional power trade.

    The synchronized electricity networks of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo have laid the foundation for a regional energy market. This synchronization allows cleaner, more cost-effective energy to be traded across borders, reducing dependency on expensive, polluting sources like diesel generators, while expanding access to reliable electricity.

    We are enthusiastic about the positive impact the West Africa Power Pool is poised to create as it bolsters the region’s energy security, reliability, and affordability. 

    Power pools like this help lower electricity costs, reduce losses by evacuating excess energy to areas of need, and strengthen regional collaboration. Studies show that when compared to domestic-generation, instituting regional power markets is associated with a 20 percent drop in the average cost of electricity – freeing up significant resources to address other pressing global needs. Regional cooperation, cross-border energy trade, and public-private partnerships in infrastructure will be precursors to meeting West Africa’s energy needs and driving the broad economic growth the continent deserves. 

    USAID looks forward to continuing to collaborate with all of you in pursuit of that goal.

    We have an exciting discussion ahead, so without further ado, I’m honored to introduce the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Alice Albright. 

    Thank you. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – HAWAI‘I WILDFIRE LEADER RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY, Sept. 24, 2024

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – HAWAI‘I WILDFIRE LEADER RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY, Sept. 24, 2024

    Posted on Sep 24, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR 

     

    DAWN CHANG 
    CHAIRPERSON 

     

    NEWS RELEASE 

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

    Sept. 24, 2024

     

    CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HAWAI‘I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

     

    (HILO, HAWAI‘I) – Elizabeth Pickett, the long-time co-executive director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) was honored today at a ceremony in New York City, as one of the 2024 Grist 50. Grist bills itself as the only newsroom focused on finding solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.

    The ninth annual Grist 50 list honors leaders who are tackling the most pressing climate problems of today in innovative and exciting ways. The organization says this year’s list includes people who “found a unique way to apply their strengths, creativity, and time to tackle the biggest problem our planet faces. We call them Fixers: dynamic doers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo and dive headlong into building and championing better alternatives. The Grist 50 is both a look at what it takes to make change happen and a testament to the strength, diversity, and creativity of people doing just that.”

    In its description of Pickett’s award, Grist noted, “After the town of Lahaina went up in flames, killing 102 people in August last year, survivors and onlookers were left with enormous grief – and endless questions. How could such a horrific event have happened? What could be done to prevent another?”

    Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green M.D. commented, “The Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization plays a vital role in sharing wildfire information, coordinating efforts among agencies, and helping communities become better prepared and resilient. In the wake of last year’s devastating Maui wildfires, HWMO stepped up in incredible ways, and this recognition of Elizabeth Pickett reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire organization.”

    HWMO Board Chair Dan Dennison added, “On behalf of the entire board, we can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Elizabeth. The Maui fires put enormous focus on our nonprofit as the clearinghouse for Hawaiʻi wildfire information and programs and has shown HWMO to be instrumental in responding to questions about wildfire science, resiliency, and action.”

    For answers, many turned to the HWMO, where Elizabeth Pickett had spent 16 years trying in vain to convince people to take wildfire risks seriously. She first became interested in wildfires after learning about their effects on coral reef sedimentation and went on to pursue a master’s degree in forestry research.”

    Since the Maui fires, Pickett and HWMO Co-executive Director Nani Barretto have fielded hundreds of citizen and media inquiries from local, national, and international news organizations. Pickett said, “We laid that groundwork strategically place-by-place, layer-by-layer over 20 years. We were able to meet the moment.” She says she hopes HWMO’s work will ensure the islands will be prepared for future wildfires, even as climate change increases their threat.

    Dave Smith, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) Administrator said, “We are tremendously fortunate to have HWMO as the coordinating organization for so much of what is available in Hawaiʻi to address wildfire.”

    The number of HWMO positions has grown a lot over the past year, with additional staff now on all the major Hawaiian Islands. While the constant demand for wildfire information from many corners has continued unabated, the HWMO co-executive directors have managed to keep focused on the organization’s core strategy of being a trusted partner and a go-to place for wildfire-related information, expert advice and community action.

    Pickett said, “The Grist award is for our entire organization. By the time of the Lahaina fires, I’d become somewhat disillusioned with the state’s approach to and lack of investment in wildfire preparedness and risk reduction. Then the fire happened and suddenly the questions came pouring in.

    Hawai‘i teachers needed curricula to teach their students about wildfires. Land managers wanted to know what fire breaks to install. The Dept. of Health, Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, the DLNR Division of State Parks, Dept. of Transportation and county planning offices; along with communities across the state all reached out for technical support and partnership toward the role they could play in getting more prepared for wildfire. There was interest and commitment I never imagined possible.”

    HWMO, in partnership with DLNR, leads the Firewise Communities program for neighborhood wildfire preparedness. Together with other firefighting organizations, they are currently in the ninth year of the Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! news media and public awareness campaign which shares fire prevention, water conservation and resiliency messages across social media and through the general news media.

    # # #

    RESOURCES 

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) 

     

    HD video – Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! news conference, Maui (June 4, 2024):

    [embedded content]

    Photographs – Elizabeth Pickett speaking at news conference (June 4, 2024):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5anop2w0io0kfgqr9ngam/AArwLpU2vBYgXWoSvgwn5cs?rlkey=upceq0blfi1zzxnrook37j38z&st=b04552je&dl=0

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Ryan Aguilar

    Communications Specialist

    Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396 

    [email protected] 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tiff Macklem: Economic growth during uncertain times

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good afternoon. I want to thank the Institute of International Finance and the Canadian Bankers Association for inviting me to take part in your 2024 Forum.

    Your focus on growth during uncertainty is timely. Uncertainty feels like the new reality: The uncertainty caused by war in Europe and in the Middle East. The uncertainties arising from geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation. And the related uncertainties about supply chains, trading relationships and global investment risks.

    Rapid advances in new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and its new offspring, Generative-AI, are disrupting business models and creating new uncertainties for firms and workers.

    Uncertainty surrounds the impacts of climate change and the policy frameworks to adapt to and mitigate it.

    There is political uncertainty. And fiscal uncertainty.

    As your theme implies, uncertainty and economic growth do not sit well together: uncertainty impedes growth.

    But with inspired policy, good business decisions and sound risk management, we can manage uncertainty and reduce its impact on households, businesses and growth. We have recent historical evidence.

    Sixteen years ago this month, Lehman Brothers failed, and the financial system froze because nobody knew which banks were safe. Today, the global financial system is much safer thanks to the implementation of sweeping global reforms to increase capital and liquidity buffers, and reduce leverage.

    With the rapid development of new vaccines and with exceptional fiscal and monetary policies, uncertainty about our health and the health of our economies has decreased dramatically since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Thanks to decisive monetary policy action and the unblocking of supply chains, uncertainty about costs and inflation are much lower today than two years ago, when inflation peaked above 8% in Canada and was even higher in many other countries.

    In the past few weeks, I have given speeches on the shifting global trade landscape and the economic implications and risks of rapid advances in artificial intelligence. These are two key areas where we can reduce uncertainty through good policy and far-sighted business leadership.

    At the same time, we need to recognize that new uncertainties are a new reality, and we must be ready for the inevitable shocks in a more turbulent world. That puts a priority on risk management and investments in resilience.

    A key function of financial institutions is to help households and businesses manage the risks they face. Financial institutions also have a responsibility to manage their own risks prudently so that they do not themselves become a source of uncertainty and instability.

    As Canada’s central bank, we have a role to play in mitigating and managing risks and uncertainty. Our primary mandate is price stability-in other words, low, stable and predictable inflation. We also have mandates to foster a stable financial system and ensure safe and efficient payments.

    Let me say a few words on financial stability and payments. And then I’ll finish with some thoughts on monetary policy.

    Our financial stability focus is on risks that could lead to system-wide stress. And we publish these findings in our annual Financial Stability Report (FSR).1

    In our most recent FSR, published in May, we reported that Canadian mortgage holders had experienced a modest increase in levels of financial stress. Since then, we’ve observed that arrears on mortgages have continued to rise, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels. It also appears that these households have not leaned on revolving credit products such as lines of credit and credit cards to a greater degree than before the pandemic.

    But there is a notable increase in financial stress among borrowers without a mortgage, mainly renters. During the pandemic, for most credit products, the share of these borrowers missing payments reached historical lows. However, we’re now seeing a larger share of these borrowers lagging behind on credit card and auto loan payments. Over the past year the share of borrowers without a mortgage who carry a credit card balance of at least 90% of their credit limit has continued to climb. And this share is now above typical historical levels. This is concerning.

    Our responsibilities related to payments require us to adapt to increasing digitalization. Innovation in payments continues to accelerate.

    In 2021, the Bank assumed a new mandate for the supervision of retail payment service providers. Starting November 1st of this year, more than 3,000 service providers will need to register with the Bank and follow new rules aimed at safeguarding consumers and protecting the integrity of retail payments.  

    We are also looking at the bigger picture of payment innovation, both in Canada and around the world. As part of this work, in the past few years we’ve built an extensive body of knowledge about the framework and technology behind a possible central bank digital currency (CBDC), including the benefits and risks.

    But recognizing that there is not currently a compelling case to move forward with a CBDC in Canada, the Bank is scaling down its work on a retail central bank digital currency and shifting its focus to broader payments system research and policy development. The Bank will continue to monitor global retail CBDC developments. And the Bank will be ready to ensure Canadians always have a safe and secure supply of public money.

    Now, let me circle back to monetary policy.

    In June, we began lowering our policy interest rate. We cut the policy rate at our last three decisions, for a cumulative decline of 75 basis points to 4.25%.

    Our most recent decision on September 4th reflected two main considerations.

    First, we noted that headline and core inflation had continued to ease as expected. Second, we said that as inflation gets closer to target, we want to see economic growth pick up to absorb the slack in the economy.

    Since then, we’ve been pleased to see inflation come all the way back to the 2% target. It has been a long journey. Now we want to keep inflation close to the centre of the 1%–3% inflation-control band. We need to stick the landing.

    What does this mean for interest rates? With the continued progress we’ve seen on inflation, it is reasonable to expect further cuts in our policy rate. The timing and pace will be determined by incoming data and our assessment of what those data mean for future inflation.

    As always, we try to be as clear as we can about what we are watching as we chart the course for monetary policy.

    Economic growth picked up in the first half of this year, and we want to see it strengthen further so that inflation stays close to the 2% target. Some recent indicators suggest growth may not be as strong as we expected. We will be closely watching consumer spending, as well as business hiring and investment.

    We will also be looking for continued easing in core inflation, which is still a little above 2%. Shelter cost inflation remains elevated but has started to come down, and we are looking for it to moderate further.

    Our next decision is October 23rd. And we will have a revised economic outlook at that time.

    With those introductory thoughts, let’s get the discussion started.

    I would like to thank Russell Barnett, Claudia Godbout and Brian Peterson for their help in preparing these remarks.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Alessandra Perrazzelli: Steering the transition to a quantum-safe world. An internationally coordinated approach

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Introduction

    Good morning and a very warm welcome to this important workshop on how to build a quantum-safe financial system.* I would like to start by thanking Prof. Cirac Sasturain and all the participants in the panel sessions for their insightful and thought-provoking contributions. Let me extend my gratitude to all the speakers, panellists, and attendees who have travelled from near and far to come here in Rome. Your presence and contributions are vital for the success of this workshop. I am confident that through our collective expertise and collaboration in the remainder of the workshop we will succeed in laying out actionable outcomes for steering the financial system’s transition towards a quantum-safe world.

    Quantum computing, as already noted by many speakers this morning, has the potential to revolutionize the financial system. Thanks to its unparalleled processing power and innovative capabilities, quantum computing can bring about a paradigm shift from the current ‘digital economy’ to a new era of ‘quantum economy’. Such shift encompasses unseen opportunities along with significant challenges for global financial markets, including – in particular – unbalanced access to technology and cybersecurity threats, which we must address with foresight and in a spirit of collaboration.

    As central banks and financial supervisors, we recognize the importance of striking a balance between steadfastly embracing technological changes on the one hand, and retaining a more cautious approach on the other, in light of the objective of safeguarding the stability, security, and integrity of our financial systems. It is part of our duty to promote and actively participate in the discussion on how to ensure the financial system’s transition to the quantum era in the safest possible way, considering the limitations of current technology.

    Quantum computing, while potentially threatening our system for secure communications, will also be instrumental in developing the solutions to restore resiliency in our financial system. In fact, quantum computing is bound to generate an unprecedented combination of opportunities, risks and uncertainties, which must be managed carefully in order to avoid market inertia and fragmentation, and to sustain an orderly and efficient transition to a quantum-safe world.

    With today’s workshop, we intend to launch a discussion on a possible path for steering the financial system’s migration to quantum resilience, within the framework of an internationally coordinated approach involving all the stakeholders: authorities, financial industry, technology providers and academia.

    1. The quantum financial system of the future: timeline, opportunities and risks

    The quantum revolution is already happening, although the exact timeline for its full deployment can hardly be predicted. Innovation in this field is characterized by pivotal and often unexpected transformative breakthroughs leading to sudden acceleration, and sustained by consistent and sizeable public and private investments. The explosion of artificial intelligence technologies, whose interplay with quantum computing holds the potential for both steering and accelerating the development of far-reaching solutions, is making this path even more unpredictable. Against this backdrop of high uncertainty, we expect that the quantum machine capacity necessary to give rise to a significant cybersecurity threat will be achieved in a foreseeable future.1

    The financial sector plays a dual role that enables it to look at the quantum phenomenon from two distinct perspectives: firstly, as a user, keen on embracing the capacity of quantum computing for innovation, and secondly, as a highly vulnerable target for quantum-powered cyberattacks.

    Although the use of quantum computing in the financial sector is still at an immature stage, experimental results already highlight its ability to improve key financial processes, such as risk and portfolio management, payment services and computationally intensive simulation-based tasks (e.g. analyses related to fraud detection and prevention, and anti-money laundering).

    Exploiting the benefits of quantum computing also presents unique challenges for financial institutions. Like other enabling technologies, quantum computing raises issues related to equitable access and market competitiveness; the full integration of this technology into legacy systems poses significant hurdles. Furthermore, the very nature of quantum computing entails a substantial paradigm shift in how financial services operate. Regulators must carefully navigate the new environment to support the smooth adoption and avoid misuse of these technologies from the private and public sectors.

