Month: September 2021

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Malaysia on track to be major player in global drone industry with development of Area 57

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Malaysia is on track to become a major player in the global drone industry with the development of Area 57 Research and Development (Area 57), said local drone industry players.

Aerodyne Group founder Kamarul A. Mohamed said in a statement today the development of Area 57 is necessary as part of the efforts to drive new economic activities through the drone industry.

Echoing a similar view, Poladrone founder Cheong Jin Xi said in the same statement, Area 57 is a good initiative and can open up more opportunities for individuals interested in drone technology.

Cheong said in a pandemic situation, drones should be commercialised to facilitate delivery services to reduce contact.

Meanwhile, Drone Racing Association Malaysia chairman Mohd Fitri Reza said the initiative will be a new source of wealth for the country in the next five years, thus, he hoped that the government can create a one-stop centre for the development of the drone industry in each state.

HobiKami and Kami Kaki Dron group founder Amirul Aizad Amiruddin said he hoped that drone utilisation will be expanded, further positioning Malaysia as a potential drone hub in ASEAN in the future.

During the pre-launching ceremony at Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) yesterday, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said that Area 57 was a centre of excellence for research and development as well as talent empowerment developed by TPM to advance the development of industries focusing on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Area 57 is a five-acre area that will be turned into an integrated infrastructure and sandbox with the provision of seven proposed values namely to carry out research, development, testing, certification, commercialisation and maintenance of drone solutions and technology.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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KPDNHEP issues 34 notices to chicken traders in Kelantan

KOTA BHARU, Sept 17 — The Kelantan Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) last week issued 34 notices to urge traders to lower chicken prices in the state.

Its director Adnan Abd Rahman said the move was to encourage traders to lower prices to a reasonable level as well as a reminder not to raise prices unnecessarily as part of the ministry’s efforts to monitor chicken prices in the market.

He said KPDNHEP is thoroughly monitoring the conduct of those involved in the chicken distribution channel including retailers, wholesalers and breeders to address the issue of chicken price hikes in the state.

“As a result, 34 notices have been issued and 33 traders have agreed to reduce the prices by around RM0.10 to RM0.50 per kilogramme,” he said in a media statement, here today.

“Checks carried out in Kota Bharu revealed that the highest chicken selling price was detected in the Ketereh Public Market with a retail price of RM9.50, but it was then reduced by RM0.50.

“We also found that standard chicken is being sold at RM7.90 per kilogramme. This price reduction shows the commitment of retailers, wholesalers and breeders in addressing consumers’ complaints,” he said.

He said KPDNHEP will continue to monitor the issue to ensure consumers get a reasonable price without affecting traders and to check price manipulations by irresponsible parties.

He also urged consumers to use the Price Catcher mobile application to help them compare prices of essential items in their locations to plan their purchases.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Sultan of Perak will perform functions of King when His Majesty is away visiting UK

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, will perform the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong when Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are away in the United Kingdom on a special visit.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement today, said this is in accordance with Article 33(1) of the Federal Constitution.

He said the visit of Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah to the United Kingdom is from today until Sept 27, after which Their Majesties will stay back in London until the third week of October.

“Their Majesties are scheduled to return home on Oct 23. On their return, Their Majesties will undergo self-quarantine for seven days as set by the Health Ministry,” he said.

Ahmad Fadil said the special visit is His Majesty’s second to the United Kingdom since he became the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with the first being a seven-day trip starting from Dec 9, 2019.

He said that Their Majesties are scheduled to visit the Battersea Power Station project in London, the Malaysian High Commission at Belgrave Square and the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre in Brickendonbury, Hertford.

“The programme for the visit includes a meeting between Their Majesties and the Malaysian community in London,” Ahmad Fadil said.

He said Al-Sultan Abdullah was also scheduled to attend the Sandhurst Reunion Dinner at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where His Majesty studied between 1978 and 1979.

His Majesty will also hold a meeting with the United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defence Staff Sir General Nicholas Carter to discuss bilateral military cooperation between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Sir General Nicholas had also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before.

