June 6, 2023

Acrow Named Exporter of the Year at New Jersey International Trade Awards

Award recognizes Acrow’s continued growth in international markets

Acrow’s CEO, Bill Killeen, accepts NJITA Export Award (Image Credit – Chris Krusberg)

PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acrow, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, is pleased to announce it was named Exporter of the Year at the New Jersey International Trade Awards (NJITA) ceremony on May 17 at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ. The awards honor excellence by New Jersey companies that have worked diligently to expand their exporting efforts, thus contributing to job creation and enhancing the state’s economic landscape.

The NJITA is a program of the New Jersey District Export Council (NJDEC). Regional District Export Councils (DECs) are organizations of leaders from the local business community, appointed by a U.S. Secretary of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. Closely affiliated with the Commerce Department’s Export Assistance Centers, the 61 DECs throughout the country support the U.S. Government’s export promotion efforts.

“We are delighted to be recognized by NJDEC for our continuing work in international markets,” said Mark Joosten, President and COO of the Acrow Group. “Acrow has been serving the transportation and construction industries since 1951, and our bridge solutions are now found in more than 150 countries across the globe. Our success in exporting not only supports jobs here in the United States, but also helps the communities we serve globally to access opportunity and expand prosperity through high-quality, sustainable bridge infrastructure.”

Added William Killeen, CEO of the Acrow Group, “Whether navigating urban highways, rural roads, or emergency conditions, people depend on safe, reliable passage in pursuit of education, healthcare and economic prosperity wherever in the world they live. Our mission to build bridges, connect people and leave positive legacies in local communities will continue to evolve in response to the needs of government agencies and contractors worldwide, and this award commemorates our achievement to date in pursuit of that aim.”

About Acrow
Acrow has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military and emergency use. Acrow’s extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.

Media contact:
Tracy Van Buskirk
Marketcom PR
Main: (212) 537-5177, ext. 8; Mobile: (203) 246-6165
tvanbuskirk@marketcompr.com

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8853202

June 6, 2023

Getinge Selects Anaqua to Provide Single, Centralized IP Management Platform

Global medical technology company will use Anaqua’s AQX to help consolidate and coordinate the management of all its IP assets

BOSTON, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, the leading innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology provider, today announced that global medical technology company Getinge has selected Anaqua’s AQX in order to consolidate the management of all its IP assets onto a single, centralized platform.

Founded in Sweden in 1904, Getinge provides hospitals and life science institutions in 133 countries with products and solutions that aim to improve clinical results and optimize workflows.

Anna Maria Lagerqvist Gahm, Head of IP & Digital Law at Getinge, said: “With our extensive range of products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms, sterile reprocessing, life science and digital healthcare solutions and our strong international presence with operations in more than 40 countries worldwide, it was important to be able to improve the efficiency and coordination of our IP management by consolidating onto a centralized platform. AQX enables us to do that, while also providing highly integrated functionality in key areas such as analytics and invention management.”

Bob Romeo, CEO of Anaqua, said: “Getinge focuses on helping its customers save lives through the products and solutions it develops, and on achieving its goal of becoming the world’s most trusted and respected medtech company. We are delighted to be supporting Getinge on that journey by helping manage and protect the company’s valuable IP assets. Anaqua continues to invest in offerings to meet and exceed the ever-evolving demands of the world’s most innovative life science companies.”

About Getinge

With a firm belief that every person and community should have access to the best possible care, Getinge provides hospitals and life science institutions with products and solutions that aim to improve clinical results and optimize workflows. The offering includes products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms, sterile reprocessing and life science. Getinge employs over 11,000 people worldwide and the products are sold in 133 countries.

About Anaqua

Anaqua, Inc. is a premier provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services for corporations and law firms. Its IP management software solutions, AQX and PATTSY WAVE, both offer best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations, tailored to each segment’s need. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide use Anaqua’s solutions. Over one million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company’s global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or on LinkedIn.

Company Contact:
Amanda Glagolev
Director, Communications
Anaqua
617-375-5808
aglagolev@anaqua.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852728

June 6, 2023

Ai-Media to Launch AI-Powered Automatic Captioning Solution to Asian Market at BroadcastAsia

Ai-Media at BroadcastAsia 2023 in Singapore

Ai-Media at BroadcastAsia 2023 in Singapore, June 7-9

SYDNEY, Australia, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ai-Media, the leader in technology-driven live captioning, transcription, and translation solutions, is excited to announce its presence at BroadcastAsia in Singapore, where it will unveil its ground-breaking LEXI 3.0 automatic captioning solution to the Asian market.

