Delta Air Lines Named as the World’s Best Performing Airline of 2021; All Nippon Airways as the Most On-time Globally

 • Cirium released its annual On-time Performance Review 2021, the global standard for airline and airport performance

• Delta Air Lines is recognized for Operational Excellence in 2021

• Airlines globally operated nearly 25 million flights in 2021, a 10% increase from 2020, but still down 36% compared to 2019

• Spanish IAG carriers, Vueling, Iberia Express and Iberia, take three of the top five spots in Europe

• Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is the world’s most on-time airport

NEW YORK, England-Thursday 30 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cirium, the aviation analytics firm, today released its On-Time Performance Review 2021, the global standard for airline and airport operational performance. Cirium awarded Delta Air Lines with the Platinum Award, recognizing the Atlanta-based carrier as the world’s best performing airline of the year for Operational Excellence.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005093/en/

The new annual award is presented to an airline with outstanding performance considering the complexity of the airline’s operation, volume of flights, diversity of its network and other key operational factors. The Platinum Award is based on a proprietary algorithm that considers an array of parameters and provides an output to compare airlines on a one-to-one basis as far as possible to ensure fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

“It was another challenging year for the aviation industry, however 2021 was certainly better than 2020, marking the start of the recovery,” said Jeremy Bowen, CEO, Cirium. “Delta Air Lines stood out this year when you consider the carrier’s size, network, and passenger delay minutes, as well as the number of completed flights. It’s an outstanding effort and achievement during a difficult period. All Nippon Airlines (ANA) is recognized as the most on-time airline in the world. Delta, ANA and the regional winners are congratulated.”

Cirium’s 2021 On-Time Performance Review reflects the second half of the year when flight volumes returned. Airlines globally operated nearly 25 million flights, a 10% increase from 2020, but still down 36% compared to 2019.

The report reviews the top performing airlines and airports globally and in specific categories.

Global Airlines

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is named as the most on-time airline in the Global category with 95% of its flights on time. The carrier was followed closely by Japan Airlines (JAL) with 94.1% — reflecting the high standard set by Japanese aviation when it comes to on-time performance. In third place was Aeroflot (91%), followed by LATAM (88.7%) and Delta Air Lines (87.8%).

North America

Delta Air Lines takes home the award for most on-time North American airline with 87.7% of its flights arriving on time. The carrier topped Alaska Airlines (81.7%) and American Airlines (80.5%).

Europe

Spanish IAG carriers — Vueling (92.1%), Iberia Express (91.8%) and Iberia (90.3%) — took three of the top five spots in the European category. Notably, Vueling has expanded internationally in 2021 with 65% of its third quarter capacity dedicated to international flights.

Asia Pacific

In the Asia Pacific, leading Japanese airlines ANA and JAL rank at the top. Airlines that operate a flight schedule consisting mainly of international flights wherein a state of near hibernation in Asia. Those carriers with a sizeable domestic market have fared better. This year’s Top 10 in Asia-Pacific is dominated by airlines with a significant domestic operation.

Latin America

Copa Airlines, an airline that was close to a complete shutdown at the start of the pandemic, is making a strong recovery and operating its expanding flight schedules at a very high level of on-time performance. The carrier won the Latin America category with 90.3% of its flights on time, followed by Aerolineas Argentinas (89.2%) and Azul (88.9%).

Middle East and Africa

South African Low-Cost Carrier, Safair, outperforms in the Middle East and Africa category as 96.4% of its flights were on time. The airline did not feature in the On-Time Performance Review 2019, however has expanded its international services to Mauritius — a holiday destination for South Africans — with focused operations. Royal Jordanian (89%) and Emirates (86.7%) rounded out the performers in the region.

Low-Cost Carriers

Solaseed Air, also a Japanese domestic operator and ANA affiliate, tops the Low-Cost Carrier category with 97.9% of its flights on time in 2021. The airline flies a network of 14 routes and has very nimble operations.

Top Global Airports

The report also identifies the world’s leading airports in on-time performance and Tokyo’s international airport, Haneda Airport, ranks as the most on-time airport globally. In 2021, 95.6% of the airport’s flights departed on time.

Cirium’s on-time performance reporting for airlines and airports is the longest-standing of such analysis in the industry, going back 13 years. Cirium resumed reporting in June 2021, as flight volumes returned, with regular monthly updates that help gauge the industry’s performance in getting passengers from point A to point B, on time. Cirium’s on-time performance analysis is based on flight data from over 600 sources of real-time flight information. For an airline to be on time, their flights must arrive at the airport gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.

Click here to download the complimentary On-Time Performance Review 2021.

About Cirium

Cirium brings together powerful data and analytics to keep the world moving. Delivering insight, built from decades of experience in the sector, enabling travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, airports, airlines and financial institutions, among others, to make logical and informed decisions which shape the future of travel, growing revenues and enhancing customer experiences. Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.cirium.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005093/en/

Contacts

Cirium media team (Rachel Humphries/June Lee) at media@cirium.com

Juliett Alpha (Mike Arnot) at cirium@juliettalpha.com

The PC Agency (Paul Charles/Michael Johnson/Callum McGoldrick at cirium@pc.agency

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CHTF 2021 Opens in Shenzhen, China to Promote High Quality Development, Build a New Development Pattern

 

SHENZHEN, China-Wednesday 29 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 23rd China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF 2021) opened in Shenzhen, China on December 27, 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005070/en/

CHTF 2021 includes both online and offline components spanning five days and three days respectively. More than 1,900 domestic and foreign enterprises appeared on the first day of the CHTF’s online exhibition, covering various high-tech fields such as the next generation of Internet and communications technology including cloud computing and 5G, and strategic emerging industries encompassing environmental protection, new energy vehicles, and aerospace.

Notable domestic corporate brands in attendance at this year’s CHTF include Huawei, ZTE, Honor, and Changhong Group. They are joined by Tsinghua University, Peking University and other top academic institutions, while the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and other government departments also set up exhibitions.

As an internationally renowned science and technology event, CHTF provides an important stage for sharing critical insights into new market needs, future technology, and new trends in industry development. This year’s CHFT is focused on a number of prominent themes rooted in China but with global relevance, such as “New Era, New Economy”, “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”, and “China’s Smart Manufacturing”. Popular buzzwords at the moment, such as the post-pandemic era and the metaverse, are firmly encapsulated by the hardcore scientific and technological innovation products and technologies on display at CHTF.

The international presence at CHTF 2021 is unique, with exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign partners ongoing despite the global pandemic. Enterprises from 25 countries are displaying online, while delegations from 11 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Poland are exhibiting in person at Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center.

An integral component of CHTF is the China Hi-Tech Forum, which has become an essential platform for sharing the latest scientific and technological developments, understanding both the Chinese and global economy, and strengthening international technical and economic cooperation. This year’s forum will be attended by nearly 50 experts, scholars, and business representatives.

Virtual Exhibition and Online Forum: https://online.chtf.com/pcen23/#/Home

Official Website: https://www.chtf.com/english/
Facebook: @CHTFChina
LinkedIn: @China Hi-tech Fair

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005070/en/

Contacts

Ms. Peggie Wang
CHTF Organizing Committee Office
Tel.: +86-755-82848962
wangyq@chtf.com, 654333235@qq.com

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LEO Pharma Announces FDA Approval of Adbry™ (tralokinumab) as the First and Only Treatment Specifically Targeting IL-13 for Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

 • Adbry is the first biologic launched by LEO Pharma in the United States and is expected to be available in pharmacies by February 2022.

• Tralokinumab is marketed outside of the U.S. under the tradename Adtralza® and is currently approved in the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

BALLERUP, Denmark-Wednesday 29 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LEO Pharma A/S, a global leader in medical dermatology, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Adbry^™ (tralokinumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults 18 years or older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. Adbry can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.¹ Adbry is the first and only FDA approved biologic that specifically binds to and inhibits the IL-13 cytokine, a key driver of atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms.^1,2,3

“Today’s FDA approval of Adbry is a major milestone for LEO Pharma and for the millions of people living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who struggle to find a suitable treatment option for this chronic and debilitating disease,” said Anders Kronborg, Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer of LEO Pharma A/S. “As our first biologic in the U.S., Adbry signifies important progress in our mission of advancing the standard of care in medical dermatology.”

