Monthly Archives: September 2021

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2021 /CNW/ - Development continues on the Maple Majestic Canadian EV by Toronto-based AK Motor, with significant milestones reached in bringing together the right partners for the project. Maple Majestic is intended to be Canada's flagship brand of automobiles for the world market. In building this vehicle, AK Motor is trailblazing an innovative new business model that is ideally tailored to Canada. The Maple Majestic vehicle is being developed using external suppliers for components and assembly services, as well as technological innovations and academia. The Maple Majestic EV project is divided into module packages which represent complete projects for leading suppliers with expertise in these areas. AK Motor is providing an opportunity for these companies to effectively take ownership of these modules, and to unleash the full power of their creative potential. In using this strategy, AK Motor is reaching out to parts suppliers for opportunities in co-operation.

Maple Majestic Module Layout (CNW Group/AK Motor International Corporation)

"In formulating a business strategy for the Maple Majestic venture, we wanted to do things in a way that is reflective of Canada's auto industry. Our ideas are disruptive, but we're not here to displace existing stakeholders. Instead, we are here to empower them. The strategy has to be the right fit for the country. Canada may not be well known for creating its own automotive brands, but our country pioneered the business of producing parts for automotive OEMs. With over 600 domestic parts suppliers, Canada is a world leader in technological development and providing services to OEMs. If we're to build a Canadian car, leveraging these resources is the right fit for the future of Canada's auto industry. It is the best business model because it also focuses on the success of existing stakeholders, and not only ours." According to AK Motor founder and CEO Arkadiusz Kaminski

The global shift towards Electric Vehicles represents an opportunity for Canada to become more than a parts supplier for the world's OEMs. It is an opportunity for Canada to shape its own destiny, and lead with its own automotive brands. Recent years have shown that the world is very receptive to new players entering the automotive arena, and this is a chance for Canada that will not repeat itself any time soon. At the core of this opportunity lies the need to recognize that Canada cannot do things the way it used to. Building parts and developing technologies has been the traditional approach for Canadian companies for many years, but the real opportunity is to create a Canadian automotive brand that leverages these resources.

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"We've all heard the old adage that doing things the same way over and over, but expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. We all know that change is necessary, but it's not sufficient to just do things differently. It's a question of doing things better, and smarter. Placing a greater focus on building complete Canadian-branded automobiles actually translates to more opportunities for parts suppliers. When these companies diversify their engagement among multiple Canadian EV projects, they are consolidating the potential for modularity and interchangeability of their components while daftly hedging their bets on success. Our outreach is especially directed towards members of the APMA (Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association), an organization which has already been instrumental in introducing us to the right partners. We are casting a broad net in forming an alliance of the willing among companies that want to participate in the Maple Majestic project. Even companies that are not quite certain about how they would fit in, are invited to reach out, say hello, and let's get the dialogue going." further underscores Arkadiusz Kaminski

AK Motor's logic of working with parts suppliers extends to organizations of different structures, like assembly services, developers of new technologies and academia. The objective is to create an ecosystem for the development and manufacture of Canadian automobiles. Figuring out the best way to integrate these diverse automotive building blocks now will go a long way towards securing Canada's future as an automotive manufacturing country, creating unprecedented opportunities for future generations of Canadians. A great example of this co-operation is AK Motor's recent usage of the VR Cave which is operated by Invest WindsorEssex. The VR CAVE is Canada's largest publicly accessible facility that was created through the support of the Province of Ontario's Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network and Windsor-Essex being designated as a Regional Technology Development Site. Working with the Simulation Team at the Invest WindsorEssex VR CAVE allows for the immersive visualization of the Maple Majestic virtual prototype to showcase how the vehicle will transform through its pre-production journey.

"The Windsor-Essex region is the birthplace of the Canadian Automotive industry. We are very proud to work with AK Motor to support their efforts in the creation of the Maple Majestic concept vehicle. By providing simulation capabilities through the Invest WindsorEssex VR CAVE to help bring the model to life, we hope that this will offer a glimpse into the exciting journey ahead for AK Motor and the great things to come for Canada's Automobility future." Ed Dawson, Senior Manager of Automobility and Innovation Simulation Team at Invest WindsorEssex

"Canada's automotive industry is at a cross-roads and there is a lot at stake at this very moment. There has been a tremendous amount of investment into Canadian technologies in recent years, but if we don't produce our own Canadian automobiles to harness these technologies, this situation can easily turn into the greatest brain drain Canada has ever seen. Technologies are most commonly developed in close proximity to where they will be produced, and if there are no local Canadian OEMs to implement the technologies, it stands to reason that their production may be relocated to other world regions. A project like Maple Majestic has the capacity to anchor the production of technologies that were developed in Canada, right here in Canada, giving them the sort of long-term stability and profitability that only a world-class Canadian brand of automobiles can." Arkadiusz Kaminski

The Maple Majestic project display can be seen at the Drive Festival at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on September 10-12, 2021.