    Quantum technologies also bring new risks for the financial sector. In particular, such technologies could be exploited to break the encryption algorithms currently underpinning the security of critical communication systems and digital assets.

    Critical financial infrastructures are among the main targets of cyberattacks based on quantum computing. They include the financial infrastructures of the future – which will support, for instance, central bank digital currencies and crypto-assets – as the two techniques of key encapsulation and digital signature currently used are both based on asymmetric encryption, which is vulnerable to the quantum threat. It will be of outmost importance to factor in the risks stemming from quantum computing when designing the central bank digital currencies.

    This risk is already on the table with the practice of ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ used by malicious actors. Information embedded in contracts currently in force needs to be kept secret for years to come. Even just the possibility that some of it will be exposed – as soon as the technology becomes available – is already a potential blow to trust.

    2. The state of the art: one problem, many potential technical approaches

    As we will see through the lunch session, some solutions to mitigate cyber issues are already available. The heart of cybersecurity lies in cryptography, which – from encrypting data to securing online transactions – is the guardian of our digital world.

    As the financial industry and governments prepare to protect against quantum threats, it is necessary that they become ‘crypto-agile’, adopting a multifaceted security strategy that incorporates a range of easily upgradable quantum-resistant solution. The showcase exercise that will be performed in this session will demonstrate that there are two different but complementary approaches that can be used in order to deal with quantum-safe cryptography.

    On the one hand, we can take advantage of quantum properties to establish secure communication channels between parties, where any attempt to eavesdrop or intercept the exchange of encryption keys is detected. On the other hand, considering that the cryptography involves the use of mathematical algorithms to transform readable data into encrypted data and vice versa, it is possible to replace the current algorithms (unbreakable now, but solvable with quantum computing) with others that are more difficult to solve, even for a quantum computer.

    Each one of these technologies – or a combination of them – will allow full end-to-end security in our digital communications. At the same time, however, these technologies are all extremely demanding in terms of time and resources. At the current state of the technology, embracing the quantum physics approach is estimated to impose costs of a higher order of magnitude, though it appears to provide a definitive solution to the quantum threat. The showcase exercise will demonstrate how some solutions already available to the market work, leveraging the points I have just mentioned.

    Clearly, this is not a technological dilemma that can be solved with a black-or-white answer, and what is optimal now may not be optimal in the medium or long term. Migrating the whole financial system toward a quantum-safe setup is a dynamic process requiring a multifaceted approach. Whatever strategy is chosen, though, we need to have interoperable solutions working at all times for the financial industry within a single jurisdiction and between different jurisdictions.

    3. Why authorities should act now

    Numerous public and private initiatives have been launched to develop what are known as ‘quantum-safe’ solutions. However, some key elements of uncertainty are hampering the market’s ability to effectively embrace the migration to quantum-resilient solutions.

    First, while the implementation timeline for the quantum threat is by no means certain, short-term risk mitigation costs are significant. Second, there is a lack of agreement on a sound migration approach and on suitable interoperable technical standards. Third, the regulatory and capability landscape is fragmented across jurisdictions. These are all obstacles to a timely and orderly transition.

    Despite growing awareness of the quantum threat, a comprehensive and widely shared action plan in this area remains elusive. The lack of harmonized regulations and of clear international guidelines and standards concerning the transition to a quantum-safe world may induce protracted inertia in the financial system’s migration efforts.

    The global nature of the financial system, the interconnectedness of intermediaries within the financial industry, and between them and the technology providers, call for public authorities to take a whole-of-government approach towards addressing the common threat posed by quantum technology. This includes fostering a dialogue between all relevant public and private stakeholders, aimed at establishing priority areas of intervention and ensuring a common path towards a quantum-safe economy through proactive cooperation and international coordination.

    A systematic approach involving all international stakeholders is particularly important for financial infrastructures, given their high interconnectedness. We need to protect all links of the chain, especially the weakest.

    4. A common path to a quantum-resilient financial system

    All these elements make the discussion on the migration strategy something that cannot be put off any longer. The importance of preparing the financial system for the transition to quantum computing is at the heart of this workshop. This is the right time to address the challenges of the transition to quantum computing, to agree on the respective roles of public authorities and of the private sector, and to take concrete action.

    To protect the financial system from the threats posed by quantum computing, the Bank of Italy is proposing – in the context of the ongoing work on risks from emerging technologies affecting the financial system that is being carried out in the G7 Finance Track – that G7 member countries jointly develop a ‘common roadmap for quantum resilience’, providing a unified policy framework for the actions needed to steer the transition to a quantum-safe financial system through an international cooperation approach.

    The roadmap should include all initiatives that are essential for a quantum-resilient financial system and could be implemented under the responsibility of different multinational organizations. The monitoring, coordination and governance of the overall roadmap should be undertaken at the highest political level. For example, a shared response at the level of G7 countries would provide a benchmark that could outline the way forward for other jurisdictions so as to cover, eventually, the global financial system.

    Whichever migration path we decide to adopt, it has to fulfil certain requirements. First, it needs to build on existing regulation in order to capitalize on best practices and, possibly, avoid over-regulation.

    Second, it will entail the standardization of the approaches taken to risk mitigation across jurisdictions, so as to enable synergies and speed up the transition, as the suppliers of technical solutions will work based on shared guidelines.

    Third, financial industry players as well as hardware and software providers must participate in the design of the strategy. Their involvement is necessary in order to devise a way forward that hinges on the best and most up-to-date technologies in a field where innovation is characterized by sudden accelerations.

    Fourth, preservation of interoperability and quality of services must remain the guiding principle of this transition process together with its gradual and safe implementation and with the principle of proportionality, to strike a balance between short-term fixes and long-term solutions. Continuous monitoring of the progress achieved and of the resources absorbed in this endeavour will be important: on this basis, the roadmap commitments can be reassessed along the way, including with respect to the timeline, by accelerating or delaying some milestones as needed.

    Finally, international coordination is a key aspect. The G7 Cyber Expert Group could be the right forum for operatively managing the quantum resilience migration roadmap, as well as for drafting policy guidelines. Other multinational institutions already involved in the adoption of quantum technologies in the financial system, such as the BIS and the standard setting bodies, could contribute proactively in defining guidelines and standards as cornerstones of the migration.

    Due to their critical role, financial markets and payment infrastructures, including those that will be supporting the central bank digital currencies, deserve particular attention. The CPMI-IOSCO could be the right organization to lead the work for the quantum resilience of these crucial nodes of the financial system.

    * * *

    Let me conclude by thanking you all for gathering today to discuss this extremely important topic. Hopefully, the discussion that we initiated today will continue in a fruitful way in the immediate future to deliver as quickly as possible a migration roadmap which can be embraced by all G7 members and possibly also shared with G20 and other countries for wider adoption.

    * I would like to thank Silvia Vori, Valerio Paolo Vacca, Giuseppe Bruno, Lorenzo Bencivelli, Mauro De Santis, Cristina Andriani, Sabina Marchetti, Antonio Castellucci and Giovanna Piantanida for their contributions to this speech.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Luigi Federico Signorini: Building a quantum-safe financial system – what role for authorities and for the private sector?

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It is my pleasure to open this seminar on the implications of quantum technology for the financial sector.

    Experts agree that we are on the eve of a very significant technological change: one that will redefine our approach to data and to the tools we use to process them, and may well revolutionise important, even critical, aspects of the way financial institutions operate.

    Like all significant technological advances, the quantum revolution comes with both promises and threats. Massively enhanced computational power, algorithms that are far more efficient than existing ones, and a much stronger base for artificial intelligence, are expected to offer opportunities for better and cheaper services, but they will also introduce new challenges, not least for financial stability.

    Central banks and financial institutions have often been early adopters of technological innovations. To preserve trust, institutions should continue to be bold and imaginative, but at the same time fully aware of the risks. Prudent supervisory guidance is needed to preserve the stability, security and integrity of the financial system. Our seminar will be an opportunity to go beyond generalities and explore the most likely concrete challenges and trade-offs we need to face in the quantum era.

    The Bank of Italy has a tradition of actively and rapidly adapting its policies to changes in the data management landscape. Drawing on our experience, we have long contributed to the action of the European System of Central Banks. We continue to work in partnership with academia and in cooperation with national and international institutions.

    The most immediate threat most of us currently perceive concerns the protection of the integrity and confidentiality of data. We feel that such a threat calls for a coordinated response, within the G7 and beyond. We shall take the opportunity of this workshop to share our experiences and ongoing work at the Bank of Italy and to present some real-life examples of useful and feasible cooperation at the national, European and global level. We encourage all participants to do the same.

    Since Peter Shor demonstrated, in 1994, that a quantum computer could theoretically solve problems much faster than traditional ones, he has inspired scientists all over the world to imagine the countless possibilities of this technology, and technologists to look for ways to actually build a functioning machine based on it. Thirty years on, while we still lack a fully functional and reliable quantum computer, we seem to be actually getting closer and closer.

    As the cybersecurity threat is serious but there are potential ways to fend it off, we cannot afford to wait. Implementing quantum-resistant cryptography tools before quantum computers become practically operational is crucial for data longevity. Sensitive data that are encrypted using today’s technology could be stored now by malicious agents and decrypted later, once quantum tools become available; upgrading cryptographic tools as soon as possible is therefore necessary to ensure long-term data security. This is especially relevant for financial institutions. Their core business is ultimately based on the ability to create, manage and use sensitive data, and it is not unlikely that the quantum revolution will hit the financial sector faster and more intensively than other industries.

    Awareness of the need to act is growing. In the spring of this year, the European Commission published a ‘Recommendation on a Coordinated Implementation Roadmap for the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography’. In the US, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officially released its first set of finalised post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms last month. This is a major step forward.

    In the G7 Finance Track, the Italian presidency identified quantum computing as one of the key strategic cyber issues facing us. It may affect multiple policy areas, including national security, competitiveness, ethics, and skill development.

    While solutions to achieve quantum security are starting to become available, there are factors that can make market players reluctant to adopt them quickly. These include uncertainty about the actual urgency of the quantum threat, the fact that a common transition approach has not yet emerged, and the fragmentation of investments, responsibilities and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.

    The G7 has launched several technical initiatives to foster coordination among the main stakeholders. With today’s workshop, we aim to engage key experts in G7 countries, with a view to developing a shared understanding of the most urgent issues, a potential roadmap to address the transition to quantum resilience and, to the extent possible, an agreed policy agenda. We are fortunate today to have speakers and attendants from a wide range of backgrounds: academia, government institutions (including law-enforcement agencies), central banks, international organisations and the finance industry. This promises to be an ideal opportunity to exchange views, in that it brings together a set of distinguished experts with considerably diverse experience. I encourage all participants to be active, ask questions and share their insights.

    Ladies and gentlemen, we are also honoured to have Professor Juan Ignacio Cirac Sasturain with us today as a keynote speaker. As many of you will know, our speaker is one of the leading theorists in quantum computation. His contributions range from the physics of quantum computers to quantum algorithms and quantum information theory. Many here will be especially interested in his seminal work on quantum cryptography. Professor Cirac is the Director of the Theory Department at the Max Planck Institute of quantum optics in Garching bei München, Bavaria, and collaborates with many other academic institutions. He has received an impressive number of high-level awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research (2006), the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2008), the Benjamin Franklin Medal (2010), the Wolf Prize in Physics (2013), the Max Planck Medal (2018), and many others; more are sure to come. The subject of his talk is, very aptly, ‘opportunities and challenges of the next generation’s computers’. We are certain that his remarks on today’s central issue will set the stage for a very productive seminar.

    Please join me in welcoming Ignacio Cirac to the stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Net Asset Values

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THAMES VENTURES VCT 2 PLC
    LEI: 21380035MV1VRYEXPR95

    NET ASSET VALUES
    25 SEPTEMBER 2024

    Thames Ventures VCT 2 plc announces that the unaudited Net Asset Values of its share classes, as at 30 June 2024 were as follows:

      Pence Per Share
      30 June 2024
    Ventures Ordinary Share 46.1p
    Healthcare Ordinary Share 40.9p
    AIM Shares 103.1p
    DP67 Ordinary Share 27.3p

    For further information, please contact:

    Company Secretary
     Foresight Group LLP
    Contact: Stephen Thayer Tel: 0203 667 8100

    Investor Relations
     Foresight Group LLP
    Contact: Andrew James Tel: 0203 667 8181

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: [Interview] Behind the Scenes of Galaxy Ring: Product Planning a Game Changer in Health Management

    Source: Samsung

    Dating back more than 3,000 years to ancient Egypt, rings have symbolized different values throughout human history — including love, power and self-expression. With Samsung Electronics’ newly unveiled Galaxy Ring, health has now been added to that list.
     
    The smallest and most compact form factor in the Galaxy wearable portfolio, the Galaxy Ring fits comfortably on users’ fingers like a traditional ring. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and Galaxy AI features, the Galaxy Ring offers a powerful health management experience.
     
    Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh from the Wearable Product Planning Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, to learn how the Galaxy Ring came to be.
     
     
    Ultra-Compact Form Factor Optimized for 24/7 Health Monitoring
    Q. What inspired the creation of the Galaxy Ring, a completely new addition to Samsung’s wearable lineup?
     
    Kim: We’ve been exploring new opportunities in the wearable market with a particular focus on the rapidly growing field of health management. This led us to look for the optimal form factor to provide more accurate, uninterrupted health data for personalized health solutions. After evaluating various form factors, we settled on the ring — a user-friendly, small and lightweight shape that can be worn 24/7.
     
    ▲ Sungjin Kim
     
     
    Q. What key health management benefits does the Galaxy Ring offer?
     
    Roh: Sleep is the foundation of health. The Galaxy Ring is comfortable enough to wear while sleeping and can last up to a week on a single charge,1 making it ideal for collecting detailed and in-depth sleep data. A powerful sleep AI algorithm provides advanced sleep insights to help users better understand and improve their sleep. Furthermore, Energy Score analyzes sleep quality, activity levels, sleeping heart rate and sleeping heart rate variability data to deliver a daily health index to users.
     

