FortiGuard Labs Reports Ransomware Variants Almost Double in Six Months

Exploit Trends Demonstrate the Endpoint Remains a Target as Work-From-Anywhere Continues

Graph of weekly ransomware volume over the last 12 months

Graph of weekly ransomware volume over the last 12 months 

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist & VP Global Threat Intelligence, FortiGuard Labs
“Cyber adversaries are advancing their playbooks to thwart defense and scale their criminal affiliate networks. They are using aggressive execution strategies such as extortion or wiping data as well as focusing on reconnaissance tactics pre-attack to ensure better return on threat investment. To combat advanced and sophisticated attacks, organizations need integrated security solutions that can ingest real-time threat intelligence, detect threat patterns, and correlate massive amounts of data to detect anomalies and automatically initiate a coordinated response across hybrid networks.”

News Summary:
Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), a global leader in broad, integrated, and automated cybersecurity solutions, today announced the latest semiannual FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report. For a detailed view of the report, as well as some important takeaways, read the blog. Highlights of the 1H 2022 report follow:

  • The ransomware threat continues to adapt with more variants enabled by Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS).
  • Work-from-anywhere (WFA) endpoints remain targets for cyber adversaries to gain access to corporate networks. Operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments are both attractive targets as cyber adversaries search for opportunities in the growing attack surface and IT/OT convergence.
  • Destructive threat trends continue to evolve, as evidenced by the spread of wiper malware as part of adversary toolkits.
  • Cyber adversaries are embracing more reconnaissance and defense evasion techniques to increase precision and destructive weaponization across the cyber-attack chain.

Ransomware Variant Growth Shows Evolution of Crime Ecosystems: Ransomware remains a top threat and cyber adversaries continue to invest significant resources into new attack techniques. In the past six months, FortiGuard Labs has seen a total of 10,666 ransomware variants, compared to just 5,400 in the previous six-month period. That is nearly 100% growth in ransomware variants in half a year. RaaS, with its popularity on the dark web, continues to fuel an industry of criminals forcing organizations to consider ransomware settlements. To protect against ransomware, organizations, regardless of industry or size, need a proactive approach. Real-time visibility, protection, and remediation coupled with zero-trust network access (ZTNA) and advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) are critical.

Graph of top malware tactics and techniques (endpoint)

Graph of top malware tactics and techniques (endpoint)

Graph of weekly ransomware volume over the last 12 months
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f90c8d79-5679-40e4-a08f-bb3660ee4afd

Exploit Trends Show OT and the Endpoint Are Still Irresistible Targets: The digital convergence of IT and OT and the endpoints enabling WFA remain key vectors of attack as adversaries continue to target the growing attack surface. Many exploits of vulnerabilities at the endpoint involve unauthorized users gaining access to a system with a goal of lateral movement to get deeper into corporate networks. For example, a spoofing vulnerability (CVE 2022-26925) placed high in volume, as well as a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE 2022-26937). Also, analyzing endpoint vulnerabilities by volume and detections reveals the relentless path of cyber adversaries attempting to gain access by maximizing both old and new vulnerabilities. In addition, when looking specifically at OT vulnerability trends, the sector was not spared. A wide range of devices and platforms experienced in-the-wild exploits, demonstrating the cybersecurity reality of increased IT and OT convergence and the disruptive goals of adversaries. Advanced endpoint technology can help mitigate and effectively remediate infected devices at an early stage of an attack. In addition, services such as a digital risk protection service (DRPS) can be used to do external surface threat assessments, find and remediate security issues, and help gain contextual insights on current and imminent threats.

Destructive Threat Trends Continue With Wipers Widening: Wiper malware trends reveal a disturbing evolution of more destructive and sophisticated attack techniques continuing with malicious software that destroys data by wiping it clean. The war in Ukraine fueled a substantial increase in disk wiping malware among threat actors primarily targeting critical infrastructure. FortiGuard Labs identified at least seven major new wiper variants in the first six months of 2022 that were used in various campaigns against government, military, and private organizations. This number is significant because it is close to the number of wiper variants that have been publicly detected since 2012. Additionally, the wipers did not stay in one geographical location but were detected in 24 countries besides Ukraine. To minimize the impact of wiper attacks, network detection and response (NDR) with self-learning artificial intelligence (AI) is helpful to better detect intrusions. Also backups must be stored off-site and offline.

Defense Evasion Remains Top Attack Tactic Globally: Examining adversarial strategies reveals takeaways about how attack techniques and tactics are evolving. FortiGuard Labs analyzed the functionality of detected malware to track the most prevalent approaches over the last six months. Among the top eight tactics and techniques focused on the endpoint, defense evasion was the most employed tactic by malware developers. They are often using system binary proxy execution to do so. Hiding malicious intentions is one of the most important things for adversaries. Therefore, they are attempting to evade defenses by masking them and attempting to hide commands using a legitimate certificate to execute a trusted process and carry out malicious intent. In addition, the second most popular technique was process injection, where criminals work to inject code into the address space of another process to evade defenses and improve stealth. Organizations will be better positioned to secure against the broad toolkits of adversaries armed with this actionable intelligence. Integrated, AI and ML-driven cybersecurity platforms with advanced detection and response capabilities powered by actionable threat intelligence are important to protect across all edges of hybrid networks.

Graph of top malware tactics and techniques (endpoint)
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4801331-9308-4dfc-bf88-98a3a181c7ad

AI-powered Security Across the Extended Attack Surface
When organizations gain a deeper understanding of the goals and tactics used by adversaries through actionable threat intelligence, they can better align defenses to adapt and react to quickly changing attack techniques proactively. Threat insights are critical to help prioritize patching strategies to better secure environments. Cybersecurity awareness and training are also important as the threat landscape changes to keep employees and security teams up-to-date. Organizations need security operations that can function at machine speed to keep up with the volume, sophistication, and rate of today’s cyber threats. AI and ML-powered prevention, detection, and response strategies based on a cybersecurity mesh architecture allow for much tighter integration, increased automation, as well as a more rapid, coordinated, and effective response to threats across the extended network.

Report Overview
This latest Global Threat Landscape Report is a view representing the collective intelligence of FortiGuard Labs, drawn from Fortinet’s vast array of sensors collecting billions of threat events observed around the world during the first half of 2022. Similar to how the MITRE ATT&CK framework classifies adversary tactics and techniques, with the first three groupings spanning reconnaissance, resource development, and initial access, the FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report leverages this model to describe how threat actors target vulnerabilities, build malicious infrastructure, and exploit their targets. The report also covers global and regional perspectives as well as threat trends affecting IT and OT.