Hashtags: #MapleMajestic , #AKMotor , #APMA , #electricvehicle , #EV, #drivefestival , #automotiveevent , #festivalofcars! , #WindsorEssex , #WhereCanadaBegins , #automobility , #innovation , #AutomobilityCapitalOfCanada , #InvestWindsorEssex , #VRCAVE , #electricvehicles

Website: http://www.MapleMajestic.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/CANU.MapleMajesticTwitter: @Maple_Majestic

Maple Majestic at Invest WindsorEssex VR Cave (CNW Group/AK Motor International Corporation)

SOURCE AK Motor International Corporation

Cision

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AK Motor International Corporation reaches out to local parts suppliers, and technology developers for its Canadian EV project Maple Majestic - Yahoo...

MANCHESTER, England, September 09, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wejo, a global leader in connected vehicle data, today announced that it is participating in Piper Sandlers Global Technology Conference on Monday, September 13 and Citis Global Technology Conference on Tuesday, September 14.

At the conferences, Wejo Founder and CEO Richard Barlow and CFO John Maxwell will discuss the companys mission to revolutionize the way we live, work and travel through connected vehicle data, as well as the companys ability to analyze this data quickly and efficiently, and why its data is an invaluable tool for a wide range of companies and organisations.

On May 28, 2021, Wejo entered into a definitive merger agreement with Virtuoso Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:VOSO). The transaction, which included a fully committed $100 million PIPE included support from lead strategic investors including Palantir Technologies Inc. and General Motors, Microsoft, and Sompo Holdings of Japan.

Notable Wejo highlights include:

Wejos data comes directly from cars, and its cloud data platform, Wejo ADEPT, has many useful applications, including analyzing traffic patterns to minimizing congestion and increasing road safety, among many others.

Wejo serves a growing and varied customer base that includes fleet and logistics firms, research institutions, mapping technology vendors, vehicle manufacturers, construction and real estate firms, as well as DOTs and mobility organizations like NCDOT.

According to McKinsey, by 2030, approximately 95% of new vehicles sold globally will be connected, up from approximately 50% today, and the global market opportunity of the resulting data is estimated to reach $600 billion by 2030. Connected vehicles are fitted with hundreds of sensors, each telling the story of the vehicles current state and how it is used. Advanced communication systems then exchange individual vehicle, journey and geospatial information with personal smart devices, other vehicles, IoT devices and transportation infrastructure, such as roadside traffic cabinets. As connected vehicles and smart mobility infrastructure expand, along with the seamless flow of data between them, drivers will benefit from improved safety and efficiency in the transportation network, from intersections to arterial and highways.

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About Wejo

Wejo is a global leader in connected vehicle data, revolutionizing the way we live, work and travel by transforming and interpreting historic and real-time vehicle data. The company enables smarter mobility by organizing trillions of data points from over 11 million vehicles and more than 48 billion journeys globally, across multiple brands, makes and models, and then standardizing and enhancing those streams of data on a vast scale. Wejo partners with ethical, like-minded companies and organizations to turn that data into insights that unlock value for consumers. With the most comprehensive and trusted data, information and intelligence, Wejo is creating a smarter, safer, more sustainable world for all. Founded in 2014, Wejo employs more than 200 people and has offices in Manchester in the UK and in regions where Wejo does business around the world. For more information, visit: http://www.wejo.com.

Forward-Looking Statements.

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Virtuoso Acquisition Corp.s ("Virtuoso") and Wejo Limiteds, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales with company number 08813730 ("Wejo") actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Virtuosos and Wejos expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed business combination, the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions to the proposed business combination, and the timing of the completion of the proposed business combination.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, and potentially adversely, from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside Virtuosos and Wejos control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"); (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Virtuoso, Wejo Group Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company") and/or Wejo following the announcement of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (iii) the inability to complete the proposed business combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Virtuoso, certain regulatory approvals, or the satisfaction of other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (iv) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or could otherwise cause the transaction to fail to close; (v) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wejos business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination; (vi) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the Companys common shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market following the proposed business combination; (vii) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (viii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Wejo to grow and manage growth profitably, and retain its key employees; (ix) costs related to the proposed business combination; (x) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and (xi) the possibility that Wejo, Virtuoso or the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning certain of these and other risk factors is contained in Virtuosos most recent filings with the SEC and is contained in the Companys preliminary Form S-4 (the "Form S-4"), which was filed on July 16, 2021 (as amended on September 7, 2021), including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus expected to be filed in connection with the proposed business combination. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Virtuoso, Wejo or the Company, the transactions described herein or other matters and attributable to Virtuoso, the Company or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Each of Virtuoso, Wejo and the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in their expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based, except as required by law.

No Offer or Solicitation.

This communication is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Virtuoso, the Company or Wejo, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exemptions therefrom.

Important Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It.