    ▲ Yujin Roh
     
     
    Q. What factors were considered during the design process?
     
    Kim: To maximize the advantages of the ring form, we examined the historical and biological significance of rings before incorporating these insights into the product. For example, we adopted a simple yet modern concave style to enhance the Galaxy Ring’s value as an everyday accessory. Moreover, the charging case and packaging have clamshell designs reminiscent of a jewelry box — elevating the quality of the product down to the finest details that users touch.
     
    ▲ Packaging and charging case for the Galaxy Ring
     
     
    The Quest for an Effortless User Experience
    Q. What was your primary focus during the planning process?
     
    Kim: Since our main focus was to provide users with meaningful health insights, we engaged in extensive discussions with the Digital Health Team and other relevant departments. One notable outcome of these collaborations is the introduction of Energy Score on Samsung Health. In addition, users can receive personalized health insights powered by Galaxy AI to help them reach their health goals. This innovation marks a new step in active and autonomous health management, moving beyond mere monitoring to offer users valuable guidance for healthier lifestyles.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Ring features a heart rate sensor, accelerometer and skin temperature sensor.
     
    Roh: Comfort and aesthetics were also key priorities for us. Users were pleasantly surprised by how light the wearable is. During the planning phase, we conducted extensive research to ensure lightweight comfort. In addition, we carefully selected colors that complement a wide range of styles.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold.
     
     
    Q. What was the biggest challenge in designing the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Roh: Designing and implementing gestures was particularly challenging. To create a connected Galaxy ecosystem, we considered various user scenarios to ensure the product would be practical and convenient for everyone. As a result, we introduced the alarm turnoff feature — allowing users to dismiss the wake-up alarm on their Galaxy smartphone with a double-pinch gesture on the Galaxy Ring. This same movement can also control the Galaxy smartphone’s camera, maximizing connectivity between devices.
     
     
    Q. What has been the most memorable feedback since the Galaxy Ring launched?
     
    Kim: Unlike our previous products, we released teasers for the Galaxy Ring before its launch to attract attention. I vividly remember how excitement for the wearable exploded beyond our expectations when the product was revealed. This surge in interest energized everyone working on the product, fueling our passion during the final stretch of the launch. I’m proud to say that every single member of the team worked hard to perfect the device.
     
    Roh: The consumer feedback that pleased me the most was, “I love how it gives me such thorough health information, from sleep to exercise, when all I did was wear it.” We frequently hear that the product is so comfortable that users forget they have it on. This makes us proud and shows that our focus during the planning stage paid off. We’re grateful that users recognized our efforts in creating a premium experience — from the Galaxy Ring’s aesthetic to the charging case and practical sizing kit that allows users to measure their ring size in advance.
     
    ▲ (From left) Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh discuss the product planning process behind the Galaxy Ring.
     
     
    Ushering in a New Era of Health Management
    Q. In one word or sentence, how would you describe the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Kim: I would say it’s a “game changer.” The Galaxy Ring is the first new form factor since the Galaxy Watch series — offering an even more intimate health experience with powerful capabilities packed into a small, lightweight device. Achieving this feat required hard work from the development and design teams as well as various other departments. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in creating this product.
     
    Roh: In a word, it’s the “beginning.” For some, the Galaxy Ring marks the start of a new day. For others, the device signifies the commencement of a full-blown health management journey. Nonetheless, we hope it will open a new era of possibilities in the wearable market.
     
    ▲ (From left) Yujin Roh and Sungjin Kim pose for a photo with the Galaxy Ring.
     
     
    Q. What’s next for the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Kim: We aim to maximize the benefits of this ultra-small form factor to track and manage health data in the simplest way possible. As the wearable market continues to rapidly grow with a variety of products and services expected to emerge, our teams are dedicated to developing robust solutions that meet users’ needs.
     
    Roh: Beyond measuring health information, we will continue to explore ways of providing more specific insights and meaningful health improvements tailored to each user’s environment. We appreciate the continued interest in our innovations and hope users will share our anticipation for upcoming products.
     
    The creation of the Galaxy Ring — the smallest yet most powerful product in the Galaxy wearable lineup — was driven by the passion and tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals. Samsung looks forward to the new horizons the Galaxy Ring will unlock for health management in users’ everyday lives.
     
     
    1 Battery life is based on testing conducted with the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring. Battery life of the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring lasts up to 7 days on a single charge. Battery life varies by ring size. Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Tested with results from a pre-released version of the device under the scenario of Sleep Tracking for 6 hours, Auto Workout Detection for 1 hour and 30 minutes and several specific events (20 times of reconnection after disconnection, 3 times of Samsung Health app setting change, 0.5 times of Find My Ring execution, 3 minutes of Gestures execution) assuming 24 hours of use per day. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model or the battery manufacturer. Rated capacity is 17mAh for Galaxy Ring sizes 5,6,7 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge), 18.5mAh for sizes 8,9,10,11 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge) and 22.5mAh for sizes 12,13 (battery life lasts up to 7 days on a single charge). Testing conducted by Samsung using Fast Charging USB C Cable and Samsung 25W USB C Power Adapter. Charge time varies with settings, usage patterns and environmental factors; actual results may vary.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Celebration of Creative Industries”: Telling Stories 2024 Festival Held at HSE

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    It was dedicated to the 10th anniversary Faculty of Creative Industries HSE University. September 20 at the venues Center of Cultures Lectures, master classes, discussions, screenings of works and other activities were held at the HSE. Students, teachers and other faculty members, artists and media business leaders, as well as future applicants took part in them.

    The first Telling Stories festival took place in 2018 and since then it has usually been held for 1-3 days at the end of May. This time the dates have been changed, as it became part of the FCI anniversary program.

    “Telling Stories “This is a celebration of the creative industries of the Higher School of Economics,” says the deputy dean of the FCI, director Institute for the Development of Creative Industries HSE Tatyana Rivchun. – It is a large program consisting of lectures, seminars, round tables, master classes, demonstrations of students’ work and much more. The best and completed works are selected, which are worth showing to a wide audience, including our future applicants.”

    All departments of the faculty demonstrate their achievements: Institute of Media, School of Design, School of Communications, Institute of Cinema and the Institute for the Development of Creative Industries. So the festival becomes a platform for interaction between students and teachers of various educational programs.

    “Here we have the opportunity to discuss issues that go beyond the interests of a particular school or institute,” explains Arseniy Meshcheryakov, head of the School of Design. “Creative industries are an interdisciplinary concept, so designers should communicate with advertisers, media people with filmmakers, and so on. The festival helps establish horizontal connections and the emergence of joint projects.”

    “I was delighted”

    Every year, the festival welcomes stars of the creative industries.

    This time, writer and screenwriter Alexander Tsypkin was among them. He held a screening and discussion of two of his short films, one of which, “Farewell, Beloved!”, was awarded the Russian Guild of Film Scholars and Film Critics prize at Kinotavr “For an original solution to the traditional theme of separation in the spirit of modern times.”

    “I really enjoyed interacting with the students. Not only did they ask great questions, but they also offered me creative ideas,” he said. “One young man reimagined the ending of the film ‘Farewell, Love!’ and I think his version is cooler than mine. I was amazed.”

    The discussion “From Cannes Lions Winners to Russian Masterpieces,” dedicated to storytelling techniques in advertising videos, was moderated by Vladimir Evstafiev, a professor at the HSE School of Communications and a legend in the Russian advertising industry.

    “I like the HSE auditorium, and as a teacher I consider it one of the most interesting for communication,” said Vladimir Evstafyev. “Advanced and interested students study here, who want to know, think and understand meanings. All the questions were to the point, and not a single person left the room.”

    Together with the master, Guzella Nikolaishvili, president of the LIME social advertising and communications festival, also held at the FKI, took part in the conversation with the students. “We showed a brilliant work – a social video that won one of the seasons. The viewers were able to see that social advertising is a special art,” added Vladimir Evstafiev, head of the LIME jury.

    “A Surge of Creativity”

    The lecture by Igor Kirikchi, a well-known media manager and CEO of the advertising and communications group BBDO Moscow, was devoted to creativity in advertising. He gave a definition according to which creativity is, among other things, a person’s ability to deviate from standard rules, ideas and templates, and put forward the thesis that creativity determines the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

    “The modern history of Russian advertising began in 1989 and in the 1990s it was marked by a surge of creativity,” said Igor Kirikchi. “It may seem strange to you, but even a fan factory was among the advertisers. Financial pyramids were advertised – “MMM”, “Khoper-Invest”, as well as the bank “Imperial”, vodka “White Eagle”, Herschi Cola and much more. This advertising was remembered by people who lived in those times, because it was original, sometimes a little primitive, sometimes naive, but quite interesting.”

    The lobby of the Center of Culture hosted the All-Russian creative competition “Advertising Designer,” which is held annually by the School of Communications at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    “In the tenth grade, I took part in the first ever “Advertising Designer” competition, not suspecting that it would help me at the start and when choosing a profession,” shared Arina Torubarova, a student at the Faculty of Culture and Information Technologies. “I was very interested in the topic of museums, and I made a video about the favorite museums of my peers. In it, I showed that culture and museum work are not boring, that this is a real cultural field where there is room for creativity and a modern approach. I took a camera from my father, edited the video and won. Now I am studying at the Higher School of Economics.”

    Film about the temple

    One of the key events of the festival was the screening of the documentary film “Remember What You Want to Forget”, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the tragedy in Beslan. The authors focused on the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, located next to School No. 1. The heroes of the film were school teachers, former hostages, parents who lost their children, and icon painters.

    Before the screening, the authors of the film, 4th-year students of the educational program “Journalism» HSE Institute of Media Arina Korosteleva and Maxim Selivanov — told about the history of its creation and promotion. They especially noted the role of the senior lecturer of the Institute of Media Alexander Dyukov, who took over the leadership of this project. On September 1, 2024, the premiere of the film took place on the Spas TV channel.

    The students emphasized that the work on the film was completed with the support of the FKI – with a grant from the HSE this summer they went on a second trip to Beslan, which made it possible to make the film long and multifaceted. “If you want to realize your idea and you need advice on how to fill out an application for a grant, contact us, we will be happy to explain everything,” Arina Korosteleva told the meeting participants.

    After the premiere, it was possible to speed up the collection of funds to complete the construction and painting of the temple. You can find out more about how the students worked on the film Here.

    Chekhov and Shakespeare

    The festival program also included screenings of feature films shot by students of the HSE Film Institute. There was also a screening of the play “The Seagull”, prepared last year by second-year students. The director was the academic director of the educational program “Actor» Igor Sharoiko.

    The play’s protagonist is a young director, Kostya Treplev. In order to understand his fate, he decides to stage a play through the prism of his memories and finds similarities between his life and Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”. In particular, he finds out that his family’s quiet life has ceased to be so because of his father.

    The genre of the play is a combination of physical theatre, when the actors’ movements dominate the text, and modern drama. True connoisseurs recognized not only Chekhov and Shakespeare, but also contemporary figures of theatrical art in the lines heard from the stage.

    Actor Sergey Bolgar, a student at the Institute of Cinema, told how the work on the play went. “Each student brought a sketch, paired or single. Based on them, we put together a physical theater play. Each movement has its own subtext,” he explained.

    “For us, performing at the festival with the play “The Seagull” is a happy opportunity to show what we do,” says Igor Sharoiko. “In addition, this is a popularization of physical theater, which exists in Russia, but is rarely talked about. Young artists enter the territory of an expressive language, which requires words to a lesser extent, and to a greater extent – their psychophysical expression, as well as plastic skills.”

    “Camera, action!”

    The festival program also featured student works in the short film and animation genres.

    The School of Design showed the audience a selection of animated films that combined minimalist motion design and animation created using traditional, hand-made materials. Nikolai Kovalenko, a graduate of Ivan Tverdovsky’s workshop at the School of Design, presented the film “Lelera” to the guests. This work was awarded the Grand Prix of the 31st Open Festival of Student and Debut Films “Saint Anne”. Alexandra Persheeva, academic director of the educational program “Contemporary art“.

    Students of the Institute for the Development of Creative Industries Danil Popov and Alena Semirikova recorded a special episode of the program “Perspective” with the guests of the festival. “This is a podcast from students for students, in which we, together with experts, discuss what creative industries are,” they explained.

    AI and designers

    The authors of the Telling Stories 2024 program could not leave aside the topic of artificial intelligence. It was the subject of a discussion organized by the School of Design. The participants — famous artists and designers — were asked to answer the question of how the paradigm of their work is changing in the era of AI.

    According to digital artist Andrey Maksimov, there are very few players left in the design industry who do not use neural networks. “Everyone chooses what a neural network will be for them – an assistant in some work or a powerful tool for implementing visual ideas. This, of course, makes work easier and helps in self-expression,” he explained.

    Arseniy Meshcheryakov stated that the use of AI will lead to increased competition in the field of art and design.

    “Previously, you could say: “I learned to draw a plaster head in art school, look what a master I am,” but today it is nonsense. You need to create a comprehensive project that for some reason will be in demand by your audience, consumer, customer. And this clashes with what is happening in education in the era of ChatGPT, when there is no point in exams based on tickets, and students need to develop their horizons, system of views, and the ability to implement projects,” says the head of the School of Design.

    What’s next?

    As Tatyana Rivchun noted, other events dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the FCI are also being held under the Telling Stories festival brand this year. In particular, the School of Design and the School of Communications are planning to organize them in the coming months.

    “Our faculty is a whole universe of creativity, full of stars. Each of them is constantly growing and shining brighter. Every year new stars appear. Due to this, our FCI universe is expanding. We hope that it will give birth to other galaxies and dimensions in the field of creative industries, and our festival will involve new participants from all over the world in its orbit,” added Tatyana Rivchun.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/life/966313170.html

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp. Announces Definitive Agreement to Merge with YD Biopharma Limited

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    YD Biopharma is a Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Company Focusing on Cancer Prevention Diagnostics and Seeking to Transform the Treatment of a Wide Spectrum of Diseases

    Pro Forma for the Transaction, Combined Company is Expected to Have an Estimated Enterprise Value of Nearly $700 Million

    The Proposed Merger is Expected to Close by Early 2025; After Closing, the Combined Company is Expected to be Listed on Nasdaq Capital Market

    YD Biopharma has Recently Obtained Patents, Technology, and U.S. Authorization for Core Methylation Detection of Pancreatic Cancer, Along with Entering into an Agreement to Acquire Licenses for Breast Cancer Detection Upon the Closing of the Merger

    IRVING, Texas, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp. (OTCQX: BRZH, BRZHR, BRZHW) (“Breeze” or the “Company”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with YD Biopharma Limited (“YD Biopharma”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on cancer prevention medical diagnostics and the development of exosome-based therapeutics with the potential to transform the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need. Following the closing, the combined company is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

    Using Technology to Detect Health Problems Early On
    YD Biopharma specializes in the biopharmaceutical business and serves as a supplier of drugs and medical materials for clinical trials. In 2015, YD Biopharma was appointed as a clinical testing drug supplier by Novartis and has since expanded its offerings to include development and supply of ancillary products post-launch. YD Biopharma’s mission is to create a cancer-free world through advancements in biotechnology.

