SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tessell, the leading next-generation multi-cloud database-as-a-service (DBaaS) that enables enterprises and startups to accelerate database, data, and application modernization journeys at scale, today announced the general availability of the Tessell DBaaS in the Google Cloud Marketplace. Tessell now supports Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, MongoDB, and Milvus on all four major cloud platforms: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and OCI. As a fully managed database service, Tessell supports deployments across Oracle Database@Google Cloud in addition to Google Cloud Compute Engine. This development marks a significant milestone for organizations seeking to modernize their transactional applications, database estate, and data architectures within Google Cloud’s robust infrastructure.
“Tessell’s support for Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, MongoDB, and Milvus on Google Cloud empowers enterprises to capitalize on the newly available opportunity to bring application workloads to Google Cloud GCP,” said Bala Kuchibhotla, Co-Founder and CEO at Tessell. “Tessell has already seen rapid adoption of its fully managed database service on Google Cloud, with customers successfully running mission-critical workloads. Organizations are leveraging the platform to simplify operations, improve scalability, and accelerate cloud adoption without the complexities traditionally associated with database management. As more enterprises recognize the benefits of this streamlined approach, Tessell looks forward to expanding its footprint and supporting even more businesses in their cloud transformation journey.”
Tessell’s DBaaS platform actively tracks and analyzes the performance, health, and usage metrics of databases hosted on the platform. This monitoring feature helps users to identify potential issues, optimize database performance, and ensure the overall reliability of their database infrastructure.
The recent global collaboration between Oracle and Google Cloud, enabling support for Oracle databases on Google Cloud infrastructure, has broadened the opportunity for innovation in cloud-based data management. Tessell builds on this foundation, providing enterprises with a fully managed solution that simplifies the complexities of managing multiple data ecosystems, enabling them to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.
“Bringing Tessell DBaaS to Google Cloud Marketplace will help customers quickly deploy, manage, and grow the managed database service on Google Cloud’s trusted, global infrastructure,” said Dai Vu, Managing Director, Marketplace & ISV GTM Programs at Google Cloud. “Tessell can now securely scale and support customers on their digital transformation journeys.”
“Tessell’s deep database expertise, customer-first approach, and solution-focused mindset made our cloud migration seamless,” said Martti Kontula, Head of OT and Data at Landis+Gyr. “Their ability to optimize and manage database workloads on Google Cloud ensured a smooth transition. The Tessell platform delivers a powerful, intuitive experience, providing full visibility into database health and performance at a glance. For any enterprise seeking to run databases efficiently in the cloud, Tessell is the ideal choice.”
Tessell’s fully managed service goes beyond the undifferentiated heavy lifting of automating the day-to-day database management tasks. It integrates with Google’s BigQuery enterprise unified data platform to provide a highly differentiated data ecosystem management.
Key benefits of Tessell’s solution include:
Automated Maintenance: Patching, backup, and recovery processes are fully automated, reducing downtime and improving reliability.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Built-in multi-zone availability and cross-region recovery ensure business continuity for mission-critical workloads.
Data Security and Compliance: Flexible backup options and robust recovery mechanisms meet stringent compliance and regulatory requirements.
Enterprise-Grade Flexibility: Tessell enables the automation and security benefits of PaaS with the customization capabilities of IaaS.
Unified Security & Compliance Posture: Customers can extend their existing security and compliance services to Google Cloud while bringing their own keys, seamlessly extending their management, security, and compliance operations to the cloud.
My Services is a centralized platform within Tessell that allows users to manage all their databases across different clouds and regions in one place. Users can provision databases, monitor performance, set up backups, and securely share data across regions and cloud providers.
Tessell will co-host a webinar on April 2nd with a technical architect from Google Cloud’s team and a representative from Landis+Gyr. The webinar will cover how Tessell helps accelerate cloud adoption and modernization of business-critical database workloads.
Tessell is an official sponsor of Google Cloud Next 2025, which will take place from April 9th to 11th in Las Vegas at The Mandalay Bay Convention Center. At booth #3270, Tessell will showcase its database offering on Google Cloud.
For more information about Tessell and its support for Google Cloud, please visit https://www.tessell.com/oracle-gcp. Find Tessell on the Google Cloud Marketplace here.
About Tessell Tessell is a multi-cloud DBaaS platform offering a comprehensive suite of database services. It supports various database engines tailored for operational and transactional applications across all major cloud providers. Tessell’s value proposition is built on the pillars of choice, data delight, and governance, helping enterprises modernize their data infrastructure and maximize the economic benefits of cloud adoption.
Media Contact Len Fernandes Firecracker PR for Tessell len@firecrackerpr.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), a leading provider of global tax preparation, financial products and small business solutions, today announced that Phillip Miller will join the company as the new Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) as of March 31.
“We are thrilled to welcome Phillip to our leadership team,” said Dara Redler, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer. “His extensive experience and innovative approach to information security will be invaluable as we continue to prioritize protecting our clients.”
Miller brings over 15 years of executive security experience across retail, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Miller has built and maintained strategic programs for companies to meet security, legal, privacy and regulatory frameworks.
Most recently, Phillip founded Qurple, LLC, where he served as an advisor and consultant for numerous companies. Prior to that, he held Vice President/Chief Information Security Officer roles at NetApp and Brooks Brother. Miller has also served as a Principal Security Advisor at Amazon Web Services where he advised financial services, health services, financial technology, and investment management companies on secure cloud computing and compliance strategies.
Miller is the author of “Hacking Success,” a book on information security policy and artificial intelligence. He holds a UK law degree, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and actively participates in privacy, ethics, and technology law forums.
About H&R Block H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.
CULVER CITY, Calif., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or “the Company”), a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced today that it will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results.
Participants may listen to the live webcast and replay on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.snail.com/.
About Snail, Inc. Snail is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices.
RESTON, Va., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, now has15,000 templatesin its identity document template database, the most comprehensive in the world. This significant update ensures that businesses and government agencies around the globe can verify the latest IDs, including the most advanced biometric documents, with the highest accuracy.
Regula’s proprietary identity document template database contains detailed descriptions of each document’s security features. Combined with the advanced capabilities of Regula Document Reader SDK, this enables online ID verification with the same level of precision previously achievable only in on-site scenarios. Incorporating ID templates from 251 countries and territories and capable of reading 138 national languages, this database enables the recognition and proper verification of nearly every ID from any corner of the world, even the rarest ones.
Tracking Global Shifts in Identity Documents
The latest expansion of Regula’s ID template database reflects the global shift towards more sophisticated identity documents. More and more countries are introducing biometric passports, which are considered the most secure at the moment. For example, among the recent additions to Regula’s database are the first-ever biometric passports issued by India, Sri Lanka, and Guyana.
Apart from the format, documents’ security features are also becoming more complex and elaborate. First and foremost, ID issuers are switching from paper substrates in favor of polycarbonate pages, which are much harder to counterfeit. For this reason, states like Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, and Djibouti have recently issued new IDs with polycarbonate data pages.
Another advanced security feature that has become quite widespread across different identity documents is the Multiple Laser Image (MLI). An MLI embeds two distinct images within a document. Typically, these include the passport holder’s photo and their personal data. Special lenses positioned above the images can visualize either image clearly by tilting the document. Hard to illegally duplicate by design, MLIs significantly enhance document protection. Among the IDs that were added to Regula’s ID template database with the latest update, the US driver’s license from Wisconsin, as well as the ID cards of Jamaica, San Marino, and Yemen contain such security features.
“The growing complexity of identity documents presents notable challenges for ID verification workflows. Businesses and government agencies must be prepared to properly verify all the document security features so as not to miss any forgery or identity fraud attempts. Furthermore, they have to handle multiple ID versions from the same country simultaneously, as many older documents remain in circulation alongside the new formats. By keeping pace with evolving security features and document standards, we help streamline ID verification workflows, reduce fraud risks, and maintain compliance with global regulations,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.
Among the new IDs added to Regula’s database to hit 15,000 templates are the following, issued in 2024-2025:
Passports:
Azerbaijan
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Chile
Djibouti
Germany
Guyana
India
Kosovo
Malawi
Myanmar
Netherlands
Romania
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Slovakia
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
ID cards:
Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chile
Guatemala
Jamaica
Kazakstan
Kosovo
Netherlands
Nigeria
Norway
Philippines
Puerto Rico
San Marino
Slovakia
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
Yemen
Driver’s licenses:
Azerbaijan
Denmark
Honduras
Iran
Kosovo
Mongolia
Puerto Rico
Slovakia
Sweden
Venezuela
Bolivia
US states: Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin
To get the full list of the documents supported by Regula’s software solutions, visit Regula’s official website.
About Regula
Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.
COLUMBIA, S.C., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, will host its One Duck Creek Summit in Columbia, South Carolina, from March 25-27, 2025, bringing employees together from across the globe.
This annual event unites a diverse group of leaders, innovators, and cultural champions from across the organization to engage in impactful dialogue, reflect on the past year’s goal and objectives, address current challenges and shape the path forward.
“At Duck Creek, we are committed to fostering a culture where every voice is heard, every perspective is valued, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” said Courtney Townsend, Chief People Officer at Duck Creek Technologies. “The One Duck Creek Summit brings together our global community to not only reflect on our progress, but to also challenge ourselves to continue evolving. By translating our DEI efforts into actionable change, we are committed to propelling both our business and culture forward.”
The keynote will be delivered by Khalil Smith, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies. Smith will speak on high-performance leadership in the evolving landscape of DEI, challenging attendees to translate their DEI efforts into intentional actions that contribute to both business growth and innovation.
“Duck Creek has consistently demonstrated innovation and thoughtfulness in how they invest in their people. While some organizations treat diversity, equity, and inclusion as a passing trend, Duck Creek continues to show that the best leadership and the best cultures drive the best results,” said Smith. “That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to join the One Duck Creek Summit as they are bringing together leaders at all levels to strategically and thoughtfully embed the best people practices into every aspect of the workplace.”
The One Duck Creek Summit reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and empowering workplace. By prioritizing belonging, collaboration, and innovation, Duck Creek continues to attract top talent and foster a workplace where employees feel valued and supported.
“As a company committed to innovation, Duck Creek recognizes that cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for driving success and making a lasting impact,” said Mike Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer at Duck Creek Technologies.
As part of the One Duck Creek Summit, attendees will support Transitions, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Midlands of South Carolina. Summit attendees will assemble Transition Baskets filled with essential items to help individuals moving out of homelessness and into stable housing. While small, these baskets carry immense value, offering dignity, comfort, and a true sense of home during a pivotal life transition. Learn more about Transitions at transitionssc.org.
About Duck Creek Technologies Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X.
Children and young people from across Edinburgh took to the stage at the prestigious Usher Hall yesterday evening (Monday 24 March) for the City of Edinburgh Council’s spring concert.
The concert showcased the inspiring standard of music-making taking place across the city’s school bands, orchestras and ensembles, with the concert providing young musicians the opportunity to perform in a public concert hall, collaborate with their peers and perform to a large audience.
The programme for the spring concert included a variety of captivating music, performed by children and young people from schools across the city as part of various groups including the Edinburgh Schools’ Senior Brass Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ String Training Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Choir, Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Rock Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble and Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s schools instrumental service provides weekly lessons to over 5,000 primary and secondary school pupils across the city. Lessons are introduced to pupils from Primary 4 for upper strings, Primary 5 for woodwind, brass, cello, piping, Scottish drumming and clarsach, and S1 for voice, guitar, percussion, piano, keyboard and double bass.
This concert forms part of the celebration of Edinburgh 900, marking 900 years of formal ‘local democracy’ when, in 1124 King David I created the royal burgh of Edinburgh, one of the oldest in Scotland. This year, a series of events, talks, tours and tales will help to tell the fascinating and diverse stories of Edinburgh’s journey and unique story.
City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:
It was a true pleasure to hear our incredibly talented young people perform last night in celebration of Edinburgh’s 900 years as a Royal Burgh.
Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future. What better way to honour this milestone than with nearly 500 young musicians from across Edinburgh, filling the spectacular Usher Hall with their inspiring performances? From Bach to Bohemian Rhapsody, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
A heartfelt thank you to the Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, and supporters who work so hard to make these events possible. And, of course, to our wonderful young musicians—your dedication and talent continue to make our city proud.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education and Children and Families Convener, said:
The school’s instrumental service concerts are always a special event for me, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience the musical talents of our youngsters in the setting of the Usher Hall. I am always astounded by the exceptional array of musical ability that is showcased by the young people who perform individually or as part of an ensemble or orchestra.
The performances represent hours upon hours of tuition from dedicated music teachers, and the hard work and practice put in by our young musicians. I am incredibly proud to be part of a city that invests in making music tuition accessible to such a large proportion of our learners and want to thank all those who work so hard to make concerts like this one possible.
DAKAR – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced Christian Abégan, -renowned culinary expert, author and TV Host, as its new Chef Advocate for food security, nutrition and sustainable food systems in West and Central Africa.
A champion of sustainable food systems and healthy diets, Abégan has dedicated his career to elevating African gastronomy, advocating for food security and promoting the use of nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to fight hunger. Honoured with the Diplôme d’Honneur de l’Institut de la Gastronomie Française, laureate of the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy and author, he brings a wealth of expertise and passion to WFP’s mission of fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
In his new role as WFP’s Chef Advocate, Christian Abégan will collaborate with WFP to promote fortified foods, advocate for homegrown school meals, and mobilize decision-makers to support global food security efforts. Chef Abegan will also share his culinary knowledge and techniques, empowering people to access nutritious meals using available resources.
“As a chef and a passionate advocate for nutritious and accessible food for all, I fully identify with WFP’s mission to fight hunger,” said Chef Christian Abégan. “Taking on this role is a great honour and a responsibility that I embrace with passion and determination.“
For the past 35 years, Abégan has advocated for the power of food as a tool for better health, culture, community cohesion and growth. His expertise in African cuisine and sustainable food systems aligns with WFP’s efforts to promote nutrition, food security, support to smallholder farmers and education through its homegrown school feeding programme.
“Chef Christian Abégan’s expertise and creativity bring a powerful synergy to WFP’s efforts in West and Central Africa, blending culinary innovation with social impact,” said Margot Van Der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa. “WFP’s engagement with Chef Abégan exemplifies the powerful impact of partnerships in addressing hunger and improving food and nutrition security. Through culinary innovation, capacity building, advocacy, we will bring about positive change to communities around the world.”
Western Africa is in the grips of an acute food security and nutrition crisis with an estimated 52.7 million women, men and children projected to experience acute hunger by June 2025. This hunger crisis is mainly driven by conflict, displacement, economic crises and severe climate shocks, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across the region. Moreover, 8 in 10 children under two lack access to dietary diversity in a region hosting 16 percent of the global burden of child stunting.
WFP has been instrumental in fostering local food solutions, delivering emergency assistance to those in greatest need and enhancing access to affordable and nutritious diets. WFP’s response encompasses support for local agribusinesses, initiatives for the production of nutritious foods and efforts to connect farmers with school feeding programmes.
Over the last seven years, Chef Abégan has actively been supporting WFP, participating in campaigns and events, including the Healthy Not Hungrycampaign in Burkina Faso, and WFP Fight Famineacross the Sahel, raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating and sustainable food practices. His engaging presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences make him an effective advocate for WFP’s mission in West and Central Africa.
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About WFP:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @wfp_media @wfp_wafrica @wfp_chad
About Chef Christian Abégan:
Chef Christian Abégan, a Cameroonian-born culinary expert and Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, is a master of African cuisine. Based in Paris, he is dedicated to showcasing the richness of African gastronomy. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he launched L’Arche Culinaire Africain—a platform uniting African and Diaspora chefs to elevate local ingredients and promote nutrition-focused cuisine. In 2010, he received the Grand Diploma of Honor from the French Institute of Gastronomy, and in 2017, he was a finalist for the Archestrate Prize for his book Le Patrimoine Culinaire Africain (The African Culinary Heritage). As a jury member on the Star Chef TV show from 2011 to 2016, he influenced culinary trends across 28 African countries. His ability to merge heritage and creativity earned him the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy in 2009.
Alaska Native peoples have been hunting, fishing, and gathering wild resources for as long as people have been in Alaska, says Dillon Patterson ’24 Ph.D., but after the United States took control of Alaska, laws were passed that challenges their access to these resources and traditional lifeways. Patterson, first as a graduate researcher and now an anthropologist for the Alaska Subsistence Program in the United States National Park Service, is collaborating with Indigenous communities to work toward the goal of restoring subsistence access for Alaska’s original residents.
Patterson embarked on his studies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Fall of 2020, but he benefited from the unique situation in a way that propelled his dissertation field research. When he saw a posting for a student position with the National Park Service (NPS) in Alaska, it caught his attention. At the time, he had not yet settled on a research topic, but Patterson was interested in the position’s focus on subsistence issues, and since all but one of his classes were online, he thought it was something he could make work. After clearing the idea with his advisor, Department of Anthropology Assistant Professor Elle Ouimet, he applied and was offered the job.
Patterson says it is not uncommon for anthropology students to travel far for their research, so he seized the opportunity and moved 3,000 miles to Alaska and got started on his project in the Katmai National Park and Preserve, which benefited from the longer-term fieldwork and collaboration he was able to incorporate into his study.
The History
Knowing the history of Alaska’s national parks is important to understand the challenges the Indigenous population faces. Patterson says the laws the United States passed after taking control of the territory focused on land settlement and resource rights issues and are primarily aimed at stripping Alaska Native land claims and presenting opportunities for nonrenewable resource development, and as a result, they have greatly limited Indigenous subsistence ways of life.
The most important law regarding subsistence was passed and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 called the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Patterson explains. It created most national park lands in Alaska and nearly doubled the number of national park lands in the U.S., where most of the designated NPS units were also authorized for the continuation of subsistence use.
“A lot of folks wanted there to be an Alaska Native priority for subsistence, a priority over all other consumptive uses, to ensure Alaska Native subsistence rights were protected,” Patterson says. “Ultimately, the Act didn’t distinguish between Alaska Natives and non-natives and the subsistence priority was given to rural Alaska residents.”
This presents an issue since much of Alaska’s population of 700,000 lives in cities, with half of the population in Anchorage alone. This means Alaska Natives who live in Anchorage or Juneau are not qualified subsistence users, and that happens a lot, says Patterson, because people move to pursue education or to accept jobs in the city.
Examples like this demonstrate how rigid bureaucratic constraints can challenge Indigenous ways of life, and Patterson is trying to help address this.
Learning from Knowledge Holders
Over the years, Patterson says caribou population numbers have fluctuated dramatically due to climate and human development as well as natural boom and bust cycles characteristic of the species. Patterson’s work focuses primarily on the Mulchatna Caribou Herd, which is one of many large barren ground caribou herds in Alaska and the largest herd in the southwest region of the state. The population peaked in the 1990s at around 200,000 caribou and has reduced in number to around 14,000 today. The hunt was closed in 2019 for all caribou in the Mulchatna Herd range in hopes the population would rebound.
Dillon Patterson ’24 Ph.D. seized a unique opportunity to work as a graduate researcher for the National Park Service in Alaska for his dissertation research. Here he is posing by the welcome sign for Igiugig, one of the villages where his Indigenous collaborators live. (Contributed photo)
Patterson’s research started by focusing on a small population of caribou in the Katmai National Preserve that supported two villages, Kokhanok and Igiugig, which are approximately 15 miles north of the northern boundary of the Katmai Preserve.
The villagers asserted the smaller Katmai Herd is distinct from the Mulchatna Herd. Before the hunt was closed in 2019, the Katmai Herd supported local needs without jeopardizing the Mulchatna Herd’s numbers.
“When the Mulchatna Herd was healthy and large in number, it didn’t matter if this small population in Katmai was managed as part of the Mulchatna Herd. Now it’s a problem because you’ve closed hunting due to conservation concerns for the Mulchatna Herd, which shouldn’t apply to this small population.”
Patterson started working with knowledge holders from the villages, where he applied an activist research approach to collaborate and document the vast knowledge from the local and Indigenous populations about the caribou. Since Alaska Native peoples have lived and hunted the region’s animals for millennia, Patterson says that these knowledge holders have a far deeper understanding of the caribou population than the limited research done by Western science thus far and are also the most invested in the survival of the caribou population.
While gathering supporting evidence to make the case for differentiating the herds, Patterson also learned about the long history of problems with access, including some confusion within the NPS about how to process formal requests for off-road vehicle access for subsistence hunters. By identifying these hurdles, Patterson worked with the communities navigate the bureaucracy and submit a formal request to perhaps get decision-makers to adapt the policy to account for changing circumstances.
‘The subsistence way of life will always find a way to persist’
Hunting caribou requires traveling, sometimes as many as 40 miles into the sprawling 308,000 acres of Katmai Preserve. If the hunt is successful, trekking back with hundreds of pounds of harvest is an arduous task without the right equipment, especially since there are no roads in the area.
From a preservation perspective, the tundra landscape is easily damaged, and movement across the landscape, especially by motorized vehicles can lead to damage so the subject of whether or not to allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) access is tricky.
While some parks and preserves allow access via ATVs like four-wheelers for subsistence purposes, when Katmai was created in 1980 Patterson explains ATV access was not permitted. Snowmachines (also known as snowmobiles) are allowed if there are at least six inches of snow on the ground to prevent damage to the landscape; however, with the changing climate, snow cover is no longer guaranteed in the colder months. Snow comes later, and Patterson says that even in January of this year, there was less than an inch on the ground, and by the end of February, there was no snow on the ground at all, so access is greatly impacted by the climate, and expanding what vehicles are allowed could help, especially, as noted by a local knowledge holder, they haven’t had much winter lately.
“The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act uses the language that other types of motorized vehicles could only be used for subsistence access where traditionally employed, but it doesn’t define what ‘traditionally employed’ means,” Patterson says. “Historically, the Park Service has interpreted that to mean that there was more than one generation of use prior to 1980, and so the issue of access with four-wheelers has been a frustrating problem for locals, but it’s become more of an issue today.”
Patterson’s project then took on two parts – one with a focus on access to caribou for subsistence purposes, and the second to document the history of access technology used by the local Indigenous population.
Patterson wanted to emphasize that people in the region have been adapting and using whatever technology they have available while also using the same trails for thousands of years. For example, people have long used dog sleds in the area and, more recently, reindeer sleds after reindeer herding was introduced by government officials in the 20th century.
“Over time, the type of technology they use to access different places changed, and typically that change is driven by adaptation to socioeconomic changes and climate changes. The climate has been changing in Alaska for a long time just like the socio cultural and economic situation has been changing dramatically in Alaska for a long time.”
With all of this in mind, Patterson asks, what is considered “traditional”?
“If we’re going to use that word about Alaska Native cultures, we need to acknowledge that they’re highly adaptable to these new stressors, and the subsistence way of life will always find a way to persist.”
“Everything in bureaucracy moves slowly”
Through the course of his studies and fieldwork, Patterson documented evidence that detailed how successive generations have used ATVs for access to Katmai Preserve prior to 1980. With the knowledge he gathered, he developed presentations and briefing documents for decision-makers. With this information, the park superintendent signed a memorandum acknowledging that history and that it likely met the criteria for what ANILCA calls traditionally employed use of motorized surface transportation, says Patterson.
“However, the Park Service can’t just make that decision and then all of a sudden, allow all-terrain vehicle use. Everything in bureaucracy moves slowly,” says Patterson.
This work builds upon work that previous Park Service anthropologists conducted, including oral histories about the use of off-road vehicles in the 1990s, and the process resulting in the signing of a memorandum took a lot of work and patience on behalf of many people. Though changes have not been made yet, it is an important step in the right direction.
Patterson collaborated with community members from two villages, Igiugig (photographed here) and Kokhanok, which are located about 15 miles north of Katmai. (Contributed photo)
“Meanwhile, the decision maker for caribou hunting is not the National Park Service; it is the Federal Subsistence Board, but those regulations can change much faster because there’s a bi-annual cycle for hunting and fishing regulatory change.”