Additional Resources

About FortiGuard Labs
FortiGuard Labs is the threat intelligence and research organization at Fortinet. Its mission is to provide Fortinet customers with the industry’s best threat intelligence designed to protect them from malicious activity and sophisticated cyberattacks. It is composed of some of the industry’s most knowledgeable threat hunters, researchers, analysts, engineers, and data scientists in the industry, working in dedicated threat research labs all around the world. FortiGuard Labs continuously monitors the worldwide attack surface using millions of network sensors and hundreds of intelligence-sharing partners. It analyzes and processes this information using AI and other innovative technology to mine that data for new threats. These efforts result in timely, actionable threat intelligence in the form of Fortinet security product updates, proactive threat research to help our customers better understand the threats and actors they face, and threat intelligence to help our customers better understand and defend their threat landscape. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

About Fortinet
Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere. This is why the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and government organizations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data center to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 595,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

FTNT-O

Copyright © 2022 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCWP, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMoM, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPlanner, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM and FortiXDR. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

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Matthews International เข้าซื้อกิจการ OLBRICH GmbH และ R+S Automotive GmbH เพื่อขยายขีดความสามารถด้านวิศวกรรมสำหรับพลังงาน

พิตต์สเบิร์ก, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matthhews International Corporation(NASDAQ GSM: MATW) ประกาศในวันนี้ว่า บริษัทได้ดำเนินการเข้าซื้อกิจการบริษัทวิศวกรรมสัญชาติเยอรมัน OLBRICH GmbH (“OLBRICH”) และ R+S Automotive GmbH (“R+S Automotive”) ตามที่ประกาศไปก่อนหน้านี้ลุล่วงแล้ว โดยมีมูลค่า 43 ล้านยูโร ( 45 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐโดยประมาณ)

OLBRICH มีสำนักงานใหญ่อยู่ที่เมืองโบโคลต์ ประเทศเยอรมนี โดยบริษัทเป็นผู้ผลิตอุปกรณ์อัจฉริยะที่เชี่ยวชาญด้านอุปกรณ์การประมวลผลแบบหมุนที่สร้างขึ้นโดยเฉพาะ ซึ่งรวมถึงอุปกรณ์ที่ใช้ในการผลิตขั้วไฟฟ้าแบบแห้งและแบบเปียกสำหรับแบตเตอรี่ลิเธียมไอออนที่ใช้ในรถยนต์ไฟฟ้าและส่วนประกอบสำหรับเซลล์เชื้อเพลิงไฮโดรเจน และอิเล็กโทรไลเซอร์ พร้อมทั้งยังมีตำแหน่งทางการตลาดอันแข็งแกร่งเพิ่มเติมในเรื่องของผลิตภัณฑ์พิเศษและยา บรรจุภัณฑ์ และของตกแต่งบ้าน R+S Automotive เป็นผู้ให้บริการด้านวิศวกรรมเฉพาะทางสำหรับแนวคิดเกี่ยวกับระบบอัตโนมัติ โรงงาน และเครื่องมือให้กับบริษัทผู้ผลิตยานยนต์ทั่วโลก บริษัทมีแผนที่จะรวม OLBRICH และ R+S Automotive เข้ากับธุรกิจ Saueressig Engineering and Energy ซึ่งเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของกลุ่มเทคโนโลยีอุตสาหกรรมที่มุ่งเน้นด้านวิศวกรรมที่มีความแม่นยำสูงสำหรับการใช้งานระบบอัตโนมัติทางอุตสาหกรรมที่หลากหลาย รวมถึงโซลูชันด้านพลังงานแบบกำหนดเองที่มีเทคโนโลยีขั้นสูง พื้นผิว การทำเครื่องหมาย และระบบการพิมพ์รหัส

Joseph C. Bartolacci ประธานและประธานเจ้าหน้าที่บริหารของ Matthews International กล่าวว่า “เรารู้สึกตื่นเต้นเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่ได้เข้าซื้อกิจการของทั้ง OLBRICH และ R+S Automotive ซึ่งเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของกลยุทธ์ระยะยาวของเราในการนำเสนอผลงานที่ขยายออกไปในด้านผลิตภัณฑ์และบริการด้านวิศวกรรมที่สร้างขึ้นโดยเฉพาะ สำหรับยานพาหนะไฟฟ้าที่กำลังเติบโตและตลาดพลังงานสีเขียวในวงกว้าง ความสามารถที่ผสมผสานกันของเราจะมอบโซลูชันที่เป็นนวัตกรรมเพื่อเร่งการพัฒนาโซลูชันแบบครบวงจรสำหรับการผลิตแบตเตอรี่แบบอิเล็กโทรดแห้งและโซลูชันด้านพลังงานอื่น ๆ ข้อเสนอของเราจะมีผลกระทบต่อการนำยานพาหนะไฟฟ้าไปใช้ในตลาดมวลชนอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ อีกทั้งยังเป็นประโยชน์ต่ออุตสาหกรรมโซลูชันด้านพลังงานทั้งหมด การเข้าซื้อกิจการเชิงกลยุทธ์นี้ทำให้การลงทุนด้านเทคโนโลยีของเราดำเนินต่อไป และเร่งการพาณิชย์นวัตกรรมใหม่ซึ่งครอบคลุมการใช้งานระบบอัตโนมัติทางอุตสาหกรรมที่หลากหลาย”

“Matthews เป็นหุ้นส่วนที่เหมาะสมสำหรับอนาคตของเราครับ” Bastian Kuhl ซีอีโอของ OLBRICH และ R+S Automotive กล่าว “OLBRICH เองก็กำลังมีความก้าวหน้าอย่างมากในการช่วยขยายการผลิตส่วนประกอบเซลล์เชื้อเพลิงไฮโดรเจนเช่นเดียวกันกับ Matthews ด้วยคำสั่งล่าสุดของ OLBRICH ให้มีการทำสายการผลิตจำนวนมากสำหรับชั้นการแพร่กระจายของก๊าซ (GDL) และความแข็งแกร่งของ Matthews ในด้านเพลตสองขั้ว ทำให้ผลงานที่รวมกันของเราอยู่ในตำแหน่งที่ดีที่จะสร้างแรงตลาด ซึ่งไม่เพียงแต่ในฐานะซัพพลายเออร์ให้กับ OEM เท่านั้น แต่ยังเป็นพันธมิตรด้านการผลิตที่สำคัญในด้านพลังงาน ผลิตภัณฑ์พิเศษและยา บรรจุภัณฑ์ และของตกแต่งบ้าน”