In connection with the proposed business combination, a preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 was filed by the Company with the SEC on July 16, 2021 (as amended on September 7, 2021). The Form S-4 included preliminary proxy statements to be distributed to holders of Virtuosos common stock in connection with Virtuosos solicitation for proxies for the vote by Virtuosos stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination and other matters as described in the Form S-4, as well as a prospectus of the Company relating to the offer of the securities to be issued in connection with the completion of the business combination. Virtuoso, Wejo and the Company urge investors, stockholders and other interested persons to read the Form S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus incorporated by reference therein, as well as other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination, as these materials contain important information about Wejo, Virtuoso, and the proposed business combination. Such persons can also read Virtuosos final prospectus dated January 21, 2021 (SEC File No. 333-251781), for a description of the security holdings of Virtuosos officers and directors and their respective interests as security holders in the consummation of the proposed business combination. After the Form S-4 has been declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Virtuosos stockholders as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of such documents, without charge, at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Virtuoso Acquisition Corp., 180 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880, or (203) 227-1978. These documents can also be obtained, without charge, at the SECs web site (http://www.sec.gov).

INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Participants in the Solicitation.

Virtuoso, Wejo, the Company and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of their management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Virtuosos stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Virtuosos directors and executive officers in Virtuosos final prospectus dated January 21, 2021 (SEC File No. 333-251781), which was filed with the SEC on January 26, 2021. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Virtuosos stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination when available. Information concerning the interests of Virtuosos and Wejos participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Virtuosos and Wejos equity holders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination when it becomes available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210909005641/en/

Contacts

Wejo Investor Relations Contact: Idalia RodriquezArbor Advisory GroupTel: (203) 293-3325Email: investor.relations@wejo.com

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Wejo to Participate in Piper Sandlers Global Technology and Citi's 2021 Global Technology Investor Conferences - Yahoo Finance

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedLex, a leading technology and legal services company, today announced its acquisition of BlackStone Discovery, a best-in-class eDiscovery technology provider based in Silicon Valley. BlackStone's range of innovative offerings include services in forensics, eDiscovery, investigations and incident response, trial support, managed review, and more. BlackStone Discoverys consulting team helps clients reduce eDiscovery costs, mitigate data risks, and improve litigation outcomes. BlackStone has an impressive portfolio of Fortune 500 technology and leading law firms as clients.

Many of BlackStones clients are digital-first organizations and have different challenges than those undertaking a digital transformation for the first time. Blackstone is uniquely capable of helping digital businesses meet their discovery obligations, helping them stay current on the latest collection, processing, and analyses of large datasets.

The acquisition will create a cutting-edge West Coast hub for UnitedLex, where it can best serve a growing list of technology and leading digital companies and law firms to go along with its increasing number of Fortune 500 clients. In the wake of Covid-19, numerous law departments are being asked to do more with fewer resources, and BlackStone Discovery has seen a rapid increase in new business as companies turn to its solutions to optimize their legal departments.

The highly talented people at BlackStone think differently about how to solve complex data problems, said Dave Deppe, President of UnitedLex. Our shared belief in client centricity and a digital-first approach will help foster a seamless integration. Were excited to deliver greater value to clients through our world-class teams and expanded, technology-enabled solutions.

"We're looking forward to joining the UnitedLex family and working to scale our offerings to meet increasing demand in the market," said John P. Kelly, CEO and founder of BlackStone Discovery. "UnitedLex is the most innovative player when it comes to legal transformation, and we're proud to bring our capabilities to enhance their suite of solutions."

BlackStone is particularly known for its forensics solutions, which provide invaluable intelligence and analytics, helps inform strategies to protect business value, identify risks, and adapt quickly to navigate a range of evolving circumstances.

About UnitedLex

UnitedLex is a technology and legal services company committed to delivering full-scale Digital Legal Transformation. The worlds most forward-thinking law departments and law firms rely on the companys expertise in over 25 global jurisdictions. Founded in 2006, the team includes 3,000 legal, engineering, and technology professionals with major operations in 18 countries.

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UnitedLex Acquires BlackStone Discovery, Expanding West Coast and Technology Presence - Business Wire

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Logility, Inc., a leader in supply chain innovation powering the sustainable and resilient enterprise, has partnered with PwC to bring the latest innovation in supply chain technology and services enabling digital transformation to strengthen its local Brazilian market presence.

We carefully selected PwC to provide implementation support and services to this expanding market, said Allan Dow, President, Logility. The ability to scale according to business needs enables organizations at all maturity levels to transform their supply chain. It also allows for greater efficiency, better alignment with demand, optimization of inventory and reduced costs all while increasing service levels.

The Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform provides the industry's only single platform that scales according to business needs enabling organizations at all maturity levels to transform their supply chain.

Logility is known for providing innovative planning and optimization solutions that are fast to implement and easy to use, said Rodrigo Damiano, Partner, Operations and Supply Chain Consulting, PwC. We are excited about all the accomplishments so far and cant wait to celebrate future growth through this partnership.