Therefore, this aspect of his project saw a result more quickly. In 2023, the Igiugig village tribal council submitted a proposal to the Federal Subsistence Board to open the caribou hunt for local residents, acknowledging that the smaller herd is separate from the Mulchatna Herd.
“The first caribou hunt in Katmai in six years is now occurring. Despite the lack of snow, the first caribou was caught in late February and shared throughout the communities. The hunt will go into the end of March.”
Ouimet adds that Patterson’s work carefully navigating the complexities between federal offices and local communities, has been extremely effective at changing regulation that has been stalled for decades.
In addition to his successes in aiding in the changing of regulation, Patterson successfully defended his dissertation in the Fall of 2024 and has since transitioned into a permanent role as a Cultural Anthropologist with the Park Service. He views his job as one that links the complex laws and regulations with serving the subsistence needs of the local Indigenous population.
Patterson appreciates that his position allows him to work more closely with decision-makers than he may otherwise have as an anthropologist, and this has allowed him to gain greater insight throughout the process, including appreciating the pressure they operate under.
“For example, another park in Alaska right now that authorized off-road vehicles for subsistence use in the 80s was later sued by environmentalist groups for damage done to the landscape by off-road vehicles. I just say that to acknowledge the people who make decisions are under a lot of pressure from all sides, so I think my job is to help them make the best-informed decision.”
Patterson’s approach also centers on activist methods to gain deeper insights into the context and needs of his Indigenous collaborators, and he says in his day-to-day work, if someone asks why an anthropologist works for the park service, he pushes back,
“No one questions why a biologist would work for the National Park Service so I feel defensive when people challenge the notion that an anthropologist would be advocating on behalf of local Alaska Native communities. I feel like my job is to, as best I can, understand the local perspective and bring it back to the internal management conversations at the Park Service.”
Shell plc filed 2024Form 20-Fwith SEC March 25, 2025
Shell plc filed its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, (“2024 Form 20-F”), with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2025.
Enquiries Shell Media Relations International: +44 20 7934 5550 US Media Relations: Contact Shell US Media Team LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70 Classification: Annual financial and audit reports
WARRINGTON, United Kingdom, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MDS Global, a leading provider of Business Support Systems (BSS) for digital telcos, is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with PlatformX Communications (PXC), the UK’s leading wholesale provider of connectivity, voice, cloud and security solutions. With this landmark agreement, MDS Global will continue to deliver its industry-leading Converged Monetisation Platform (CMP) as a fully outsourced end-to-end monetisation service to power PXC’s ambitious digital transformation and innovation goals.
Under this partnership, MDS Global’s CMP will serve as the single strategic wholesale billing platform for PXC, supporting their plans to build a powerful altnet aggregation platform while simplifying PXC’s IT infrastructure and merging multiple BSS environments. The platform optimises PXC’s operations and brings process automation to reduce operational costs, power innovation and deliver digital customer experiences.
This partnership is a testament to MDS Global’s track record of delivering value and ensuring effective, trouble-free operations. PXC’s decision to extend this relationship, following a long partnership history, demonstrates their trust in MDS Global’s commitment to align with their strategy and help PXC achieve their ambitious goals.
Phil Haslam, Chief Technology Officer ofPXC, said, “Our relationship with MDS Global spans over 2 decades and we are delighted to renew our agreement to further strengthen our partnership. The MDS Converged Monetisation Platform enables us to simplify our technology stack and drive innovation which has been critical in our journey to become the UK’s leading wholesale connectivity provider. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and achieving new milestones together.”
John Burton, CEO ofMDS Global, commented, “We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with PXC. MDS Converged Monetisation Platform will not only simplify PXC’s IT architecture, but also drive innovation and efficiency, further underpinning PXC’s leading position in the UK wholesale telecoms market. This partnership highlights our commitment to work closely with our customers to deliver reliable solutions that power growth and digital transformation.”
About PlatformX Communications (PXC)
PlatformX Communications (PXC) is the UK’s leading provider of innovative solutions for connectivity, voice, cloud and security underpinned by the UK’s most robust, secure, resilient and reliable network.
PXC is uniquely positioned with a scaled customer base and diversified fibre infrastructure partners, powered by a national network covering of more than 3,000 exchanges covering 98% of homes and businesses.
Born from the combination of TalkTalk’s wholesale services and national network business with Virtual1, PXC’s deep understanding of the issues facing players in the wholesale market equips it to uniquely support all types of businesses.
MDS Global powers digital telcos for revenue growth, customer delight, and cost reduction. We offer industry-leading Business Support Systems (BSS), including solutions for Monetisation, Customer Experience, eSIM and AI-powered Decision Intelligence designed for B2B, B2C, B2B2X, and IoT business models.
From successful MVNOs like iD Mobile to Tier-1 operators like BT, our highly scalable, cloud-based solutions power MVNOs, MVNEs, Network Operators, and Wholesale Providers across mobile, fixed, and converged services.
Originally a B2B MVNO, we bring 35+ years of billing excellence. Our friendly, international teams are committed to long-term, collaborative partnerships helping our customers succeed. MDS Global is a Lumine Group company (TSXV:LMN)
NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEC) (“Prospect”, “our”, or “we”) today announced the full and timely repayment of our convertible bond due March 2025, marking another milestone in Prospect’s long-standing track record of responsible and low debt leverage balance sheet management.
With this latest repayment, Prospect has now over our more than 20-year history repaid approximately $4.7 billion in principal bond obligations across 874 debt tranches spanning diversified funding sources, reinforcing Prospect’s reputation as a reliable and disciplined issuer in the capital markets. Prospect’s repaid bond obligations include institutional non-convertible bonds, institutional convertible bonds, baby bonds, and programmatic medium-term notes.
“Our multi-decade track record of meeting obligations across a wide array of funding instruments, including in multiple capital markets that Prospect helped to pioneer in the industry, demonstrates the strength of our diversified and low leverage capital strategy,” said Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer at Prospect. “We continue to prioritize building strong relationships with credit providers and institutional banks, delivering on our commitments, and maintaining access to a broad range of flexible, cost-effective funding sources.”
About Prospect Capital Corporation Prospect is a business development company lending to and investing in private businesses. Prospect’s investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.
Prospect has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under our control, and that we may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from any forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.
For further information, contact: Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer grier@prospectcap.com Telephone (212) 448-0702
Two prolific offenders have been identified following a Met Police investigation into shoplifting at a shop in Hackney.
Officers worked with staff at the Tesco Express, Old Street, Hackney to identify Garvey Powell and Carmen Sinclair. Through analysing CCTV, they linked the pair to more than 30 thefts.
One officer from the local policing team in Hackney worked a 33-hour shift after the pair were arrested to collate the evidence and secure charges against them.
Sergeant Adam Hunter, from the Met’s Neighbourhood Policing Team in Haggerston, said:
“We know shoplifting has a huge impact on businesses and also fuels other crime and anti-social behaviour. We recognise it’s something that Londoners are concerned about and we’re working hard to tackle it. This outcome demonstrates the commitment of officers.
“This pair’s offending cost Tesco many thousands of pounds in stock and tens of thousands in additional security measures, and we’re pleased our investigation has brought them to justice.”
Powell was repeatedly seen on CCTV entering the shop with a large bag or rucksack and filling them with bottles of wine. He was regularly assisted by Sinclair. On many occasions, they would steal wine worth hundreds of pounds in under a minute and sometimes targeted the retailer two or three times a day.
The offences happened between July 2024 and March 2025. Officers viewed more than 40 hours of CCTV footage to identify the offenders. They were arrested at their house on Thursday, 13 March and charged the following day.
A Tesco spokesperson said:
“Our colleagues work hard to serve our customers every day, and every member of our team deserves to feel safe at work. We would like to thank all the Police Officers, store teams and our internal security team who have worked collaboratively on this case. We continue to work closely with partners such as the Metropolitan Police to share information and invest in new ways to keep our stores, like the Old St Hackney Express, safe places to work and shop.”
Garvey Powell, 45 (24.07.79), of Aitken Close, Hackney, pleaded guilty to 19 counts of theft and breach of court bail. He was sentenced at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 March to 9 months’ imprisonment and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order. One of the conditions bans him from being in possession of a bag or rucksack in Hackney.
Carmen Sinclair, 47 (21.09.77), of Whiston Road, Hackney, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft. She will be sentenced at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 April.
Bruised Orange: A Tribute to John Prine Live at The Alley Theatre
25 March 2025
The music of John Prine will be brought to life at the Alley Theatre in Strabane this Saturday night (29th March).
Bruised Orange, named after one of Prine’s iconic songs, is set to deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the music of one of folk and Americana’s most beloved singer-songwriters.
John Prine, known for his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and storytelling, has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Bruised Orange captures the essence of Prine’s work, bringing his songs to life with the same raw emotion and craftsmanship that defined his career. From ‘Angel from Montgomery’ to ‘Sam Stone’, Bruised Orange will perform a collection of Prine’s most cherished songs,
Bruised Orange brings together a talented group of musicians from Co Meath who share a deep admiration for Prine’s music, and their live performances are known for their warmth, sincerity, and sense of community. Whether you’re a long-time fan of John Prine or discovering his music for the first time, Saturday night at the Alley promises to be full of unforgettable moments.
Tickets are £20 available from the Alley Theatre website: www.alley-theatre.com or call the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444
“I look forward to discovering the new generation of Chinese filmmakers and their ways to narrate a story at the Shanghai International Film Festival,” renowned Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore has said.
Italian film director Giuseppe Tornatore has handwritten a congratulatory note to the upcoming 27th Shanghai International Film Festival. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
In an interview with Xinhua at his office in Rome, Italy, Tornatore showed reporters the Chinese version poster of The Legend of 1900, a film that depicts the story of a piano prodigy who lives his entire life on a ship. The film has been released twice in Chinese theaters and received positive feedback.
“I’m very happy that Chinese audiences like my films,” he said.
Tornatore has been appointed jury president for the main competition section of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, which is scheduled to be held from June 13 to 22.
“It was a big honor for me. I’m sure that in Shanghai I will see good movies,” he said.
Tornatore noted that Chinese films have achieved notable success in international markets in recent years, and Films such as Ne Zha 2, The Wandering Earth 2 and Caught by the Tides have earned international acclaim.
Renowned for his masterpieces including Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso, Tornatore emphasized that the key to making films loved by global audiences is staying true to one’s own heart.
“Cinema Paradiso is a great example. When I decided to make this film, I wasn’t thinking about how to win the approval of audiences in Europe, the U.S., or China. Instead, I wanted to tell a personal story. I tried to make sure the characters and everything in the film were believable so that the audiences could connect with them,” Tornatore said.
The film director said he enjoys watching Chinese films. “I love this different point of view that other cinematographers bring, and I can also learn about the story of China and the culture of Chinese people.”
Speaking of the influence of AI and other emerging technologies on the film industry, Tornatore said he is interested in AI and believes it offers new possibilities for both film production and the restoration of classic films.
“My dream is to make a film entirely on my own without the help of anybody and to have my grandfather as the main character. AI can give me this opportunity,” Tornatore said.
Yang Xiangni, the founder of a Dong ethnic minority chorus in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, never imagined those melodies sung by her ancestors could link to a stunning show in a blockbuster Chinese animation.
In a mesmerizing scene in “Ne Zha 2,” the fifth highest-grossing film globally, a Chinese lotus gradually blooms while a traditional melody swells in the background. The music breathes life into the visuals, filling Dong people, like Yang, with immense pride and love for their musical heritage.
The grand song of the Dong ethnic group has echoed through the ages. Revered as a soulful art form, it draws inspiration from the natural flow of life, mimicking bird sounds, the pattering of rains and the gentle rush of rivers.
In Guizhou, singing the grand song of the Dong is more than a performance for the Dong people; it also serves as a way for them to express their hopes, dreams, and feelings.
After graduating from the Academy of Music of Guizhou University in 2020, Yang worked as an art training teacher for two years before returning to her hometown to promote ethnic minority culture.
One year later, Yang established the chorus, finding a way to combine her hobbies of singing Dong songs with the opportunities brought by the Village Super League, a grassroots football carnival in Guizhou. She made cultural inheritance her life-long career and also answered the country’s calls to revitalize traditional culture.