In terms of bilateral trade, the United Kingdom was Malaysia’s 18th largest trading partner, with total trade between the two countries hitting RM16.59 billion (GBP3.08 billion) in 2020, a 0.8 per cent increase over that in 2019.

Malaysia’s exports to the United Kingdom totalled RM9.91 billion (GBP1.84 billion) while imports from the United Kingdom were valued at RM6.68 billion (GBP1.24 billion) last year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Corona Hard Seltzer Announces New, Multi-Year Partnership with the Buffalo Bills

Corona Hard Seltzer becomes a new official hard seltzer sponsor of the Buffalo Bills complete with a new Corona Beach Break fan cam branded stadium experience and Block Party activations in local communities

CHICAGO, Sept. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the 2021 NFL season has kicked off, Corona Hard Seltzer is excited to announce a new partnership with the Buffalo Bills. Corona Hard Seltzer is now an official hard seltzer sponsor of the team, providing fans new ways to cheer on their favorite team.

“Corona Hard Seltzer recognizes the passion that our fans have for the Buffalo Bills,” said Dan Misko, Pegula Sports & Entertainment’s Sr. Vice President of Business Development. “We’re proud to welcome Corona Hard Seltzer as an official hard seltzer sponsor of the Bills, and excited to work together to create meaningful experiences for our fans in the years to come.”

Corona Hard Seltzer is now a presenting sponsor of immersive fan experiences at retail locations in the Western New York community, such as fun sweepstakes where fans can win a variety of prizes. Bills fans will have a unique opportunity to come together through mobile “Block Party” caravan events surrounding marquee games, including Nov. 14 (against New York) and Dec. 12 (against Tampa Bay). Each rally will touch different communities, providing lawn signs, official gear and prizes to different season ticket members and fans it passes along the way. Fans at Highmark Stadium will also have a chance to show their pride during the “Beach Break” fan cam segments at Bills games this year.

“Western New York is a hotspot of Corona Hard Seltzer’s explosive growth in the United States,” said Rene Ramos, VP Field, Lifestyle & Experiential Marketing, Constellation Brands. “Corona Hard Seltzer will connect with the Bills Mafia both inside and outside the stadium delivering cultivated experiences to amplify what is already an electric tailgate and gameday experience.”

ABOUT THE CORONA BRAND FAMILY:
The Corona brand family is home to Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Familiar, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, and Corona Hard Seltzer. The entire Corona portfolio is brewed in Mexico by Constellation Brands and imported and marketed exclusively to the U.S. by the company. Corona Extra, the flagship brand of the Corona brand family, is a pilsner-style lager with a golden hue that was first brewed in Mexico in 1925. Corona embodies “La Vida Más Fina” or “The Fine Life” as a modern expression of the brand’s lifestyle. The refreshing flavor and carefree attitude of Corona Extra holds a respected place in U.S. culture as the #1 most loved beer brand.

A brand that has long been synonymous with the beach, Corona is committing to removing 1 million pounds of plastic from shorelines and its business by the brand’s 100th birthday in 2025 through its “Protect Our Beaches” initiative with Oceanic Global, a nonprofit leader in ocean conservation. Believing there is no such thing as a better tomorrow without our beaches, the brand is on a mission to preserve these special places for generations to come.

ABOUT BUFFALO BILLS
Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills have won two American Football League (AFL) Championships (1964 – 1965) and won an NFL record four straight AFC Championships (1990 – 1993) that included four trips to the Super Bowl. Owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, the Bills are proud to be a member of the Western New York community for more than 55 years. For more information regarding the Bills visit buffalobills.com, call (716) 648-1800, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/buffalobills, or follow the Bills on Twitter at twitter.com/buffalobills.

Media Contact:

Kevin Hyde
kevin.hyde@ketchum.com

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GA-ASI SeaGuardian Flies First Approved Point-to-Point UAS Flight in UK

Flight Demonstrates Safety of UAS Flights in Civil Airspace

MQ-9B SeaGuardian at Lossiemouth

LOSSIEMOUTH, Scotland, Sept. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the first time approved a point-to-point domestic flight of an unmanned aircraft that utilized the UK’s airways structure when General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew its MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from Lincolnshire, England, to Moray, Scotland, on Sept. 12, 2021. The GA-ASI-owned RPA flew from Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington to RAF Lossiemouth and the SeaGuardian flight was controlled by NATS, the UK’s civilian Air Navigation Service Provider.