การเข้าซื้อกิจการของ OLBRICH และ R+S Automotive ทำให้ Matthews International ขยายธุรกิจไปทั่วโลกและเสริมความแข็งแกร่งในฐานะผู้ที่มีส่วนสำคัญอย่างยิ่งในภาคส่วนโซลูชันด้านพลังงาน

เกี่ยวกับ Matthes International Corporation

Matthews International Corporation เป็นผู้ให้บริการระดับโลกด้านโซลูชันของแบรนด์ต่าง ๆ ผลิตภัณฑ์เพื่อเกี่ยวกับการระลึกถึง และเทคโนโลยีอุตสาหกรรม ภาคส่วน Industrial Technologies ได้ออกแบบ ผลิต บริการ และจัดจำหน่ายการจัดเก็บพลังงานแบบกำหนดเองที่มีเทคโนโลยีสูง การทำเครื่องหมาย การพิมพ์รหัส และเทคโนโลยีระบบอัตโนมัติทางอุตสาหกรรมและโซลูชันต่าง ๆ ภาคส่วน Memorialization เป็นผู้ให้บริการชั้นนำด้านผลิตภัณฑ์เพื่อการระลึกถึง ซึ่งรวมถึง อนุสรณ์ โลงศพ การเผาศพและเตาอุปกรณ์สำหรับการเผา โดยเน้นไปยังลูกค้าที่ใช้วิธีการทำศพแบบฝังและใช้โรงศพเพื่อประกอบพิธีฌาปนกิจศพ ซึ่งจะช่วยให้ครอบครัวก้าวข้ามความเศร้าโศกและเปลี่ยนไปเป็นความทรงจำและความคิดถึงแทนได้ ภาคส่วน Solutions Brand SGK เป็นผู้ให้บริการชั้นนำด้านการแก้ปัญหาบรรจุภัณฑ์และการเพิ่มประสบการณ์แบรนด์ ช่วยให้บริษัทต่าง ๆ ลดความซับซ้อนในด้านตลาดและยังช่วยขยายการตลาดของแบรนด์และการเพิ่มมูลค่า บริษัทมีพนักงานประมาณ 11,000 คนในกว่า 26 ประเทศใน 6 ทวีปที่มีความมุ่งมั่นที่จะนำเสนอผลิตภัณฑ์และบริการที่มีคุณภาพสูงที่สุด

เกี่ยวกับกลุ่ม SAUERESSIG Group

SAUERESSIG Group รวบรวมหน่วยธุรกิจบรรจุภัณฑ์ อีลาสโตเมอร์ พื้นผิว วิศวกรรม ลูกกลิ้ง และ e.GEN ภายใต้แบรนด์ร่มทั่วไป SAUERESSIG Group เป็นซัพพลายเออร์ชั้นนำระดับนานาชาติสำหรับขั้นตอนก่อนการกดและเครื่องมือโรตารี่สำหรับกระบวนการพิมพ์แผ่นแม่พิมพ์และเฟล็กโซกราฟี ลูกกลิ้งลายนูนและเครื่องมือตัดและรีด จึงกล่าวได้ว่าทางบริษัทได้นำเสนอความเชี่ยวชาญที่ครอบคลุมแบบเต็มรูปแบบ SAUERESSIG จะทำงานในโครงการวิจัยที่มองการณ์ไกล และลงทุนในการพัฒนาเวิร์กโฟลว์อัจฉริยะและโซลูชันดิจิทัล ในฐานะผู้ริเริ่มการสร้างเครื่องจักรพิเศษในด้านเทคโนโลยีแบตเตอรี่และการจัดเก็บพลังงานแห่งอนาคต โซลูชันส่วนบุคคลก็จะได้รับการพัฒนาสำหรับผู้บุกเบิกแห่งอนาคต ผู้ผลิตแบรนด์ เครื่องพิมพ์ และคอนเวอร์เตอร์ รวมถึงผู้ผลิตเทคโนโลยีการจัดเก็บพลังงานสมัยใหม่ที่มีชื่อเสียงจะได้รับประโยชน์จากนวัตกรรมที่มุ่งเน้นด้านโซลูชัน ประสบการณ์หลายทศวรรษ และความยืดหยุ่นสูงสุด SAUERESSION Group มีเครือข่ายทั่วโลกที่แข็งแกร่งด้วยการมีที่ตั้งการผลิตถึง 13 แห่งในปัจจุบัน การมีที่ตั้งอยู่ทั่วโลกช่วยให้สามารถปรับปรุงพัฒนา ดำเนินการ และสนับสนุนโครงการระหว่างประเทศได้ตลอดเวลา

SAUERESSIG Group เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของ Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) สำหรับข้อมูลเพิ่มเติม กรุณาเยี่ยมชม: www.saueressig.com

เกี่ยวกับ OLBRICH

OLBRICH GmbH ก่อตั้งขึ้นในปี 1949 และร่วมกับแบรนด์ Polytype Converting® ซึ่งเป็นผู้ผลิตเครื่องจักร ทำให้ปัจจุบันได้กลายเป็นหนึ่งในบริษัทชั้นนำของโลกในด้านการผลิตเครื่องจักรและอุปกรณ์สำหรับการผลิตผลิตภัณฑ์รูปทรงใยแมงมุม ฟอยล์แบตเตอรี่ ฉลาก วัสดุลอกออก กระดาษแบบยั่งยืนและวัสดุบรรจุภัณฑ์ ตลอดจนวัสดุปิดผนัง วัสดุปูพื้น เทปกาว และสิ่งทอทางเทคนิค เป็นผลิตภัณฑ์ตัวอย่างที่ผลิตขึ้นในสายการผลิต OLBRICH มีห่วงโซ่มูลค่าเต็มรูปแบบ ซึ่งรวมถึงวิศวกรรมและการผลิต อีกทั้งศูนย์เทคนิคที่ล้ำสมัยใน Bocholt (DE) และ Fribourg (CH) ปัจจุบัน OLBRICH มีพนักงานประมาณ 450 คน OLBRICH มีสำนักงานใหญ่อยู่ที่ โบคลอท (เยอรมนี) และมีที่ตั้งเพิ่มเติมใน ฮัมบูร์ก (เยอรมนี) ฟรีบูรก์ (สวิตเซอร์แลนด์) และ เมืองเจียงอิน (จีน)