Yang started her touch with the Dong performance art at age six and learned the grand song in primary school. She gave an innovative performance of her ancestors’ music by joining hands with rock music during their shows at the opening ceremony of the Guizhou Village Super League.
“Positive changes and innovations make the grand song of the Dong well-known. Thus, traditional Chinese music goes further and is alive,” said Yang.
Mu Qian, who got his PhD in ethnomusicology from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, was one of the promoters of the grand song of the Dong, making it echo in ears outside China.
In 2019, a music album titled “Wanp-Wanp Jangl Kap” in Dong ethnic dialect, namely “Everyone, Listen Close,” made a wave of Chinese ethnic minorities’ music on the world stage. It was selected by the Transglobal World Music Chart as the Best Asia & Pacific album of the 2019-2020 season and broadcast by more than 10 radio stations.
The music album producer, Mu, got the golden chance to promote this art form globally, bringing the chorus of Dong touring to several U.S. cities and holding 10 concerts in September of the same year when the album was published.
Welcoming a recent handshake between “Ne Zha 2” and the grand song of the Dong, Mu feels pleasure to see the mix of all art forms, thus raising the popularity of the grand song.
“I expect more original works by Dong artists to appear in the music market. Seeing their trails and marks on world stages, I also anticipate a delicate balance between ethnic characteristics and market trends,” Mu added.
SHENZHEN, China, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its subsidiary EngageLab, a leading multi-channel engagement solution provider, has upgraded its Marketing Automation (MA) functions with AI-powered capabilities, further empowering businesses to achieve exceptional results.
Revolutionizing Marketing with Key Features
Omnichannel Marketing Automation: Seamlessly connect with customers across AppPush, WebPush, Email, SMS, and WhatsApp to maximize engagement and conversions.
Visual Journey Orchestration: A drag-and-drop builder with pre-designed templates enables marketers to create personalized user journeys without coding, reducing operational costs and increasing efficiency.
AI-Driven Insights & Optimization: Real-time analytics track user behavior, participation rates, and revenue conversions, allowing businesses to optimize strategies for maximum ROI.
Tailored Journey Orchestration for Diverse Scenarios
EngageLab’s upgraded functions are designed to cater to various industries and use cases, including:
New User Onboarding: Guide users through core features for quick adoption.
Trial & Upgrade: Send reminders or exclusive offers to encourage payments.
Re-engagement: Reactivate inactive users with personalized incentives.
Targeted Campaigns: Leverage interaction data to deliver precise holiday deals or event teasers.
Customer Success Stories
E-commerce: A B2C platform achieved a 30% increase in conversions and significantly higher repurchase rates using personalized campaigns.
Gaming: A mobile game developer boosted click-through rates by 45% and recovered 20% of churned players with behavior-triggered notifications.
Education: An online curriculum designer saw a 40% increase in course completions with tailored reminders via Push and SMS.
Why Choose EngageLab?
Powerful Messaging Channels: Five self-built messaging channels ensure high delivery rates and reliability.
AI-Powered Personalization: The integration of GPTBots.ai enables 24/7 personalized content creation and strategy optimization.
Global Support: A professional technical team provides 1-to-1 services and customized solutions for enterprises worldwide.
Ready to transform your marketing strategy? Experience the power of EngageLab’s AI-driven Marketing Automation functions today from here: https://www.engagelab.com/accounts/signup
About EngageLab
EngageLab, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading multi-channel engagement solution provider, unites technology and versatility to offer seamless customer interactions and marketing automation across every channel, including Email, AppPush, WebPush, OTP, SMS, WhatsApp. It empowers businesses to build lasting relationships and achieve higher conversions and retention. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, EngageLab supports businesses with multiple global nodes, delivering more than 1 million messages every second across various channels.
For more information about EngageLab and its suite of solutions, visit www.engagelab.com.
About Aurora Mobile Limited Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.
Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact: Aurora Mobile Limited E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn
Christensen In China Ms. Xiaoyan Su Phone: +86-10-5900-1548 E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com
In US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com
Siemens Mobility UK&I chooses TOUGHBOOK MaaS to revolutionise how it manages mobile IT.
Wiesbaden, DE. 25th March 2025 – Panasonic is set to revolutionise the way organisations manage their mobile IT with the introduction of its innovative TOUGHBOOK Mobile-IT As-A-Service (MaaS). This comprehensive solution offers businesses a customisable, end-to-end package that includes robust hardware, essential software and dedicated support – with no upfront costs and a highly flexible monthly subscription fee. It ensures today’s mobile workforces always have access to the latest technology and support to continuously enhance efficiency and productivity for field operatives.
With the subscription-based, as-a-service economy set to grow at 18% a year and be worth €2.8 trillion by 20281, Panasonic’s TOUGHBOOK MaaS provides a seamless, reliable mobile solution that can adapt to specific business requirements. It ensures mobile workers have the most up-to-date equipment and service delivery without the burden of managing it. Removing risk with a predictable monthly OPEX cost, TOUGHBOOK MaaS provides flexibility and control, enabling customers to swiftly adapt solutions as needs change.
At the end of the subscription period, customers can choose to seamlessly transition to new Panasonic TOUGHBOOK solutions and extend or tweak existing software and support services, based on their requirements. For all end-of-life equipment, TOUGHBOOK MaaS supports the circular economy by extending the lifecycle of devices through refurbishment and reuse.
Recognising that no two businesses are alike, this service offers tailor-made packages encompassing:
Services: Comprehensive support tailored for hyper-mobile workers, ensuring uninterrupted productivity through monitoring of assets in the field, through to maintenance and integration services.
Software: Essential applications designed to empower mobile workers, enabling them to perform their tasks more effectively.
Hardware: Access to Panasonic’s TOUGHBOOK devices, known for their durability and reliability in challenging environments.
Device Ecosystem & Accessories: A range of supplementary tools and accessories that enhance the mobile working experience, from additional batteries to specialist devices and docking units.
Leading technology company, Siemens Mobility UK&I, has chosen to adopt TOUGHBOOK MaaS at its UK Bogie and Wheelset Service Centre. Its engineers will use Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices for component management, condition assessment recording, digital twin inspections, maintenance, work instructions, employee communication, and health and safety compliance.
Rick Evans, Head of Site IT, at Siemens Mobility UK&I said: “This is another great example of our commitment to delivering the safest, most accessible rail network for Britain. With technology and business requirements changing at a faster pace than ever, TOUGHBOOK MaaS ensures our engineers always have access to the latest hardware, applications and support to deliver the very best transport solutions for Britain.”
Timo Unger, Head of Business Planning for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, added: “TOUGHBOOK Mobile-IT As-A-Service delivers business certainty in an uncertain world. With this comprehensive service, we remove the complexities associated with managing mobile IT infrastructure, allowing businesses to concentrate on delivering high-performance, reliable services whenever and wherever needed.”
The subscription-based model offers businesses the flexibility to select the level of support that aligns with operational needs. With a standard 60-month contract period, pricing starts from just €33 per user, per month. Additional services, such as proactive maintenance plans and swift deployment options, including vehicle integration for devices, are available for a nominal uplift, ensuring that businesses can scale their solutions as their needs evolve.
About the Panasonic Group Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 54.12 billion (8,496.4 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/
About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Shusuke Aoki, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.
Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consist of the following business units:
The Mobile Solutions Business Division helping mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offering a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offering Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
Business and Industry Solutions delivering tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing. Designed to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe selling a wide range of smart factory solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
On March 25, 1985, the five-part children’s science fiction television film “Guest from the Future” by Pavel Arsenov, filmed at the Gorky Film Studio, was released on Soviet screens.
The director based this mini-series on the story “One Hundred Years Ago” – one of the parts of the series that Kir Bulychev began writing back in 1965 for his daughter Alisa. Pavel Arsenov considered the fantasy genre to be very promising, he was inspired by Richard Viktorov’s works “Through Thorns to the Stars” and “Moscow – Cassiopeia”. And the idea to film this particular book by Kir Bulychev came to the director during a creative meeting with children. When asked which work they would advise him to make a film based on, most named “One Hundred Years Ago”. The writer co-authored the script for “Guest from the Future”, filming began in 1983 and ended in August 1984.
According to the plot, Moscow schoolchildren find a time machine in the basement of an old house. Sixth-grader Kolya Gerasimov, who just went to the store for kefir, accidentally ends up in 2084. The robot Werther, whom he meets, allows him to walk around Moscow for a while and look at the future. Kolya meets Alisa Selezneva, the daughter of a professor and director of the space zoo “CosmoZoo”. The girl has a myelophone – a unique device designed to read thoughts, with the help of which she studies the behavior of animals. However, the myelophone is also of interest to space pirates – Rat and Veselchak U, who want to become the rulers of the Universe. Kolya and Alisa are in for an exciting adventure.
Casting and filming
More than a hundred young actresses applied for the role of Alisa Selezneva, including Natalya Shanaeva, who played Lena Dombazova in the film. In the end, the role went to Natalya Guseva and brought her enormous popularity – letters from fans came from outside the Soviet Union. At the time of the start of filming, she was 11 years old. However, Natalya did not dream of a professional acting career – after finishing school, she entered the Moscow State Institute of Fine Chemical Technology, became a biotechnologist and worked at the N.F. Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
According to the recollections of actor Semyon Buzgan (Kolya Sadovsky), almost all the boys who starred in the film read an excerpt from the role of Fima Korolev at the first audition – based on the results of this “exam”, Pavel Arsenov determined whether the candidate had the ability to act. Sixth-grader Alyosha Fomkin, who already had acting experience in several stories of the film magazine “Yeralash”, was chosen for the role of Kolya Gerasimov.
For adult roles, Pavel Arsenov invited many talented actors: Vyacheslav Nevinny and Mikhail Kononov became space pirates, Evgeny Gerasimov played the robot Werther, Yuri Grigoriev played Professor Seleznev, Igor Yasulovich played the employee of “CosmoZoo” Electron Ivanovich. Georgy Burkov, Valentina Talyzina, Lyudmila Arinina, Natalya Varley and other famous actors also starred in the film. Several episodic roles were played by one of the film’s cameramen, Alexander Lysykh, and his characters were voiced by Mikhail Kokshenov.
The budget allocated for the creation of the impressive film was quite modest, so Pavel Arsenov, production designer Olga Kravchena, costume designer Valentina Olonovskaya and the special effects team had to use their imagination and ingenuity to achieve realism of what was happening on the screen. For example, the Moscow Institute of Time is just a model suspended at a height of more than 50 meters. For the flying flips, miniature copies with tiny figures inside were used – they were suspended from a rotating crane with a boom and filmed in the background, as if the actors were flying high in the sky. And the famous myelophone is actually a glass prism for a camera.
Filming, in addition to the Gorky Film Studio, took place, of course, in various places in Moscow. For example, the building of the Institute of Time and “CosmoZoo” were filmed in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after N.V. Tsitsin, school scenes – in the building of school No. 20 (now No. 1239) on Vspolny Lane, since the characters study there. Also in the film you can see Prechistenka, Gogolevsky Boulevard, Kalinina Avenue (now Novy Arbat), the area around Samotechnaya Street, where Kolya Gerasimov discovered a time machine, Cosmonauts Alley and many other familiar places.
The music for the film was written by composer Yevgeny Krylatov, whose song “Beautiful Far Away” with lyrics by Yuri Entin became a hit after the film’s release. The first screening took place at the Gorky Film Studio in October 1984. The television premiere of “Guest from the Future” took place from March 25 to 29, 1985, during the spring school holidays, and was a huge success. Later, the magazine “World of Fantasy” included “Guest from the Future” in the list of the best screen adaptations and called the film a cult film, despite some limitations of the film crew in technical means.
Two years later, in 1987, Pavel Arsenov made the film “The Purple Ball” based on the story of the same name by Kir Bulychev, telling about the new adventures of Alisa Selezneva.