“The Airspace Coordination Notice issued by the CAA for this series of demonstration flights in UK airspace is the largest and most meticulous we have ever produced so that the airspace integration of SeaGuardian is at the highest level of safety,” said Tom Gratton, CAA Airspace Regulator.

“We appreciate the cooperation and collaboration with the CAA and NATS in helping to move the industry forward,” said GA-ASI Vice President of International Strategic Development Robert Schoeffling. “This successful flight paves the way not only for future operations of Protector in UK airspace, but also for other civil and commercial UAS flights.”

Protector RG Mk1 is the RAF’s designation for the RPA they have ordered from GA-ASI that is based on the MQ-9B. The GA-ASI-owned, civil-registered aircraft that made this groundbreaking flight is operating from RAF airfields as part of an ongoing set of demonstrations being conducted by GA-ASI for the RAF.

According to NATS, the flight was controlled through more complex airspace than any previous UAS flights in the UK. “This flight required that we transfer control between multiple civil airspace sectors,” said Mark Watson, Head of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) Service Integration for NATS. “The procedures for this flight were close to what we do already with conventional crewed aircraft. This helped us validate that our existing methods of control are equally applicable to controlling remotely crewed aircraft – when the aircraft performs like SeaGuardian.”

Among the capabilities on display is GA-ASI’s revolutionary Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, a safety and situational awareness enhancement designed to support Protector’s flight in non-segregated UK airspace, as well as the platform’s capability to integrate into broader European airspace. DAA will enable Protector to operate amongst normal aviation traffic in the UK’s national airspace, unlike any other aircraft in its class. The demonstration flights are also assisting RAF Waddington, the future home of the RAF Protector Force, to prepare and integrate the new aircraft into its daily operations.

The demos continue until the end of September with the completion of Exercise Joint Warrior. The goal of the flight series has been to showcase the many operational capabilities of the MQ-9B, including the platform’s advanced maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), industry-leading endurance, and interoperability with NATO partners.

SeaGuardian is the maritime version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®. The RAF has ordered 16 Protector RG Mk1 RPA systems as part of its Protector program.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.

Avenger, Lynx, Predator, SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

GA-ASI Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 524-8101
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com

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Image 1: MQ-9B SeaGuardian at Lossiemouth

SeaGuardian flew from Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington to RAF Lossiemouth and the SeaGuardian flight was controlled by NATS, the UK’s civilian Air Navigation Service Provider.

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A Traveler’s Dream Come True: High Performance Connectivity, Free International Calls, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and More — All in One Low-Cost Smartphone App

An innovative new app from Portuguese tech company iToorer solves a longstanding problem for international travelers and digital nomads: the exorbitant cost of data and roaming charges. The app also presents new revenue and communications channels for hotels, travel advisors, and other suppliers who offer it to clients.

Featured Image for iToorer

Featured Image for iToorer

Porto, Portugal, Sept. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iToorer, a Portugal-based developer of global technology solutions for travel connectivity, is introducing a new product that is set to revolutionize the way travelers use their smartphones while abroad. iToorer’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android, gives users unlimited, secure high-performance connectivity shareable with additional devices, free international and local outgoing and incoming calls, and essential travel content — all for one low price.

With iToorer’s app, international travelers will no longer have to purchase expensive international data plans, incur sky-high roaming charges, fear sticker shock from unintended data usage, or spend precious vacation time hunting down local SIM cards or unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots. The app lets travelers stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues — and use all their web-enabled smartphone apps — in more than 100 countries around the world. Global travelers will be able to use their smartphones just as they do at home, confident in the service’s cost, security, and reliability.

The app also provides a new revenue stream and communications channel for hotels, airlines, travel management companies, loyalty programs, and other travel supplier partners that offer it to their clients. Infinitely customizable, the app displays the partner’s brand and allows for direct communication with the client for information, sales, and marketing. Through the app, a supplier can promote a special offer, encourage a future booking, send an alert about changes or disruptions, or let the client place a direct (and free) call to customer support.