    More recently, YD Biopharma obtained patent and technology authorization from 3D Global Biotech Inc. (“3D Biotech”) to pioneer the application of corneal mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes for treating eye diseases. YD Biopharma has introduced new advanced drugs and treatments for conditions such as dry eye disease, glaucoma, and corneal repair. YD Biopharma aims to optimize the treatment market for eye diseases by distribution through pharmacies, optometrists, and other channels.

    Earlier this year, YD Biopharma obtained patents, technology and U.S. market authorization from EG Biomed Taiwan for core methylation detection of pancreatic cancer with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. This partnership has led to the establishment of an independent laboratory in the U.S. dedicated to pancreatic cancer early detection and monitoring technology that marks a significant expansion of YD Biopharma’s research and development capabilities to collaborate with hospitals, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies to reach new patients.

    YD Biopharma has also recently negotiated related authorizations for breast cancer detection to further expand the Company’s product offerings. YD Biopharma is in the process of acquiring licenses from EG BioMed Taiwan for advanced breast cancer detection technology in the U.S., E.U., and Asia-Pacific that has high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. The acquisition of the licenses for EG Biomed’s breast cancer detection technology in the U.S., E.U., and Asia-Pacific is expected to be consummated simultaneously with the closing of the merger with Breeze.

    Management Commentary
    Dr. Ethan Shen, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of YD Biopharma, has an extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry having worked at a well-known global pharmaceutical company. Inspired by his father’s struggle with cancer and subsequent passing, Dr. Shen is dedicated to eradicating cancer and helping people to avoid chronic and painful treatments through early detection.

    Dr. Shen stated the following regarding the proposed transaction, “I’m pleased to announce the next phase of our strategy as we embark on a public listing in the U.S. through the proposed business combination with Breeze. Since our founding in 2013, we’ve made significant strides in expanding our capabilities through organic innovation, licensing agreements, and notable strategic partnerships. We have a strategic roadmap in place for accelerated growth and a compelling story to tell in the U.S. market as we aim to deliver health problem detection at an earlier stage than ever before through minimal intervention.”

    J. Douglas Ramsey, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Breeze, commented, “From day one, it has been our mission at Breeze to find a company with innovative and disruptive technology that has the potential to deliver significant growth to our shareholders. We are highly optimistic about the proposed business combination with YD Biopharma, a company that we believe is a true outlier in the biotech industry with strong growth potential in a variety of healthcare markets. We are working closely with their team to expeditiously close the transaction by early 2025 and move forward with YD Biopharma as a publicly traded company in the U.S.”

    YD Biopharma Key Investment Highlights

    • Proven Capabilities Across a Broad Spectrum of Solutions: YD Biopharma has an extensive suite of solutions ranging from ophthalmology cellular drug development to pancreatic and breast cancer diagnostics to nutritional product sales.
    • Notable Strategic Partnerships, Offering Validation and Growth Potential: YD Biopharma is a clinical testing drug supplier for Novartis, a top five global pharmaceutical company, as well as having licensing partnerships with EG BioMed for pancreatic cancer detection and 3D Global Biotech to develop treatment for eye disorders.
    • Proprietary Technology Supported by Licensing Agreements and IP Portfolio: Multi-decade, exclusive licensing agreements and owned, patented technology provides YD Biopharma with significant competitive first-mover advantage in each of its clinical markets.
    • Large and Underserved Markets for Each Solution Showcase Untapped Growth Potential: Multi-billion-dollar global market sizes and high single digit CAGRs over the next decade provide significant growth potential for YD Biopharma’s solutions.
    • Strong Leadership Team with Deep Expertise in Biotech and Finance: YD Biopharma has a founder-led management team with experience in new drug development, medical-grade health product development, pharmacy channel development, and financial management and accounting.

    Transaction Overview
    Under the terms of the business combination agreement, Breeze and YD Biopharma will each merge into wholly-owned subsidiaries of a newly formed Cayman holding company expected to be named “YD Biopharma Holdings Limited” and is anticipated to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

    Assuming no redemptions, the combined company will have an estimated post-transaction enterprise value of $694 million, consisting of an estimated equity value of $715 million, $21.0 million in cash and no debt. Cash proceeds raised will consist of Breeze’s $10.1 million cash in trust (before redemptions and payment of any transaction expenses) and $15 million in anticipated new capital.

    YD Biopharma intends to use the proceeds from the transaction to expand production and continue development, approval and launch of new technologies.

    The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both YD Biopharma and Breeze. It is expected to close by early 2025, subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Additional information may be found in the Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed by Breeze Holdings today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Upon completion of the transaction, YD Biopharma will continue to be led by Founder, Chairman, and CEO Dr. Ethan Shen. Wu Cheng-fend will serve as Chief Medical Officer, and May Tsai will serve as Chief Business Officer.

    Advisors
    ArentFox Schiff LLP and Ogier are acting as legal advisors to YD Biopharma. I-Bankers Securities, Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Breeze Holdings. Woolery & Co. PLLC is acting as legal advisor to Breeze Holdings.

    About YD Biopharma
    YD Biopharma Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on cancer prevention medical diagnostics and the development of exosome-based therapeutics with the potential to transform the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need. Through continuous effort and innovation, the Company has also become a recognized supplier of clinical trial drugs and has begun developing and supplying post-market auxiliary products.

    For more information, please visit www.yd-biopharma.com.

    About Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp.
    Breeze Holdings is a blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combinations with one or more businesses or entities.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It
    This press release relates to a proposed business combination transaction involving Breeze Holdings and YD Biopharma. In connection with the proposed transaction, a newly-formed Cayman exempted company expected to be named “YD Biopharma Holdings Limited” (“YD Holdings”) intends to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 that will include a proxy statement of Breeze and that also will constitute a prospectus of YD Holdings with respect to the ordinary shares of YD Holdings to be issued in the proposed transaction (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). This document is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus (if and when available) will be delivered to Breeze Holdings’ and YD Biopharma’s stockholders. Breeze Holdings may also file other relevant documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BREEZE HOLDINGS AND YD BIOPHARMA AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BREEZE HOLDINGS, YD HOLDINGS, YD BIOPHARMA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

    Investors and security holders of Breeze Holdings and YD Biopharma may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus (if and when available) and other documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by Breeze Holdings through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Breeze Holdings will be available free of charge at Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp., 955 W. John Carpenter Fwy., Suite 100-929, Irving, TX 75039, attention: J. Douglas Ramsey.

    Participants in the Solicitation
    Breeze Holdings, YD Biopharma and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Breeze Holdings and YD Biopharma in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about Breeze Holdings’ directors and executive officers and their ownership of Breeze Holdings common stock is set forth in Breeze Holdings’ filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). To the extent that holdings of Breeze Holdings’ securities have changed since the amounts included in the Annual Report, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership of Form 4 filed with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in respect of the proposed transaction when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among other things, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, the anticipated timing of closing of the proposed transaction, the anticipated growth of the industries and markets in which YD Biopharma competes, the success and customer acceptance of YD Biopharma’s product and service offerings and other aspects of YD Biopharma’s operations, plans, objectives, opportunities, expectations or operating results, the expected ownership structure of the combined company and the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the proposed transaction. Words such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimated,” “target,” “project,” and similar phrases or words of similar meaning that denote future expectations or intent regarding the combined company’s financial results, operations and other matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and other factors, both known and unknown, which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control and that may cause actual results and the timing of future events to differ materially from the results and timing of future events anticipated by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction within the time frame anticipated or at all, which may adversely impact the price of Breeze Holdings’ securities; (ii) the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction or those benefits taking longer than anticipated to be realized; (iii) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed by Breeze Holdings’ business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain further extensions of the business combination deadline if sought by Breeze Holdings; (iv) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the adoption of the definitive merger agreement by the stockholders of Breeze Holdings or YD Biopharma, the receipt of any required governmental or regulatory approvals or the failure to meet the Nasdaq listing standards in connection with the closing of the proposed transaction; (v) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction; (vi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement; (vii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or related governmental or regulatory orders ; (viii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on YD Biopharma’s business relationships, performance and business generally; (ix) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of YD Biopharma and any potential difficulties in YD Biopharma employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction; (x) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against YD Biopharma or Breeze Holdings related to the definitive merger agreement or the proposed transaction or any product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to YD Biopharma’s products or services; (xi) the ability to maintain the listing of YD Holdings’ securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market after the closing of the proposed transaction; (xii) potential volatility in the price of Breeze Holdings’ securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which YD Biopharma operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting YD Biopharma’s business, and changes in the combined company’s capital structure; (xiii) the ability to implement business plans, identify and realize additional opportunities and achieve forecasts and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction; (xiv) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industries in which YD Biopharma operates or the markets that YD Biopharma targets; (xv) the inability of YD Biopharma and its current and future collaborators to successfully develop and commercialize YD Biopharma’s products and services in the expected time frame or at all; (xvi) the risk that the combined company may never achieve or sustain profitability or may need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; and (xvii) the costs of the proposed transaction. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to additional risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in Breeze Holdings’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Breeze Holdings from time to time. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance as projected financial information and other information are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to various significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date hereof. Forecasts and estimates regarding YD Biopharma’s industry and end markets are based on sources we believe to be reliable, however there can be no assurance these forecasts and estimates will prove accurate in whole or in part. Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

    No Offer or Solicitation
    This press release is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or to buy any securities or a solicitation of any proxy, consent, vote or approval with respect to any securities in respect of the proposed transaction and is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any other document that Breeze Holdings may file with the SEC or send to Breeze Holdings’ or YD Biopharma’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. No offer, sale, issuance or transfer of securities shall be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale, issuance or transfer would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    Contacts:

    YD Biopharma Limited
    Bob Chiu
    bobc95@udn-pharm.com

    Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp.
    Investor Relations
    Cody Slach and Cody Cree
    Gateway Group

    (949) 574-3860
    BREZ@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: OpenAI’s Strawberry program is reportedly capable of reasoning. It might be able to deceive humans

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Shweta Singh, Assistant Professor, Information Systems and Management, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

    OpenAI, the company that made ChatGPT, has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) system called Strawberry. It is designed not just to provide quick responses to questions, like ChatGPT, but to think or “reason”.

    This raises several major concerns. If Strawberry really is capable of some form of reasoning, could this AI system cheat and deceive humans?

    OpenAI can program the AI in ways that mitigate its ability to manipulate humans. But the company’s own evaluations rate it as a “medium risk” for its ability to assist experts in the “operational planning of reproducing a known biological threat” – in other words, a biological weapon. It was also rated as a medium risk for its ability to persuade humans to change their thinking.

    It remains to be seen how such a system might be used by those with bad intentions, such as con artists or hackers. Nevertheless, OpenAI’s evaluation states that medium-risk systems can be released for wider use – a position I believe is misguided.

    Strawberry is not one AI “model”, or program, but several – known collectively as o1. These models are intended to answer complex questions and solve intricate maths problems. They are also capable of writing computer code – to help you make your own website or app, for example.

    An apparent ability to reason might come as a surprise to some, since this is generally considered a precursor to judgment and decision making – something that has often seemed a distant goal for AI. So, on the surface at least, it would seem to move artificial intelligence a step closer to human-like intelligence.

    When things look too good to be true, there’s often a catch. Well, this set of new AI models is designed to maximise their goals. What does this mean in practice? To achieve its desired objective, the path or the strategy chosen by AI may not always necessarily be fair, or align with human values.

    True intentions

    For example, if you were to play chess against Strawberry, in theory, could its reasoning allow it to hack the scoring system rather than figure out the best strategies for winning the game?

    The AI might also be able to lie to humans about its true intentions and capabilities, which would pose a serious safety concern if it were to be deployed widely. For example, if the AI knew it was infected with malware, could it “choose” to conceal this fact in the knowledge that a human operator might opt to disable the whole system if they knew?

    Strawberry goes a step beyond the capabilities of AI chatbots.
    Robert Way / Shutterstock

    These would be classic examples of unethical AI behaviour, where cheating or deceiving is acceptable if it leads to a desired goal. It would also be quicker for the AI, as it wouldn’t have to waste any time figuring out the next best move. It may not necessarily be morally correct, however.

    This leads to a rather interesting yet worrying discussion. What level of reasoning is Strawberry capable of and what could its unintended consequences be? A powerful AI system that’s capable of cheating humans could pose serious ethical, legal and financial risks to us.

    Such risks become grave in critical situations, such as designing weapons of mass destruction. OpenAI rates its own Strawberry models as “medium risk” for their potential to assist scientists in developing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

    OpenAI says: “Our evaluations found that o1-preview and o1-mini can help experts with the operational planning of reproducing a known biological threat.” But it goes on to say that experts already have significant expertise in these areas, so the risk would be limited in practice. It adds: “The models do not enable non-experts to create biological threats, because creating such a threat requires hands-on laboratory skills that the models cannot replace.”

    Powers of persuasion

    OpenAI’s evaluation of Strawberry also investigated the risk that it could persuade humans to change their beliefs. The new o1 models were found to be more persuasive and more manipulative than ChatGPT.

    OpenAI also tested a mitigation system that was able to reduce the manipulative capabilities of the AI system. Overall, Strawberry was labelled a medium risk for “persuasion” in Open AI’s tests.

    Strawberry was rated low risk for its ability to operate autonomously and on cybersecurity.

    Open AI’s policy states that “medium risk” models can be released for wide use. In my view, this underestimates the threat. The deployment of such models could be catastrophic, especially if bad actors manipulate the technology for their own pursuits.