Gorky Film Studio is one of the largest in Russia, the oldest film studio in Moscow. More than a thousand films have been released here, including “Seventeen Moments of Spring”, “Officers”, “Morozko”, “…The Dawns Here Are Quiet”, “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka”, “Carnival”, “You Never Dreamed…”, “Three Plus Two” and many others. The film studio is one of the main sites of a large-scale Moscow film cluster, which unites infrastructure facilities, services and services for filmmakers. Its development is carried out by the Moscow Government as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s project “Moscow – City of Cinema”. The structure of the film cluster also includes the Moskino cinema chain, a film factory, a film park, a film commission and the Moskino film platform.
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.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
An additional venue for the Night of Theatres event will be opened in the Art Platform open theatre space in the New Manezh. From 17:00 on March 27 to 05:00 on March 28, a theatre marathon will be held there — the longest nighttime showing of plays, readings and concerts. Registration for these events opened March 25 at 12:00.
“This year we decided to open an additional venue so that even more guests could be involved in theatrical art. This venue will be the creative space “New Manezh”, where throughout the night on two stages and in the lecture hall there will be performances, readings, master classes and performances for spectators of different age categories,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Culture
Thus, on March 27 at 19:15 the cultural center “Khitrovka” will present the project “Walk in the Dark” – a puppet theater made of papier-mâché, newspapers and matchboxes. The production is inspired by the paintings of Marc Chagall.
At 20:30, the musical performance “Eugene Onegin: Lensky version” will begin, which will be shown by the artists of the “Dmitry Brusnikin Workshop”. Director Mikhail Meshcheryakov promises guests rap, techno and immersive inserts. In his production, he will explain why Tatyana fell in love with Onegin and tell how Lensky’s fate could have turned out if he had not died in a duel.
On March 28 at 01:30 the Territory Foundation for the Development of Culture and Contemporary Art will hold an open rehearsal of the play “Waffle Heart” with the participation of Yulia Peresild.
A special program will be prepared for the youngest guests. Thus, on March 27, the S. V. Obraztsov Puppet Theater will show the play “Crane” in the style of the Japanese street theater kamishibai. Children will also be invited to master classes.
In addition, this year the Moskino cinema chain will also take part in the Night of Theatres event. On March 27 at 8:00 p.m., viewers will see a live broadcast of the musical performance Eugene Onegin: Lensky Version in the Vympel and Tula cinemas. Admission is free, butregistration required.
The Night of Theatres will be held in the capital for the 13th time. The grand opening will take place on March 27 at 21:00 at the Moscow Drama Theatre named after N.V. Gogol. The schedule of all events can be found find on site. Most events for children will start on March 27 at 17:00, for adults – at 21:00.
The event will unite 90 cultural institutions-participants. Among them are Moscow and federal theaters, educational organizations’ collectives – members of the association “Commonwealth of Moscow School Theaters”, as well as a theater university – the Russian Institute of Theater Arts – GITIS.
There are about 120 events awaiting guests. To attend them, you must register atofficial website of the action. For some events you will need to enter personal data or log in via Mos ID.
During the check, you will need to present an identity document. Those who registered using Mos ID only need to show the QR code from the mobile application. Children are required to have both a ticket and an identity document.
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 access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Last week, the SPbPU Chamber Choir under the direction of Alexandra Makarova visited Yerevan. The creative delegation was hosted by the Russian-Armenian University, a strategic partner of SPbPU. The polytechnicians prepared a program of world music especially for their performance in Armenia, having learned Armenian songs. At a large rehearsal before the concert for students and teachers of the RAU, the polytechnicians took an Armenian language lesson to achieve perfect pronunciation.
It was impossible to imagine what a profound impression this would make on the audience. The university administration, teachers and students were touched by the way the Polytechnic students performed the prayer that is sung during the liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. And they were no less surprised by the Georgian folk song “Lalebi” that sounded at the end of the concert. RAU Rector Edward Sandoyan did not expect that the performance of the Polytechnic choir would become such a grand unifying event.
“In just an hour, I am expecting guests from Georgia, led by the rector of the Caucasus University, Kakha Shengelia,” said Edward Sandoyan. “While he is on the way, I just sent him your performance of ‘Lalebi’ – he is crying because I wrote that it is the choir of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University performing a Georgian song at the Russian-Armenian University. We have all accumulated so many problems. You can spend years, months, hours telling a Georgian, an Armenian, an Uzbek how important it is for us to be together, but one song like this is enough for them to understand everything. What you are doing is very important, so important that you cannot even imagine it. Thank you, the university, and the rector, Andrei Ivanovich Rudskoy!”
RAU organized an excursion for the polytechnics to Lake Sevan, the city of Dilijan and one of the world’s largest repositories of ancient manuscripts, Matenadaran. Armenia is one of the most ancient countries with numerous temples, monasteries and churches. The choir members had a unique opportunity to sing in the Sevanavank Monastery, founded in 874, and the 12th-century Haghartsin monastery complex. And in these medieval shrines, the Armenian prayer was performed by students from Russia. The final event of the creative delegation’s visit to Yerevan was a concert at the Moscow House.
“The audience highly appreciated the performance of the SPbPU Chamber Choir, surprised that engineers, physicists, and programmers perform such music professionally. All this is thanks to the efforts of the choir director Alexandra Makarova and choirmaster Ivan Egorov, and, of course, the great support of the SPbPU rector’s office,” noted the head of the SPbPU Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity Boris Kondin. “The Polytechnic University not only educates the future engineering elite of the country, but is also engaged in the formation of Russia’s cultural sovereignty. We now know this for sure!”
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.
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Web3 company, announced the global expansion of Bitget Builders through a series of offline engagements, educational programs, and strategic community upgrades. The Bitget Builders Program is a pivotal component of the Blockchain4Youth charity project, inviting crypto enthusiasts from various backgrounds to co-build the Bitget ecosystem while unlocking insights, event access, and growth opportunities.
Since its inception in June 2023, Bitget Builders Global Tour has already made significant strides, hosting over 60 events across 29 countries to strengthen brand visibility and foster meaningful connections within the blockchain ecosystem. Recent successful events include the Bitget Academy meetups in European countries, which blended education, networking, and entertainment to empower participants with actionable insights into blockchain technologies. The global meetup also keeps expanding to North America, APAC, and other regions, equipping the young generation worldwide with tools to navigate the evolving Web3 landscape.
The Bitget Builders Program provides opportunities for builders to engage in a variety of roles that align with their skills and interests, such as crypto trading support, branding and content creation, and community management. “Build Bitget with Vugar” events serve as a dialogue platform between Bitget’s leadership and its global community, where Bitget COO Vugar Usi Zade engages directly with global communities. These gatherings offer exclusive insights into Bitget’s vision, core values, and roadmap, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to transparency and user-centric growth.
In a strategic move to bolster community engagement, Bitget has elevated community managers to official Bitget Builders, granting them insights, advanced resources and networking opportunities, to amplify their impact in local markets. Looking ahead, Bitget will launch a “Builder Training Camp,” providing specialized training and tools to equip Builders with the skills needed to thrive in the crypto industry.
“Our offline initiatives and community-driven approach reflect Bitget’s dedication to fostering innovation and inclusivity,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. “By empowering students, traders, and builders worldwide, we’re not only expanding our footprint in various regions, but also cultivating a global movement centered on blockchain education and collaboration.”
As part of a broader effort under Bitget’s Blockchain4Youth initiative, the Bitget Builders program focuses on empowering young talents and driving mass adoption as well as technological advancement. By facilitating offline meetups and a global tour, Bitget has increased the sense of community and empowered builders to contribute actively to the program’s growth and innovation on a global scale.
For more details on the Bitget Builders Program, users can visit here.
About Bitget Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.
Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of Particle Network (PARTI) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 25, 2025 (UTC). The launch on MEXC will be accompanied by an exciting Airdrop+ rewards program totaling 150,000 USDT.
Particle Network is the Layer 1 blockchain that powers chain abstraction, seamlessly unifying users and liquidity across Web3. By introducing Universal Accounts, the project provides a single account and unified balance across all chains, coordinated and secured by Particle Chain, ensuring a frictionless experience in the entire Web3 ecosystem.
MEXC has prepared an exclusive Airdrop+ event to mark the Particle Network (PARTI) listing, offering substantial rewards for both new and existing users, from March 24, 2025, 12:00 – April 05, 2025, 10:00 (UTC): Benefit 1: Deposit and share 60,000 USDT (New user exclusive) Benefit 2: Spot Challenge — Trade to share 20,000 USDT (For all users) Benefit 3: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users) Benefit 4: Invite new users and share 20,000 USDT (For all users)
MEXC has established itself as an industry leader by consistently providing users with early access to promising web3 projects. In 2024, MEXC introduced 2,376 new tokens, with 1,716 of those being initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings at 461 and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens in bi-weekly cycles, showcasing its exceptional ability to quickly capture market trends.
Looking ahead, MEXC will continue to enhance its platform, offering advantages such as low fees, deep liquidity, a wide selection of trending tokens, and daily airdrops. This reaffirms MEXC’s user-centric approach, providing traders with early access to high-potential projects, generous rewards, and an optimal trading experience.
For full event details and participation rules, visit the event page.
About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding. MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer: The information provided in this article about cryptocurrencies does not represent MEXC’s official stance or investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully evaluate market fluctuations, project fundamentals, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions. Source
Disclaimer:This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
As more and more financial transactions are conducted in digital form each year, financial threats comprise a large piece of the global cyberthreat landscape. That’s why Kaspersky researchers analyze the trends related to these threats and share an annual report highlighting the main dangers to corporate and consumer finances. This report contains key trends and statistics on financial phishing, mobile and PC banking malware, as well as offers actionable recommendations to bolster security measures and effectively mitigate emerging threats
Methodology
In this report, we present an analysis of financial cyberthreats in 2024, focusing on banking Trojans and phishing pages that target online banking, shopping accounts, cryptocurrency wallets and other financial assets. To gain an understanding of the financial threat landscape, we analyzed anonymized data on malicious activities detected on the devices of Kaspersky security product users and consensually provided to us through the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN). Note that for mobile banking malware, we retrospectively revised the 2023 numbers to provide more accurate statistics. We also changed the methodology for PC banking malware by removing obsolete families that no longer use Trojan banker functionality, hence the sharp drop in numbers against 2023.
Key findings
Phishing
Banks were the most popular lure in 2024, accounting for 42.58% of financial phishing attempts.
Amazon Online Shopping was mimicked by 33.19% of all phishing and scam pages targeting online store users in 2024.
Cryptocurrency phishing saw an 83.37% year-over-year increase in 2024, with 10.7 million detections compared to 5.84 million in 2023.
PC malware
The number of users affected by financial malware for PCs dropped from 312,000 in 2023 to 199,000 in 2024.
ClipBanker, Grandoreiro and CliptoShuffler were the prevalent malware families, together targeting over 89% of affected users.
Consumers remained the primary target of financial cyberthreats, accounting for 73.69% of attacks.
Mobile malware
Nearly 248,000 users encountered mobile banking malware in 2024 – almost 3.6 times more than in 2023 when 69,000 users were affected.
Mamont was the most active Android malware family, accounting for 36.7% of all mobile banker attacks.
Users in Turkey were the most targeted.
Financial phishing
In 2024, online fraudsters continued to lure users to phishing and scam pages that mimicked the websites of popular brands and financial organizations. The attackers employed social engineering techniques to trick victims into sharing their financial data or making a payment on a fake page.
We analyzed phishing detections separately for users of our home and business products. Pages mimicking web services accounted for the largest slice of the business pie at 26.56%. The percentage was lower for home users (10.34%), but home users were more likely to be targeted by pages using banks and global internet portals, social media and IMs, payment systems, and online games as a lure. Delivery company scams accounted for 15.17% of attacks targeting businesses, but did not register in the top ten for home users.
TOP 10 organizations mimicked by phishing and scam pages that were blocked on business users’ devices, 2024 (download)
TOP 10 organizations mimicked by phishing and scam pages that were blocked on home users’ devices, 2024 (download)
Overall, among the three major financial phishing categories, bank users were targeted most in 2024 (42.58%), rising a little over 4 p.p. on the previous year. Online stores were of relatively less interest to the fraudsters at 38.15% dropping from 41.65% in 2023. Payment systems accounted for the remaining 19.27%.