About PwC

PwC is an integrated consulting and auditing services firm that brings together diverse talents and combines the best of human skills and technology to support organizations in building trust and delivering sustainable outcomes.

Weve been operating for over 100 years in Brazil, with around 3,600 professionals distributed in 15 offices in every countrys region. Globally, we are a network of firms present in 155 territories, with more than 284,000 people dedicated to providing quality services in auditing and assurance, tax and corporate consulting, business consulting and deals.

Working collaboratively, our multidisciplinary teams use the most innovative digital solutions on the market in search of fast and efficient answers to the challenges companies face. The most strategic aspect of this pulverized and connected structure is to ensure that our talents continue to be our greatest asset and have extensive knowledge of each regions cultures and economic calling.

Our Supply Chain & Operations consultancy develops tailored supply chains according to the various features and integration needs of the sales channels (omnichannel), providing superior performance to operations, including service level, optimized costs, asset efficiency, flexibility, agility and sustainability.

We help companies transform linear supply chains into connected, autonomous supply chain ecosystems to adapt and thrive in a landscape of ever-changing operations, business models and customer expectations.

Learn more at https://www.pwc.com.br/pt/consultoria-negocios/operacoes.html

About Logility

Accelerating the digital sustainable supply chain, Logility helps companies seize new opportunities, sense and respond to changing market dynamics and more profitably manage their complex global businesses. The Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform leverages an innovative blend of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics to automate planning, accelerate cycle times, increase precision, improve operating performance, break down business silos and deliver greater visibility. Logilitys SaaS-based platform transforms sales and operations planning (S&OP) and integrated business planning (IBP) processes; demand, inventory and replenishment planning; global sourcing; quality and compliance management; product life cycle management; supply and inventory optimization; manufacturing planning and scheduling; retail merchandise planning, assortment and allocation. Logility customers include Big Lots, Husqvarna Group, Parker Hannifin, Sonoco Products and Red Wing Shoe Company. Logility is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSWA). To learn how Logility can help you make smarter decisions faster, visit http://www.logility.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from what is anticipated by statements made herein. These factors include, but are not limited to, continuing U.S. and global economic uncertainty and the timing and degree of business recovery; the irregular pattern of the Companys revenues; dependence on particular market segments or customers; competitive pressures; market acceptance of the Companys products and services; technological complexity; undetected software errors; potential product liability or warranty claims; risks associated with new product development; the challenges and risks associated with integration of acquired product lines, companies and services; uncertainty about the viability and effectiveness of strategic alliances; American Software, Inc.s ability to satisfy in a timely manner all Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required filings and the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations adopted under that Section; as well as a number of other risk factors that could affect the Companys future performance. For further information about risks the Company and American Software could experience as well as other information, please refer to American Software, Inc.s current Form 10-K and other reports and documents subsequently filed with the SEC. For more information, contact: Kevin Liu, American Software, Inc., (626) 657-0013 or email kliu@amsoftware.com.

Logility is a registered trademark of Logility, Inc. Other products mentioned in this document are registered, trademarked or service marked by their respective owners.

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Logility Partners with PwC to Bring Latest Innovation in Supply Chain Technology and Services to Brazilian Market - Business Wire

In the end, they were full of hot air.

Two Arkansas wind farmers who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a revolutionary turbine that would turn the industry on its head, have been convicted of stealing the cash to buy cars, a house and trips to Disney World DIS, +0.41%.

Jody Douglas Davis, 46, and Phillip Vincent Ridings, 64, claimed to investors that turbine technology their firm, Dragonfly Industries International, had developed could produce more energy than the traditional three-blade turbines used at most wind farms, prosecutors said.

They promised that their technology was so cutting edge, that the Department of Defense had expressed interest in acquiring it, that the Department of Energy was preparing to give them a $10 million grant and that several developing nations wanted to build them, federal prosecutors said. No such claims were true.

To make their case, the men provided doctored reports from nationally recognized engineering firms and the University of Memphis claiming the technology worked, the prosecutors said.

Between 2014 and 2018, Davis and Ridings along with Davis brother-in-law, Cody Fell, who earlier pleaded guilty convinced dozens of investors to give the $700,000 to build a prototype and create a wind farm in Elm Springs, Ark.

Prosecutors say the men erroneously claimed the Defense Department wanted to buy their cutting-edge technology.

But prosecutors say the technology didnt work and the men never tried to build a prototype. Instead, they kept the money for themselves and used it to buy luxury cars, pay for holidays and gym memberships, and for the down payment on a home.

At trial, several victims revealed they were lured into the scheme through Davis connection to a prison ministry. Davis had previously been convicted of embezzling money from his employers in Oklahoma and served nearly two years in prison.

Jody Davis was one of our Christian brothers so I never doubted or thought something was being done, testified investor Uchenne Obi, who was earlier incarcerated with Davis and brought others into the turbine scheme, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Davis and Ridings had argued that they believed their technology worked and were genuinely trying to develop it. A message left with Davis attorney wasn;t immediately returned. Ridings represented himself at trial and couldnt immediately be reached.