    This calls for strong checks and balances that will only be possible through AI regulation and legal frameworks, such as penalising incorrect risk assessments and the misuse of AI.

    The UK government stressed the need for “safety, security and robustness” in their 2023 AI white paper, but that’s not nearly enough. There is an urgent need to prioritise human safety and devise rigid scrutiny protocols for AI models such as Strawberry.

    Shweta Singh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. OpenAI’s Strawberry program is reportedly capable of reasoning. It might be able to deceive humans – https://theconversation.com/openais-strawberry-program-is-reportedly-capable-of-reasoning-it-might-be-able-to-deceive-humans-239748

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: PUBLICATION OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROSPECTUS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Issuer LEI: 213800ZBKL9BHSL2K459

    OSB GROUP PLC

    (the “Company” or “Issuer”)

    The Company announces today that a supplementary prospectus dated 25 September 2024 to the base prospectus dated 14 May 2024 (the “Base Prospectus“), in relation to the establishment of its £3,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the “EMTN Programme”) has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority and is available for viewing.

    To view the full document, paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser:

    https://www.osb.co.uk/investors/debt-investors/emtn-programme/

    A copy of the supplementary prospectus will also be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    OSB GROUP PLC

    Alastair Pate                                                 
    Group Head of Investor Relations
    Email: osbrelations@osb.co.uk                                t: 01634 838 973

    Jens Bech
    Group Commercial Director                                    t: 01634 835 796

    Brunswick                                                                            
    Robin Wrench/Simone Selzer                                 t: 020 7404 5959 

    Notes to Editors

    About OSB GROUP PLC

    OneSavings Bank plc (OSB) began trading as a bank on 1 February 2011 and was admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2014 (OSB.L). OSB joined the FTSE 250 index in June 2015. On 4 October 2019, OSB acquired Charter Court Financial Services Group plc and its subsidiary businesses. On 30 November 2020, OSB GROUP PLC became the listed entity and holding company for the OSB Group. The Group provides specialist lending and retail savings and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, part of the Bank of England, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Group reports under two segments, OneSavings Bank and Charter Court Financial Services.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: illumin to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — illumin Holdings Inc. (TSX:ILLM, OTCQB:ILLMF) (“illumin” or “Company”), a Journey Advertising technology company that empowers marketers to make smarter decisions about communicating with online consumers, today announced that Simon Cairns, Chief Executive Officer, and Elliot Muchnik, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the following upcoming conferences.

    Wedbush Securities AdTech Conference

    Management will participate (virtually) in a fireside chart at the Wedbush Securities AdTech Conference on Thursday, October 10th at 12:15 pm ET, and will also host virtual investor meetings.

    TD Securities Technology Conference

    The Company will also participate in the TD Securities Technology Conference taking place in Toronto from November 25- 26th. Management will also host investor meetings on Tuesday, November 26th.

    For more information about the conferences or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with management, please contact your representatives at Wedbush Securities and TD Securities.

    About illumin:

    illumin is a journey advertising platform that enables marketers to reach consumers at every stage of their journey by leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and real-time data analytics. The Company’s mission is to illuminate the path for brands to connect with their customers through the power of data-driven advertising. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, illumin serves clients across North America, Latin America, and Europe.

    For further information, please contact.

      Steve Hosein  David Hanover
      Investor Relations Investor Relations – U.S.
      illumin Holdings Inc. KCSA Strategic Communications
      416-218-9888 x5313  212-896-1220
      investors@illumin.com dhanover@kcsa.com
         

    Disclaimer in regard to Forward-looking Statements

    Certain statements included herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HP Strengthens Workforce Experience Platform with Acquisition of Vyopta

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HP Inc. today announced it has acquired Vyopta, an Austin based provider of collaboration management solutions, offering analytics and monitoring for large, unified communications and collaboration (UC) networks. Vyopta brings extensive expertise and infrastructure to turbocharge the development of HP’s Workforce Experience Platform and provide customers with more insights and capabilities.

    The HP Workforce Experience Platform, launched earlier this year, is designed to improve the employee experience and simplify IT management by giving customers control over their digital ecosystem from a single pane of glass. Today’s news marks the next step in the Platform journey to create a more comprehensive workplace view for customers and set HP further apart from competitors.

    “With the addition of Vyopta’s unique capabilities, HP has a tremendous opportunity to unlock fulfilling employee experiences and meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Faisal Masud, President, HP Digital Services. “Vyopta has revolutionized the way organizations deliver collaboration experiences by providing contextual intelligence, unified visibility, and actionable alerts across a wide range of business collaboration applications, devices, and infrastructure. Together, we will deliver more AI-driven, streamlined, and comprehensive insights that enable an agile, resilient, and productive workforce.”

    This acquisition will accelerate HP’s existing platform strategy and expand its capabilities to include space and application management, offering customers:

    • Enhanced Fleet Management with Vyopta as a core feature that provides multi-vendor monitoring, analytics, space utilization and occupancy tracking, and planning insights.
    • End-to-End Insights based on telemetry captured from on premises and cloud collaboration technologies to deliver visibility across devices, applications, infrastructure, and networks and proactive troubleshooting, recommendations, and data-driven workplace decisions.
    • AI-Powered Platform with accelerated Managed Collaboration Solutions integration and enriched datasets for employee experience management.
    • Rebuilt SaaS Platform using a modern microservices architecture with improved integrations, scalability, and security

    Vyopta was founded in 2007 and transforms how organizations deliver exceptional collaboration experiences by providing contextual intelligence, unified visibility, and actionable alerts for business collaboration applications, devices, and infrastructure.

    About HP
    HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Synchronoss Introduces Enhanced Version of Flagship Personal Cloud Platform for Service Providers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (“Synchronoss” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SNCR), a global leader and innovator in personal cloud platforms, today announced the latest version of its carrier-grade Synchronoss Personal Cloud platform. Unlike over-the-top (OTT) solutions, the new Synchronoss Personal Cloud offers a tailored white-label solution for service providers to enable subscribers to manage, backup and optimize all types of digital content across a range of mobile devices, laptops, and computers.

    Available now, the latest Synchronoss Personal Cloud introduces several enhanced features and capabilities that are designed to increase awareness and drive subscriber engagement:

    • Memories – an AI curated personalization of user’s content in a movie format that users can enjoy and share with their family and friends.
    • AI-Enhanced Genius with One-Click Editing – allows users to edit and optimize photos with an array of AI filters and transformations.
    • Improved Backups – significant enhancements to improve backup and notification management.
    • Tip Cards – new in-app communications “tiles” allow carriers to provide relevant tips to their subscribers to drive awareness and adoption of new features.

    “The newest version of Synchronoss Personal Cloud enables our service provider partners to deliver robust cloud solutions with enhanced user experiences aimed specifically at improving engagement,” said Jeff Miller, President and CEO of Synchronoss. “With the introduction of Memories and AI-Enhanced Genius features, subscribers can effortlessly curate, share, and optimize their digital content – all within an intuitive and consistent interface. We are very proud to announce these new capabilities and are excited for subscriber feedback based on the user experience testing we have done.”

    Delivered as a white-label solution through leading communications service providers, telecom carriers, and mobile operators, Synchronoss Personal Cloud currently supports over 10 million mobile and broadband subscribers worldwide. Synchronoss’ flexible and highly scalable platform enables operators and service providers to rapidly launch and offer personal cloud solutions across tiered plans, value-added bundles, and premium features, effectively minimizing churn and increasing average revenue per user (ARPU).

    About Synchronoss
    Synchronoss Technologies (Nasdaq: SNCR), a global leader in personal Cloud solutions, empowers service providers to establish secure and meaningful connections with their subscribers. Our SaaS Cloud platform simplifies onboarding processes and fosters subscriber engagement, resulting in enhanced revenue streams, reduced expenses, and faster time-to-market. Millions of subscribers trust Synchronoss to safeguard their most cherished memories and important digital content. Explore how our Cloud-focused solutions redefine the way you connect with your digital world at www.synchronoss.com.

    Media Relations Contact: 
    Domenick Cilea 
    Springboard 
    dcilea@springboardpr.com 

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Ryan Gardella
    ICR for Synchronoss
    SNCRIR@icrinc.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: E Ink Announces Collaboration with Delvaux for Handbag Capsule at Paris Fashion Week Using E Ink Prism™ 3

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BILLERICA, Mass., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — E Ink (8069.TW) the originator, pioneer, and global commercial leader in ePaper technology, today announced their collaboration with Delvaux at Paris Fashion Week. Delvaux’s Helios capsule showcases four designs using E Ink Prism 3 which merge traditional textiles with innovative technologies.

    Inspired by E Ink’s color-changing Prism film—dynamic electronic ink technology defined by its fully programable, reflective, and low power consumption—Delvaux imagined redefining what luxury can be. Over the past two years E Ink and Delvaux have worked closely together to push the boundaries of technology – ultimately creating a product that weaves material innovation and leather mastery together to create a completely unique and personalized experience.

    “Our Helios project unifies extreme tradition with extreme innovation. Once more, it’s the fruit of an encounter and truly collaborative work which started more than two years ago between E Ink’s and Delvaux’s teams,” said Jean-Marc Loubier, Delvaux’s CEO. “The start, in January 2022, is the discovery of E Ink’s innovative technology with new materials, light, and colours at CES in Las Vegas. Our project demonstrates the drive to mix this extraordinary tech with our leather mastery and create outstanding bags, for real, daily use. Commitment and collaboration pushed our two companies well beyond their comfort zones to reach a historic result.”

    “E Ink has explored how to integrate our films into textiles for a number of years,” said Tim O’Malley, Associate Vice President of E Ink’s US Business Unit. “In Delvaux we found a partner that had the vision to imagine new possibilities in how the two materials could work together harmoniously. The resulting designs highlight how innovative materials like E Ink Prism can be seamlessly woven into a traditional material, honoring both history and the future.”

    le Caprice and le Pin mark the first implementation of E Ink’s unique technology in any luxury maison. The two companies are working together to bring the collection to market.

    Founded in 1829, Delvaux has remained at the forefront of luxury leather goods for nearly two centuries because of its savoir-faire, uncompromising craftsmanship, and the outstanding quality of its creations. The visionary and pragmatic Brussels-based luggage maker foresaw the travel revolution approaching and filed its first world patent for a woman’s leather handbag in 1908 with ‘le Princesse’, becoming the inventor of the modern handbag.

    As a global leader in ePaper technology, E Ink is not only committed to delivering innovative technology via advanced manufacturing processes but is also prioritizing sustainability. The company is actively focused on reducing carbon emissions throughout the product design and manufacturing processes by conducting carbon footprint verification and providing customers with a sustainable framework for the design and integration of ePaper products.

    About E Ink

    E Ink Holdings Inc. (8069.TWO), based on technology from MIT’s Media Lab, provides an ideal display medium for applications spanning eReaders and eNotes, retail, home, hospital, transportation, logistics, and more, enabling customers to put displays in locations previously impossible. E Ink’s electrophoretic display products make it the worldwide leader for ePaper. Its low power displays enable customers to reach their sustainability goals, and E Ink has pledged using 100% renewable energy in 2030 and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040. E Ink has been recognized for their efforts by receiving, validation from Science-Based Targets (SBTi) and is listed in both the DJSI World and DJSI Emerging Indexes. Listed in Taiwan’s Taipei Exchange (TPEx) and the Luxembourg market, E Ink Holdings is now the world’s largest supplier of ePaper displays. For more information please visit www.eink.com. E Ink. We Make Surfaces Smart and Green.

    Contact:

    V2 Communications on behalf of E Ink

    eink@v2comms.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d50c2242-b107-44e4-a86d-63328d86f1ac

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Monthly Leasing and Finance Index Shows Originations Down 10% Y/Y, Improved Credit Performance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), a survey of economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, reports that in August:

    • New business volume (NBV) was $9.2 billion, down 10% from August 2023.
    • Month over month, NBV was down 17% from $11.1 billion in July 2024.
    • Year to date, cumulative NBV was up 3.5% compared to 2023.

    Additional findings include:

    • Receivables over 30 days were 2.2%, down from 2.5% the previous month and down from 2.3% in the same period in 2023.
    • Charge-offs were 0.4%, down from 0.5% the previous month, and up from 0.3% year over year.
    • Credit approvals totaled 76%, unchanged from July.
    • Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 1.2% year-over-year.

    Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index in September is 61.9, up from the August index of 58.4, and the highest level in more than two years.

    ELFA President and CEO Leigh Lytle said, “The Fed’s decision to begin lowering interest rates will support demand for equipment, even if some businesses wait for rates to fall further before investing. That wait-and-see approach showed up in our August MLFI as new business volumes declined. However, ELFA members expect acquisitions to pick up once we‘re past the election and interest rates fall a bit further. That sentiment was also reflected in our Foundation’s recent Monthly Confidence Index, which showed that equipment finance executives are very optimistic about their organizations’ prospects over the next four months. Finally, credit conditions remain healthy, which will allow lessors and financiers to service new demand when it shows up later this year.”

    Marci Slagle, CLFP, President, BankFinancial Equipment Finance, said, “It appears there is still a slight slowdown in the equipment finance industry, which was heavily weighted in the decrease in origination activity at banks, which led to a dip in new business volume. However, it’s reassuring to hear that portfolio quality is remaining stable, with improvements in receivables and a reduction in losses. What was not baked into these numbers was the Fed rate drop this month. This will help stimulate fourth quarter growth, for both independent lessors and banks. The anticipation of further rate reductions may indeed boost demand, encouraging businesses to invest in capital expenditures. It’s definitely a pivotal time for both independent lessors and banks as we navigate these changes, but I think we are going to start trending in the right direction.”

    About ELFA’s MLFI-25
    The MLFI-25 is the only near-real-time index that reflects capex, or the volume of commercial equipment financed in the U.S. It is released monthly from Washington, D.C., one day before the U.S. Department of Commerce’s durable goods report. This financial indicator complements reports like the Institute for Supply Management Index, providing a comprehensive view of productive assets in the U.S. economy—equipment produced, acquired and financed. The MLFI-25 consists of two years of business activity data from 25 participating companies. For more details, including methodology and participants, visit www.elfaonline.org/knowledge-hub/mlfi.

    About ELFA
    The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA’s 575 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses’ success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at www.elfaonline.org.