Distribution of financial phishing pages by category, 2024 (download)
Online shopping scams
The most popular online brand target for fraudsters was Amazon (33.19%). This should not come as a surprise given Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers. With 2.41 billion average monthly visitors and $447.5 billion in annual web sales, up 8.6% in 2024, there is every chance Amazon will retain its dubious honor into 2025.
Apple’s share of attacks dropped nearly 3 p.p. from last year’s figure to 15.68%, while Netflix scams grew slightly to 15.99%. Meanwhile, fraudsters’ interest in Alibaba increased, its share going up from 3.17% in 2023 to 7.95% in 2024.
Examples of phishing sites that mimic Amazon, Netflix, Apple and Alibaba
Last year, Louis Vuitton accounted for a whopping 5.52% of all attacks. However, the luxury brand completely slipped out of the top ten in 2024, along with Italian eyewear company Luxottica. Instead, sportswear giant Adidas and Russian e-commerce platform Ozon entered the list with 1.39% and 2.75% respectively. eBay (4.35%), Shopify (3.82%), Spotify (2.84%) and Mercado Libre (1.86%) all stayed in the top ten, with marginal differences from the previous year.
TOP 10 online shopping brands mimicked by phishing and scam pages, 2024 (download)
When looking at fake website content, free prizes and offers that were a little too good to be true once again proved a popular tactic used by scammers. However tempting they may be, most likely, the victim will be the one who pays. Often scammers require “commissions” to get the prize or ask user to pay for delivery. After receiving the money, they disappear.
Examples of scam pages offering free prizes
In other cases, precious gifts are used by phishers to trick the user into giving out their credentials. The scheme below offers the victim an Amazon gift card to obtain which they should enter an OTP code on a phishing website. Although such codes are temporary, the scammers may use them to log in to victim’s account or perform a fraudulent transaction as soon as it is entered into the fake form.
A phishing scheme aimed at getting OTP codes
Fraudsters often trick users into “verifying” their accounts by sending fake security alerts or urgent messages claiming suspicious activity. Victims are directed to a counterfeit page resembling platforms like eBay, where entering data (for example, credentials, payment data or documents) hands them over to scammers.
An example of a phishing site that mimics eBay
Another common tactic involves creating fake storefronts or seller profiles on marketplaces, listing numerous products at seemingly irresistible prices. Shoppers drawn in by the deals unknowingly provide payment details, only to receive nothing in return.
An example of a scam site that mimics an online marketplace
While many pages mimicking online stores target shoppers, there are others that are designed to collect business account credentials. For example, below you can see a phishing page targeting users registered on the Amazon Brand Registry platform, which provides businesses with a range of brand-building and intellectual property protection tools.
An example of a phishing page targeting Amazon brand accounts
Payment system phishing
Payment systems were mimicked in 19.27% of financial phishing attacks detected and blocked by Kaspersky products in 2024 – almost the same percentage as in 2023. Once again, PayPal was the most targeted, but its share of attacks fell from 54.73% to 37.53%. Attacks targeting Mastercard went in the opposite direction, nearly doubling from 16.58% in 2023 to 30.54%. American Express, Qiwi and Cielo are all new entrants into the top five, replacing Visa, Interac and PayPay.
TOP 5 payment systems mimicked by phishing and scam pages, 2024 (download)
Cryptocurrency scams
In 2024, the number of phishing and scam attacks relating to cryptocurrencies continued to grow. Kaspersky anti-phishing technologies prevented 10,706,340 attempts to follow a cryptocurrency-themed phishing link, which was approximately 83.37% higher than the 2023 figure of 5,838,499 (which itself was 16% bigger than the previous year’s). As cryptocurrencies continue to grow, this number is only ever going to get larger.
Financial PC malware
In 2024, the decline in users affected by financial PC malware continued. On the one hand, people continue to rely on mobile devices to manage their finances. On the other hand, some of the most prominent malware families that were initially designed as bankers had not used this functionality for years, so we excluded them from these statistics. As a result, the number of affected users dropped significantly from 312,453 in 2023 to 199,204 in 2024.
Changes in the number of unique users attacked by banking malware in 2024 (download)
Key financial malware actors
The notable strains of banking Trojans in 2024 included ClipBanker (62.9%), Grandoreiro (17.1%), CliptoShuffler (9.5%) and BitStealer (1.3%). Most of these Trojans specifically target crypto assets. However, Grandoreiro is a full-fledged banking Trojan that targeted 1700 banks and 276 crypto wallets in 45 countries and territories around the globe in 2024.
Name
%*
ClipBanker
62.9
Grandoreiro
17.1
CliptoShuffler
9.5
BitStealer
1.3
* Unique users who encountered this malware family as a percentage of all users attacked by financial malware
Geography of PC banking malware attacks
To highlight the countries where financial malware was most prevalent in 2024, we calculated the share of users who encountered banking Trojans in the total number attacked by any type of malware in the country. The following statistics indicate where users are most likely to encounter financial malware.
As in 2023, the highest share of banking Trojans was registered in Afghanistan, where it rose from 6% to 9% in 2024. Turkmenistan was next (as in 2023), where the figure rose from 5.2% to 8.8%, and Tajikistan was in third place (again), where the figure rose from 3.7% to 6.2%.
TOP 20 countries by share of attacked users
Country*
%**
Afghanistan
9.2
Turkmenistan
8.8
Tajikistan
6.2
Syria
2.9
Yemen
2.6
Kazakhstan
2.5
Switzerland
2.3
Kyrgyzstan
2.2
Uzbekistan
2.1
Mexico
1.6
Angola
1.5
Mauritania
1.5
Nicaragua
1.5
Guatemala
1.3
Argentina
1.1
Paraguay
1.1
Burundi
1.1
Bolivia
1
Uruguay
1
Belarus
0.9
* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky users. ** Unique users whose computers were targeted by financial malware as a percentage of all Kaspersky users who encountered malware in the country.
Types of attacked users
Attacks on consumers accounted for 73.69% of all financial malware attacks in 2024, up from 61.2% in 2023.
Financial malware attack distribution by type (corporate vs consumer), 2022–2023 (download)
Mobile banking malware
The statistics for 2023 provided in this section were retrospectively revised and may not coincide with the data from the previous year’s report.
In 2024, the number of users who encountered mobile banking Trojans grew 3.6 times compared to 2023: from 69,200 to 247,949. As can be seen in the graph below, the malicious activity increased dramatically in the second half of the year.
Number of Android users attacked by banking malware by month, 2022–2023 (download)
The most active Trojan-Banker family in 2024 was Mamont (36.70%). This malware first appeared at the end of 2023 and is distributed mostly in Russia and the CIS. Its distribution schemes are ranging from ages-old “Is that you in the picture?” scams to complex social engineering plots with fake stores and delivery tracking apps.
Verdict
%* 2023
%* 2024
Difference in p.p.
Change in ranking
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.bc
0.00
36.70
+36.70
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.rj
0.00
11.14
+11.14
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.da
0.00
4.36
+4.36
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.a
0.51
3.58
+3.07
+30
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.UdangaSteal.b
0.00
3.17
+3.17
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.eq
21.79
3.10
-18.69
-4
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.cb
0.00
3.05
+3.05
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Bian.h
23.13
3.02
-20.11
-7
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Faketoken.z
0.68
2.96
+2.29
+18
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.c
0.00
2.84
+2.84
* Share of unique users who encountered this malware as a percentage of all users of Kaspersky mobile security solutions who encountered banking threats
The Bian.h variant (3.02%) that prevailed in 2023 dropped to eighth place, losing over 20 p.p., and several more new samples entered the ranking: Agent.rj (11.14%) at the second place, UdangaSteal.b (3.17%) and Coper.c (2.84%).
Geography of the attacked mobile users
Same as 2023, Turkey was the number one country targeted by mobile banking malware. The share of users encountering financial threats there grew by 2.7 p.p., reaching 5.68%. Malicious activity also increased in Indonesia (2.71%), India (2.42%), Azerbaijan (0.88%), Uzbekistan (0.63%) and Malaysia (0.29%). In Spain (0.73%), Saudi Arabia (0.63%), South Korea (0.30%) and Italy (0.24%), it decreased.
Country*
%**
Turkey
5.68
Indonesia
2.71
India
2.42
Azerbaijan
0.88
Spain
0.73
Saudi Arabia
0.63
Uzbekistan
0.63
South Korea
0.30
Malaysia
0.29
Italy
0.24
* Countries and territories with relatively few (under 25,000) Kaspersky mobile security users have been excluded from the rankings. ** Unique users attacked by mobile banking Trojans as a percentage of all Kaspersky mobile security users in the country.
Conclusion
In 2024, financial cyberthreats continued to evolve, with cybercriminals deploying phishing, malware and social engineering techniques to exploit individuals and businesses alike. The rise in cryptocurrency-related scams and mobile financial malware highlights the need for continuous vigilance and proactive cybersecurity measures, including multi-factor authentication, user awareness training and advanced threat detection solutions. As the digital finance landscape expands, staying ahead of emerging threats remains critical.
To protect your devices and finance-related accounts:
Use multifactor authentication, strong unique passwords and other secure authentication tools.
Do not follow links in suspicious messages, and double-check web pages before entering your secrets, be it credentials or banking card details.
Download apps only form trusted sources, such as official app marketplaces.
Company announcement no. 15 / 2025 Schindellegi, Switzerland – 25 March 2025
Reporting of transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities
Pursuant to the Market Abuse Regulation Article 19, Trifork Group AG (Swiss company registration number CHE-474.101.854) (“Trifork”) hereby notifies receipt of information of the following transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities in Trifork in connection with fixed salaries paid in shares. Reference is made to company announcement no. 1/2025 on 21 January 2025.
1.
Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
a)
Name
Jørn Larsen
2.
Reason for the notification
a)
Position/status
CEO
b)
Initial notification/ Amendment
Initial notification
3.
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)
Name
Trifork Group AG
b)
LEI
8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
4.1
Details of the transaction(s)
a)
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
Shares
ISIN CH1111227810
b)
Nature of the transaction
A share of 25% of the fixed monthly salary is paid out in shares as described in the company announcement no. 1/2025.
c)
Price(s) and volume(s)
Price(s)
Volume(s)
DKK 0
1’068
d)
Aggregated information — Aggregated volume — Price
N/A
e)
Date of the transaction
25 March 2025
f)
Place of the transaction
Outside a trading venue
1.
Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
a)
Name
Kristian Wulf-Andersen
2.
Reason for the notification
a)
Position/status
CFO
b)
Initial notification/ Amendment
Initial notification
3.
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)
Name
Trifork Group AG
b)
LEI
8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
4.1
Details of the transaction(s)
a)
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
Shares
ISIN CH1111227810
b)
Nature of the transaction
A share of 10% of the fixed monthly salary is paid out in shares as described in the company announcement no. 1/2025.
c)
Price(s) and volume(s)
Price(s)
Volume(s)
DKK 0
284
d)
Aggregated information — Aggregated volume — Price
N/A
e)
Date of the transaction
25 March 2025
f)
Place of the transaction
Outside a trading venue
Information and questions Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17
About Trifork Trifork is a pioneering global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative solutions. With 1,229 professionals across 73 business units in 16 countries, Trifork delivers expertise in inspiring, building, and running advanced software solutions across diverse sectors, including public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. Trifork Labs, the Group’s R&D hub, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic and high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is a publicly listed company on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACET ($ACT), a pioneering blockchain-powered decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Office of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi, a distinguished member of the United Arab Emirates’ ruling family. This strategic alliance is set to drive blockchain adoption, accelerate regulatory advancements, and redefine financial innovation on a global scale, with the UAE leading the digital transformation revolution.
The collaboration seeks to position ACET ($ACT) as part of the UAE’s national reserve and establish it as a key digital payment partner in the world’s largest casino resort project. The initiative will also enhance ACT’s real-world utility, facilitating its acceptance within the gaming, hospitality, and luxury resort sectors.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi expressed strong support for the initiative, stating:
“We are now entering a new era of the digital economy. The collaboration with ACET ($ACT) marks a significant step toward establishing a modern, reliable, and internationally recognized financial system. ACET ($ACT) possesses immense potential to serve as the cornerstone of the digital payment infrastructure and stand as a stable financial asset for the future.”
A Visionary Partnership for Digital Finance
This MOU grants ACET ($ACT) several strategic advantages, including:
Recognition & Endorsement – Official support from the Royal Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi, enhancing ACET’s credibility on an institutional level.
Integration as an Official Payment Partner – ACET ($ACT) will be positioned as an official digital payment option in one of the largest casino resort projects globally.
Access to High-Profile Investors & Officials – The collaboration opens doors for strategic investments and partnerships across multiple sectors.
Regulatory & Licensing Support – ACET ($ACT) will receive guidance and assistance in regulatory compliance within the UAE’s financial ecosystem.
Priority in Blockchain Investments – The Royal Office will support ACET ($ACT) in blockchain-related projects and digital asset expansion.
Acme Worawat, the founder of ACET ($ACT), emphasized the significance of the agreement:
“The backing of the Royal Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi marks a defining moment for ACET ($ACT). This partnership solidifies our legitimacy, expands our global reach, and paves the way for real-world adoption of blockchain technology. With this strategic alliance, we are aligning ourselves with influential stakeholders who share our vision for decentralized finance and blockchain-powered economic solutions.”
The UAE’s First Casino Resort & ACET ($ACT) Integration
The Royal Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi has partnered with the world’s most successful luxury five-star resort and casino group to develop the first-ever casino resort in the Middle East. Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, this project, valued at over $3.9 billion, will become the UAE’s first legally sanctioned casino, surpassing investments in Las Vegas and setting new standards for luxury gaming and hospitality.
The resort will offer:
Ultra-premium luxury hotels
Michelin-starred restaurants
World-class spas & wellness centers
High-end shopping districts
Cinemas & entertainment venues
State-of-the-art convention and event centers
The grand opening is scheduled for 2027, with ACET ($ACT) set to play a crucial role in its financial infrastructure and payment ecosystem.
ACET ($ACT) Growth & Market Expansion
As of today, ACT ($ACT) has surpassed 158,307 wallet holders, with a total trading volume exceeding $447 million. The token ranks among the top 300 cryptocurrencies globally, with over 301,000 watchlists on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko. These figures highlight ACT’s growing adoption and its potential to drive financial inclusion at scale.
This partnership underscores the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global leader in blockchain and financial technology. By integrating ACET ($ACT) into mainstream finance, this collaboration bridges the gap between traditional banking and the digital economy—an alignment with the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and technological leadership.
About His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi is a key figure in the ruling families of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, playing a pivotal role in shaping the UAE’s economic policies and business expansion. He actively fosters strategic partnerships between the UAE and international markets, with extensive experience in trade, real estate, energy, construction, finance, and technology.
As Chairman and senior executive in multiple global organizations, he co-founded the Al Qassimi Group of Companies and Investment Co., overseeing multi-sector business operations across manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and financial services. He is a driving force in attracting international investment to the UAE, further solidifying the nation’s position as a leading global investment hub.
A Defining Milestone for Blockchain & Digital Finance
The MoU between ACET ($ACT) and the Royal Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi represents a pivotal breakthrough in blockchain history. With institutional endorsement, real-world adoption, and regulatory collaboration, ACET ($ACT) is set to revolutionize digital payments, investment strategies, and financial innovation in the UAE and beyond.
This transformational partnership underscores the power of blockchain technology and paves the way for ACET ($ACT) to become a global leader in decentralized finance.
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Osaka, Japan – March 25, 2024 – Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co., Ltd. today announced that it will exhibit its latest video technologies and solutions at the National Association of Broadcasters’ 2025 NAB Show, the world’s largest broadcast equipment trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 6–9.
The Panasonic booth, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (Booth #N1311), will exhibit and demonstrate an advanced AV ecosystem designed for broadcasting, live events and video production under the theme of “Amplifying Innovation, Maximizing Our Impact.” The booth, divided into five zones and a KAIROS hands-on experience area, will present live demonstrations and exhibits highlighting Panasonic’s latest video technologies, workflows and product lineup.
1. Live Studio Zone (Sports Broadcasting Studio)
Step into this studio setup for a sports program and experience Panasonic’s latest camera lineup, including the new AK-UCX100 4K Studio Camera, AW-UE150AW/AK 4K Integrated Cameras, and AG-CX370 and AG-CX20 Memory Card Camcorders. Visitors can also test the moiré-resistant performance of the AK-UCX100 by using it to shoot a large LED screen. In addition, a prototype of the New 4K Multi-purpose Camera will be showcased as a static display. Also, try out the LUMIX S1RII Full-frame Mirrorless Camera and the LUMIX Flow app designed to streamline video production workflows.
2. Winning Lineup Zone
Explore Panasonic’s award-winning PTZ camera lineup, which is widely used in lecture halls, conference rooms, broadcast studios and live events, and learn about the lineup’s long history of industry recognition.
3. Discovery Zone (LED Presentation Area)
Attend a seminar-style presentation to explore cutting-edge solutions for broadcast stations and live events. Also, learn about ST 2110 workflows tailored for live sports and arena productions, as well as strategies for streamlining corporate events and achieving precise color adjustments in live video production. Each session will provide valuable insight into future-ready video production workflows and practical solutions to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
4. Production Zone
Experience a hands-on demonstration of the plug-ins for Media Production Suite, an AI-powered software platform that enhances shooting at online lectures, webinars, academic conferences and presentations, delivering seamless, high-quality production. Incorporating AI technology, Advanced Auto Framing plug-in automatically creates highly natural, perfectly framed shots with PTZ cameras. Also, Auto Tracking plug-in uses AI-powered facial recognition and human detection to accurately follow subjects, even when they move unpredictably.
The Video Mixer plug-in further expands creative possibilities with advanced video compositing. An upcoming update will introduce an AI Effect Filter for real-time mosaic processing that integrates precise AI face detection and facial recognition. Once installed on a PC, it can automatically detect faces and apply specified filters, such as mosaic blurring, during shooting.
5. Collaboration Zone
In this zone you are invited to experience the Ceiling Array Microphone System, a solution that seamlessly blends in-person and online communication for enhanced hybrid meetings and lectures. Integrated with the new WR-AV800 AV Processor, the system enables synchronized audio and video control with multiple PTZ cameras. See how this technology bridges virtual and physical spaces for fluid, stress-free, high-quality communication.
New Products and Technologies
4K Multi-purpose Camera
The successor to the AK-UB300 is targeted for release between Q4 CY2025 and Q1 CY2026. The new model will incorporate the same image-processing engine as the AK-UCX100 Studio Camera and the AW-UE160 professional PTZ camera for seamless color matching between cameras within the same system. It will support SMPTE ST 2110 workflows, as well as various IP outputs, including 12G-SDI, and a 2/3-inch bayonet mount. Featuring Panasonic’s signature octagonal design for multi-purpose cameras, the new 4K Multi-purpose Camera will also offer improved handling and usability.
4K Studio Camera (AK-UCX100)
With 2,000 TV lines of horizontal resolution and support for HLG/BT.2020, the AK-UCX100 delivers a broad dynamic range and an extended color gamut, making it ideal for studio production, sports broadcasting and live event production. It can operate without a camera control unit (CCU) and supports multiple IP standards, including 12G-SDI (dual outputs), SMPTE ST 2110, NDI®*1 High Bandwidth, and SRT. In addition, for long-distance camera setups, it integrates with the AK-CFA100 Camera Fiber Adapter for fiber-optic transmissions up to 2 km.
4K Integrated Camera (AW-UE150AW/AK)
The AW-UE150AW/AK combines high-quality imaging and flexible operation, including enhanced simultaneous pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, as well as NDI® High Bandwidth support. It smoothly integrates with remote production systems for exceptional image quality and versatility.
4K Multi-purpose Camera (AW-UB50/UB10)
The AW-UB50 and AW-UB10 box-style 4K multi-purpose cameras released in 2024 are set to receive two major updates. First, the Movicom Robyhead D2, a compatible pan-tilt head, will be available from Q2 CY2025. The new head will support the same IP-control protocol as Panasonic’s PTZ cameras, allowing for pan-tilt-zoom and lens control via the AW-RP150 PTZ Camera Controller. Second, NDI® HX2 compatibility will be introduced for the AW-UB10 in Q2 CY2025 and the AW-UB50 in Q3 CY2025. The upgrade will enable video, audio, control and power via a single Ethernet cable, and also provide efficient compressed video for increased flexibility and efficiency in video production workflows.
AW-UB50/AW-UB10: https://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/products/aw-ub50-10/Movicom Robycam: https://www.movicom.tv/en/products/robyhead-robotic/robyhead-d2/
Memory Card Camcorder (AG-CX370)
The AG-CX370 delivers 4K/UHD resolution, 10-bit depth, and HDR compatibility with V-Log/HLG, and supports recording formats including the broadcast standard P2HD. It is equipped with 12G-SDI output, 4-channel audio input and IP connectivity with NDI® HX2 for live camera applications.
Memory Card Camcorder (AG-CX20, HC-X2100, HC-X1600 and HC-X1200)
Combining broadcast-quality imaging with high mobility, these memory card camcorders feature a lightweight bodies for extended 4K/60p recording. With a 25mm wide-angle lens (35mm equivalent) and 24x optical zoom, they deliver high-quality video capture in diverse environments. In addition, 4K high-precision AF and face detection/tracking AE and AF provide advanced shooting support for highly smooth and efficient shooting.
Video Mixer Plug-in for Media Production Suite (AW-SF400G Ver. 2)
This AI-powered software enables seamless video compositing. AI Keying makes it easy to replace backgrounds without a green screen, and Smart Switching provides quick access to multiple compositing patterns with a single click. In the near future, an AI Effect Filter function will be implemented that uses high-precision AI-based face detection and recognition for real-time mosaic processing. Once installed on a PC, the plug-in will automatically detect faces and apply preset filter effects, such as mosaics, in real time.
Advanced Auto Framing Plug-in for Media Production Suite
This AI-powered tool enables professional-quality automatic framing with PTZ cameras. By replicating pre-registered framing with a single click, it streamlines on-site workflows while maintaining professional content quality.
KAIROS IT/IP Platform’s New Software, Ver. 1.8
The latest KAIROS version 1.8 will make its North American debut, introducing multi-unit control for Kairos Core, integration with graphics platforms such as Singular.live and Viz Flowics, and expanded support for various resolutions, including 16:10 and 5:4. Visitors will be able to experience the highly flexible KAIROS user interface in an interactive touch-and-try exhibit.
Ceiling Array Microphone (WX-AM800)
Designed for seamless hybrid meetings and presentations, this ceiling-mounted microphone captures speakers’ voices from above for clear, natural, stress-free communication. Using beamforming technology, it accurately covers up to four specific locations or speakers. In addition, it can detect the speaker’s location to adjust the direction of a PTZ camera for engaging, immersive hybrid conferencing.
AV Processor (WR-AV800)
The WR-AV800 supports up to four ceiling microphones and eight PTZ cameras for immersive, natural audio-visual communication that effectively connects remote participants to on-site discussions.
LUMIX S1RII Full-frame Mirrorless Camera
The LUMIX S1RII full-frame hybrid mirrorless camera, featuring a newly developed 44.3MP BSI CMOS sensor and high-performance engine with L2 Technology, delivers exceptional resolution and rich tonal range. It is the first LUMIX camera (as of March 2025)*2 to support 8K 30p, 4K 60p (Full), and 6.4K Open Gate recording, and 8.1K Open Gate will also be added with a future firmware update. The camera offers up to 14 stops of dynamic range*3 and enhanced, cropless E.I.S. video distortion correction ensures smooth and stable footage. The camera also integrates with the new LUMIX Flow app for video creators and supports Frame.io Camera to Cloud for real-time cloud-based collaboration.