เกี่ยวกับ R+S Automotive

R+S Automotive GmbH เป็นผู้ผลิตเครื่องจักรและเครื่องมือต่าง ๆ ที่สำคัญในการผลิตส่วนประกอบภายในและภายนอกสำหรับอุตสาหกรรมยานยนต์ เช่น แผงประตู แผงหน้าปัด หรือชั้นวางด้านหลัง R+S Automotive มีห่วงโซ่มูลค่าที่ครบวงจร ซึ่งรวมถึงวิศวกรรมและการผลิต ตลอดจนศูนย์เทคนิคบนพื้นที่ 1,100 ตร.ม. ที่ออกแบบมาเพื่อรองรับบริการด้านเทคนิคที่ครอบคลุมและการพัฒนาที่มุ่งเน้นลูกค้าเป็นหลัก ปัจจุบัน R+S Automotive มีพนักงานประมาณ 350 คน R+S Automotive มีสำนักงานใหญ่อยู่ที่ โบคลอท (เยอรมนี) และมีสาขาเพิ่มเติมใน โฮลูปคอฟ (เช็กเกีย) เมืองเจียงอิน (จีน) และ คอมสต็อค พาร์ก มิชิแกน (สหรัฐอเมริกา)

ข้อมูลเชิงคาดการณ์ล่วงหน้า

แถลงการณ์ที่เป็นการคาดการณ์ล่วงหน้าใด ๆ ที่พบได้จากข่าวประชาสัมพันธ์นี้รวมอยู่ด้วยตามบทบัญญัติ “การปกปิดข้อมูล” ของกฎหมายปฏิรูปการฟ้องร้องคดีหลักทรัพย์ส่วนบุคคลปี 1995 ข้อความที่เป็นการคาดการณ์ล่วงหน้าดังกล่าวมีความเสี่ยงสูงและความไม่แน่นอนทั้งที่ทราบและไม่ทราบ ซึ่งอาจทำให้ผลลัพธ์ที่แท้จริงของบริษัทในช่วงเวลาในอนาคตแตกต่างไปจากที่ฝ่ายบริหารคาดการณ์ไว้อย่างมาก ถึงแม้ว่าทางบริษัทมีความเชื่อว่าความคาดหวังที่มาจากข้อความการคาดการณ์ล่วงหน้านั้นฟังดูสมเหตุสมผล แต่ก็ไม่อาจจะให้การรับรองรวมถึงความคาดหวังทีสามารถพิสูจน์ได้ว่าถูกต้อง ปัจจัยที่อาจทำให้ผลลัพธ์ของบริษัทแตกต่างออกไปจากผลลัพธ์ที่กล่าวถึงในแถลงการณ์เชิงคาดการณ์ล่วงหน้าได้แก่ การเปลี่ยนแปลงของสภาพเศรษฐกิจในประเทศหรือระหว่างประเทศ การเปลี่ยนแปลงของอัตราแลกเปลี่ยนเงินตราต่างประเทศ การเปลี่ยนแปลงต้นทุนของวัสดุที่ใช้ในกระบวนการผลิตผลิตภัณฑ์ของบริษัท การเปลี่ยนแปลงของอัตราการเสียชีวิตและอัตราการเผาศพ การเปลี่ยนแปลงในความต้องการสินค้าหรือราคาผลิตภัณฑ์อันเป็นผลมาจากการควบรวมกันของกิจการในอุตสาหกรรมที่บริษัทดำเนินการอยู่ หรือเพราะปัจจัยอื่น ๆ เช่น การหยุดชะงักของห่วงโซ่อุปทาน การขาดแคลนแรงงานหรือการเพิ่มขึ้นของต้นทุนแรงงาน การเปลี่ยนแปลงในอุปสงค์ของผลิตภัณฑ์หรือการเปลี่ยนแปลงราคาอันเป็นผลจากแรงกดดันจากการแข่งขันในประเทศหรือต่างประเทศ ความสามารถการบรรลุวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อลดต้นทุน ความเสี่ยงที่ไม่ทราบที่มาซึ่งเกี่ยวข้องกับการเข้าซื้อกิจการของบริษัท ข้อกังวลด้านความปลอดภัยทางไซเบอร์ ประสิทธิภาพของการควบคุมภายในของบริษัท การปฏิบัติตามกฎหมายและระเบียบข้อบังคับทั้งในประเทศและต่างประเทศ ปัจจัยทางเทคโนโลยีที่นอกเหนือจากการควบคุมของบริษัท ผลกระทบของโรคระบาดหรือการระบาดที่คล้ายคลึงกัน หรือการหยุดชะงักอื่น ๆ ในด้าน อุตสาหกรรม ลูกค้า หรือซัพพลายเชนของเรา ผลกระทบของความขัดแย้งในระดับโลก เช่น สงครามระหว่างรัสเซียและยูเครนที่ดำเนินอยู่ในปัจจุบัน รวมไปถึงปัจจัยอื่น ๆ ตามที่อธิบายไว้ในรายงานประจำปีของบริษัทในแบบฟอร์ม 10-K และการยื่นเอกสารตามระยะเวลาอื่น ๆ กับสำนักงานคณะกรรมการกำกับหลักทรัพย์และตลาดหลักทรัพย์ของสหรัฐอเมริกา

ติดต่อ: Steven F. Nicola

ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายการเงิน

412.442.8262

สำหรับฝ่ายนักลงทุนสัมพันธ์ :

William D. Wilson

ผู้อำนวยการอาวุโส ฝ่ายพัฒนาองค์กรและนักลงทุนสัมพันธ์

412.325.8418

Matthews International Acquires OLBRICH GmbH and R+S Automotive GmbH, Extends Engineering Capabilities for Energy

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) announced today that the Company has closed on the previously-announced acquisitions of German based engineering firms, OLBRICH GmbH (“OLBRICH”) and R+S Automotive GmbH (“R+S Automotive”), for EUR €43 million (approximately U.S. $45 million).