    Follow ELFA:
    X: @ELFAonline
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/89692/

    Media/Press Contact: Amy Vogt, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, ELFA, avogt@elfaonline.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Heliene Closes $50M 45X Investment Tax Credit Transfer Sale, facilitated by Basis Climate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heliene Inc., a customer-first provider of North American-made solar PV modules, today announced the sale of approximately $50M Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X credits). The transaction was facilitated by Basis Climate, a leading facilitator of clean energy tax credit transfers.

    Heliene is able to claim eligibility for these tax credits under the guidelines of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Section 45X credits. Heliene manufactures high-quality, U.S.-made solar modules that feature a high volume of domestically-sourced components at its existing factory in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. The company is now building a new module factory in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro-area, with a planned start up of May 2025.

    “Monetising our 45X tax credits through this sale is instrumental in continuing the growth of Heliene’s domestic manufacturing capacity,” said Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, Inc. “This transaction provides long term sustainability, hence enabling us to expand our commitment to offering developers reliable, quality modules that feature the highest possible volume of domestic content. We’re grateful to the team at Basis Climate for facilitating this important deal. Together we’re building a stronger, bankable U.S. solar supply chain.”

    This deal is believed to be among the first within the solar manufacturing industry. Heliene will use funds from this sale to reduce debt and support ongoing efforts to expand its U.S. cell and module manufacturing footprint and grow its domestic, clean energy workforce.

    “Congrats to Heliene and Basis Climate for closing this transaction, which we believe is a testament to the strength of the Heliene business and the resiliency of the 45x manufacturing tax credit framework,” said Ethan Shoemaker, Partner and head of the Infrastructure Credit platform at OIC, who led an investment into Heliene in Spring 2023. “We continue to be impressed by Martin and his team, who are leading the charge for the domestic solar industry through consistent execution, innovation, and creativity.”

    “We are proud to have participated in this landmark deal for Heliene and the domestic solar industry more broadly. Basis supported Heliene in the sale of their 45X credits to a profitable domestic manufacturer. This was an all-American transaction,” noted Erik Underwood, Basis Climate’s CEO. He continued, “we used visual language models to help review thousands of supporting documents to substantiate these tax credits. We look forward to applying learnings to many more deals to come.”

    This tax credit transfer sale follows several months of strategic dealflow completed by Heliene, which is focused on bolstering its domestic manufacturing footprint and shoring up the U.S. solar supply chain. This included a strategic sourcing agreement with cell manufacturer Suniva, a partnership and multi-year contract with Norsun for the supply of U.S.-made wafers, and a joint venture with Premier Energies to jointly build a U.S.-based solar cell manufacturing facility.

    About Heliene

    Heliene is one of North America’s fastest-growing domestic module manufacturers serving the utility-scale, commercial, and residential markets. With an in-house logistics team and remarkably responsive support staff, Heliene delivers competitively priced, high performance solar modules precisely when and where customers need them to accelerate North America’s clean energy transition. Founded in 2010, Heliene consistently ranks as a highly bankable module manufacturer and has production facilities located in Canada, and the USA. For more information, visit www.heliene.com.

    Media inquiries:
    Carly Ross
    FischTank PR
    heliene@fischtankpr.com  

    About Basis Climate

    Basis Climate is a leading facilitator of clean energy tax credit transfers, providing a seamless and efficient platform for businesses and individuals to monetize their tax credits generated from renewable energy projects. The company’s mission is to unlock the full potential of clean energy tax credits by connecting credit generators with motivated buyers, ultimately accelerating the transition to a clean and sustainable future. By leveraging technology and standardized diligence and transaction processes, Basis is able to support the full range of clean energy tax credits established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Honcho Introduces AI-Enhanced Tools for Simplified Website Building

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Honcho has launched new artificial intelligence (AI) tools to simplify creating and launching business websites. This new suite of enhanced tools aims to make website building even more accessible to startup and small business owners who lack technical, creative, or marketing skills.

    Photo by afotostock

    “Our goal with these AI-enhanced tools is to remove the barriers many small business owners face when trying to establish an online presence – namely creative and technical skills,” said Matt Abrahams, CEO of Honcho. “With Honcho, users can easily create and launch a professional website in minutes without any prior experience.”

    AI streamlines the website creation process. Users can input minimal information, often just a business name and industry, and the AI will automatically generate a customized website complete with text, images, and optimized design elements.

    “Most small business owners just want a fully functioning website up and running … and fast,” added Abrahams. “Using our platform, business owners can begin marketing their business, and in turn, start adding to their bottom line, much faster.”

    Honcho is a well-established Australian business service with over 800,000 clients and has been operating in the website-building space for some time. The prototype version of the newly launched site has been in stealth mode in Australia for two years while the company perfected its operations. While the company will not provide numbers, it is understood thousands of clients have successfully used Honcho’s website-building services to date.

    A minimum viable product aptly named ‘Instant Website’ was launched first on Sept. 18, 2022, prior to AI becoming the hot commodity it is today. Version 2 of Instant Website, incorporating a range of new features, including business and domain name generators, automatic AI text generation and free photo library services, was released in February of 2024. Honcho launched its latest version with a completely new design interface and built for the global market on its premium Honcho.com site in September 2024.

    The company has big plans for the future with more features featuring AI soon to be launched, Abrahams noted. “We are not an AI company. We are service-focused specialists helping business owners globally to design, create and launch professional websites for their business – fast and simply. AI is another technology that adds value to our robust ecosystem, similar to many of the other technology tools we incorporate,” he said.

    About Honcho

    Honcho is a provider of business services to startups and small businesses. The technology company is dedicated to simplifying the process of creating and launching business websites. Honcho has delivered business services to more than 800,000 clients. With a focus on user-friendly design and AI technology, Honcho continues to set standards in the sector. For more information, visit Honcho’s website.

    Contact:

    Name: Morgan Davies
    Company: Honcho
    Website: Honcho.com
    Email: media@honcho.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e20860ed-4d91-46fa-9238-cc480e6365b1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call for unity in the empowerment of women

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike has called on nations to unite all efforts and resources for the empowerment of women and girls.

    The Deputy Minister was addressing a side event of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) held in New York on Wednesday.

    She acknowledged that the challenge of women empowerment “is great” with women and girls facing many obstacles.

    “We reiterate the severity of this challenge before us as the state of women’s empowerment leaves little to be desired, and the overall picture is consistent globally, with pockets of excellence in certain areas of development.

    “Women still own a smaller share of global wealth compared to men, with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reporting that women owned $72 trillion of global wealth in 2020 which translates to about 17% of the total value of the global wealth held by individuals in that year. 

    “This disparity is linked to factors such as gender pay gaps, unequal access to financial services, and fewer opportunities for leadership roles,” Letsike said.

    She added that although the challenges facing women empowerment are “evolving at an unprecedented pace”, a brighter future for all can be forged by “uniting our efforts and resources”.

    “The Education Plus Initiative stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the pathway toward empowerment for girls and young women in the fight against the spread of HIV and an increase of AIDS related deaths. 

    “It emphasises the vital importance of equipping women with education and skills, access to finance, security of land tenure, entrepreneurial opportunities and appointment of women to positions of leadership in both the private and public sectors.

    “By doing so, we not only enhance women’s participation in the labour market but also unlock women’s immense potential to drive sustainable economic growth as meaningful participants in the various sectors of the economy.”

    The Deputy Minister added that nations need to adopt an “intersectional lens as we advance policy for the empowerment of women and adolescent girls”.

    “This will ensure that the unique and overlapping experiences of individuals or groups are recognised, thereby allowing us to craft our agenda to be more equitable and inclusive. 

    “As leaders and stakeholders in this transformative journey, we bear a profound responsibility to ensure our institutions and policies are adept at addressing the challenges of both today and tomorrow, particularly for marginalised persons,” Letsike said.

    She called on world leaders to build a better future for women and girls today.
    “As we move forward, let us be inspired by the potential within our youth, especially our girls. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the catalysts of change today. 

    “Together, we can build a world where their dreams are not limited by their circumstances, but rather fuelled by the opportunities we create for them,” Letsike said.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading South Africa’s delegation to the High-Level General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States of America. The debate of the UNGA79 is taking place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from 24 to 30 September 2024. 
    – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: TNPA invites service providers for Liquefied Natural Gas at Ngqura

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), in collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), has approached the market for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

    This is to encourage interested parties to submit proposals for the envisaged Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Ngqura.

    READ | Port investments to contribute towards SA economy

    The Request For Proposals (RFP) process will see the appointment of a service provider contracted to assess the environmental compliance and sustainability of the proposed LNG terminal. 

    This involves conducting a detailed analysis of ecological and local regulations to determine critical environmental authorisations. These include a seismic survey, marine ecology, climate change impact assessment and socio-economic assessment to support the project.

    The EIA process is carried out in tandem with negotiations of the Terminal Operator Agreement (TOA) between TNPA and the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) to build and operate an onshore LNG regasification facility at the Port of Ngqura for 30 years. 

    The appointment of SFF is the outcome of a Section 79 process and directive issued by the former Minister of Transport, in accordance with the National Ports Act of 2005.

    “This milestone is a critical step towards the development of the LNG terminal at the Port of Ngqura. Through its commercial seaports, TNPA is at the forefront of enabling the gas-to-power project pipeline whilst ensuring the security of supply and unlocking global opportunities for sustainable impact,” said Acting TNPA Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto.

    The Port of Ngqura LNG Terminal is one of 12 priority infrastructure projects announced in March 2024 that hold a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) status. 

    The triad strategic partnership is fast-tracking the conclusion of the EAI, with the RFP closing on 30 October 2024. This partnership will also see the issuing of the RFP for Prefeasibility Studies by end September 2024.

    “ISA is established to provide strategic, technical and financial advisory support to project sponsors for the planning, preparation, development and implementation of national pipeline projects and strategic integrated projects,” said Mameetse Masemola, the Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa. 

    “This project is one of the flagship projects which we are proud to support and excited that progress is moving at a good pace,” he said.

    Tender documents can be accessed on: https://www.idc.co.za/tenders/ and https://www.etenders.gov.za/ – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: NEWTON GOLF Introduces New Gravity Putter Line, Building on Momentum from Recent Rebranding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Gravity, the putter division of parent company NEWTON GOLF, introduces five putters in its new premium series

    CAMARILLO, CA, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NEWTON GOLF, (Nasdaq: SPGC) (“NEWTON GOLF” or the “Company”), a technology-forward golf company with a growing portfolio of golf products, including putters, golf shafts, golf grips, and other golf-related accessories, builds on its recent rebranding with the launch of three new putter models and two redesigned classics in its newly formed Gravity Premium Series (“Gravity”) of putters.

    Formerly known as Sacks Parente Golf putters, the putter line has been redesigned and rebranded as Gravity under the NEWTON GOLF umbrella, ushering in a new era with a fresh, modern aesthetic. Featuring striking red and black colors and a premium ceramic coating finish previously reserved for Tour-level putters, these models embody NEWTON GOLF’s core design principles, including the brand’s signature patented Ultra’Low Balance Point (ULBP) and Center of Gravity (CG) technology.

    The new lineup includes three new models: The Classic, the DEUCE, and the DUKE. Additionally, the DRAC and the PRISM are two models from the previous Sacks Parente brand that have been redesigned and have the new Gravity logo and colorways. The Company is also introducing a new putter shaft, Newton Tempo, which is an improved design to provide better feel and balance with the newly designed heads.

    At the core of NEWTON GOLF’s Gravity putter design is the belief that gravity truly matters.

    Technology and Innovation: Gravity and Tempo

    All of the Gravity Premium Series putters are equipped with advanced features, such as Ultra Low Balance Point and optimized Center of Gravity. This ensures that golfers experience improved tempo by placing the weight of the putter predominantly in the head, with very light grips and carbon fiber shafts.The center of gravity is designed to be as low and close to the ball as possible. This promotes a smooth, repeatable tempo, minimizes side spin, and ensures the ball stays on the intended line for a truer, consisent roll.

    PGA Tour Champions player Ken Duke has already adopted a Gravity putter in his bag, saying, “The putters are beautiful and have amazing feel and sound. I fell in love with them instantly. Finally, the consumers will get to experience a true Tour-only quality product without paying thousands of dollars.”

    Forgiveness and Sweet Spot

    Each Gravity Premium Series putter is engineered for maximum Moment of Inertia (MOI). This increases the stability of the face, effectively widening the sweet spot to ensure off-center strikes are met with forgiveness and consistency.

    The Gravity Premium Series Putters:

    • The Classic – The Classic, Gravity’s new traditional anser-style putter in the Premium Series, is optimized for modern stroke types with a shallower arc. It features a newly designed hosel for enhanced performance and feel. The Classic is made with 1018 carbon steel material for the best ball feel with Tour Only quality ceramic coating finish. MSRP: $450
    • The DEUCE – The new DEUCE is a double-wide anser putter that is easy to aim with a blade-like look. Available in 1018 carbon steel body, the DEUCE is designed to fit all stroke types with two hosel locations. MSRP: $450
    • The DUKE – The new DUKE putter takes its inspiration from PGA TOUR Champions player Ken Duke. Made with a 1018 carbon steel body with tungsten weighting, the DUKE is a modern interpretation of a classic-style putter that has a shorter blade length with a half mallet back: MSRP: $450
    • The PRISM – Gravity’s redesigned PRISM mallet putter naturally improves the putting stroke and tightens the dispersion of putts. Engineered to deliver the right MOI and unmatched stability, the PRISM optimizes the stroke and provides the best roll in golf. It is made of 6061 aluminum and 50 grams of tungsten. The mallet head has been reshaped to improve stability and move CG more forward. MSRP: $450
    • The DRAC – The redesigned DRAC is the modernization of a fang-style putter. It is Gravity’s highest MOI putter that is made of 6061 aluminum and 100 grams of tungsten. It has been redesigned with the Gravity logo and colorways. MSRP: $450

    “We named the new putter division ‘Gravity’ because it perfectly encapsulates this fundamental design principle that enhances the natural tempo and precision of every putt,” said NEWTON GOLF’s Executive Chairman Greg Campbell. “When the golfer lifts the putter on the backstroke, potential energy is stored, and, by trusting gravity to accelerate the putter head during the stroke, golfers can achieve consistent velocity at impact – which is proportional to the length of the backstroke.”