This new mobile technology solution is the logical evolution of iToorer’s legacy product, which provides similar services to both clients and partners via a separate device. By developing an app with a virtual SIM card, the app offers travelers unlimited data for both web browsing and international phone calls in over 100 countries while using their own devices and all of the apps they have installed. The app is compatible with most models of iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices, with additional devices being added frequently.

iToorer’s new app includes the following valuable features for a low daily cost:

  • High-Performance Connectivity. Until now, travelers had to purchase expensive international data plans or pay exorbitant roaming charges while traveling abroad. The new iToorer app provides unlimited high-performance connectivity, so the traveler can check email, attend virtual meetings, post on social media, stream videos — anything that requires an Internet connection via secure private network.

Unlike many carriers’ international plans, iToorer will guarantee your high-performance connectivity usage. And because the app is powered by a virtual SIM card, there is no need to physically replace the SIM card in the user’s smartphone. (iToorer also offers less expensive plans that cap data at 1GB or 500 MB per day.)

  • Secure Internet Hotspot. The iToorer app’s capabilities aren’t limited to a single device. The client can share the data using their device’s built-in wireless hotspot. No need to buy international data plans for other members of the family — they can all connect via the principal device’s hotspot. Or the client can share the data plan with their own laptop, tablet, or other device. Like the data on the principal device, the shared hotspot data is secure, high-performance, and unlimited.
  • International and Local Outgoing Calls. International minutes and roaming charges often lead to shocking bills once the traveler returns home. Now, by dialing within the app, travelers can call home or connect with the office, make dinner reservations, contact local friends, and dial into conference calls without paying an additional cent. Moreover, they can still receive calls on their own number while using iToorer’s data services on the virtual SIM card at the same time.

(Coming soon: A later phase of the app will include the option to obtain a local number for incoming calls.)

  • Direct Sales and Communications Channel for Partners. The iToorer app is available exclusively in a B2B2C model, offered to clients by hotels, airlines, travel management companies, loyalty programs, and other suppliers. The app extends the footprint of the partner’s services during the client’s trip and allows them to communicate with a device in the client’s own pocket. The app is white-labeled and can be customized to carry the partner brand’s own logo, fonts, and imagery, and it offers banners that link to content such as menus, spa services, booking engines, etc. Clients can reach the partner directly with a free, one-touch phone call. Notifications can communicate duty-of-care alerts (news events, schedule changes, weather, strikes, etc.) and as a marketing channel for additional revenue opportunities. Depending on the plan chosen, the customer will be charged a daily usage rate, or the partner may offer the app as a value-add. Examples of how a partner might benefit from the iToorer app’s additional revenue and communications channel:
    • Hotel: Promote events, happy hours, F&B discounts, spa services, or offers to extend the stay or book a future stay. Direct calls or links to reception, concierge, in-room dining, F&B outlets, spa, and other departments.
    • Travel Manager: Market additional services such as tours, attraction tickets, restaurant reservations, and more. Contact clients instantaneously to communicate itinerary changes or duty-of-care notifications. Direct call or link to 24-hour support services.
    • Airline: Communicate flight delays and schedule changes. Direct call to customer service or reservations. Promote upgrades, mileage offers, and hotel and car rental bookings. Offer the app as a perk to elite loyalty members and/or premium cabin passengers.
    • Loyalty Program: Promote concierge services. Offer special opportunities to earn or redeem points. Direct call or link to customer service.
    • Car Rental: Promote contract extensions, upgrades, or add-on services. Provide driving directions and a directory of points of interest. Direct connection to roadside assistance or customer service.
  • Essential Features, Travel Content, and Discounts. The iToorer app contains a global, GPS-enabled directory of restaurants, hotels, points of interest, and attractions in over 100 countries worldwide — all constantly refreshed by automatic updates. The app is available in 12 languages and includes an automatic translator offering even more languages. It helps travelers find ATMs, pharmacies, police stations, transportation hubs, and other essential services, and offers hundreds of discounts and vouchers that travelers can use at restaurants, retail stores, tours, museums, and other attractions.