Previously launched to the North American market at NAB Show 2023, LEXI 3.0 is the new and improved version of Ai-Media’s flagship automatic captioning solution. Powered by AI, LEXI 3.0 is the world’s most accurate and advanced automatic captioning solution, delivering results that rival human captions at a fraction of the cost.

During the BroadcastAsia, Ai-Media will also showcase its comprehensive range of captioning technology that boasts seamless integration with LEXI 3.0. Among the featured products is the new LEXI Viewer, an innovative HD-SDI device that empowers event organizers to effortlessly enhance accessibility by streaming captions to in-venue displays.

Additionally, Ai-Media will highlight its range of captioning encoders that ensure high quality distribution of audio and video via its iCap Cloud Network, the world’s largest, most secure caption delivery network. This includes iCap Alta, the broadcast industry’s leading IP encoder that provides efficient virtualized workflows for MPEG-TS and SMPTE-2110. Ai-Media will also showcase iCap Encode Pro, the HD-SDI encoder trusted by major TV networks worldwide that offers low operational cost & low-latency display.

BroadcastAsia will take place from 7 to 9 June at the Singapore EXPO in Singapore. Attendees can meet the Ai-Media team and discover its range of end-to-end broadcast captioning solutions at booth 6C3-08 in Hall 6.

Ai-Media’s Chief Sales Officer, James Ward said:

We are excited to launch LEXI 3.0 to the APAC market. AI-powered technologies are creating operational efficiencies and cost savings across countless industries and with Lexi 3.0 it is no different. LEXI 3.0 consistently delivers over 98% accuracy, meets all global regulatory requirements, enables customers to increase their reach and has cost savings of around 80% versus human captioning. We’re also able to leverage our decades of broadcast experience to ensure our captioning solutions are interoperable across different workflows, video standards and regions.

About Ai-Media

Founded in Australia in 2003, technology company Ai-Media is a global leader in the provision of high-quality live and recorded captioning, transcription, and translation solutions. The company helps the world’s leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies ensure high accuracy, secure and cost-effective captioning via its AI-powered LEXI automatic captioning solution. LEXI captions are delivered to millions of screens worldwide via Ai-Media’s range of captioning encoders and its iCap Cloud Network – the world’s largest, most secure caption delivery network. Globally, Ai-Media delivers 8 million minutes of live and recorded media monthly. Ai-Media trades on the Australian Stock Exchange (AIM). For more information, please visit Ai-Media.tv.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e38de26-79b3-4f7f-b87b-cbf1939dc24a

Media Contact:
Fiona Habben
Senior Marketing Manager – Global
Fiona.habben@ai-media.tv

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852879

June 6, 2023

UPDATE — VERSES, DENTONS US and SWF, Announce Collaboration on Landmark Industry Report “A Path to Global AI Governance”

Figure 1

The Road to Autonomy – Executive Summary

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VERSES AI Inc. (CBOE CANADA:VERS) (OTCQX:VRSSF) (“VERSES” or the “Company”), a cognitive computing company specializing in the next generation of artificial intelligence (“AI”), announces the release in June 2023 of an AI industry report titled “THE ROAD TO AUTONOMY: A Path To Global AI Governance”.

The report combines the legislative expertise from Dentons, the world’s largest multinational law firm, and the AI acumen of VERSES with the guidance on technical standards from the Spatial Web Foundation to provide an in-depth analysis of the legal and key legislative trends from across the world on the state of AI regulation and recommendations for a path forward for government regulation of AI.

The report aspires to pioneer a fresh approach for legal practitioners, government regulators, and lawmakers, to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements and to guide their adaptation. The critical aspect of the report is to promote the adoption of standards for what VERSES considers “law as code.” The objective is to encode laws and legal principles into an understandable, machine-readable language that will facilitate the comprehension and autonomous compliance of AI systems with legal frameworks and social norms.

The report analyzes the unprecedented challenges presented by the emergence of AI and autonomous software, devices, and vehicles addressing fundamental questions like, “How can governments regulate AI systems that are on a path to regulating themselves? How can humans stay in the loop to ensure AI alignment with human values, principles, and laws, while guaranteeing fair and equitable services for all individuals and communities? And, how do we encode and enforce AI laws directly in AI systems themselves?

The report critically examines the transformative power of rapidly evolving technologies such as AI systems and their impending impact on legal, regulatory, and government sectors and accentuates the crucial need for developing and adopting standards that foster the understanding, governance, and interoperability of AI and autonomous systems. The report underscores the role of these technical standards in shaping dynamic and effective laws to regulate, oversee, and contemporize AI activities.