The approval of Adbry is based on safety and efficacy results from the ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3 pivotal Phase 3 trials, which included nearly 2,000 adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.¹ Safety data was evaluated from a pool of five randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, including ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3, a dose-finding trial, and a vaccine response trial.¹

“Atopic dermatitis can be severe and unpredictable, which makes it not only challenging for patients to achieve long-term disease control, but also for clinicians to treat, since there are limited treatment options for this burdensome chronic skin disease,” said Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and tralokinumab clinical trial investigator. “Adbry will be an important addition to our therapeutic armamentarium as a treatment designed to specifically target and neutralize the IL-13 cytokine, thereby, helping patients manage their atopic dermatitis.”

Adbry will be available in a 150 mg/mL prefilled syringe for subcutaneous injection with an initial dose of 600 mg followed by 300 mg every other week. Adbry can be used with or without TCS.¹ A dosage of 300 mg every four weeks may be considered for patients below 100 kg who achieve clear or almost clear skin after 16 weeks of treatment.¹

To help eligible patients have access to Adbry, LEO Pharma will introduce the Adbry^TM Advocate^TM Program to support U.S. patients at diagnosis and through treatment with Adbry.

“For people living with atopic dermatitis, the experience goes beyond the skin, often impacting important psychosocial aspects of their life,” said Julie Block, President and CEO of the National Eczema Association. “It’s exciting to see a new, targeted therapeutic option for adult patients living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Therapeutic advances like this provide much needed hope for those who may have spent years struggling to find a suitable therapy to alleviate the burden of this disease.”

The FDA approval marks the fifth global regulatory approval for tralokinumab in 2021. Tralokinumab is marketed outside of the U.S. under the tradename Adtralza^® and is currently approved in the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

About the pivotal ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3 Trials

ECZTRA 1 and ECZTRA 2 (ECZema TRAlokinumab trials Nos. 1 and 2) were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational 52-week trials, which included 802 and 794 adult patients, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adbry (300 mg every other week) as monotherapy in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who were candidates for systemic therapy.⁴

ECZTRA 3 (ECZema TRAlokinumab trial No. 3) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational 32-week trial, which included 380 adult patients, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adbry (300 mg every other week) in combination with TCS as needed in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who are candidates for systemic therapy.⁵

About atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory, skin disease characterized by intense itch and eczematous lesions.⁶ Atopic dermatitis is the result of skin barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation, leading to chronic inflammation.⁷ Type 2 cytokines, including IL-13, play a central role in the key aspects of atopic dermatitis pathophysiology.²

About Adbry^™ (tralokinumab)

Adbry (tralokinumab) is a human monoclonal antibody developed to specifically neutralize the IL-13 cytokine, which plays a key role in the immune and inflammatory processes underlying atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms. Adbry specifically binds to the IL-13 cytokine, thereby inhibiting interaction with the IL-13 receptor α1 and α2 subunits (IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2).^2,3

About LEO Pharma

LEO Pharma helps people achieve healthy skin. The company is a leader in medical dermatology with a robust R&D pipeline, a wide range of therapies and a pioneering spirit. Founded in 1908 and majority owned by the LEO Foundation, LEO Pharma has devoted decades of research and development to advance the science of dermatology, setting new standards of care for people with skin conditions. LEO Pharma is headquartered in Denmark with a global team of 6,000 people, serving 93 million patients in 130 countries. In 2020, the company generated net sales of DKK 10,133 million. For more information, please visit www.LEO-Pharma.com.

Dr. Silverberg is a paid consultant for LEO Pharma.

References

1. Adbry™ (tralokinumab) Prescribing Information. LEO Pharma; December 2021.
2. Bieber T. Interleukin-13: targeting an underestimated cytokine in atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 2020; 75:54-62.
3. Popovic B, et al. Structural characterisation reveals mechanism of IL-13-neutralising monoclonal antibody tralokinumab as inhibition of binding to IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2. J Mol Biol. 2017; 429:208–19.
4. Wollenberg A, et al. Tralokinumab for moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: results from two 52‐week, randomized, double‐blind, multicentre, placebo‐controlled phase III trials (ECZTRA 1 and ECZTRA 2). Br J Dermatol. 2021; Mar;184(3):437-449.
5. Silverberg JI, et al. Tralokinumab plus topical corticosteroids for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: results from the double‐blind, randomized, multicentre, placebo‐controlled phase III ECZTRA 3 trial. Br J Dermatol. 2021; Mar;184(3):450-463.
6. Weidinger S, et al. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet. 2016;387:1109-1122.
7. Boguniewicz M, et al. Atopic dermatitis: a disease of altered skin barrier and immune dysregulation. Immunol Rev 2011;242(1):233-46.

MAT-45764 December 2021

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211228005080/en/

---

Contacts

David Patti
LEO Pharma, Global Product Communications
973.796.7706
DAPAI@leo-pharma.com

Pia Beltrão Hansen
LEO Pharma, Director Global Commercial Communications
+45 3140 1245
IRQDK@leo-pharma.com

 

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Mehmet Tatlici files fraudulent documents to the Court, expert reports show

 The record-setting $740-million verdict suffers from questionable validity.

Florida, United States of America-Tuesday 28 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

In Mehmet Tatlici v. Ugur Tatlici, a circuit court jury in Florida delivered a unanimous verdict awarding $740 million to Mehmet Tatlici in his claim for internet defamation and related business losses. The award entered is the highest verdict in Florida and one of the biggest in the United States for 2019.

Although it appears to be a defamation case, the dispute between the Tatlici Brothers traces back to 2009, when Mehmet Salih Tatlici, Turkey’s real estate tycoon and the step-brothers’ father, passed away. The inheritance dispute between Mehmet Tatlici and Ugur Tatlici is Turkey’s biggest and most infamous inheritance dispute ever.

Ugur Tatlici was neither notified nor a participant in the Florida lawsuit when it began. A year later, the judge of the case, Janis Brustares Keyser, set the case for a trial over the amount of money that Mehmet Tatlici claimed he was entitled to, and in the absence of Ugur Tatlici, the case went to trial. In the trial, attorney Jeremy D. Friedman convinced the jury that the websites allegedly linked to Ugur Tatlici caused business losses on his client Mehmet Tatlici’s alleged real estate project called Coexist Project.

The judge entered a $740 million jury award on 8 January 2020 as the case’s verdict.

Fraud on Court Allegations

Can almost a three-quarters-of-a-billion-dollar verdict be obtained through Fraud? Shocking, but maybe so.

Ugur Tatlici has alleged and offered an expert report to back his claims through a prominent IT Expert Elliot Zimmerman. He reopened the case to challenge the validity of the verdict and asserted that the $740-million judgment was obtained through false documents, perjury, and Fraud on the Court. His claims did not only involve his step-brother, Mehmet Tatlici, but also his step-brother’s lawyer, Jeremy D. Friedman of the Downs Law Group, because it is stated that Jeremey D. Friedman was inextricably involved in the perpetration of a fraud on the Court.

IT Expert Elliot Zimmerman’s report shows that the websites allegedly destroying Mehmet Tatlici’s Coexist Project did not even exist at the time.

Forum Shopping and a Similar Case

The concept of forum shopping can answer why a dispute between two Turkish step-brothers has been heard in the Florida State Court.

The American forum shopping system promises plaintiffs access to favourable substantive and procedural laws. It is the reason why plaintiffs bring their disputes to United States courts. Plaintiffs, perhaps Mehmet Tatlici too, have high expectations because of the liberal approach to personal jurisdiction to get a favourable verdict.