    All Gravity putters are available for preorder on October 1, 2024 at https://newtongolfco.com.
    Images of the Gravity putters can be found here.

    About NEWTON GOLF: A Sacks Parente Company

    NEWTON GOLF: A Sacks Parente Company, is a technology-forward golf company that help golfers elevate their game. With a growing portfolio of golf products, including putters, golf shafts, golf grips, and other golf-related accessories, the Company’s innovative accomplishments include: the First Vernier Acuity putter, patented Ultra-Low Balance Point (ULBP) putter technology, weight-forward Center-of-Gravity (CG) design, and pioneering ultra-light carbon fiber putter shafts.

    In consideration of its growth opportunities in golf shaft technologies, the Company expanded its manufacturing business in April of 2022 to develop the advanced Newton brand of premium golf shafts by opening a new shaft manufacturing facility in St. Joseph, MO. It is the Company’s intent to manufacture and assemble substantially all products in the United States, while also expanding into golf apparel and other golf-related product lines to enhance its growth.

    The Company’s future expansions may include broadening its offerings through mergers, acquisitions or internal developments of product lines that are complementary to its premium brand. The Company currently sells its products through resellers, the Company’s websites, Club Champion retail stores, and distributors in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.newtongolfco.com or on social media at @newtongolfco.com, @newtonshafts, or @gravityputters.

    Media Contact for NEWTON GOLF

    Beth Gast
    BG Public Relations
    beth.gast@bgpublicrelations.com

    Investor Contact for NEWTON GOLF
    CORE IR
    516-222-2560
    investors@sacksparente.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Byrna Technologies to Report Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. ET

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Byrna Technologies Inc. (“Byrna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BYRN), a personal defense technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions, will hold a conference call on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended August 31, 2024. Financial results will be issued in a press release prior to the call.

    Byrna management will host the presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period.

    Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
    Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern time
    Toll-Free Dial-In: 877-709-8150
    International Dial-In: +1 201-689-8354
    Conference ID: 13748618

    Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 949-574-3860.

    The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the Investor Relations section of Byrna’s website.

    About Byrna Technologies Inc.

    Byrna is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions. For more information on the Company, please visit the corporate website here or the Company’s investor relations site here. The Company is the manufacturer of the Byrna® SD personal security device, a state-of-the-art handheld CO2 powered launcher designed to provide a less-lethal alternative to a firearm for the consumer, private security, and law enforcement markets. To purchase Byrna products, visit the Company’s e-commerce store.

    Investor Contact:
    Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860
    BYRN@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KZN reports second-highest HIV prevalence rate in SA

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    KwaZulu-Natal has recorded the second-highest HIV prevalence rate at 16% in 2022, down from 18% in 2017. 

    According to the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), this translates to 1 980 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in KwaZulu-Natal, which was a decline from 1 990 000 in 2017.

    The information is based on the findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI).

    SAnews reported last week that Mpumalanga now has the highest HIV prevalence at 17.4% in 2022, which translates to an estimated 890 000 (PLHIV) in the province.

    READ | Mpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rate 

    According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey showed that in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was higher among those aged 25 to 49 (31.1%), for both females (38.4%) and males (21.5%). 

    HIV prevalence was also higher among those residing in rural formal or farm areas (20%).

    “HIV prevalence peaked at 44.5% among those aged 45 to 49 in 2022 from 39.7% in 2017 among those aged 35 to 39, indicating a possibility of continuing infections among older people. HIV prevalence had decreased by 2022 among all age groups younger than 40 years compared to 2017,” Zuma said.

    By district, in 2022, HIV prevalence was highest in uMgungundlovu (19.5%). 

    The data presented are for eight priority districts within KwaZulu-Natal namely, eThekwini, Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Zululand and uMkhanyakude districts, as per the study protocol. 

    Antiretroviral treatment 

    Antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in KwaZulu-Natal increased to 87.3% in 2022, from 71.2% in 2017. 

    The ART coverage estimate translates to an estimated 1 609 000 PLHIV in the province receiving treatment in 2022.

    In 2022, ART use among all PLHIV in the province was lowest among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 (62.8%) compared to other age groups. 

    ART use was also lower among both males (58.8%) and females (64%) in this age group compared to other age groups.

    Among children aged zero to 14, ART use among males was 83.5% compared to females (65.9%). Among rural formal areas, ART use among males (93.3%) was comparable to females (93.6%).

    The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and AIDS, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.

    Viral load suppression 

    On the viral load suppression, the survey further revealed that, in 2022, among all provinces, KwaZulu-Natal had the highest proportion of all PLHIV with VLS (86.8%), having increased from 2017 (67.8%). 

    Knowledge of HIV status

    The professor expressed concern that those aged between 25 and 49 accounted for the majority of PLHIV in the province (68.3%) who were unaware of their HIV status (54.5%), aware but not on ART (63.5%), and on ART but not virally suppressed (66.4%). 

    “However, adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 contribute disproportionally to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 8.5% of all PLHIV, but 28.4% of those unaware of their HIV status, 19.1% of those aware but not on ART and 15.7% of those on ART but not virally suppressed.” 

    Sex debut

    Regarding the key drivers of the HIV pandemic, Zuma noted that, in KwaZulu-Natal, there was no change in the proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 who reported having sex before the age of 15 in 2017 (8.2%) compared to 2022 (8.6%).

    However, sexual debut before the age of 15 among adolescents and youth between 15 and 24 years in 2022 was higher among males (12.3%) than females (4.8%). 

    The survey revealed that 11% of people aged 15 and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022 compared to 9.4% in 2017. 

    The proportion of people aged 15 and older who reported having multiple sexual partners was five-fold higher among males (18.6%), compared to females (3.5%), and 1.5-fold higher among those aged 15 to 24 (16.3%) compared to those aged 25 to 49 (10.9%). 

    The proportion of people who reported having multiple sexual partners was highest in Harry Gwala (14.1%) and lowest in uThukela (7.6%).

    Condom use

    Regarding condom use, the survey revealed that 32.8% reported using a condom with the most recent sexual partner in 2022 compared to 44.9% in 2017, representing a 12.1% decline.

    In KwaZulu-Natal, a higher proportion also reported that they never (45.2%) used a condom with their most recent sexual partner. 

    “Only 9.3% reported that they used condoms almost every time.”

    Meanwhile, consistency of condom uses with the most recent sexual partner among people aged 15 and older in the province was higher among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 (26.7%) compared to those aged 25 to 49 (16.5%). 

    “However, nearly 60% of youth reported only using a condom sometimes or never.”

    Zuma recommended a long-term strategy to care for people in an ageing HIV epidemic as well as tailored interventions to address gaps in the “clinical cascade”.

    “We also recommend a continued focus on increasing coverage and demand for medical male circumcision among males aged 15 and older. We must also enhance public awareness and uptake of effective HIV prevention measures, such as regular HIV testing, condoms and PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis],” Zuma added. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Schellman Becomes First ISO 42001 ANAB Accredited Certification Body, Underscoring Commitment to Responsible AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Schellman, a leading provider of attestation and compliance services and a top 50 CPA firm, announced today their status as an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 42001 certification body. With this achievement, Schellman is the first ISO 42001 certification body accredited by ANAB able to certify organizations against the world’s first Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) standard. 

    “This is a significant achievement for not only our ISO and AI practices, but our firm overall,” said Danny Manimbo, a Principal at Schellman and an AI Assessment Leader. “As a firm, we’ve prioritized AI governance in 2024 in terms of ensuring that our core service offerings can adapt and stay relevant to emerging technologies, such as AI. This ensures our ability to help our clients demonstrate that they’re using this technology in a responsible manner, fostering trust amongst their customers and partners.”  

    As the first global standard of its kind, ISO/IEC 42001 provides a certifiable AIMS framework in which AI systems can be developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and with security, privacy, and quality at its core.  

    Organizations seeking certification must align with the standard’s requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving their AIMS. Doing so mitigates risk, builds trust, and reassures customers, clients, stakeholders, and society of the safe and responsible development and use of these AI systems.  

    With this accreditation, Schellman expands its accolades in the cybersecurity field, confirming the subject matter expertise of its teams and solidifying itself as an industry-leading, innovative firm. 

    “As the digital landscape evolves, trust in technology becomes paramount. Our accreditation as the first ANAB-accredited ISO 42001 certification body signifies our commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed responsibly,” said Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman. “We recognize that AI governance is not just a trend, but a necessity. It’s about fostering trust among clients and partners, demonstrating responsible use of technology, and mitigating risks. This certification helps us empower our clients to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies with resilience and confidence.” 

    Schellman remains dedicated to providing cutting-edge cybersecurity services that equip organizations with the resilience and confidence needed to thrive in an evolving digital landscape. For more information about Artificial Intelligence assessments and Schellman’s comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, visit schellman.com.

    About Schellman
    “Schellman” is the brand name under which Schellman & Company, LLC and Schellman Compliance, LLC provide professional services. Schellman stands as a leading global provider of attestation, compliance, and certification services. Operating under two distinct entities, Schellman & Company, LLC (a top 50 firm) and Schellman Compliance, LLC (a globally accredited compliance assessment firm which is not a licensed CPA firm). The services provided by the Schellman entities include acting as a CPA firm (Schellman & Company, LLC Florida license number AD62941) as a leading provider of SOC reports, an ISO Certification Body, a PCI Qualified Security Assessor Company, a HITRUST assessor, a FedRAMP 3PAO, being among the pioneering CMMC Authorized C3PAOs, as well as offering international certification services including TISAX and HDS.

    Renowned for its professionals’ expertise combined with practical experience, Schellman delivers superior client service while upholding steadfast independence. The company’s approach fosters successful, long-term relationships, enabling clients to achieve multiple compliance objectives through a single trusted third-party assessor. For further information about the services provided, please visit schellman.com.

    Contact 
    V2 Communications  
    schellman@v2comms.com  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: September 2024 Transformer of the Month: Lori Arnett

    Source: NASA

    Lori Arnett approaches her work at NASA with a simple motto: think big, start small, act fast. As the Associate Director for Digital Transformation for the Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities (AETC) within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), she helps manage the capability portfolio for wind tunnels across the agency. In this role and in the many ways she champions digital transformation at NASA, she is unapologetic about the ambitious mindset she brings to the table. “I know that I have a lot of passion around the work I do, and that can sometimes be seen as intimidating to others,” she says. “But I’m going to drive to something. I want to make progress.”
    Lori’s approach to achieving big goals and true transformation at NASA begins with small, quantifiable steps. With this strategy, she has significantly impacted the agency’s ability to deliver on its aerospace missions. In response to AETC releasing its strategic plan in June 2022, Lori and her team created a data governance board and strategy for quantifying and measuring success, positioning her mission directorate to achieve its goals on schedule.
    Her team successfully defined and captured data on customer data and service quality, reliability, timeliness, and other attributes for operational and maintenance costs for the wind tunnels to create a quantifiable performance metric. To complement performance, they also defined and captured data on the tunnels’ mission relevancy, future demand, test usage, adaptability, and uniqueness for a quantifiable value metric. Together, these metrics create a real-time view of progress toward agency goals for everyone from headquarters program managers to customers to wind tunnel operators. Other NASA capability portfolios have copied the construct, further demonstrating its value.
    By making various data available with access controls, Lori and her team drive toward agency-wide transparency and standardization. They created the first-ever integrated view of availability and access data for NASA’s wind tunnels and increased data discoverability by expanding the ARMD Test Data Portal to include ground test data in addition to flight data. Her team is currently working to bring ground and flight test data together with computational data sets—a feat that would provide unprecedented data integration and interoperability in enabling future missions.
    To achieve such quick turnaround with minimal budgeting needs, the team partnered with the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to leverage existing enterprise-wide services when building the data application ADAPT (AETC Data & Analytics Portfolio Transformation). “I’m all about leveraging and collaborating. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel,” says Lori. Her act-fast mentality drives her toward interoperable architectures, common tools, and inclusive teaming, leveraging existing solutions to help her directorate achieve increasingly complex missions. In return, Lori embraces any opportunity to share her work and enable other teams in their digital transformation journeys. “If anything I do can help somebody else, please reuse it. I don’t do this only for my organization. I’m doing this for the greater good of NASA and for this nation.”
    Lori believes that NASA’s ability to drive innovation hinges on how the agency maximizes the impact of its data, specifically in achieving FAIRUST principles. By 2032, AETC strives for 100% of its strategic data assets to be FAIRUST (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, Understandable, Secure, and Trustworthy). The strategic plan also outlines requirements for a 50% return on investment; to achieve this, Lori and her team developed a construct for quantifying ROI that they shared with multiple other teams, including the Digital Transformation Working Group. By creating ways of defining performance and value, Lori drives strategic investments and data-informed business outcomes. 
    Her motivation for delivering quantifiable value stems from her years of experience in the aerospace industry. Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio not far from Glenn Research Center (GRC), Lori knew she wanted to become an aerospace engineer from a young age. She went on to receive an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to joining NASA as a test engineer at GRC in 2007 and a civil servant in 2010, she worked for ten years designing aerospace products and technologies. Her background influences her commitment to freeing up time for the working level through digital transformation solutions. 
    When asked what she enjoys most about working with Digital Transformation, Lori says, “For me, it’s all about sharing and collaborating so we can innovate for the benefit of all.” She recognizes that large-scale transformation requires many smaller parts contributing their diverse skillsets to the common goal. Of her various responsibilities and achievements, this is what excites and motivates her to continue impacting the agency as a digital transformer. “I just love collaborating with others that have this same mindset.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet New Head of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Elizabeth Jockusch

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    How has the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology changed since you joined in 1999?

    The crises we address in our work, like global change and the biodiversity crisis, are getting much more attention. These issues are now at the forefront of many people’s minds. In the department, that means that more people have incorporated applied components into their work.  

    For example, my work with slender salamanders, specifically those in the genus Batrachoseps, has shifted from just understanding their evolutionary history and population structure to providing crucial information for decision-makers. Several of these salamanders are candidates for endangered species listing, making my research suddenly very relevant.  

    We’re also seeing more collaborative, team-oriented work in the department and in the field as a whole. The scale at which we can conduct research has grown significantly, partly due to larger teams and advancements in technology. For example, genomic technology allows us to learn much more, even from single specimens. These changes have contributed to the increasingly computational and quantitative nature of the field. 