The goal of the report is to provide governments, regulators, and legislators with a pragmatic framework that not only informs but also provides a roadmap for policymaking, legislation, and compliance efforts in the field of AI. This is relevant to the flourishing autonomous vehicle industry, while also serving as a fundamental guide for all future AI-driven systems. Emphasizing the urgency of a globally unified, forward-thinking approach to AI governance, the report signals the vital need for standards development and deployment as the world navigates the pathway to Autonomous Intelligent Systems (“AIS”).

Significantly, the report points to the instrumental role of sociotechnical standards, as demonstrated by the work of the Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers IEEE P2874 Working Group. This initiative from the world’s largest association of technical professionals, underscores the importance of aligning AIS with human values and reducing the risk of harmful behavior.

The report also highlights the European Commission’s Flying Forward 2020 (“FF2020”) project for successfully implementing these standards. Led by VERSES and running on its KOSM platform, the FF2020 project featured autonomous AI-powered drones executing various tasks, such as medical supply delivery, building security inspection, and large crowd monitoring, all while adhering to local laws. The project exemplifies how the seamless integration of standards for AI with Urban Air Mobility and current legal and regulatory frameworks could improve the implementation of AI-powered services at city scale and beyond.

The report envisions the application of these standards to a host of sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, supply chain and more, paving the way for a smarter world with AI seamlessly operating behind the scenes.

“AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, raising concerns about the direction of its future trajectory. As AI evolves towards autonomous systems, the need for regulation becomes critical. We must address the challenge of regulating self-regulating AI to ensure alignment with human values and prevent potential risks. By implementing global technical standards and establishing an international AI regulatory framework, we can harness the immense benefits of AI while safeguarding against its potential perils,” stated VERSES CEO, Gabriel René.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with VERSES on this report, as the challenge of regulating AI raises complex and often novel questions of law for our clients and regulators. We hope this report provides a new way of thinking about AI regulation, and provides important insights to key stakeholders who are wrestling with new AI regulatory frameworks and are trying to strike an appropriate balance between innovation and moderation,” said Peter Stockburger, Partner at Dentons US LLP.

In summary, the report calls for a safe, effective, and inclusive journey down the “Road to Autonomy,” ensuring that future AI systems are not just technically advanced but also aligned with the best interests of humanity, both now and in the future. With AI influencing every sector, this insightful report offers pragmatic recommendations for a more secure, innovative, and integrated AI-driven future. The full report will be available on the VERSES, DENTONS, and Spatialweb.org websites in June 2023, with the executive summary already available for preview.

The Road to Autonomy - Executive Summary

About VERSES

VERSES is a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation AI. Modeled after natural systems and the design principles of the human brain and the human experience, VERSES flagship offering, GIA, is an Intelligent Assistant for everyone powered by KOSMOS, a network operating system enabling distributed intelligence. Built on open standards, KOSM transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines, and AI, across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature. Learn more at VERSES, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Dentons
Dentons is designed to be different. As the world’s largest global law firm with 21,000 professionals in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries, Denton’s can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Denton’s polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with their commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures they challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

About the Spatial Web Foundation
The Spatial Web Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and ethical use of technology, specifically in the creation and implementation of the Spatial Web protocol. The foundation’s core initiatives include developing open standards and protocols, promoting interoperability, and educating the public and policymakers. The foundation supports transparency and accountability in the development and use of technology, promotes responsible innovation, engages in dialogue and collaboration with various stakeholders, and adopts a proactive approach to addressing emerging ethical challenges. Ultimately, the Spatial Web Foundation seeks to create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable internet that empowers individuals and communities to connect, create, and thrive.

On Behalf of the Company

Gabriel René
VERSES Technologies Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO
press@verses.io

Media and Investor Relations Inquiries

Leo Karabelas
Focus Communications
President
info@fcir.ca
416-543-3120

The NEO has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents.

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852483

June 6, 2023

North West: Cameroon Teacher’s Trade Union begin back to school campaigns

The Cameroon Teachers Trade Union, CATTU in collaboration with the Cameroon Education For All Network, CEFAN have begun initiatives for effective school resumption in the North West region for the coming academic year.

The initiative started recently with the engagement of some stakeholders in Bamenda on back-to-school campaigns and how the population can be convinced of the importance of education.