A federal jury in the Western District of Arkansas, took three hours to convict the men on Friday of wire fraud and money laundering.

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Arkansas wind farmers claimed their technology was more efficient than turbines --- then spent investors' money on houses, cars and at Disney World -...

Fears about Australian military technology ending up in the wrong hands have been reignited by moves to share more defence technology with the United States.

Australia is aiming to become a top 10 exporter of defence goods. Critics have attacked a lack of transparency over what weapons Australia exports, and the possibility of those exports being used in civil wars and human rights abuses.

The government announced earlier this year it would partner with the US on a guided missile project.

Ahead of a trip to the US next week, the defence minister, Peter Dutton, reportedly told an American Chamber of Commerce session that Australia and the US need to pool knowledge and resources to develop a range of missile and cyber technology, and autonomous drones that can swarm or work together.

Dutton said Chinas increasingly coercive behaviour meant Australia had to be ready for any eventuality, and as part of that governments and the defence industry had to work to reduce barriers to collaboration and integration.

In response to freedom of information requests, Defence revealed it has approved defence exports to countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries.

Exports are divided into two parts. Part 1 includes military goods and non-military lethal goods (such as non-military firearms), and Part 2 includes dual-use goods that were developed for commercial purposes but can be used either as military components or for the development or production of military systems or weapons of mass destruction.

Australia has issued almost 200 Part 1 permits to Israel (which has been accused of war crimes), and a further 43 Part 2 permits to Israel in the five years to 31 March.

Save the Children deputy chief executive officer, Mat Tinkler, said as Australia aims for a bigger share of the export market, safeguards and transparency should be increased.

We dont necessarily follow the weapons into the hands of the ultimate user, he said.

The Yemen conflict is a good example where weve issued permits to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, prime combatants in that conflict. We know in that conflict human rights abuses have occurred, children have been killed. If Australian weapons are being used thats a massive problem.

Australia cant say hand on heart that our weapons arent being used.

Medical Association for Prevention of War president, Sue Wareham, said weapons change hands, and that Australias increasing interoperability with the US was deeply troubling.

In the Middle East the US has lost control of weaponry, she says, and other weapons have changed hands in Yemen.

To imagine we can always keep control of our own weaponry is just fanciful.

Armed drones are a particular problem, Wareham said, because people are misidentified and become collateral.

On Middle Eastern exports, defence analyst Marcus Hellyer said Defence hides behind commercial-in-confidence when refusing to disclose what weapons Australia is exporting.

Im sure Defence follows the letter of the law, he said.

But theyve admitted its hard to track it once its gone overseas. If you sell a weapons system to the Saudi Arabians, its hard to track whether its used in Yemen. Defence doesnt have weapons inspectors in Yemen checking whether theyre doing the right thing.

He points out that Australia publishes a glossy catalogue detailing whats for sale (the Australian military sales catalogue), but not what were selling. The disclosures are incomplete and patchy, he said, and more transparency is needed.

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John said Australia should be working to de-escalate tensions in the region, instead of doing military deals with the US and trade deals with China, and getting stuck in the middle of two nuclear-armed powers.

He described the latest moves to further weaponise as an absurd contortion of joining America in a bit of chest beating while enjoying the status of being Chinas largest trading partner. The Greens want to scrap the idea of becoming a top ten weapons manufacturer and allowing US military operations on Australian soil, while engaging in diplomacy in the region.

Dutton has been approached for comment.

Australias statement of compatibility with human rights says Australias regulatory framework for export controls is reflective of international best practice and continues to support the responsible export and supply of defence and dual-use goods and technologies.

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Australias move to share defence technology with US fans concerns over weapons ultimate use - The Guardian Australia

SAN JOSE, Calif. The defendant, wearing a gray suit, sat quietly at a table surrounded by lawyers, her expression hidden behind a blue medical mask. Occasionally, she looked around. Her boyfriend and family members sat, also masked, in the packed gallery of Courtroom 4.

A low roaring undercurrent of clacking laptop keyboards began as Robert Leach, an assistant U.S. attorney, declared that the defendant had lied and cheated to get money.

Thats a crime on Main Street and its a crime in Silicon Valley, he said.

So began the trial on Wednesday of Elizabeth Holmes, who dropped out of Stanford University to create the blood testing start-up Theranos at age 19 and built it to a $9 billion valuation and herself into the worlds youngest self-made female billionaire only to flame out in disgrace after Theranoss technology was revealed to have problems.

In 2018, Ms. Holmes and Ramesh Balwani, her onetime business and romantic partner, were indicted with 12 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to federal prosecutors, Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani misrepresented the abilities of Theranoss technology and the companys business performance to investors. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Ms. Holmess trial, in federal court in San Jose, Calif., began just a month after she gave birth to a son, but more than three years after Theranos was dissolved and six years after The Wall Street Journal first exposed problems with the start-ups blood tests. The trial is expected to last 13 weeks and potentially feature as witnesses high-profile ex-board members and investors such as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

If convicted, Ms. Holmes, 37, faces up to 20 years in prison. Mr. Balwanis trial is slated to start in January.