    Do you have goals for the department?

    Yes, I definitely want to maintain our commitment to undergraduate teaching. If you survey our grad students or even many undergrads, you’ll find that we teach the kind of courses that ignite a passion for organismal biology. We offer hands-on engagement and experiences that can set students on new trajectories or introduce them to career paths they hadn’t considered. This is true not just for biology majors, but for students across different fields like natural resources. 

    I also want to ensure that we provide top-notch graduate training. One piece of this is continuing to do research at the forefront of ecology, evolution and systematics. Another piece is helping graduate students build the kinds of diverse skillsets they will need to tackle big challenges, such as the biodiversity and global change crises.  

    What are some of the exciting research areas emerging in your department?

    The power of genomics to help us answer our questions is incredibly exciting. We can now understand how evolution works not just on a gene-by-gene basis or in a test tube, but in real-world, complex environments. It also has practical applications. For example, the ability to sequence and compare whole genomes allows us to identify novel targets for conservation in forest trees facing new diseases. This approach helps us understand the past and shape the future. 

    Another major area of interest is the intersection of ecology and evolution, especially understanding how evolution can happen rapidly enough to affect interaction patterns. This is critical for making accurate predictions about the future of biodiversity. Finally, we still have a lot to learn about organisms. Organisms have all sorts of tricks that humans haven’t fully figured out yet. New tools help us figure out how and why they do what they do. 

    What makes the UConn EEB department unique?

    The living plant collection–the EEB Botanical Conservatory, or the Greenhouses–is a premier collection that offers tremendous opportunities to students. It has living plants representing about 1% of all the world’s plants, which is pretty amazing.  It’s not just used by biology students, but also by art students, archaeology students, and many others. If you’re having a bad day in the winter, you should just go in there. There’s always something amazing to be seen. 

    The biodiversity collections are also a valuable record of biodiversity that traditionally has been used by taxonomists and systematists but has many additional uses. They’re a repository of ecological data, genetic data, and environmental data that allows us to track how the world has changed, such as how plant and animal ranges have shifted, flowering times have changed, and body sizes have changed. For example, we know that plants are flowering earlier and salamanders are getting smaller. We can also track the spread of diseases and look at contaminant levels in the environment. 

    Is there still a place for traditional naturalist approaches, like finding and naming organisms?

    Yes, taxonomy and systematics are foundational. While naming organisms might seem like service work, it’s crucial for anyone studying or quantifying biodiversity. These areas of study are built on the work of those who catalog and classify organisms. 

    But now we can look at organisms in whole new ways–not just through their morphology, but their genomes. And we can look at morphology and function in much greater detail than we could before because some of the imaging techniques that are out there now, like micro-CT scanning, are unbelievable. 

    Why is it useful for non-majors to take your classes?

    All life is touched by aspects of biology in very direct ways. Everyone is going to be facing decisions for their personal health and that of their family members that depend on making decisions about biology or understanding biology.  

    Cancer is an evolutionary process.  It’s an evolutionary disease.  Understanding how evolution works can inform how we think about it. We’ve all been witnessing evolution in action with COVID over the last four years. We’ve seen how that has seriously disrupted society in all kinds of ways, and how the evolutionary process has kept that going. 

    We’re also seeing huge changes in our environment. Lots of people think, “When I was younger, I used to see a lot more monarchs,” or songbirds, or fireflies, or whatever. Being aware of that is important; the decisions we, as a society, make will affect what the world’s going to look like in the future. 

    Tell us a little about your research.

    I’m an evolutionary biologist. I’m interested in understanding the diversity of life, and specifically, how an organism’s development over its lifespan can influence its evolution. In my lab, we primarily study arthropods, tardigrades, and salamanders.  

    We conduct some research in the UConn Forest. One of my graduate students is particularly interested in the evolution of development in salamanders, and several species in the area are useful for this study. A couple of undergraduate students have worked on the red-backed salamander, which has a color polymorphism. Some salamanders we study in California have declined and are close to becoming endangered. I wasn’t planning to become the world’s expert on an obscure group of salamanders that has a bunch of endangered species, but that’s how it panned out! When people need the most current scientific information on them, it’s usually coming from my lab.  

    What do you think are the biggest upcoming developments in your field over the next 10 years?

    I believe AI is going to have a significant impact on our field. We don’t fully understand its potential yet. We’re keen on predicting how natural systems will change in the future, such as shifts in geographic range, alterations in physical characteristics, and changes in interaction patterns. This is a complex area, but I think AI will be a valuable tool in making more accurate predictions. The increasing availability of large datasets, including those from natural history collections, will also be crucial for our research. You don’t have to use only data that you’ve collected to ask questions anymore.  

    What’s your favorite spot on campus?

    Mirror Lake!  It is such a hotbed of biological activity.  There’s so much going on there. There are things to be observed every day. Beavers came through this year and settled in temporarily and started chewing down the trees. Birds fish there every day. There’s incredible dragonfly diversity. I’ve even seen the fish mob a snapping turtle! 

    And I have to include the Fenton Meadow off Gurleyville Road for the same reasons, just a lot of diversity.  If you’re at the Fenton Meadow during one of those nights when the frogs have just come out and started to call…it’s deafening. Wood frogs and peepers and green frogs, bullfrogs, pickerel frogs, gray tree frogs, American toads, all those things breed there.  It’s just great.   

    This Q&A is part of CLAS Visionary Voices, a series highlighting the College’s new academic leaders and their innovative visions for education, research, and outreach at UConn. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Announces Progress Toward its Mission to Tackle the Cybersecurity Skills Shortage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer at Fortinet
    “Through our longstanding investments to address the cyber talent shortage, Fortinet continues to grow and expand our programs and strategic partnerships by delivering an award-winning cybersecurity training and certification program. Addressing the cyber skills gap is vital to enhancing our society’s collective cyber resiliency and we are committed to developing the current and future cyber workforce through the Fortinet Training Institute. As part of this effort, we remain focused on our pledge to train 1 million individuals in cyber by 2026.”

    News Summary  
    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced significant progress in its mission to address the cybersecurity skills shortage through its Training Institute programs. As part of the company’s commitment to closing the cyber workforce gap, Fortinet pledged to train 1 million people in cybersecurity by the end of 2026 and through the Fortinet Training Institute programs has achieved significant strides toward this goal. With more than half a million people having been trained since the 5-year span pledge was announced, Fortinet is on track to meet this commitment by the end of 2026.

    As the cybersecurity landscape grows increasingly complex, the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow with an estimated 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals required to address the industry’s workforce gap. At the same time, Fortinet’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report reveals that 70% of organizations believe the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is increasing risks to their security.

    Fortinet is at the forefront of working to address the skills gap by providing award-winning training and certification curriculum designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to better mitigate cyber risks. Additional recent key initiatives and achievements include:

    • Award-Winning Cybersecurity Curriculum: Fortinet’s most recent industry acknowledgement includes winning the 2024 SC Awards for Best Professional Certification Program. In the fall of 2023, Fortinet introduced enhancements to the Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification program, providing multiple certification options focused on role-based training – such as administrator, analyst, architect – as well as a foundational certification level. Fortinet has also been honored with Gold for best cybersecurity training and Gold for best security awareness program from the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards; Gold for cyber and education and training and security awareness and training from the Globee 2024 Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards; and Most Innovative in cybersecurity training and certification, and security awareness and training service from the Global Infosec Awards, among others.
    • European Commission’s Cybersecurity Skills Academy Initiative Pledge: Earlier this year, Fortinet pledged to offer its award-winning cybersecurity training and security awareness curriculum to up to 75,000 individuals for free in Europe over the next three years. Since joining this initiative, Fortinet is offering its Certification program curriculum through the Cybersecurity Skills Academy and expanding learning opportunities for individuals across all 27 countries of the European Union, helping develop critical cyber skills in the region.
    • All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and EduSkills Foundation Partnership: Fortinet is partnering with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and EduSkills Foundation to offer 100,000 virtual internships in the field of cybersecurity across India, as well as providing our Certification program free of cost.
    • Fortinet Cyber Bootcamps Help Develop the Future Cyber Workforce: Fortinet is partnering with organizations across the world to host cybersecurity and networking bootcamps to further increase access to its training curriculum. Earlier this year, Fortinet hosted a threat hunting workshop for participants of the MITRE Embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) competition, which included students from around the world. Attendees of the Fortinet workshop gained hands-on cybersecurity experience, assuming the role of a security analyst to identify adversarial behaviors using renowned frameworks and procedures.
    • Continuing to Drive a Diverse Cyber Workforce through Partnerships: Through the Education Outreach program and Veterans program, Fortinet cultivates partnerships to drive a skilled, inclusive and diverse cyber workforce. More recently, Fortinet partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Cyber Catalyst Talent Solutions, and Tech Vets Canada, among others, on an in-person bootcamp specifically for veterans interested in gaining technical and hands-on expertise in cyber. Fortinet also collaborated with several Fortinet Veteran program and Education Outreach program partners earlier this year – including Cerco, Helping Heroes, Hire Heroes USA, Onward 2 Opportunity, TechVets, and VetSec – to offer a nine-week Networking Fundamentals Bootcamp this year to further upskill and reskill veterans. Additionally, Fortinet is continuing to partner with Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) to offer members a Networking Fundamentals Bootcamp designed as an entry point for those wanting to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

    Building on Fortinet’s Longstanding Commitment to Close the Global Cyber Skills Gap
    These initiatives build on Fortinet’s longstanding commitment to address the cybersecurity skills gap worldwide. The Fortinet Training Institute delivers training and certifications to IT and security professionals, students and educators, and underserved communities, through its various programs. The ecosystem supporting these programs – including the Education Outreach program, the Veterans program and the Academic Partner program – is comprised of more than 700 partners across more than 100 countries globally.

    To further help advance this work, Fortinet is a part of various public-private partnerships, including participating in the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy commitments by introducing free security awareness training for primary and secondary school educators and students globally including school districts across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Brazil. All these efforts contribute toward Fortinet’s goal to train 1 million people globally in cyber by 2026.

    Additional Resources

    About Fortinet 
    Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.    

    Media Contact:  Investor Contact:  Analyst Contact: 
    Stephanie Lira
    Fortinet, Inc. 
    408-235-7700 
    pr@fortinet.com 
          		 Aaron Ovadia 
    Fortinet, Inc.  
    408-235-7700 
    investors@fortinet.com     		 Brian Greenberg  
    Fortinet, Inc. 
    408-235-7700 
    analystrelations@fortinet.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade Releases a New Modular Dashboard Giving Commercial Fire and Mechanical Contractors a “Command Center” to Maximize Productivity and Profit 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServiceTrade, Inc., the software platform for commercial mechanical and fire contractors, announces the release of ServiceTrade Fall ‘24, the latest innovations to its industry-leading field service management software. The newest release features capabilities that can maximize tech productivity and improve profit for every job, every customer, every time. Enhanced AI-driven features provide more useful information that helps companies increase technician and customer satisfaction.

    The Fall ‘24 release features a new customizable dashboard that can be personalized to provide relevant data for each operational role. Owners, dispatchers, operations executives, and service managers can create personalized “command centers” that deliver the necessary real-time information they need. Drag and drop widgets make it easy for stakeholders to create a view of the most appropriate information for their job function. In addition, enhanced tasking, scheduling functionality, and dispatch features guide schedules that optimize time and tech profitability by prioritizing the most important customers. The Fall ‘24 release is designed to help companies optimize time on-site, meet customer expectations, and win and keep the most valuable customers. 

    Brian Smithwick, ServiceTrade CTO and co-founder, commented: “For over a decade, we’ve been singularly focused on solutions that help contractors prioritize the most profitable customers, build maximum pipeline, and improve productivity and profits. The Fall ‘24 release brings critical innovations to market and will allow commercial contractors to scale their businesses and deliver exceptional service, build customer loyalty, and drive revenue. With the Fall ‘24 release, we continue to raise the bar with software solutions to support the unique challenges commercial service contractors face.”

    Customized, Role-Based Views Through Drag-and-Drop Widgets
    ServiceTrade has completely transformed its dashboard, enabling a customizable, real-time view of operational data that shows relevant information for specific jobs and business functions. Unlike traditional static dashboards, ServiceTrade’s dashboard is fully customizable, allowing users to select from an extensive library of widgets that integrate real-time operational data across work orders, customer communications, financial performance, and more. By providing users with personalized views that contain insights about the details that matter most to their job function, the dashboard helps users easily find the information they need, increasing productivity and optimizing business performance. 

    Streamlined, Powerful Scheduling and Dispatching
    The latest version of the ServiceTrade dispatch board delivers scheduling and dispatching game changers to simplify the way dispatchers assign and schedule technicians and jobs. These enhancements provide everything business owners need – and nothing they don’t – to make smarter scheduling decisions, reduce travel time, and provide technicians with more information so they can work efficiently and productively. With a refurbished user interface and AI infusions to streamline all workflows, the dispatch and scheduling experience empowers commercial contracting businesses to prioritize the most profitable customers and jobs, optimize technician routes, schedule high-value work, and plan long-term to ensure all technicians are fully utilized. 

    Automated Tasking Ensures Efficiency and Maximum Profit at Each Appointment 
    Streamlining the management of recurring maintenance tasks provides technicians with clear task checklists for each job and piece of equipment, and helps contractors meet service agreements. New task manager features simplify the planning and execution of maintenance activities, allow techs to meet productivity goals, and deliver quality service accurately to meet customer contract commitments and regulations at every service appointment.

    AI-Driven Commenting and Job Summaries 
    New AI-driven features, including SmartTranscribe, SmartComment, and SmartSummary, make it easier for technicians to provide detailed notes and for the office to more efficiently deliver complete customer communication. ServiceTrade’s industry-leading AI infusions help manage the full life-cycle of commercial and industrial building equipment from installation and startup to inspection and maintenance to repair and replace. Unlike other solutions focused on financial data, residential services, or those with limited data in the commercial sector, ServiceTrade Smart AI is powered by over 18 million commercial work orders servicing over 13 million building assets with over 6 million identified equipment issues. 

    To learn more about ServiceTrade:

    About ServiceTrade:
    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a software platform for commercial mechanical and fire and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Contact:
    Media@KTCMarketingandpr.com

    The MIL Network –