Headquartered in Bocholt, Germany, OLBRICH is a production and intelligent equipment manufacturer, specializing in purpose-built rotary processing equipment, including equipment used in the manufacturing of dry and wet electrodes for lithium-ion batteries uses in electric vehicles and components for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers, with additional strong positions in Specialty & Pharma, Packaging and Home & Décor. R+S Automotive is a specialty engineering services provider of automation, plant and tooling concepts for automotive manufacturing companies around the world. The Company plans to integrate OLBRICH and R+S Automotive with its Saueressig Engineering and Energy business, part of its Industrial Technologies segment focused on high-precision engineering for a broad range of industrial automation applications including high-tech custom energy solutions, surfaces, marking, and coding systems.

Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matthews International, stated, “We are extremely excited to acquire OLBRICH and R+S Automotive as part of our long-term strategy to offer an extended portfolio of purpose-built engineered equipment and services for the burgeoning electric vehicle and broader green energy market. Our combined capabilities offer innovative solutions to accelerate development of an end-to-end solution for dry-electrode battery production and other energy solutions. Together, our offering will have significant impact on the mass market adoption of electric vehicles and benefit the entire energy solutions industry. This strategic acquisition continues our investment in technologies and accelerates commercializing new innovations across multiple industrial automation applications.”

“Matthews is the right partner for our future,” said Bastian Kuhl, CEO of OLBRICH and R+S Automotive. “OLBRICH, like Matthews, is making great strides in helping to scale up the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cell components. With OLBRICH’s recent order for a mass production line for gas diffusion layers (GDL), and Matthews’ strength in the field of bipolar plates, our combined portfolio is well positioned to create a market force not only as a supplier to OEMs but also as a key production partner across Energy, Specialty & Pharma, Packaging and Home Décor.”

With the acquisition of OLBRICH and R+S Automotive, Matthews International expands its global presence and solidifies itself as a key player in the energy solutions sector.

About Matthews International Corporation

Matthews International Corporation is a global provider of industrial technologies, memorialization products and brand solutions. The Industrial Technologies segment designs, manufactures, services and distributes high-tech custom energy storage, marking, coding and industrial automation technologies and solutions. The Memorialization segment is a leading provider of memorialization products, including memorials, caskets and cremation and incineration equipment, primarily to cemetery and funeral home customers that help families move from grief to remembrance. The SGK Brand Solutions segment is a leading provider of packaging solutions and brand experiences, helping companies simplify their marketing, amplify their brands and provide value. The Company has approximately 11,000 employees in more than 26 countries on six continents that are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services.

About SAUERESSIG Group

SAUERESSIG Group brings together the business units packaging, elastomers, surfaces, engineering, rollers and e.GEN under a common umbrella brand. As a leading international supplier along the pre-press stage as well as of rotary tools for gravure and flexographic printing processes, embossing rollers and cutting and creasing tools, SAUERESSIG Group offers a comprehensive expertise. SAUERESSIG works on forward-looking research projects and invests in the development of intelligent workflows and digital solutions. As an innovator for special machine construction in the field of future oriented battery and energy storage technology, individual solutions are developed for pioneers of tomorrow. Brand manufacturer, printers and converters as well as renowned manufacturers of modern energy storage technologies benefit from solution-oriented innovations, decades of experience and maximum flexibility. Within currently 13 production sites SAUERESSIG Group has a strong global network. Worldwide presence enables an optimal development, implementation and support of international projects at any time.

SAUERESSIG Group is part of Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: MATW). For more information please visit: www.saueressig.com

About OLBRICH

OLBRICH GmbH was founded in 1949 and together with its brand Polytype Converting®, the machine builder has today become one of the world’s leading companies in the field of production machinery and equipment for the manufacture of web-shaped products. Battery foils, labels, release materials, sustainable paper and packaging materials as well as wallcoverings, floorcoverings, adhesive tapes and technical textiles are exemplary products manufactured on the lines. OLBRICH has a full value chain including engineering and manufacturing as well as state-of-the-art technical centers in Bocholt (DE) and Fribourg (CH). Today, OLBRICH has approximately 450 employees. OLBRICH is headquartered in Bocholt (DE) and has additional locations in Hamburg (DE), Fribourg (CH) and Jiangyin City (CN).

About R+S Automotive

R+S Automotive GmbH is an important manufacturer of machines and tools for the production of interior and exterior components for the automotive industry, such as door panels, dashboards or rear shelves. R+S Automotive has a fully integrated value chain including engineering and production as well as a technical center on an area of 1,100 sqm designed to support comprehensive technical services and customer-oriented development. Today, R+S Automotive has approximately 350 employees. R+S Automotive is headquartered in Bocholt (DE) and has additional subsidiaries in Holoubkov (CZ), Jiangyin (CN), and Comstock Park, MI (USA).

Forward-looking Information

Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are included pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from management’s expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s products, changes in mortality and cremation rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, or other factors such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages or labor cost increases, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, ability to achieve cost-reduction objectives, unknown risks in connection with the Company’s acquisitions, cybersecurity concerns, effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, technological factors beyond the Company’s control, impact of pandemics or similar outbreaks, or other disruptions to our industries, customers, or supply chains, the impact of global conflicts, such as the current war between Russia and Ukraine, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Steven F. Nicola
Chief Financial Officer
412.442.8262

For Investor Relations:

William D. Wilson
Senior Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
412.325.8418

Angel Oak Home Loans Implements SimpleNexus’ Dynamic Homeownership Platform to Support Multiple Lines of Business

National mortgage lender implements Nexus Engagement and Nexus Origination to support the diverse financial needs of customers with a modern mobile lending experience

LEHI, Utah, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), an nCino (NASDAQ: NCNO) company and developer of the leading U.S. homeownership platform for loan officers, borrowers, real estate agents and settlement agents, announced today that Angel Oak Home Loans has selected SimpleNexus’ Nexus Engagement™ and Nexus Origination™ to support a streamlined mortgage experience for a wide range of borrowers.

Angel Oak Home Loans is an Atlanta-based, full-service mortgage lender that prides itself on offering a variety of agency and non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) products to meet the unique home financing needs of its customers. The lender’s decision to implement SimpleNexus was primarily driven by the homeownership platform’s ability to provide a mobile-first toolset that enhances customer experience and streamlines loan origination. A customized, dynamic loan application developed for Angel Oak Home Loans supports both agency mortgage lending and unique data fields for non-QM lending. Additionally, SimpleNexus’ streamlined management of “one off docs” enables loan originators to efficiently generate, distribute, e-sign and organize these document types.