Turning back to the case, quite interestingly, the Florida Court has never discussed if the harms alleged occurred solely in Turkey and if Florida has any interest in resolving the dispute between the stepbrothers. In a similar case, Owens v. Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S., a United States District Court Judge in New York had conditionally dismissed the pending suit. The Court based its decision upon the doctrine of forum non- conveniens (inconvenient forum), noting that the action should be brought in Turkey. The Court stated that Halkbank is a Turkish financial institution organized under Turkish law and headquartered in Turkey. Therefore, the Court applied the doctrine of forum non-conveniens and discouraged forum shopping by the plaintiffs keen to file suit in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, such as the United States.

The Issue of Personal Jurisdiction

Forum shopping involves a situation in which more than one Court assumes jurisdiction over a case. In this case, however, one must ask whether the Court obtained jurisdiction over Ugur Tatlici.

The complaint filed by Mehmet Tatlici’s lawyer had the sole allegation that Ugur Tatlici was a citizen of Turkey and “doing business in Florida”. Interestingly, the court dockets do not reveal any document supporting the assertion that Ugur Tatlici, a Turkish businessman domiciled in Turkey, is engaging in business activities in Florida. Many questions as to Ugur Tatlici’s connections in Florida seemed to remain unanswered during litigation. It is also unclear whether Mehmet Tatlici offered a single piece of evidence that could prove Ugur Tatlici’s connections with Florida, permitting the court to exercise personal jurisdiction.

“Concealing Whereabouts” allegations conveniently leading to Substituted Service

It appears that Mehmet Tatlici and his lawyer Jeremy D. Friedman have resorted to the ‘doing business in Florida’ allegation to conveniently render Ugur Tatlici amenable to substituted service of process under Florida Statutes.

This authorises substituted service on non-residents in certain situations and provides a provision relating to “concealing whereabouts.” However, “concealing whereabouts” only relates to the Florida residents even though Ugur Tatlici was not a resident of Florida.

In fact, both Ugur Tatlici and Mehmet Tatlici seem to have Turkish domiciles where they can be legally served.

In conclusion, it seems that the Court might not only be deceived by Mehmet Tatlici’s highly questionable statements about jurisdiction but also the allegation of “concealing whereabouts.” These allegations were probably made for Ugur Tatlici not to be served and for the lawsuit to proceed in Ugur Tatlici’s absence.

In other words, it looks like, in fact, Judge Keyser’s Court lacked jurisdiction over Ugur Tatlici right from the outset. However, the misleading statements provided to the Florida courts by Mehmet Tatlici and Downs Law Group seemed to be successful in deceiving Palm Beach County courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over a defendant, Ugur Tatlici, who has apparently never been served with the case.

Therefore, it seems like Ugur Tatlici never had the opportunity to expose the fraudulent activity in Judge Janis Brustares Keyser’s courtroom.

It looks like lack of service process was the first of many initiating more unfounded, perjurious and fraudulent claims come in the Tatlici v. Tatlici case. In the end, they started to keep piling up on the defendant, Ugur Tatlici, who was clueless about an ongoing case against himself in Florida.

US President Joe Biden mentioned in a related tweet

One may be surprised to see that this is not a simple inheritance battle between two step-brothers, and in fact, the issue even reached US officials because of Turkish public opinion toward the US and US courts. Indeed, one girl mentioned US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Florida Supreme Court in her tweet and remonstrated with them about US’s interference in Turkey’s domestic affairs, implying that Tatlici v. Tatlici case shouldn’t be heard in Florida.

The Present and the Future of the Case

It has almost been two years since the judgment was obtained in Mehmet Tatlici v. Ugur Tatlici case.

Thus far, no enforcement proceeding has been initiated regarding the case. Not surprisingly though, because if the $740-million verdict is attempted to be enforced in Turkey, the Turkish courts will most probably refuse to enforce the judgement because Article 54 of the Act on Private International and Procedural Law provides that the person against whom enforcement is requested should be duly summoned and represented before the foreign Court.

Time will tell if the verdict will prove to be valid on the face of the record and Fraud on the court claims. It seems that we must wait to see how The Florida State Court would rule on the validity of a record- setting questionable $740-million verdict.

Contacts

Can Topaktaş +90 224 373 0011

E-mail: iletisim@bursahaber.com

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Saudi Fund for Development Inaugurates and Lays a Foundation Stone for Two Vital Projects in Sri Lanka

 $425 million-projects’ value financed by the SFD in Sri Lanka



Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka-Tuesday 28 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

The Saudi Fund for Development represented by the CEO Mr. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, inaugurated the completion of the development of Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Road Project in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, with a loan worth US$ 60 million.

Benefiting three million people in the surrounding areas, the project will strengthen the country’s transport infrastructure, reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries, and improve road safety.

Participating in the opening ceremony were Johnston Fernando, Minister of Highways, Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Abdul Nasser bin Hussain Al-Harthi, SFD delegation and number of Sri Lanka government officials.

During the ceremony, Johnston Fernando praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the SFD, for supporting and developing infrastructure projects in the Republic of Sri Lanka. He said that the projects would benefit many people economically and socially.

The SFD CEO and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, also laid a foundation stone for an extension of Wayamba University Township Development Project financed by the SFD with a total of US$28 million. More than 5,000 students will benefit from the project which will improve teaching and learning facilities, boost educational quality, and strengthen long-term economic and social capabilities.

"The SFD's contribution to the Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Road development comes from its commitment to fund projects that have a significant impact on social and economic development," stated Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of SFD. The road connects the eastern, middle, and southern provinces, promoting sustainable development goals, and increasing agricultural goods transportation."

“SFD seeks to contribute to the quality of education to support social activities, move upward economic paths, and achieve community well-being. The SFD also looks forward to opening the horizons of education through this project and enabling the Wayamba university to support the community in the regions of Kolyabitia and Makandura”, added Al-Marshad.

Since its inception, SFD has issued 15 development loans to Sri Lanka totaling US$ 425 million, helping finance and implement 13 projects in water, energy, health, roads, and education.

For more than 47 years, SFD has contributed to 226 development projects in the transportation sector on a global level and 77 projects in education, providing socio-economic support to developing nations.

Contacts
Randah Al-Hothali, +966 11 2794448

ralhothali@sfd.gov.sa



Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/saudi-fund-for-development-inaugurates-and-lays-a-foundation-stone-for-two-vital-projects-in-sri-lanka/en

International live video social platform times its right with Expo 2020 to boost localized content

 Localized live video app to enrich local creator’s lives through fresh, innovative, enjoyable and profitable live social content

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.-Sunday 26 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

The largest independent global video social entertainment platform Uplive has unveiled its first-ever Television Commercial (TVC) for the Middle East region as part of its visual campaign strategy aimed at boosting localized content consumption and talent enrichment.

The 15-second TVC, which aired on Rotana, reaffirms Uplive’s commitment to providing locals with an array of live and fresh content from renowned MENA-based livestreamers including ​​Fionna (UID: fee1997), Ayosha UID: fv9eb8v0), Karine (UID: si6ed8n9), Larissa (UID: lar1234), Aline (UID: alouna123), and Ago (UID: bff0c8wp) among other emerging talents.

Tapping into its global platform synergy and global expansion strategy, Uplive, which has over 260 million registered users from over 150 countries, is positioning itself as the go-to live video platform for GCC-based livestreamers. As part of its strategy, Uplive will provide them with a unique platform to create, showcase and share their live content with local audiences.

On the other hand, its GCC audience will now enjoy an expanded bouquet of live social videos that are in line with their entertainment needs and preferences.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the TVC, Andy Tian, co-founder and CEO, Asia Innovations Group, said that the app’s objective is to not only provide localized entertainment for its local users, especially in the wake of the ongoing global health crisis but also provide a platform where users can enjoy healthy, fun content, a safe social and engagement space as well as nurture local talent.

“Uplive is thrilled to be unveiling its first-ever Pan-Arabic region TVC, which underscores our commitment to provide our local audience with a safe platform to enjoy local and international content from their favorite creators. MENA is an emerging hotspot for creativity and talent as more and more Arab youth are turning to digital platforms to showcase their talents. Apart from showcasing fresh content, Uplive will also enable local content creators to make meaningful income from the comfort of their home using their mobile phones,” said Andy.

Rich content

Uplive continues to help millions of content creators around the world by providing a platform that enables them to earn from their creations through gifts they receive via the app. Uplive has also been instrumental in helping creators launch new careers in the digital entertainment industry.

Recognizing the opportunity to serve the region's multi-cultural diaspora, Uplive has combined its internationally successful algorithms with local features to help regional content creators and users.

According to Andy, Uplive enables a more robust, equitable and effective creator economy by restoring the relationship and accountability between the creator and user. The ad-free live video platform also means that creators’ content does not get interrupted by advertisers, allowing consumers to enjoy diverse content, real-time social experience and flawless content.

“The gig economy is an important resource that needs to be supported through innovation. As the youth population continues to grow and the scarcity of jobs also continues to rise, we need to encourage the local youth to tap into their talents and use Uplive to market themselves to a global audience and in the process make a decent living out of it,” added Andy.

Localized features

Uplive, which also offers cross-language interaction making it more interactive and inclusive with over 140 languages and real-time speech-to-text translation, will also enable its local livestreamers to create and share localized content as well as personalized homepages for enhanced user experience.

The ​​fully localized version for the MENA region will offer premium content and a seamless user interface that strictly follows local customs. The localized app will also offer ​​voice chat rooms where users can socialize without appearing on the screen.

The platform, which has a vibrant streamer community of over 21 million livestreamers worldwide, will leverage a wide range of live social features including virtual gifting, video and voice social which allows up to nine users to stream together in a single window, an interactive game center, one-on-one video battles, and real-time translation.

Safest livestream platform

To proactively protect its users' interests, safety and ensure a healthy content environment, Uplive, which is among the safest livestream platforms in the industry, incorporates AI-based compliance practices to safeguard its users and their content from abuse. In conformity with the local customs and regulations, Uplive has also ensured that the platform's policies are aligned with local market legal and cultural standards.

Future Middle East plans

According to Andy, the MENA region remains a strategic growth frontier for the platform. Driven by the ballooning smartphone penetration in the region, Uplive is poised to experience a significant jump in subscriber numbers in 2022 from the region owing to its growing popularity and value proposition to content creators.

​​Uplive’s community of registered global users has experienced significant growth year-on-year surging by over 90%, from 121 million at the end of 2019 to 260 million users by September 2021. The platform has also registered record growth in streaming users, from 9.5 million streamers at the end of 2019 to 21 million in September 2021 representing a 98% increase.

“Uplive sees great growth potential in the MENA market due to the high mobile social needs and the growing penetration of mobile phones. We aim to become the most representative live streaming app in MENA, which is one of the most important markets in our long-term global strategy,” noted Andy.

About Asia Innovations Group

Asia Innovations Group (AIG) is a leading live social company with more than 470 million registered users located in over 150 countries and regions worldwide. It has built a comprehensive and diverse portfolio as it seeks to achieve its mission of enriching people's lives worldwide through innovative and enjoyable live social products, which foster meaningful human connections. In addition to Uplive, which allows video social hosts to broadcast to the world, AIG owns Lamour, the top dating app in global emerging markets. It includes operations in thirteen offices around the globe that integrate local live social knowledge to foster individual market development and penetration. Focusing on major emerging markets, AIG leverages its track record of innovation, cutting-edge technology, a scalable global infrastructure, and global insights with local expertise to deliver user and shareholder value based on the most exciting growth opportunities in the live social marketplace.

Contacts

Melwyn Abraham

melwyn@matrixdubai.com

 

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/international-live-video-social-platform-times-its-right-with-expo-2020-to-boost-localized-content/en

Malagasy Businessman Ylias Akbaraly is the CEO of the Year 2021

 Ylias Akbaraly was awarded the CEO of the Year 2021 by the jury of Financial Afrik and by public votes. 

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania-Friday 24 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Financial Afrik Awards is a strategic event that brings together each year, since 2018, experts, senior executives, banks, insurance companies, public institutions, Fintechs, stock exchanges, investment funds as well as CEOs and decision makers from Africa and elsewhere.

The 4th edition of the "Financial Afrik Awards" in Nouakchott was the occasion to unveil the list of 100 personalities who transformed Africa in 2021.

The event placed, this year, under the high patronage of His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, brought together more than 200 personalities from the world of Economy, Finance and Business and virtually, more than 1000 registrants who followed the conference around the world.

The 100 personalities who are transforming Africa were nominated across 17 categories including Financier of the Year, Economist of the Year, Banker of the Year and CEO of the Year.

The Chairman of Redland (holding company of the Sipromad Group and Thomson Broadcast), Ylias Akbaraly, has succeeded in transforming his family company into one of the most successful groups in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean. With the acquisition of Thomson Broadcast in August 2018, Redland has become a group with an international dimension.

Present in France, the United States, the Emirates, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Redland is an international group operating in several sectors such as industry, finance, energy, technology, tourism, aviation, real estate and broadcasting.

As part of the panel devoted to the issues and challenges of Africa in 2050, Ylias Akbaraly spoke alongside Mr. Kane Ousmane Mamadou, Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Promotion of Productive Sectors and Mr. Mohamed Cheikh El Kebir, Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania.

Ylias Akbaraly shared his vision of Africa in 2050 in which: "Development, growth, etc.: that's good! But we must never lose this tradition, this culture, this source that we, the Africans, have. Also, we must be uncomplicated in front of any country in the world because we have great capabilities."

About Redland

Present in France, the United States, the Emirates, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Redland is an international group operating in several sectors such as industry, finance, energy, technology, tourism, aviation, real estate and broadcasting. With development projects in several countries and the recruitment of 2,000 new employees, Redland will have more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs around the world by 2022.

On the other hand, Ylias Akbaraly is also involved in sharing his success with those who need it most through the Akbaraly Foundation. A humanitarian organization whose objective is to reduce poverty through the sustainable development of social projects in various fields: health, nutrition, education and culture.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211222005514/en/

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Contacts

Press contacts:
35°Nord – Press Relations & Strategic Communication Agency
Goudet Abalé, Senior Consultant
E-mail: ga@35nord.com
Phone: +33 6 20 21 04 70

 

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/malagasy-businessman-ylias-akbaraly-is-the-ceo-of-the-year-2021/en

 

TK Elevator wins Elevator World ‘Project of the Year 2022’ award for moving walks

 * TK Elevator’s Taiyuan Botanical Garden project in Shanxi, China was recognized in the “Moving Walks” category

* The company has won the most prestigious award in the industry for the third time in a row

* Same award-winning solution as TKE’s orinoco installation at the Dubai Mall Metro LinkDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.-Sunday 26 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

TK Elevator is pleased to once again receive Elevator World’s Project of the Year award. With its Taiyuan Botanical Garden project in Shanxi awarded “Project of the Year 2022” under the “Moving Walks” category, the company has been given this prestigious recognition consecutively in the award’s past three editions. Back in 2015 and 2016, award-winning implementation of its innovative and versatile moving walks solutions orinoco and iwalk in Dubai, UAE and Madinah, Saudi Arabia respectively, also secured for TK Elevator “Project of the Year” awards under the same “Moving Walks” category.

Occupying the site of a former coal mine, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden was transformed into a modern landscape park and museum by Austrian architect firm Delugan Meissl. Key features of this park include three domed greenhouses and a large terrace providing a panoramic view across the park. The highlight of the project is the moving walkway that extends through an opening through the roof of the entrance building, provided by TK Elevator.

The installation of a pair of TK Elevator’s orinoco moving walks at a 12-degree incline, 1000mm width, 11.85m height and 62.4m span in the sustainability-themed botanical garden not only sets a new record as the longest and highest (in terms of rise) moving walks installed by the company in China, but also showcases the exceptional build and aesthetic qualities of the German engineering capabilities of TK Elevator products.

"Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to TK Elevator. As an iconic element of the park’s design and the sole entrance to the panoramic terrace, the orinoco moving walk was chosen by the customer for its proven track record in safety and reliability,” says Peter Walker, CEO at TK Elevator. “We are proud to show our entrepreneurial spirit and once again convince with our innovative mobility solutions.”

The award highlights TK Elevator’s continued achievement in providing and installing some of the most innovative and customer-centric mobility solutions across the globe. The award’s 2015 edition recognized TKE’s orinoco installation at the Dubai Mall Metro Link in Dubai, UAE; the company was again awarded in 2016 for its Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport iwalk project in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Sharing the same high quality and safety standards with the orinoco, TK Elevator’s iwalk allows breakthrough pitless configuration that saves precious space, and makes possible easy and rapid installation for a wide range of applications.

PRESS IMAGES

Can be downloaded HERE (Credits: #1-3 CreatAR)

www.tkelevator.com

COMPANY BLOG

www.urban-hub.com

ABOUT US

TK Elevator (formerly: thyssenkrupp Elevator)

With customers in over 100 countries served by 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around €8 billion in the fiscal year 2019/2020. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world’s leading elevator companies and became independent since its sale by thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company’s most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE – move beyond.

Contacts

TK Elevator Middle East

Pedro Russo, Communication Manager

pedro.russo@tkelevator.com

www.tkelevator.com

 

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/tk-elevator-wins-elevator-world-lsquoproject-of-the-year-2022rsquo-award-for-moving-walks/en

Sisvel Signs an Agreement Under the VP9 Patents With Panasonic Corporation

 LUXEMBOURG-Thursday 23 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sisvel International S.A. (“Sisvel”) announced today that it has signed a worldwide patent license agreement with Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic”) for Sisvel’s VP9 Licensing Program covering the sale and distribution of Panasonic’s VP9 enabled products.

“Sisvel has a longstanding partnership with Panasonic. The Company is already a licensee of other Sisvel licensing programs in different technological fields and we are very pleased that Panasonic has now concluded an agreement that reflects the value of the VP9 portfolio, acknowledging once more the fairness and the reliability of the programs managed by Sisvel” said Valentina Piola, Program Manager of Sisvel’s VP9 Licensing Program. She continues “Sisvel’s VP9 licensing program aims to facilitate the licensing of this video codec technology to ensure a level playing field on the market. We hope that other implementers will soon follow Panasonic's example”.

Further details on the terms and conditions of Sisvel’s VP9 Licensing Platform are available at: https://sisvel.com/licensing-programs/audio-and-video-coding-decoding/video-coding-platform/license-terms/vp9-license-terms

About Sisvel

Sisvel International S.A. is the holding company of the Sisvel Group. Sisvel is a world leader in fostering innovation and managing IP. The group identifies, evaluates and maximises the value of IP assets for its partners around the world, providing firms with a revenue stream which can be reinvested in innovation for the generation of future revenues. Sisvel has more than 35 years’ experience in the management of successful patent portfolios, including those relating to audio compression standards (MP3 and MPEG audio), as well as broadcasting and digital terrestrial television standards maintained by the Digital Video Broadcasting Project. Sisvel operates patent pools and joint licensing programmes in the fields of mobile communication, wireless local area networking 802.11, video coding, digital video broadcasting, recommendation engines and broadband access to data networks.

Background information on the history of video codecs and why it is important to sustain innovation is available at: www.playtherightfuture.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211223005052/en/

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Contacts

Media Contact Sisvel Group
Giulia Dini
Communications Manager
Tel: +34 93 131 5570
giulia.dini@sisvel.com

 

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/sisvel-signs-an-agreement-under-the-vp9-patents-with-panasonic-corporation/en

Esri and WorldPop Partner to Bring Updated Demographic Data to Policy Makers

 Annual Gridded Population Datasets Now Available through Esri's ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World

REDLANDS, Calif.--Sunday 19 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The global population grew by almost two billion people during the last 20 years—nearly 30 percent. Such growth is not evenly distributed over time or across space: the extremes include Qatar growing by 400 percent and Lithuania losing 25 percent. And even within countries, the rate of growth varies. To support the need for up-to-date population data that reflects these shifts, WorldPop and Esri, the global leader in location intelligence, have partnered to include WorldPop's 1-km annual gridded demographic datasets in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World. The data covers 241 countries, territories, and dependencies for the 2000–2020 period.

"These datasets are critical for measuring and monitoring the accompanying sociodemographic changes over time and properly informing and supporting environmental, health, and development applications at local, subnational, national, and regional levels," said Professor Andrew Tatem, Director of WorldPop at the University of Southampton. "In this context, comparable, multitemporal, and spatially explicit detailed population distribution datasets are a fundamental prerequisite for communicating the impacts of population growth."

ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World is Esri's evolving collection of ready-to-use and up-to-date authoritative content in the form of maps, apps, and data layers—all accessible via a web browser and most Esri products.

"Having the WorldPop 1-km gridded demographic datasets available as imagery layers in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World provides unprecedented convenience to query and analyze population anywhere on Earth," said Charlie Frye, Esri chief cartographer. "That these datasets no longer need to be downloaded or preassembled prior to use will result in substantial time and cost savings for any organization needing to understand recent population changes."

Queries can include the entire 21-year history of population changes for any group, including births and five-year age cohorts. The results of these queries can be spatiotemporally analyzed using Esri's ArcGIS software to find patterns. Multitemporal datasets depict grid cell level spatial distribution of total population, age, and sex cohorts and population density.

"The age and sex gridded datasets provide invaluable information about the spatial and temporal distribution of specific demographic groups, such as children, seniors, and women of childbearing age, which are well-known to be more vulnerable than others, and thus should be explicitly considered in decision- and policy-making processes," said Dr. Alessandro Sorichetta, Associate Professor in Applied Geospatial Research at WorldPop.

The 1-km raster layers, curated by the WorldPop Spatial Data Infrastructure Team led by Dr Maksym Bondarenko, are available in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World for population per grid cell, population density per grid cell, and population by age and sex per grid cell.

To learn more about ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World and other Esri population data layers, please visit go.esri.com/livingatlas.

About WorldPop

WorldPop, initiated in October 2013 at the University of Southampton, develops methods and applications to produce open and high-resolution geospatial datasets on population distribution, demographics, and dynamics, with a focus mainly on low- and middle-income countries, to support development, disaster-response, and health applications. WorldPop research activities are designed with full open access and operational application in mind, using transparent, fully documented and peer-reviewed methods, to produce easily updatable outputs with accompanying metadata and, where possible, measures of uncertainty. WorldPop's work contributes to and benefits from direct engagement with multiple national statistical offices, national and international agencies, universities, research centers, and large international humanitarian donors, producing rapid and strong impacts from its research. WorldPop's population datasets and analyses inform several regional and global flagship reports and are the default geospatial demographic datasets used by many governments, international organizations, UN agencies, and private companies around the World. To learn more, visit our website and/or follow us on Twitter.

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211217005617/en/

Contacts

Jo Ann Pruchniewski

Public Relations, Esri

Mobile: 301-693-2643

Email: jpruchniewski@esri.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/esri-and-worldpop-partner-to-bring-updated-demographic-data-to-policy-makers/en

Westrock Coffee Announces Major Plant Expansions - Including Nation’s Largest Roasting to Ready-To-Drink Packaging Facility

Company to expand facilities in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Asia to fuel growing customer demand.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark-Saturday 18 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westrock Coffee Company, LLC (Westrock Coffee) announced plans today to expand its operations and beverage capabilities with the purchase of a new facility in Conway, Arkansas that, when fully built-out, will be the largest facility of its type in the United States. Westrock Coffee will also expand its extracts manufacturing capacity in Concord, North Carolina, and launch new operations in Malaysia that will serve its rapidly growing customer demand across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.

“We are expanding our finished product offerings, adding end beverage packaging solutions, and expanding our geographic reach to meet our growing customer demand,” said Scott Ford, CEO and co-founder of Westrock Coffee. “Our growth benefits everyone at Westrock Coffee — from our global customers and farmer partners to our current and future employees and the communities where they live. These facility expansion announcements provide further evidence that we are well on our way to accomplishing our mission of building and efficiently operating the preeminent integrated coffee, tea, and extract supply chain in the world in order to enhance the lives of our farmer partners and fuel the success of the customers that we serve.”

“Westrock Coffee Company provides the drink that fuels many Arkansans in the workplace, and others all around the world,” Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “The expansion into Conway by repurposing this facility and providing new jobs reflects the growth of Westrock and the fact that Arkansas is a dynamic and welcoming place to do business.”

New Facility in Conway, Arkansas

The company finalized the purchase of a 524,000 square-foot facility in Conway, Arkansas that will provide Westrock Coffee ample space for the development, production, and distribution of its coffee, tea, and ready-to-drink (RTD) products. The location will utilize state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced robotics, specifically designed to efficiently manufacture and package a wide range of beverages, such as canned or bottled cold brew coffees, lattes, assorted teas, and juice-based products as well as single serve coffee cups. The space will also incorporate state-of-the-art quality assurance and product development labs, enabling Westrock Coffee to create, test, and produce new beverage solutions.

“From skilled labor to our business climate, Arkansas has the tools in place to help businesses grow and prosper,” Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. “We are proud of our homegrown success stories like Westrock Coffee. By implementing a unique business model, Westrock has improved the lives of farmers, employees, and communities at every step in its supply chain. We at AEDC are excited to watch them enter this new phase of development.”

The new Conway location will require a variety of skilled jobs to support our focus on global product innovation, manufacturing, and packaging. Initially, up to 50 new jobs will be created following phase one of the build out, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023, then growing to approximately 250 positions over time. Many of the jobs needed to operate the facility will require a significantly advanced and skilled workforce, commanding higher salaries, ranging up to over $100,000 per year.

Conway will be an addition to the company's already established presence in Arkansas which has corporate offices in Little Rock and a manufacturing facility in North Little Rock.

“Westrock Coffee and Conway will be an exceptional partnership. I am delighted to welcome them to our community. The city is fortunate to have Westrock Coffee bring its global presence, outlook, and commitment to investing in the lives of their partners throughout the world,” said Bart Castleberry, mayor of Conway. “I look forward to Westrock continuing their success in Conway and abroad for years to come. I would like to thank not only Westrock Coffee but also the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce for their commitment to Conway.”

Upgrades in Concord, North Carolina

In addition, the company announced it is expanding its Commercial Park location in Concord, North Carolina. The expansion of this leading extract manufacturing facility will allow Westrock Coffee to respond to unprecedented growth due to burgeoning customer demand for its extract, tea, and herbal products. The expansion will add two fully automated production lines, which will increase overall capacity of extracts processing at this facility by over fifty percent. The expansion will also include modernizing its current manufacturing and packaging process for bottled products. Upgrades to the Concord facility should be complete by the end of 2022.

“We have seen strong product demand and customer growth over the past year and our expansion puts us at the forefront of providing beverage solutions for any type of business in any form of finished packaging. This progress is a testament to every person who plays a role in our day-to-day operations,” said Ford.

Addition in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Work is already complete on the 90,000 square-foot, two-building facility in Johor Bahru, Malaysia announced earlier this year, with finished good production set to begin in the first quarter of 2022. The new facility, which is just 30 minutes from the international hub of Singapore, will enhance Westrock Coffee’s roasting capacity to accommodate for increases in manufacturing, packaging, and warehousing, of coffee and extract solutions across APAC and MENA regions. While Westrock Coffee has a history in international coffee trade and export, this will be its first roasting, manufacturing, and packaging facility outside of the U.S.

About Westrock Coffee Company

Westrock Coffee Company, LLC is the leading integrated coffee, tea, and extract service provider in the U.S., providing coffee sourcing and financing, supply chain management, product development, roasting, packaging, and distribution services to retailers, restaurants, convenience stores, commercial accounts, and hospitality customers around the world. With offices in 10 countries, the company sources coffee and tea from 35 origin countries and provides service under both the Westrock Coffee and S&D Coffee & Tea brands.

About Arkansas Economic Development Commission

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding, and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com. The Arkansas Department of Commerce is the umbrella department for workforce and economic development drivers. Its divisions and regulatory boards include Division of Aeronautics, Waterways Commission, Wine Producers Council, Division of Workforce Services, Office of Skills Development, State Bank Department, Insurance Department, Securities Department, Economic Development Commission and Development Finance Authority. It was established July 2019 as part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s wide-sweeping efficiency and transformation efforts to reduce 42 cabinet agencies to 15 while maintaining services for all Arkansans.

Westrock Conway Facility Press Reel:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xdNJmARFYNNyyZYzdngiCm6k6WCu99fE/view?usp=sharing

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216006195/en/

Contacts

Lucie Pathmann – SVP Corporate Marketing

501-772-6108

Lucie.pathmann@westrockcoffee.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/westrock-coffee-announces-major-plant-expansions-including-nationrsquos-largest-roasting-to-ready-to-drink-packaging-facility/en

NTT: Realization of Modularized Quantum Light Source Toward Fault-tolerant Large-scale Universal Optical Quantum Computers

 NTT: Realization of Modularized Quantum Light Source Toward Fault-tolerant Large-scale Universal Optical Quantum Computers

TOKYO-Friday 24 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NTT Corporation (NTT, President & CEO: Jun Sawada, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)(TOKYO:9432) in cooperation with the University of Tokyo (President: Teruo Fujii, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) and RIKEN (President: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Wako-shi, Saitama) has developed an optical fiber-coupled quantum light source (squeezed light source) (*1), which is a key technology for realizing a fault-tolerant large-scale universal optical quantum computer.

Quantum computers are being researched and developed worldwide because they are capable of parallel computational processing using unique phenomena to quantum mechanics such as quantum superposition states and quantum entanglement states. While various methods are being considered, the optical quantum computer using photons has many advantages. For example, it does not require the low temperature and vacuum equipment required by other methods, which makes it compact. Also, by creating a time-domain-multiplexed quantum entangled state, the number of qubits can be easily increased without micro integration of circuits or parallelization of equipment. In addition, high-speed computational processing is possible thanks to the broadband nature of light. Furthermore, quantum error correction has been theoretically shown to be possible by using continuous variables of light that take advantage of the parity of photons, rather than by using discrete variables that use the presence or absence of photons. This method has a high compatibility with optical communication technologies such as low-loss optical fibers and highly functional optical devices, which makes dramatic progress toward the construction of universal large-scale fault-tolerant optical quantum computers.

To realize optical quantum computers, one of the most important components is a quantum light source generating squeezed light, which is the origin of quantum nature in optical quantum computers. Especially, an optical fiber-coupled quantum light source is highly desired. Squeezed light is a non-classical light that has an even number of photons and squeezed quantum noise and is used to generate quantum entanglement. In addition, squeezed light plays an extremely important role in quantum error correction, since quantum error correction is made possible by utilizing the parity of the number of photons. To achieve a large-scale universal fault-tolerant optical quantum computer, we need a fiber-coupled squeezed light source with highly squeezed quantum noise and photon number parity that is maintained even in high-photon-number components. For example, a squeezing level of over 65% is required to generate time-domain multiple quantum entanglement (two-dimensional clustered states) (*2) that can be used for large-scale quantum computation. However, such devices have never been developed because of the difficulty of generating the squeezed light with high quality.

In this study, we have developed a new optical fiber-coupled quantum light source that operates at optical communication wavelengths. By combining it with optical fiber components, we successfully generate continuous-wave squeezed light with more than 75% squeezed quantum noise with more than 6 THz sideband frequency even in an optical fiber closed system for the first time. This means that the key device in optical quantum computers has been realized in a form that is compatible with optical fibers while maintaining the broadband nature of light. This will enable the development of an optical quantum computer in a stable and maintenance-free system using optical fibers and optical communication devices. This will greatly advance the development of rack-sized large-scale optical quantum computers.

The results of this research are to be published in the American scientific journal Applied Physics Letters on December 22, 2021 (US time). This paper has also been selected as an "Editor's Pick" paper. A part of this research was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Moonshot Research and Development Program.

[Points]

We have developed an optical fiber-coupled high-performance squeezed light source module, which will be a key device to realize a rack-sized optical quantum computer.

By using the developed fiber-coupled quantum light source module and optical communication devices, continuous-wave squeezed light with quantum noise suppressed by more than 75% over a wide bandwidth of more than 6 THz has been successfully generated in an optical fiber closed system for the first time.

This achievement makes it possible to develop an optical quantum computer on a realistic scale in a stable and maintenance-free optical system using optical communication devices and will greatly advance the development for a fault-tolerant large-scale universal optical quantum computer.

[Background]

Research and development to realize a universal quantum computer is being actively conducted worldwide. Recently, quantum computation with about 100 physical qubits has been reported using superconducting circuits. However, to realize a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer, about one million physical qubits are required. Therefore, increasing the number of qubits has become a major challenge in quantum computation. To realize a million qubits by superconducting circuits or trapped ions, approaches to increase the number of qubits have been taken by integrating its elements and parallelizing equipment. On the other hand, an optical quantum computer is expected to be capable of overwhelmingly large-scale universal quantum computation that uses a time-domain multiplexing technique (*3) and measurement-induced quantum manipulation (*4), which is a completely different approach from conventional methods. In the time-domain multiplexing technique, we divide continuously flying light into time segments and place information on the separated light pulses. By this method, we can easily increase the number of qubits on the time axis without increasing the size of the equipment (Fig. 1). Furthermore, quantum error correction has been theoretically shown to be possible by using the parity of the number of photons and the continuous variables of light. By using a low-loss optical fiber as a propagation medium for flying optical qubits, large-scale quantum entangled states will be able to be generated freely and stably in combination with optical communication devices. Specifically, with only four squeezed light sources, two optical fibers of different lengths (optical delay lines), and five beam splitters (Fig. 2), large-scale two-dimensional clustered states can be generated that are necessary for universal quantum computations. This is an approach that does not necessarily require integration or large-scale equipment and makes it possible to realize universal quantum computation on the realistic equipment scale of a rack, whereas methods using superconducting circuits or trapped ions require integration of elements or parallelization of equipment. In addition, this method can conduct high-speed calculations by taking advantage of the high frequency of light. This means that not only can high-speed quantum algorithms be implemented but also their clock frequencies can be high, making optical quantum computers the ultimate high-speed information processing technology.

So far, we have demonstrated various optical quantum operations for realizing this optical quantum computer by using a spatial optical system consisting of many mirrors aligned with high precision. This is to minimize the optical loss of light and enhance the interference between light as much as possible. However, if the mirrors are misaligned even slightly, the desired characteristics will not be achieved, and the path of the light had to be readjusted for each experiment. For these reasons, to realize a practical use optical quantum computer, an optical system must be used that is closed to the optical waveguide, such as an optical integrated circuit or optical fiber, which has excellent operational stability and is maintenance-free. In particular, the most fundamental element in optical quantum computers is squeezed light. This non-classical light has the squeezed quantum noise of the amplitude or phase of a wave, which is a non-commutative pair of physical quantities. Since this light is difficult to generate and is easily degraded by optical loss, the light from an optical fiber-coupled squeezed light source tends to be poor. Especially, more than 65% squeezed light, which is necessary for generating time-domain-multiplexed large-scale quantum entangled state (two-dimensional cluster states) has not been realized with an optical fiber closed configuration.

[Technical progress]

We have developed a low-loss fiber-coupled quantum light source module (optical parametric amplification module) (Fig. 3). We have achieved low loss by renewing the fabrication method of the periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide, which is the main part of the module. The module was assembled as a low-loss optical fiber-coupled module by using the assembling technique of optical communication devices that NTT has cultivated. While connecting optical fiber components, we successfully measured squeezed light in which quantum noise is squeezed to more than 75% with a bandwidth of more than 6 THz (Fig. 4). This means that the quantum states required for optical quantum computing can be generated and measured even in a fully closed system in optical fibers. Therefore, the developed fiber-coupled quantum light source will make it possible to realize a stable and maintenance-free optical quantum computer on a realistic scale, which will greatly advance future development.

In this experiment, we used a new method in which the first module generates squeezed light and the second module converts the optical quantum information into classical light information. The optical parametric amplifier developed as the light source is used in the opposite direction to achieve optical amplification that maintains photon number parity. Unlike the conventional balanced homodyne detection technique, this measurement method can amplify and convert the quantum signal into a classical optical signal without changing it into electrons. Thanks to this, it enables overwhelmingly fast measurements. This technology can be used to realize all-optical quantum computers in the future and will greatly contribute to realizing all-optical quantum computers that operate at terahertz clock frequencies and are overwhelmingly fast.

[Future works]

As a first step, we will develop an optical quantum computer composed of optical fiber components in combination with various optical quantum operations that we have developed so far. In addition, we will improve the quantum noise squeezing ability of the quantum light source to realize a fault-tolerant large-scale universal optical quantum computer.

[Support for this research]

This research was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Moonshot R&D Project, Moonshot Goal 6: "Realization of a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer that will revolutionize economy, industry, and security by 2050" (Program Director: Katsuhiro Kitagawa, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University). R&D project "Development of Large-scale Fault-Tolerant Universal Optical Quantum Computers" (Project Manager: Akira Furusawa, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo).

[Comment of project manager]

Until now, it was thought that integrated circuits were essential for the realization of a large-scale quantum computer. However, this success shows that integrated circuits are not necessary and that, by using the developed modules and optical fiber components, we can realize large-scale optical quantum computer. With this achievement, the realization of a large-scale quantum computer has become a reality, and it can be said that a game-changing technology has been born.

[Glossary]

*1 Squeezed light source

A device that generates light in a state in which one of the quantum fluctuations (quantum noise) of a non-commutative pair of physical quantities is compressed. It is realized by a medium that effectively induces nonlinear optical phenomena.

*2 Two-dimensional (2D) cluster state

A large-scale quantum entangled state that can realize any quantum computation pattern. In 2019, Professor Akira Furusawa and his colleagues at the University of Tokyo realized a two-dimensional optical cluster state with more than 10,000 optical qubits. [Ref. 1]

*3 Time-domain-multiplexing technique for generation of quantum entanglement

A method of generating large-scale entangled states from a limited number of quantum light sources by temporally separating the light emitted from a continuous quantum light source and interfering with the separated quantum wave packets (pulses) with an optical delay interferometer.

*4 Measurement-based quantum computation

A method that can perform universal quantum computation equivalent to the gate-based quantum computer, which has been researched worldwide. Unlike conventional gate-based quantum computing, in which individual qubits are entangled by gate operations, this method involves preparing a large-scale quantum entanglement in advance. By observing some qubits, we can manipulate the remaining qubit.

[Reference 1]

W. Asavanant, et al., "Generation of time-domain-multiplexed two-dimensional cluster state," Science 366, 373 (2019).

[Publication Information]

Takahiro Kashiwazaki, Taichi Yamashima, Naoto Takanashi, Asuka Inoue, Takeshi Umeki, and Akira Furusawa

"Fabrication of low-loss quasi-single-mode PPLN waveguide and its application to a modularized broadband high-level squeezer"

Applied Physics Letters

DOI: 10.1063/5.0063118

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211222005615/en/

Contacts

Yuzo Aramaki

Senior Manager

Press Relations of NTT Corporation

Email: ntt-pr@ntt.com

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Forest Whitaker, Ajay Banga, Juanes, Tokata Iron Eyes, Brandon Stanton, Dr. Lisa Su and Nicholas Donofrio to Receive the International Peace Honors Presented by PeaceTech Lab

 The ceremony recognizes some of today’s most outstanding global leaders and change-agents who make philanthropy a hallmark of their lives, to advance both humanity and our planet.

WASHINGTON-Saturday 25 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The International Peace Honors (IPH), created by PeaceTech Lab, an award-winning non-profit organization founded by the United States Institute of Peace, will recognize Forest Whitaker, Ajay Banga, Juanes, Tokata Iron Eyes, Brandon Stanton, Dr. Lisa Su and Nicholas Donofrio for being global change-makers who have positively impacted the world through targeted activism. The virtual event airs Sunday, February 27th, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST. To register to watch visit: internationalpeacehonors.org.

“This year’s International Peace Honorees inspire us to greater hope and urgency, by showing what can happen when we leverage technology and media in their highest forms. From promoting peace and non-violence through music, to helping people improve their lives through the digital economy, protect the planet, and raise up a generation of new voices, their tireless work for the betterment of humanity is to be lauded. We are thrilled to recognize each of these outstanding social leaders,” said Sheldon Himelfarb, President & CEO, PeaceTech Lab.

Academy Award Winner, Forest Whitaker will receive the recognition for his everlasting commitment to empowering youth and promoting peace globally. Whitaker is the CEO/Founder of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), which provides educational tools and economic opportunities to young people in places touched by exclusion, violence and armed conflict.

Mastercard Executive Chairman, Ajay Banga will receive the honor for his outstanding contributions in bringing the digital economy to over 1 billion people, thus creating a sustainable economy through technology.

Renowned Singer-Songwriter and Social Advocate, Juanes will be honored for his dedication to youth empowerment and peace in his native Colombia through his Mi Sangre Foundation, a peace-building non-profit organization he co-founded alongside Catalina Cock Duque.

Youth Activist, Tokata Iron Eyes is set to be honored for her impassioned advocacy for Indigenous rights and the global climate movement. At age 18, she becomes the youngest person to receive the prestigious award.

Brandon Stanton, the creator of “Humans of New York”, will be celebrated for his dedication to fostering empathy and interconnectedness through powerful storytelling.

AMD’s President and CEO, Dr. Lisa Su, will be recognized for revolutionizing high performance computing, donating supercomputing power for public good efforts focused on infectious disease research, and for inspiring people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in science and technology.

Lastly, former IBM EVP of Innovation and Technology Nicholas Donofrio, will receive the honor for his contributions to the international community of women and underrepresented youth in the fields of education, engineering, business and mathematics.

“The exceptionalism of our honorees reminds us that we’re all capable of rising to the challenges that negatively affect our world. I’m proud to extol their valuable social contributions and celebrate their vast achievements,” added MariaEsmeralda Paguaga, executive producer of the International Peace Honors.

The host, performers, and special guests will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The International Peace Honors are made possible with the generosity of its sponsors and donors: Mastercard, BNY Mellon, The MITRE Corporation, Microsoft, Pitney Bowes, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Ernst & Young, Mercator XXI, KUDO, Wipro, and Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Follow @internationalpeacehonors for more information.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211223005439/en/

Contacts

Press: Janice Torres, janice@peacetechlab.org

For Talent & Publicity: Laura Mejia Cruz, laura@dtapr.com

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84% of organizations to deploy advanced video technologies over next 24 months

 UAE and European businesses turn to advanced video technologies to gain a competitive edge




Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES-Thursday 23 December 2021 [ AETOS Wire ]

Europe and UAE will see a surge in deployment of advanced video technologies according to new research conducted by the global market intelligence firm IDC and sponsored by Milestone Systems.*

The research revealed key findings including industry plans, challenges, and opportunities for video technology investments.

Technology developments in artificial intelligence, image processing, cloud computing, and sensors are rapidly expanding organizations’ application of video and sensor technology and the business outcomes they deliver.

“Video technologies are moving from a pure ‘insurance’ and security purpose to a real business differentiator, e.g., in citizen service, product quality, patient care, and customer experience,” said Malou Toft, VP EMEA, Milestone Systems.

Emerging insights

According to the report, the majority (84%) of European and UAE organizations plan to deploy advanced video technologies, such as video analytics and sensor information over the next 24 months. Regionally and in the UAE in particular, 63% of organizations are also planning to roll out the same technology.

The report also indicates that 26% of organizations in Europe also plan to establish a video technology platform centrally, which would be connected to other existing technologies compared to 50% in the UAE.

Organizations around the globe are expected to spend US$2.0 billion in 2021 in Video Surveillance Analytics.[1] Transport and Logistics have also shown the most advanced level of maturity in terms of Video Technologies usage, the report reveals. On its part, the UAE is largely expected to focus on a number of critical areas including,   Access Control Use by 50%, Environment Monitoring by 50%, On-site Security by 75%, Remote Asset Monitoring by 50% and Line Inspection by 50%.

Over the next 24 months, the UAE also plans to develop Crime Detection, Prevention, and Fornices by 33.3%, Traffic Analysis by 66.67% and Predictive Maintenance by 66.67%.

The report also revealed that Critical Infrastructure had increasingly shown the most advanced level of maturity in terms of Video Technologies usage. The UAE has also made meaningful strides in the investment and development of its critical infrastructure. However, in the next 24 months, the report indicates that the UAE will be focusing mostly on developing Leakage and Smoke Detection by 62.5%, Fleet Management 37.5%, and Remote Asset Monitoring 25%.

Key capabilities required

Among the key capabilities required over the next three to five years, buyers highlighted process automation, facial recognition, smart analytics, artificial intelligence, and centralized cloud-driven deployment[2].

“Bottom line is that businesses and public institutions are actively planning for and expecting new technologies to be deployed with video analytics solutions, to enable a wider set of advanced use cases to be delivered. These new use cases can help enterprises deliver new digital experiences, generate digital revenues, or drive greater operational efficiencies and ultimately remain competitive in the new digital economy,” said Bo Lykkegaard, Associate VP, European Software Research, IDC Europe.

When it comes to Video Technologies investments and plans, three key stakeholders hold the helm: Security, Technology, and Operations Leads.

When asked about business challenges related to video technologies, two challenges rose above all others: 1) privacy protection and 2) security compliance concerns.

So, while the surveyed organizations appear to have plenty of planned video technology projects with business cases in place these projects are inhibited by concerns of possible missteps in terms of privacy and security.

“It demonstrates that privacy and security risk mitigation should always be key activities when building a business case to apply advanced video technologies. Organizations should be careful to choose the technology and service providers who adhere to the highest cybersecurity and privacy protection standards,” said Malou Toft, EMEA VP at Milestone Systems.

* IDC White Paper, sponsored by Milestone Systems, UNLOCKING A VIDEOEMPOWERED NEW NEXT, doc #EUR148161021, September 2021

For more insights on the IDC survey, visit this page.

Survey Methodology

The study is based on existing IDC research, including IDC Digital Transformation and Software research, data from IDC's Worldwide Spending Guides, and buyer and vendor conversations. IDC also carried out a dedicated Video Technologies survey interviewing C-suites in 320 UAE and European organizations across four industries: Government, Healthcare, Critical Infrastructure, and Transportation.

About Milestone Systems

Milestone Systems is a global leader within open platform video management software. More than 3,000 hardware and software partners can integrate their video solutions in our open platform for security and beyond security purposes in cities, schools, hospitals, and many other institutions.

We enable customers to see what their eyes cannot always see, and we help them understand what they are looking at so they can analyze the past, predict the future and make better decisions. For example, in cities video and sensor technology can enhance the performance and quality of services such as energy, connectivity, transportation and utilities. This can help city leaders to meet the needs of their residents and are important capabilities in creating an intelligent and more sustainable society.

Milestone Systems’ solutions are available in most countries around the world, with regional offices and sales representatives in more than 25 countries.

 
[1] Worldwide Video Surveillance Analytics Forecast, 2021–2025, IDC #US47835921, June 2021

[2] Worldwide Video Surveillance Analytics Forecast, 2021–2025, IDC #US47835921, June 2021

Contacts
Melwyn Abraham

melwyn@matrixdubai.com




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