Part media spectacle, part modern business parable, the case was the culmination of a decade of Silicon Valley excess, where a seemingly endless fount of capital for money-losing start-ups created immense wealth for their founders and investors and led to an environment where some were willing to look the other way when companies stretched the truth.

During its fast rise, Theranos was celebrated as a paragon of Silicon Valleys disruptive business magic the precise kind of magic that gave rise to Apple, Facebook, Google and Tesla, four of the most valuable companies in the world. But since Theranoss dramatic collapse, the company has become a symbol of the dark side of tech cultures fake it till you make it hustle. The start-up industry has strained to distance itself from Theranos.

Ms. Holmess trial also stands out for its rarity. Criminal prosecutions in Silicon Valley have declined markedly in recent years.

The eyes of the world are watching this trial, said Jessica Roth, a law professor at Cardozo School of Law and former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. Legally, to fake it when you know you havent made it is still fraud, Ms. Roth added. Did they know they were faking it or did they believe they were making it?

Interest in the trial was so high that a line began forming to get into the federal courthouse before 5 a.m. Entering the windy alley in front of the courthouse at about 8 a.m., Ms. Holmes was swarmed by camera crews. She was escorted through the scrum by her boyfriend, Billy Evans, and family members.

Curious members of the public also showed up, as did a crew of three blond women in black suits who resembled the defendant. At one point, Mr. Evans and the women in black passed around a padded seat for the courtrooms hard benches.

The case hinges on whether Ms. Holmes intended to deceive investors and others and whether she was manipulated by Mr. Balwani. Battle lines were immediately drawn by prosecutors and the defense in their opening statements.

Making the governments case, Mr. Leach methodically described the times that Theranos came close to going out of business. Out of time and out of money, Elizabeth Holmes decided to lie, he said, in what became a refrain.

Mr. Leach showed an image of Theranoss blood analyzing machine, known as Edison and MiniLab, and said it was not doing anything that couldnt be done in an ordinary central blood testing laboratory. He described Theranoss false claims that its technology was being used on battlefields. He showed apparently falsified reports that Ms. Holmes gave to investors from pharmaceutical companies endorsing Theranoss technology. He said she had peddled wildly exaggerated revenue projections and had used the media to execute her fraud.

The scheme brought her fame, it brought her honor, and it brought her adoration, Mr. Leach said.

The defense responded by arguing that Ms. Holmes who had encouraged comparisons of herself to Steve Jobs, including adopting a uniform of black mock turtlenecks was a hardworking, if nave, entrepreneur who did not succeed but did not commit any crimes.

The villain the government just presented is actually a living, breathing human being who did her very best each and every day, said Lance Wade, a lawyer with Williams & Connolly who represents Ms. Holmes. Trying your hardest and coming up short is not a crime.

Mr. Wade argued that the reality of Theranoss failure was more complicated than the governments presentation and that the company had built some valuable blood testing technology.

The reality of Theranos, he said, was far more human, real and often times far more, I hate to say it, but technical and complicated and boring than what the government presented.

The media coverage made it a challenge for prosecutors and the defense to find a jury of 12 people who had not heard about Ms. Holmes, Theranos or the trial. Many potential jurors had read Bad Blood, a book about Theranos written by the former Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou; had listened to The Dropout, a podcast about Theranos; or had seen The Inventor, a documentary about Theranos.

Mr. Balwani was frequently mentioned by both sides, but Ms. Holmess lawyers pointedly dwelled on the relationship.

Trusting and relying on Mr. Balwani as her primary adviser was one of her mistakes, Mr. Wade said.

Ms. Holmess lawyers have said in filings that Mr. Balwani emotionally and mentally abused her, and that the abuse negated her ability to intentionally deceive investors. They also said Ms. Holmes was likely to testify to this.

Such an argument is extremely rare in white-collar criminal trials, Ms. Roth said, possibly because there are so few female chief executives.

In court filings, Mr. Balwani has denied any abuse. In text messages revealed by prosecutors on Tuesday, Ms. Holmes showered Mr. Balwani with affection. In May 2015, as Theranos was dealing with questions from Mr. Carreyrou, she wrote Mr. Balwani a series of messages: You are breeze in desert for me / My water / And ocean / Meant to be only together tiger.

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The Trial of Theranoss Elizabeth Holmes Opens - The New York Times

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Mission-Critical Interconnect Solution Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on End User, Application, Components, Technology, and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global mission-critical interconnect solution market is estimated to reach $43,424.0 million in 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.19% during the forecast period 2021-2026.