“At Angel Oak, we are enthusiastic proponents of using technology to optimize business processes and improve the borrower experience at every point in the mortgage transaction because it generates better outcomes for everyone,” said Richard LaNasa, president of Angel Oak Home Loans. “SimpleNexus is a cutting-edge platform that provides the best of both worlds: a single-sign-on borrower experience that reinforces customer trust in our brand and point-of-sale with seamless workflows that unify efficient production of our lending portfolio.”

“While it’s true that no two lenders do business the same way, Angel Oak Home Loans has a clear commitment to making homeownership possible for creditworthy borrowers of diverse financial backgrounds,” said Shane Westra, chief product officer of SimpleNexus. “We are proud to bolster the growth and innovation that Angel Oak Home Loans brings to the mortgage industry.”

About SimpleNexus
SimpleNexus, an nCino (NASDAQ: NCNO) company, is an award-winning developer of mobile-first technology for the modern mortgage lender. U.S. lenders depend on our namesake homeownership platform to unite the people, systems and stages of the mortgage process into a seamless, end-to-end solution that spans engagement, origination, closing and business intelligence. By helping lenders manage their teams and stay connected with borrowers and real estate professionals, we deliver a measurable return on investment in the form of reduced turn times, increased loan application submissions and more referral business. A four-time Inc. 5000 company, SimpleNexus has been recognized as one of the world’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. For more information, visit https://www.simplenexus.com or follow @SimpleNexus.

Media Contacts
Leslie Colley
DepthPR for SimpleNexus
+1 678.622.6229
leslie@depthpr.com

David Bolin
SimpleNexus
+1 414.688.6077
dbolin@simplenexus.com

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon nCino’s historical performance and its current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are not a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent nCino’s expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change and, except as may be required by law, nCino does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially including, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to the market adoption of our solution and privacy and data security matters. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect nCino’s business and financial results are included in reports filed by nCino with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available on our web site at www.ncino.com or the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov). Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in other filings nCino makes with the SEC from time to time.

Industry leaders to speak at Wood Mackenzie’s Asia Pacific Energy and Natural Resources Summit

Join executives from SENEX Energy, South32, Fluence and Barclays as event looks at the Asian Pacific commodities outlook

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amidst massive global change, long-established energy and commodity flows are in turmoil, and trade balances are shifting. Asian markets are feeling the pressure of geopolitical rifts, supply chain risks and rising costs, which are all reshaping the energy transition.

Join Wood Mackenzie’s expert analysts, as well as leaders from across the industry, to hear how governments, companies and investors can successfully navigate the challenges ahead at its flagship Asia Pacific (APAC) Energy & Natural Resources Summit on September 13.

As well as exclusive presentations from Wood Mackenzie experts and a top-tier speaker line-up, including representatives from SENEX Energy, BHP and Barclays, the hybrid in-person and virtual conference provides the opportunity to connect with top renewable developers and utilities, transmission operators, energy regulatory bodies, investment entities, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, regulators and technology providers across the APAC region.

Key themes on the agenda include:

  • The Role of Metals in the Transition – Underpinning or Undermining Progress?
  • Navigating the Energy Crisis – Policy, Financing and Opportunities Amid Record Prices
  • China, India and The New Energy Disorder
  • Women in Energy and Metals and Mining – A Just Transition in Asia Pacific
  • Achieving Net Zero in APAC – Are We Backing the Right Technologies?

The Energy & Natural Resources Summit will hear from leading experts from across the industry including:

  • Ian Davies, Managing Director & CEO, SENEX Energy
  • Michiel Hovers, Group Sales and Marketing Officer, BHP
  • Cynthia Lim, Group Economist & Manager Market Analysis, South32
  • Isabelle de Lovinfosse, COP26 Team Lead, British High Commission
  • Achal Sondhi, VP of Growth, APAC, Fluence
  • Wei Lynn Tan, Head of Sustainable Investment, Barclays
  • Ben Arnott, Managing Director, Head of Energy Finance and Advisory South East Asia Société Générale

To reserve your place at Wood Mackenzie’s flagship Energy & Natural Resources Summit APAC, or for further information, please click on this link.

Wood Mackenzie Event Health & Safety Guidelines/Policies

Wood Mackenzie is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all event participants. Our decisions and preventive measures will be guided by the requirements and recommendations of the local health authorities. We are working with the event venue on implementing preventive measures to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 at the event. Preventive measures include:

  • Attestation of vaccination from all Wood Mackenzie employees and event attendees 
  • Masks are strongly encouraged by all event participants at all times 
  • Enhanced sanitization of meeting and exhibit spaces 
  • Extra venue space to allow for social distancing in meeting space
  • Hand sanitizing stations throughout the meeting and exhibit spaces 
  • Masks and testing kits will be available if needed 

The responsibility for a safe and healthy event environment is shared among the event organiser, venues and every participant. All participants are expected to adhere to and abide by the safety precautions Verisk is implementing to protect against the spread of COVID-19. 

As part of your responsibilities, you should not attend this event if you: 

  • Are experiencing, or within the 10 days prior, have experienced signs and symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • Have traveled to any high COVID-risk area in the last 10 days 
  • Believe that you may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.  
  • Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by the health care team responsible for your treatment.  

Conference attendees should self-monitor forsigns and symptoms of COVID-19and are asked to contact the Wood Mackenzie events team atevents@woodmac.com if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 within 2 days after the event. Should any positive cases be reported, Wood Mackenzie will communicate this information to all registered participants. Any private health or personal data received by Wood Mackenzie will be treated as confidential. 

*All Wood Mackenzie policies are subject to change. A notification will be sent to all registered attendees if changes are made.

About Wood Mackenzie:
Wood Mackenzie, a Verisk Analytics business, is a trusted source of commercial intelligence for the world’s natural resources sector. We empower clients to make better strategic decisions, providing objective analysis and advice on assets, companies and markets. For more information, visit: www.woodmac.com or follow us on Twitter @WoodMackenzie

WOOD MACKENZIE is a trademark of Wood Mackenzie Limited and is the subject of trademark registrations and/or applications in the European Community, the USA and other countries around the world.

About Verisk:
Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK) provides data-driven analytic insights and solutions for the insurance and energy industries. Through advanced data analytics, software, scientific research and deep industry knowledge, Verisk empowers customers to strengthen operating efficiency, improve underwriting and claims outcomes, combat fraud, and make informed decisions about global issues including climate change and extreme events as well as political and ESG topics. With offices in more than 30 countries, Verisk consistently earns certification by Great Place to Work and fosters an inclusive culture where all team members feel they belong. For more, visit Verisk.com and the Verisk Newsroom

For further speaking and programme enquiries, please contact Wood Mackenzie’s Events team:

Julia O’Hegarty - Content Producer
E:julia.o'hegarty@woodmac.com
T: +44 7771 547086

Julie Mayeras - Senior Manager, Event Marketing
E: julie.mayeras@woodmac.com
T: +44 330 174 1913

Ely Chirayath – Senior Manager, Event Operations
E: estrelita.chirayath@woodmac.com
T: +65 9720 2296

Media enquiries:
Mark Thomton
Mark.thomton@woodmac.com and +1 630 881 6885

Intellian Signs Multi-Year Partnership Agreement with Speedcast to Meet Accelerated Satellite Communications Demand

The leading provider of satellite communications technology announces agreement with global connectivity solutions provider to serve emerging and existing markets

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intellian, a leading provider of future-proof satellite communications technology solutions, has announced a multi-year partnership agreement with Speedcast, one of the world’s largest satellite communications service providers. The multi-million-dollar agreement will enable Intellian and Speedcast to collaborate in serving multiple markets with future-proof satellite connectivity, including the maritime and energy sectors.

The partnership builds upon the success of the existing relationship between the two organizations in the energy, commercial maritime and cruise industries, and comes at a promising time for the industry, which has been experiencing a recent explosion in demand. As part of the agreement, Intellian will continue to provide equipment to Speedcast as a preferred supplier, ensuring delivery to meet customer needs, despite volatile supply chain constraints. Specifically, this equipment encompasses the full range of Intellian’s maritime portfolio, from the C700 up to v240M/MT models, as well as LEO antenna systems and the inclusion of future land antennas, enabling Speedcast to serve every market. Additionally, Intellian will support continued equipment upgrades across Speedcast’s existing customer sites.

Intellian’s expanding product portfolio, from the industry-leading v240MT Tri-band antenna, NX Maritime VSAT Series to the recently announced range of Enterprise terminals, will enable Speedcast to meet increasing customer demand amidst growth in the satellite communications sector. The upcoming launch of another factory in Pyeongtaek, South Korea will boost production and supercharge capacity, enabling Intellian to deliver optimized logistics and warehousing capabilities to Speedcast.

The agreement comes on the heels of Speedcast’s recent renewals with all of its major cruise customers and the expansion of its Unified Global Platform (UGP), with the addition of 13 Gbps of capacity to its network, in part to support European and Alaskan cruise requirements. Speedcast’s platform now includes 30 Gbps of total bandwidth, which the company leverages in the design and deployment of complete managed connectivity solutions for customers across energy, passenger and commercial maritime, and enterprise markets.

Eric Sung, CEO and President at Intellian, commented: “Intellian is delighted to announce this strengthened partnership with Speedcast, building on an existing successful relationship. With Speedcast’s global presence and expertise across multiple market sectors, this agreement signifies an important partnership for the industry. The collaboration will allow us to continue to provide innovative solutions and value to customers globally, addressing the burgeoning demand for satellite communications across the markets we serve.”

Joe Spytek, CEO at Speedcast, shared: “Speedcast’s industry-leading portfolio and extensive multi-technology terrestrial and offshore network are well-matched with Intellian’s best-in-class technology solutions to serve our customers across the globe. We look forward to our continued collaboration, enabling the seamless delivery of critical connectivity solutions to meet the needs of our valued customers in all the markets we serve.”

About Intellian Technologies, Inc.

Intellian is driven by a passion for innovation and an agile responsiveness to customer needs. As the crucial link between satellite networks and millions of people on Earth, Intellian’s leading technology and antennas empower global connectivity across oceans and continents, organizations and communities. Strategic thinking, an obsession with quality and a proven ability to deliver enables Intellian to invent for the future, creating mutual success for partners and customers as the world’s connectivity needs evolve. For more information, follow @intellian and visit intelliantech.com. Intellian Technologies Inc. is listed on the Korean Stock Exchange, KOSDAQ (189300:KS).

About Speedcast
Speedcast is a leading communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications services to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. The company leverages its global network platform to provide fully connected systems that harness technologies and applications to transform what remote operations can achieve. With one of the world’s most comprehensive networks, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com.

Speedcast® is a trademark and registered trademark. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners.

© 2022 Speedcast. All rights reserved.

Intellian Contact:
Stacey Nardozzi
Account Director at The Octopus Group
Stacey.Nardozzi@octopusgrp.com

Speedcast Contact:
Alix Wright
SVP, Global Marketing and Communications
Alix.Wright@Speedcast.com

Tai Ji Men’s Bell of World Peace and Love Rings for Global Peace, Justice, and Sustainability

Eight leaders advocating religious freedom and human rights rang the Bell to pray for the world, infusing the Earth with positive energy

The Bell of World Peace and Love Rings for All

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, rings the Bell of World Peace and Love in Washington, wishing for the awakening of conscience in everyone, as well as for global peace and sustainability. (AP Images)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the world is in turmoil and faces potential conflict or war, Tai Ji Men has recently organized ceremonies of ringing the “Bell of World Peace and Love,” inviting influential leaders to ring the Bell to awaken the conscience of global citizens and spread positive energy to help stabilize the Earth. Since late June, the Bell has been rung by eight visionary leaders who have been advocating human rights and religious freedom. Ringing the Bell during these trying times was very significant.

“May peace and love prevail for the world and for Tai Ji Men–peace with conscience and justice,” stated Prof. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist and the managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions, when ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love in Los Angeles on August 8.

As one of the world’s leading scholars of new religious movements, Prof. Introvigne shared how powerful, humbling, and emotional the experience was for him and explained how the Bell represents a microcosm of the vast universe. “When you attune yourself, you vibrate with the bell, you let the energy of the bell carry you. You are really attuned with the universe,” he stated, adding, “Conscience is the center of the bell because it is the center of the universe.” He also shared the impact of the experience on him: “From today, from ringing the bell, I believe for me personally starts a new commitment to fight for peace, love, and justice.”

On July 27, Kenneth Jacobsen, practice professor of law at Temple University in Philadelphia, rang the Bell in Washington, D.C. He stated, “I believe that these kinds of ceremonies are so critically important. And for me personally, I will never forget this.” Prof. Jacobsen made a wish for “peace, love, tolerance, understanding and compassion in this world,” adding, “I am deeply grateful, but incredibly humbled to have had the privilege and honor of ringing this bell to see the dignitaries that have come before me and hold that hammer, that mallet, and hit this bell is a very moving experience for me, which equally moving though, is the symbol of what this bell means.” He also shared his feelings about Tai Ji Men: “I’ve never met an organization anywhere, corporate, philanthropic, anywhere where the people are so warm, and compassionate, and friendly and sincere and earnest.”

During the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit held in Washington, D.C. on June 28-30, six leaders who advocate religious freedom rang the Bell and made wishes for peace. IRF Summit Co-Chair Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, rang the Bell and prayed for “peace that surpasses understanding for everyone!” Amb. Brownback once stated that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, without which humanity cannot flourish, emphasizing, “We believe governments’ role is to protect that innate right of a person to select their own course of future for their soul.” After ringing the Bell, he stated, “I’m delighted that you’re talking about peace and love in face of potential conflict and war. We ought to all pursue the peace and love, and that’s when we’re going to have a much better world is when we solve our conflicts through discussion and justice, and not through violence. So I’m just delighted that you continue to push this.”

The other IRF Summit Co-Chair, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, who is the president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, also rang the Bell and stated, “I pray daily for peace but also for justice because without justice and freedom – especially freedom of religion and belief, there cannot be any peace.” She also noted that ringing the bell has been such a special experience that she will remember it her whole life, adding, “I must say I felt something very powerful and I’m very grateful for that. I really actually wish that through the miracle of technology, billions of people could’ve been watching us. Because there’s a special spirit here, and I know that derives from your teachings and from your practices, but it also derives from the encompassing love that you have for all of us–the encompassing prayer and wish you have for all of us. And I think your influence will continue to be a force for good in the world.”

Nadine Maenza, president of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat and former chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), rang the Bell and wished for “religious freedom for all.” She stated, “It’s wonderful to stand with you as you stand for religious freedom because it’s really religious freedom for everybody or for nobody.” She highlighted the importance of solidarity and mutual assistance in the promotion of religious liberty: “What we do is we all stand together and stand with each other.”

David Curry, president and CEO of Open Doors USA, rang the Bell and prayed that “people everywhere would know the peace and care of God and His people.” Everyone is entitled to enjoy the freedom to worship as they choose and the freedom to express their conscience, he said.

Bishop Gregory Mansour of Saint Maron of Brooklyn rang the bell and stated, “The beauty of the Tao, the Way will make us better people, closer to the eternal Tao.” Bishop Mansour talked about conscience, which Tai Ji Men has been promoting around the world: “So your emphasis on conscience, we Catholics believe that it is in our conscience that guides us, and that’s the little flame of God’s presence in our life. So the conscience is like the Tao.” “The conscience and the way is a beautiful combination of bringing our two faiths together,” he asserted.

Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, founder and president of Vision of Africa, rang the Bell and prayed for “peace in our world.” He also prayed for those who are in pain, those who are suffering, children without fathers and mothers, those who have been through pain, deprivation, or war, those mothers who want to go to the hospital but there are no hospitals, and those who want to drink water but can’t because there isn’t clean water. Conscience tells us to do the right thing, he emphasized.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, presented to each of the eight bell ringers a Compass Clock of Conscience and The History of International Day of Conscience. The clock serves as a symbol of time, direction, and purpose. It guides people toward the right path of life and reminds them to seize every moment to apply conscience and do good deeds. The History of International Day of Conscience documents the crucial cooperation between Dr. Hong and the Permanent Missions of various countries to the UN that made it possible for the UN to designate April 5 as the International Day of Conscience.

Since the year 2000, Tai Ji Men has held bell ringing ceremonies around the world, promoting love, peace, and conscience. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, forced it to halt its global travels. This June, its world tours resumed after a hiatus of more than two years. Over a period of two months and eight days, 26 leaders from various walks of life have rung the bell. To date, 425 leaders from 128 countries have rung the bell, including 49 heads of state and government, seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates, UN ambassadors, and other visionary leaders, injecting hope and positivity into the planet to foster global sustainability.

Tai Ji Men has traveled to 101 countries to promote conscience and other positive values. In addition to organizing bell ringing ceremonies and other activities to connect the conscience of leaders in all fields, it has been inviting global citizens to sign multiple declarations on peace and conscience. To date, the Declarations for Human Rights of World Citizens and Peace have been endorsed by over 3.7 million people in 198 nations, and a CD with two million signatures was submitted to the UN in 2004; the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience and the Declaration of International Day of Conscience have been endorsed by people in 200 nations.

Tai Ji Men urges everyone to endorse these declarations and put into practice the spirit of love, peace, conscience, and human rights expressed in the declarations, as Dr. Hong emphasized, “With conscience comes a peaceful world; with happiness come joyful families!”

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy: Tai Ji Men is an ancient menpai (similar to school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation. It has carried forward the wisdom of Taoist philosophy, one of the highest philosophies of humankind. It is an international nonprofit cultural organization. Its contemporary zhang-men-ren (grandmaster), Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze established the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in 1966, and since then it has grown to 15 academies worldwide.

Dr. Hong teaches his dizi (similar to disciples) methods to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual balance, and tens of thousands of families have benefited from his teaching. At Tai Ji Men, martial arts and wisdom have been passed down from the shifu (master) to his dizi. Through this time-honored tradition, the shifu and dizi promote the Tai Ji Men culture and martial arts around the world while embodying what is true, good, and beautiful as well as spreading the ideas of conscience, love, and peace. Over the past half-century, the shifu and dizi have self-funded trips to over 300 cities in 101 nations to conduct more than 3,000 cultural performances and exchanges and have been recognized as “International Ambassadors of Peace and Goodwill.

Media Contact:

Lily Chen
Representative
info@taijimenla.org
626-202-5268
http://www.taijimen.org/TJM2016G_ENG/index.php

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9268f1d1-0285-4a68-8412-780ce700772e

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.