LUMIX Flow: Video Production Workflow Support App
The LUMIX Flow app simplifies the entire video-production process, from script writing to video editing, for diverse content, including dramas, documentaries, music, and dance videos. Creators can use it to draft scripts, create storyboards and compile shot lists on a smartphone or tablet. Connection to a LUMIX camera enables shot lists and storyboards to be viewed and managed in real time on a device, ensuring a smooth production process and reducing the risk of missing key shots. In addition, XML files generated by the app can be imported into video editing software, enabling automatic folder organization by shot or take (OK/KEEP/BAD) to optimize post-production efficiency by reducing editing time and improving workflow management.
1 NDI® is a video transmission and control technology and a registered trademark of Vizrt NDI AB in the USA and other countries.
2 Based on Panasonic’s digital camera lineup, with a planned release in late March 2025.
3 When Dynamic Range Expansion (Log) is enabled.
Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co., Ltd. established in April 2022 as part of the Panasonic Group’s switch to an operating company system, is strengthening the bonds among people and enriching our customers’ lives by providing consumer electronics, including AVC products such as OLED TVs, Lumix digital cameras, headphones, phones, intercoms, and more, as well as business products and solutions including for broadcast, professional AV, and sound systems globally. Our mission is to offer people new emotion and relaxation through our entertainment and communication solutions. To fulfill this mission, we strive to act with professionalism to continuously recreate the future by connecting people. For more details, please visit https://www.panasonic.com/global/peac.
A range of events for Tāmaki Makaurau will be made possible thanks to funding from Auckland Council.
On 25 March the council’s Community Committee approved an allocation of $139,500 from the Regional Events Fund Grants Programme for six organisations to help with their events.
Councillor Angela Dalton, chair of the council’s Community Committee says she’s thrilled to be able to help a diverse range of engaging and fun events.
“Aucklanders from all parts of the region are set to benefit from a range of unique events funded through this grants programme.
“From the Pacific Music awards, to Korean Day 2025, to a youth rugby league tournament – we’re proud to support these events that will bring Aucklanders together to connect and celebrate the city’s diversity along with excellence in sport and music.
“A flow on effect of these events is an economic boost to businesses close to where the events are held.”
Six diverse organisations across the region were funded including Auckland’s Korean Society for this year’s Korean Day, NZ Rugby League for a tournament, Balmoral Chinese Business Association for Auckland Moon Festival, Te Pou Theatre Trust for a festival, Glen Innes Business Association for the Matariki Light Trail, and Pacific Music Awards Trust for this year’s Pacific Music Awards.
Aliimalemanu Kenneth Aiolupotea, Auckland Council’s General Manager Community Wellbeing thanks those who put in their time and effort to apply for a grant.
“Many factors were considered in allocating funding including positive benefits to the community with particular emphasis on youth and Māori, how well the event is planned, community support and involvement.”
“Thank you to those who applied for this grant, especially to the successful organisations, for the effort you will now put in to organising your chosen event in Auckland. There’s a lot for Aucklanders to be excited about and to look forward to.”
The Regional Event Grants Programme for 2024-25 has a total budget allocation of $600,000, of which $460,500 was allocated in the first funding round in September 2024.
More information on the council’s grants programme that supports Aucklanders’ aspirations for a great city, including the Regional Events Fund Grants Programme can be found on the Auckland Council website.
Regional Events Fund Grants Programme round 2 allocations
Applicant
Event
Amount allocated
The Korean Society of Auckland Incorporated
2025 Korean Day
$20,000
New Zealand Rugby League Incorporated
New Zealand Rugby League National District 9s Tournament
$17,300
Balmoral Chinese Business Association Incorporated.
This year’s Alliance Française French Film Festival showcases a diverse selection of films from blockbusters and biopics to comedies and gripping thrillers for Australian audiences.
I’ve written before about how this annual event, now in its 36th edition, is, in terms of tickets sold and films screened, the largest film festival dedicated to contemporary French cinema outside of France.
The 2025 program once more shines a spotlight on the established icons and rising stars of French cinema.
In the this year’s festival, 30% of the films are directed by women and thorny issues such as slavery, consent and caregiving are presented sensitively and provocatively.
But from a competitive bunch, here are the best five films I saw this year.
How To Make A Killing
It’s Christmas in the Jura, France’s picturesque eastern region full of mountains, snow and pine trees. When Michel (Frank Dubosc) accidentally crashes his truck into a car, killing its driver and passenger, his wife Cathy (Laure Calamy) tells him he may have left fingerprints at the crime scene.
They return – and discover two million euros in the car boot, and a loaded gun in the glove box.
From this point on, How To Make A Killing features one improbable but amusingly nerve-wracking twist after another. There’s a local policeman in over his head and drug lords and contract killers who want their money back.
Oh, and a black bear is on the loose.
Writer-director Dubosc pays homage to the Coen brothers and sprinkles in a typically Gallic dose of black humour. What really gives the film zip and pizzazz is the fabulous Calamy. She has risen to the apex of contemporary French stardom and her performance is a delight.
The Divine Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt can lay claim to being the first film celebrity. Born in Paris in 1844, Bernhardt was first a legendary stage actress, performing Shakespeare and Racine across the world (including Melbourne and Sydney in 1891) before gravitating to silent cinema.
Known for her extraordinary talent and intense stage presence (hence “divine”), she refused to play just female roles, famously playing Hamlet. Her eccentricity was equally renowned: she often travelled with an extensive menagerie of exotic pets.
Guillaume Nicloux’s sumptuous biopic unfolds in a radical way. Rather than tracing Bernhardt’s career in the fairly bog-standard biopic way, Nicloux jumps around, focusing on key events from her life – the amputation of a leg, her death, her bisexuality, her hedonistic lifestyle.
Through this bold achronological prism comes another daring choice: we never see Bernhardt act on stage or film. Her stardom emerges through the extraordinary effect she has on people who enter her orbit.
At the centre is a remarkable performance by Sandrine Kiberlain. She captures Bernhardt’s glamour and narcissism but also taps into her vulnerability to reveal her gradual hollowing out as the vagaries of fame take their toll.
It’s a cautionary tale that speaks to our current ambivalence towards stage-managed celebrity and “stardom at all costs”.
My Brother’s Band
Ever since its Cannes debut last May, Emmanuel Courcol’s My Brother’s Band has received rave reviews. It is sure to be an instant classic.
Two brothers are separated at birth and are only reunited decades later when Thibaut (Benjamin Lavernhe) needs a bone marrow transplant. The only suitable donor is long-lost Jimmy (rising star Pierre Lottin).
All that bonds the two is a shared love of music. Thibaut is an esteemed orchestra conductor while Jimmy plays the trombone in a local brass band.
Lavernhe’s and Lottin’s scenes together are wonderfully wry and tender as the two brothers learn to appreciate each other’s lifestyles and ways of seeing the world. We also see how music can bind communities together during times of personal and collective crisis.
Courcol shuttles between the stuffy, cathedral-like spaces of a Paris conservatorium and the cramped parish halls of northern France. Think Brassed Off meets Tár. My Brother’s Band brings the feel-good to the festival.
When Fall is Coming
When Fall is Coming, the latest work by prolific auteur François Ozon, is a broody family drama set in Burgundy.
Behind the autumnal landscapes and off-the-beaten-track villages lies hidden trauma. Michelle (the outstanding Hélène Vincent, now 81) nervously awaits the arrival of her grandson and the daughter from whom she is long estranged (for reasons we don’t understand until much later).
An innocuous first night meal turns to tragedy, and kickstarts a deeply engrossing, often menacing film. Pierre Lottin features again, this time as an ex-con slowly drawn into this unsettling web of secrets and lies.
The “fall” in the title can be read any number of ways. Suffice to say, this slow-burner reminds us of Ozon’s knack in withholding plot points and revealing them gradually. With its blend of spiteful intimacy and startling revelations, When Fall is Coming quietly chills. You’ll not look at mushrooms in the same way again.
Lucky Winners
French filmgoers love to laugh. The top ten grossing French films in history are all comedies.
Lucky Winners is a jet-black comedy about four different winners of France’s national lottery. Each becomes a millionaire overnight – but that’s when their troubles begin. Romain Choay and Maxime Govare’s witty film features a fine ensemble cast and a healthy dose of cruelty and squabbling.
The dream sours. Money does not bring happiness, only guilt, revenge and greed. Feel-good quickly descends into feel-bad. I imagine Hollywood will be remaking this very soon.
The Alliance Française French Film Festival is in cinemas around Australia on various dates until April 27.
Ben McCann 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.
As U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia delegations held separate talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday and Monday, growing concerns are emerging in Europe over its marginalization in the peace negotiations.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov described Sunday’s talks as “productive and focused,” noting that “key points including energy” were addressed. Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s goal is “to secure a just and lasting peace” for Ukraine and Europe at large.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Washington share a “desire and readiness” to pursue a peaceful settlement. He noted that the talks covered various technical issues, including a potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative.
However, the absence of European representation at the talks has sparked concern among officials and analysts. From discussions on the Black Sea to broader peace efforts, some European observers warn that critical decisions are being made without European input.
A Financial Times newsletter on Monday reported that officials from Romania and Bulgaria, two Black Sea nations, privately voiced concern over significant shifts in the region’s status quo, arguing such changes could impact their security without giving them a say.
In an article published Monday, Salvador Sanchez Tapia, professor of conflict analysis and international security at Spain’s University of Navarra, wrote: “Europe has been left out of negotiating efforts … This disregard shows how little the continent matters to its North American partner.”
He added that, lacking the capacity to support Ukraine as the United States once did, Europe may have little choice but to accept Washington’s approach while still attempting to make its voice heard.
Former German diplomat Rudiger Ludeking echoed these concerns in an interview with German media, saying that since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office, diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow, as well as with Kiev, has intensified, largely bypassing NATO, the European Union (EU), and major European powers. He warned that “the EU could be the loser” in these negotiations.
While some European voices express frustration, others view the talks as a potential step toward de-escalation.
Balazs Orban, political director of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, welcomed the truce discussions, saying that changing circumstances would eventually compel Europe and policymakers in Brussels to adopt a more pragmatic stance. He warned that if the EU maintains its current position, it risks falling behind and becoming increasingly sidelined in the peace process.
In an interview with local N1 Television on Monday, former Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovac expressed optimism over the White House’s mention of a possible ceasefire by Easter, saying such a development would allow people to “stop dying because it no longer makes sense.”
Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which found officers failed in their duty of care for a woman who died while in Police custody in Gisborne.
An internal investigation into the death conducted by Police also came to a similar conclusion.
Lynne Martin, 63, was brought into Police custody on the afternoon of 22 November 2023, after she had been convicted of murder at the High Court in Gisborne. She was to stay overnight at the custody unit in Gisborne Police Station to then be transported to prison.
Upon arrival, Ms Martin was searched and assessed in terms of her physical health and mental wellbeing to determine the most appropriate monitoring regime while she was in our care. She was placed on two hourly checks.
The following morning just after 7am, officers found Ms Martin unresponsive. Ambulance officers arrived and confirmed she was deceased.
It will be for the Coroner to determine the cause of her death, however there are no suspicious circumstances, or any other person involved.
The IPCA found the initial care of Ms Martin was appropriate and in line with Police policy considering the information immediately available to them, however Police should have considered the wider circumstances of Ms Martin’s situation and checked on her more frequently.
They also found that Police officers acted unprofessionally, which included on some occasions only checking detainees via CCTV cameras in their cells, rather than conducting physical checks on them, which is required.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park says Police conducted a review of the events around Ms Martin’s death and came to a similar conclusion as the IPCA.
“Police accepts the actions of the officers were not in line with the standard of care we expect for those who come into Police custody. Police have reinforced with staff in Gisborne and across the country that detainees must be checked correctly, not just via CCTV. We have made several improvements at the Gisborne Police Custody Unit and addressed staffing shortages.”
Police carried out an employment investigation with regards to the officers working during this shift and have provided them with additional training. We have reviewed our process to ensure that a recent conviction for a serious offence influences the monitoring schedule required for certain detainees.
Custody units can be a complex and challenging environment to work in. Police remain committed to continuous improvement ensuring a high standard of care for the more than 120,000 detainees who come into our custody units across New Zealand each year.
Police has implemented significant changes over the last few years, including the creation of a National Custody Team which provides oversight of the policy, practice, and training for all Police staff,” Superintendent Park says.