Product/Innovation Strategy: The product segment helps the reader in understanding the different types of electrical, optic fiber, and wireless technology mission-critical interconnect solutions and their market potential globally. Moreover, the study provides the reader a detailed understanding of mission-critical interconnect solutions with respect to application (i.e., commercial aviation, military and defense, space, medical technology, industrial, others) and end user. Additionally, comprehensive coverage on various key certifications of the companies has also been added to the study.

Key Questions Answered in the Report

The global mission-critical interconnect solution market has been growing rapidly over the past few years with the help of rising demand for high-quality and reliable products that offer robust solutions in adverse environments. Major key companies are acquiring smaller and emerging companies to increase their operational regions in various applications.

The major driving factors for the huge revenues generated by the companies are the growing need for reliable technology for mission-critical applications and dependency on interconnect solutions that are durable in harsh environments.

Impact of COVID-19 on Global Mission-Critical Interconnect Solution

The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted the growth of the market as the companies have lowered their research and development funding to develop innovative solutions. The key players in the U.S. and Europe were affected the most during the first wave of the COVID-19 and had to impose strict lockdowns to ensure the safety of their employees. This has affected the manufacturing of interconnect products due to a lack of workforce and raw materials.

Several companies have reported a significant drop in revenues due to the pandemic, and few companies had to close some of their warehouses to reduce costs. However, with the vaccination process being implemented, the market is expected to grow gradually.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Challenges

Opportunities

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i908uw

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Global Mission-Critical Interconnect Solution Market (2021 to 2026) - Focus on End-user, Application, Components, Technology and Country -...

The Blinn College District Surgical Technology Program encourages individuals interested in a career in the operating room to apply for admission to the fall 2022 cohort. The application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Surgical technologists are an integral part of the surgical team, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses in caring for patients in the operating room. They ensure a safe operating environment, that equipment functions properly, and that operative procedures are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Blinns Surgical Technology Program is based at the RELLIS Academic Complex on the RELLIS Campus, which features state-of-the-art simulation labs and an innovative learning environment.

Surgical technologists support surgeons while ensuring a safe environment for the patients under their care, Program Director Linda Hill said. Our graduates are highly sought after by employers because their specialized training prepares them to embark on fulfilling careers as soon as they graduate.

Blinns rigorous two-year program combines lecture and laboratory classes as well as clinical observation and operating room experience at area hospitals. Graduates must complete more than 120 surgical cases across a variety of surgical specialties. This externship-like training provides students a direct link with area hospitals that include Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-College Station, CHI St. Joseph Hospital, the CHI St. Joseph Medical Center, The Physicians Centre Hospital, and St. Marks Medical Center-La Grange. Upon completion of the program, many Blinn graduates successfully obtain employment at many of the same facilities where they refined their skills.

According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase 7% between 2019 and 2029, creating 7,600 new jobs during that span. Nation-wide, the median wage is $49,710 per year. Texas has the nations highest demand for surgical technologists.

Surgical technologists often are employed at hospitals but can work in any setting that conducts surgical procedures, including doctors offices, day surgery facilities, and dental offices. Blinns Surgical Technology Program also can serve as a launching pad to other healthcare careers.

To learn more about the program and application requirements, visit http://www.blinn.edu/surgical-technology.

(Story courtesy Richard Bray, Blinn Information)

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BLINN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2022 ADMISSION TO SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - kwhi.com

Hosted at an unprecedented time due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Summer Olympics (branded as Tokyo 2020, held in 2021, and officially called Games of the XXXII Olympiad) will be remembered for not just the extraordinary performances of the athletes, but also for being one of the most technologically advanced Games ever hosted.

Cloud technology was used for the first time at the Olympics and, as a technologist, Im thrilled to see cloud technologies playing an instrumental role in driving the digital transformation of the Games. The cloud infrastructure enabled innovative technology applications, so the Games could successfully overcome many of the hurdles put in place by the pandemic while creating a new foundation for how the Olympic Gamesand other major sporting eventswill be broadcast, organized, and engage with fans in the future. Needless to say, we are already excited about the opportunities that cloud technology will unlock in future Olympiads.

By way of example of how cloud technology revolutionized Tokyo 2020, we should look at one of the most important componentsthe global broadcast community serving millions of viewers. The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) produced more than 9,500 hours of content during the Games, 30% more than during Rio 2016, and with some of the content in 8K for the first time. This year in Tokyo, when no spectators were allowed on-site, the role of broadcasters became even more essential for the Games and global fans.

By collaborating with OBS to support service delivery for rights-holding broadcasters (RHBs) for the very first time, a robust and secure cloud platform called OBS Cloud offered new models for content delivery to drive operational efficiency and greater agility. Operating entirely in the cloud and demonstrating the tremendous flexibility that the technology offers, OBS Cloud was designed to drive real transformation in the media industry and to prepare it for all the opportunities presented by the digital era.

With the pandemic preventing fans from attending the Games, it was imperative that broadcasters globally had access to high-quality content that could be distributed across multiple platforms to help share the drama and the emotion of the Games. To that end, during Tokyo 2020, up to 9,000 short-form content clips were produced by the OBS Content+ crew to help enhance RHB coverage. The clips could be accessed by the RHBs digital and social media teams from any location in the world to supplement their own Olympic coverage. This technology enabled broadcasters to cover the Games in a more cost-effective, secure, and flexible way, from any location in the world, ensuring a steady and consistent flow of broadcast content throughout the Games, much to the delight of millions of fans hungry for a slice of the action!

It is easy to understand why this broadcast development excited Yiannis Exarchos, the OBS chief executive officer. In his view, the partnership with Alibaba Cloud has transformed how the Olympic Games were broadcast to the widest possible audience. He reflected on it being the biggest technological change in the broadcasting industry for more than half a century since the introduction of satellite transmission. Thats a remarkable landmark, given that satellite transmission was introduced to Olympic broadcast coverage for the first time as far back as 1964.

Also used as part of post-production workflow, the OBS had used the Content+ platform for remote editing and standards conversion, a feature that will be extended as a service to the RHBs for future Olympics.

Of course,event organizers and working staff are central to the delivery of the Games, and Tokyo 2020 provided its own challenges for them due to the extreme summer heat. To illustrate the risks that Games workers faced, more than 8,000 people in Japan were taken to hospitals suffering from heatstroke symptoms between July 19 and 25 this year, while Tokyo 2020 officially kickstarted on July 23.

I believe technology can help respond effectively to critical situations like this. Thats why we introduced a cloud-based solution to help reduce the risk of getting heatstroke for the onsite working staff exposed to the weather. Through an intelligent in-ear device, the technology helped keep track of staffers body temperature and heart rate. Based on this information and the surrounding heat index (including temperature, humidity, and direct or radiant sunlight), a cloud-based system identified the level of heatstroke risk in real time. Alerts were then sent to staff exposed to a high level of risk, along with recommended precautionary measuressuch as drinking more waterto reduce the chances of getting heatstroke.

The innovation that was well-received by Hidemasa Nakamura, chief of the Main Operations Centre of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG). Perhaps even more importantly, it was well-received by Games workers; as it turned out, Tokyo 2020 was reported to be one of the hottest Olympic Games in history.

Regretfully, the pandemic prevented global fans from being present at the Games. But technology can always play a positive role in addressing challenges. Last year, we spent significant time working with TOCOG on a digital remote fan engagement program called Share the Passion. Leveraging the cloud and digital editing technology, this fantastic project encouraged sports fans globally to support their favorite teams and athletes on a more personal level, wherever the fan or the team is based. It took advantage of AI-powered technology to aggregate real-time videos uploaded by fans on social media platforms, and broadcast them in venues to deliver cheers, support, and motivation for the athletes. You can imagine the excitement that this innovative solution provided, while projecting high-energy, positive vibes among fans and athletes alike with the audiences cheers filling the arena.

Connection is irreplaceable, and Olympic Games are one of the best examples of connectivity between fans and athletes, different generations, and sports communities across borders. Holding true to this value, we created our first Cloud Pin, a cloud-based digital pin designed for broadcast and media professionals working relentlessly to cover the Games for all of us. The wearable digital device enables the contact-free exchange of information, and was designed to help media professionals working at the International Broadcasting Centre and Main Press Centre to connect with each other and exchange social media handles in a safe and interactive manner. Worn either as a badge or attached to a lanyard, it marries the convention of swapping contact details with real-time, cloud-based convenience.

Other exciting initiatives further encouraged fan and audience participation. For instance, the IOC launched The Olympic Store on Alibabas e-commerce platform Tmall. In addition to being a global store for fans seeking official Olympic-branded merchandise, it also acts as an information portal to help keep fans up to date with all the latest Olympic news and information. Its a place where retail and commerce merge to further delight sports fans, while taking the Games into a new era of fan participation.

Other beneficiaries of cloud technologyand many would say the most importantwere the athletes themselves, through a technology called 3D Athlete Tracking (3DAT).

In collaboration with Intel, 3DAT gives audiences professional insights into athletes' performance as it happens. Without the need for motion-tracking sensors, 3DAT leverages standard video, AI, and computer vision to extract over 20 points in 3D on the athlete's body, transforming those data into rich visualizations to enhance broadcasters storytelling for key events.

During our first Summer Olympics, we are pleased to have taken our sponsorship role to a new level that goes beyond the traditional commercial package. As an exclusive worldwide partner for cloud services, we are honored to provide a new cloud-based foundation for how the Games were broadcast and operated in many ways. Similarly, we believe that the cloud will play an important role in reshaping the experience of how major sporting events would be broadcast, organized, and shared with fans in the future. We are proud of the role we played in helping Tokyo 2020 to reshape the sports and broadcast industry in an unprecedented way. And we are not stopping there; Tokyo 2020 was just the start of the digitalization journey of the Olympic Games.

This content was produced by Alibaba Cloud. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

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Game changer: The first Olympic games in the cloud - MIT Technology Review