“This new app is an elegant, all-in-one solution for one of the most vexing — and costly — problems that global travelers will face as they return to the road post-pandemic: exorbitant fees for international data roaming plans and international phone calls,” says Diogo Pinto Sousa, Business Developer of iToorer. “The app’s launch is perfectly timed for the rise of the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle, allowing employees to stay in touch with colleagues and attend virtual meetings while on the road.”

The app is priced well below the global data plans offered by the major cellular carriers. For partners, there is no upfront investment required, and iToorer shares the revenue generated.

About iToorer:

iToorer is an IT group created in 2015 to provide a range of web-based mobile products and services. Headquartered in Ireland, with a main operational base in Porto, Portugal, and the U.S., the group successfully developed a customized mobile device for the corporate and leisure traveler, ensuring the best travel experience while adding value and competitive advantages to the most demanding customers of the travel and tourism industry. This device has been used by over 10 million travelers in Europe and North America.

Media Contacts:

Peter Bates, Founder & President, Strategic Vision Inc.

T: 914.881.9050

C: 914.319.5602                               

pjb@strategicvision.org

Diogo Pinto de Sousa, Business Developer, iToorer

T: 954.398.1412

diogo.sousa@itoorer.com

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Delphix Appoints Josh Harbert as Chief Marketing Officer

Harbert Brings Decades of Expertise in Marketing for High-Growth Tech Companies

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Delphix, the industry leading data company for DevOps, today announced the appointment of Josh Harbert as Chief Marketing Officer. Harbert will be responsible for building a world-class marketing organization, accelerating pipeline generation, amplifying product and brand awareness, and increasing customer engagement with Delphix.

“Josh’s analytical and revenue-focused leadership, combined with his proven track record in enabling technology companies to grow market share aggressively, will be a great asset as we continue to execute on our large market opportunity,” said Steven Chung, President, Worldwide Field Operations, at Delphix.

A results-oriented leader, Harbert brings more than two decades of marketing experience at high-growth companies with a particular focus on pipeline generation, account-based marketing growth strategies, scaling marketing teams and technology stacks, customer marketing, and executive engagement.

Harbert’s marketing leadership experience spans tenures at Apptio, Qumulo, and most recently, Tanium. While at Apptio, he was instrumental in the company’s growth from an early stage through IPO and an eventual $2B sale to private equity in 2019.

In addition to leading a global marketing organization, he led a team responsible for developing standards and validated best practices to help IT executives communicate the cost, quality, and value of IT investments to their business partners. This established a new category and community with thousands of IT leaders.

“Delphix’s unique DevOps approach to modern security and compliance issues is a game-changer for businesses in every sector,” said Harbert. “Our solutions unlock the power of data and drive innovation for some of the largest global brands. I’m excited to lead the marketing team at Delphix and create opportunities to share compelling customer stories, grow our brand awareness, and make sure every CIO and application development leader embraces the Delphix DevOps Data Platform.”

Harbert becomes the latest in a series of executive appointments for Delphix, following the news that HashiCorp CEO, David McJannett, has joined its Board of Directors, Tammi Warfield joined as SVP of Customer Success, Steve Barrett joined as SVP of International Operations, and Pritesh Parekh joined as Chief Trust & Security Officer, and VP of Engineering.

About Delphix
Delphix is the industry leading data company for DevOps.

Data is critical for testing application releases, modernization, cloud adoption, and AI/ML programs. We provide an automated DevOps data platform for all enterprise applications. Delphix masks data for privacy compliance, secures data from ransomware, and delivers efficient, virtualized data for CI/CD.

Our platform includes essential DevOps APIs for data provisioning, refresh, rewind, integration, and version control. Leading companies, including UKG, Choice Hotels, J.B. Hunt, and Fannie Mae, use Delphix to accelerate digital transformation. For more information, visit www.delphix.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

For more information, contact:
Aarthi Rayapura
Director, Editorial & Content
aarthi.rayapura@delphix.com