During a focus group discussion in Bamenda chaired by the regional coordinator of CATTU, Semma Valentine, in the presence of personalities like representatives from state institutions, entrepreneurs, quarter heads, media personalities, and others.

The come together according to them, is a follow-up to a survey carried out by CEFAN in 2021 on the impact of the crisis on education in the region.

During the event, the various stakeholders discussed the various techniques and advocacy strategies that can be delivered to increase the awareness campaign for back-to-school in the crisis-hit region.

Participants were grouped and back-to-school messages were crafted. They also proposed better ways how to protect education in the region.

According to Semma Valentine, the project is also aimed at shaping government policy and increasing the number of children who will go back to school by September.

“We came here today to brainstorm and see how we can build our capacity in terms of advocacy and accountability for quality education and massive back to school,” Semma Valentine said.

Semma added that the proposals will be made as a report and sent to the government for study and implementation.

While revealing the shocking statistics of children who dropped out of school as a result of the crisis, the Regional Coordinator also challenged parents in the region to send their children to school.

“We are crying out loud to parents that we cannot continue holding back the education of our children. While the crisis is on, I don’t think we should continue standing in the same spot. Education cannot wait, we must send our children to school,” Semma added.

In the end, participants endorsed the initiative to yield results come September. Gambo Rekeatu just like many others promised to take the message back to their communities.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

June 6, 2023

Tjongarero urges prioritisation of athletes’ interests by anti-doping organisation

inister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, has called on the newly established National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) to prioritise the interests of athletes.

She said this here on Monday, during the development of an anti-doping legislative framework for Namibia.

Tjongarero emphasised that it will require the collective efforts of all Namibians to continue receiving support from the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).

“As we embark on this journey, it is important to remember that the fight against anti-doping in Namibia has been ongoing. The Namibia Sport Act of 2003 recognises the significance of anti-doping,” she said.

The government has authorised the Namibia Sports Commission to enter into agreements with individuals, organisations, or institutions, both within and outside Namibia, to conduct doping control tests or analyse substances for such tests.

Tjongarero further stated that government cooperation is crucial in establishing this important institution that will contribute to the fight against doping in sports, despite the institution’s goal of operating independently.

“Ultimately, when an athlete fails a doping test, it reflects negatively on their country of origin,” the minister remarked.

She further noted that it is a well-known fact that African countries still lack sufficient sustainable, relevant, and independent national anti-doping organisations.

“Due to the absence of anti-doping institutions in Africa, many countries rely heavily on Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (RADO),” Tjongarero said.

She acknowledged that WADA has facilitated the creation of RADOs and continues to support them, ensuring assistance to each member country.

The minister also said numerous African countries, along with other regions worldwide, face challenges in terms of resources for sports and anti-doping.

“I am extremely grateful to Unesco and WADA for their commitment to securing resources to help regions like ours develop our capacities and programmes further. Namibia is prepared to initiate the process of establishing independent and relevant anti-doping offices that meet the country’s needs,” Tjongarero said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

June 6, 2023

Namibia urged to take action on plastic pollution on World Environment Day

Plastic bags are one of the most unsightly forms of waste in Namibia and are highly visible in the outskirts of all towns and cities, informal settlements, and the country’s marine environment.

This is according to Benedict Libanda, Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in recognition of World Environment Day, which is observed annually on 05 June.

Libanda in a statement on Monday said the prevalence of plastic in the Namibian environment is a considerable threat to human and environmental health.

He said in observance of World Environment Day, EIF supports the ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ campaign and urges Namibians to collectively scale up efforts and partnerships to eradicate plastic pollution.

“The more plastic we produce, the more fossil fuel is required, and the climate catastrophe worsens. Furthermore, plastic items emit greenhouse gases throughout their entire life cycle. If no action is taken, plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions could account for 19 percent of the Paris Agreement’s total allowable emissions in 2040, exceeding the limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he further emphasised.

The fund reaffirmed its commitment to ending plastic pollution and is proud to champion diverse approaches to combat the plastic pandemic.

“It is time to accelerate these actions and transition to a circular economy,” he said.

According to the statement, a shift to a circular economy (designed to eliminate waste and promote the continual use of resources) can reduce the volume of plastics entering oceans by over 80 per cent by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55 per cent; save governments US.dollars 70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent; and create 700 000 additional jobs, mainly in the global south.

World Environment Day is a global platform for inspiring positive change and serves as an environmental awareness day focused on the environment and specific environmental challenges. It takes place on 05 June each year.

The World Environment Day 2023 commemoration focused on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, which calls for?global solutions to combat plastic pollution.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency