HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 8 June 2022 – The challenges of climate change and energy security have propelled Asian nations to increasingly embrace investment in renewable energy.
Advanced technology, investment incentives and readied capital have also helped renewable energy become one of the highest growth sectors with increasing deployment by businesses as they pursue a ‘green’ strategy. Another big question is whether consumers are ready?
These issues and more on renewable energy development in Asia will be highlighted at a webinar “Asia: Renewable Energy Continent” on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 2-4 pm Hanoi zone (7am GMT).
The event will open with a keynote address by H.E. Tran Hong Ha, Việt Nam’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
Việt Nam News in collaboration with The Statesman of India and Korea Herald, all of which are members of the Asia News Network, an alliance of 20 media in 19 Asian countries, are pleased to invite you to this landmark webinar.
Other speakers include Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B Grimm Power from Thailand; Mr. Hideki Minamikawa, President of Japan Environmental Sanitation Center; Mr. Frank Phuan, Business CEO of Sunseap Energy based in Singapore; Mr. Anil Sood, President, Chetna, India; and Mr. Phan Tan Canh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam.
The event will be moderated by Trong Kien Tran, News Editor at Vietnam News and Pana Janviroj, Editor, Asia News Network.
The webinar is free of charge.
For more information please contact Ms Cao Ly Ly at bizhub@vnsmail.com
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 June 2022 – GLy New Mobility Fund, a global mid-to-late-stage private equity fund backed by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, today announced that it has completed the investment in Vayyar Imaging, a leading 4D imaging radar-on-chip solution provider based in Israel. The US$108million round was led by Koch disruptive technology and joined by investors including Atreides Management, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, More VC, Regal Four, and Claltech.
Vayyar has developed the world’s most advanced 4D imaging radar solution which can see through walls and objects, map environments, and track movements in real-time, without invading one’s privacy. Initially developed to provide a more effective way for early-stage breast cancer detection, Vayyar’s chip solution has demonstrated its cost and performance capabilities and is now used in numerous sectors including automotive, smart home, elderly care, retail, security and medical.
“We couldn’t be happier with our participation in Vayyar’s journey. Their automotive offering is world class and their applicability and reach into other industry verticals, such as elderly care, smart home, retail, medical and other is impressive.”, said Hrvoje Krkalo, Co-CEO of GLy Capital.
“We are excited to have GLy Capital’s New Mobility Fund as shareholders and look forward to leveraging the GLy network for relevant opportunities for our business”, said Raviv Melamed, founder and CEO of Vayyar.
About GLy New Mobility Fund
The GLy New Mobility Fund is a global mid-to-late-stage private equity fund based in Hong Kong. Backed by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the fund invests into startups that disrupt the transportation industry. Key areas of focus are electrification, smart cars, smart cities, mobility as a service (MaaS), materials. The New Mobility Fund has invested in several mobility startups globally such as Polestar, ECARX, Freewire.
About GLy Capital Management Limited
GLy Capital Management Limited is a Hong Kong based investment management entity holding SFC type 1, 4 and 9 licenses. The Company is majority owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
#GLyCapitalManagementLimited
About Vayyar Imaging
Founded in 2011, Vayyar has created the world’s most advanced radar-on-chip platform to gather life essential data, providing solutions for automotive, smart home, elderly care, retail, security and medical and more, while maintaining privacy at all times.
Its state-of-the-art chip covers imaging and radar bands from 3-81Ghz, with up to 72 transceivers in each chip and an integrated high-performance DSP. Vayyar’s multi-antenna sensor produces unprecedented levels of accuracy, enabling high-resolution 4D point-cloud images. Vayyar’s sensors can work in any environmental condition, unaffected by line-of-sight, lighting or weather conditions. Vayyar’s mission is to deliver the next generation of sensing technology that is miniature, affordable, and versatile enough to impact everyone’s lives, enabling a safer world.
Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province is a popular destination for domestic tourists in Laos.
With international borders recently reopened, high-volume domestic destinations such as Vang Vieng, which received an influx of domestic tourists during the pandemic, have begun to struggle.
Singapore National Parks Board, Microsoft and Conservation International collaborate to create AI-powered mobile application that visually identifies shark and ray species
Sharks and rays are in rapid decline. This joint innovation aims to combat a key driver of this decline; illegal wildlife trade
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 June 2022 – The Singapore National Parks Board (NParks), Microsoft and Conservation International announced the launch of Fin Finder, Asia’s first mobile application that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to visually identify illegally traded shark and ray species.
Shark fin species detection by Fin Finder. The rapid identification of shark and ray species will help officers to quickly flag suspicious fin shipments for further DNA testing, and combat illegally traded shark and ray fins.
Photo by: Microsoft, Conservation International and the Singapore National Parks Board
Through the tripartite collaboration, the mobile app was created by a Singapore-led team from Conservation International in consultation with NParks with support from the Microsoft AI for Earth program. The app will be used by officers from the Singapore National Parks Board to combat illegal wildlife trade.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II[1], there are approximately 1,000 species of sharks and rays in the world, of which over 30 species are listed under CITES Appendix II for regulated trade. In Singapore, more than 160,000 kilograms of fins from CITES-listed sharks and rays have entered the borders between 2012 and 2020[2]. The current process requires officers to collect the fins from each shipment for DNA testing to determine its species. This takes an average of up to one week.
Fin Finder optimizes this process by allowing officers to take photos of fins that will be matched against a database of over 15,000 shark and ray fin images via an AI-driven algorithm in the app. In a matter of seconds, the AI-powered app which runs on Microsoft Azure will quickly and accurately provide a visual identification of shark and ray species onsite and empower officers to quickly flag suspicious fin shipments for further DNA testing to stop the illegal trade of shark and ray fins.
Dhanushri Munasinghe, Project Coordinator, Conservation International Singapore said, “Sharks and rays play an important role in maintaining marine ecosystems by keeping other fish populations in check. If stripped from our oceans, there would be dire consequences for ocean health, which would affect us, and our food security. As one of the world’s most significant transhipment hubs, Singapore is well positioned to combat illegal wildlife trade. Conservation International, supported by Microsoft and other partners, is excited to support Singapore and the Singapore National Parks Board’s leadership in conservation through the creation of Fin Finder”.
Dr Adrian Loo, Group Director of Wildlife Management, NParks, said: “When wildlife species are traded illegally, the consequences are far-reaching to many ecosystems, economies and communities around the world. By using advanced technology in the creation of Fin Finder, we can strengthen the enforcement against the illegal trade of sharks and ray species following CITES regulation, and boost Singapore’s capabilities in conserving precious biodiversity. The collaboration with Microsoft and Conservation International also reinforce the importance of collective efforts among the public and private sector in combating illegal wildlife trade.”
Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of CITES, said: “The first step in ensuring international trade complies with CITES regulations comes with the, sometimes difficult, process of identifying the species being traded. Fin Finder is a welcome and innovative addition in the identification of fins and will complement other tools such as iSharkFin. It will give customs and enforcement officers an easy-to-use tool that will contribute to an international trade in CITES-listed species that remains legal, traceable, and sustainable.”
Beyond identification of illegally traded shark and ray fins, officers from the Singapore National Parks Board will also use Fin Finder as a single-platform directory of relevant shark and ray species. The app also offers onsite access to reference materials that can be used for validation of CITES-approved permits or shipping documents. This feature is expected to reduce the time and effort spent to on shipment validation, enabling officers to help put a stop to illegal wildlife trade more quickly.
Fin Finder, a complex AI and cloud based mobile application that runs on Microsoft Azure, was created in just nine months to address a pressing need. The project was led by a Singapore-based team that was supported by a highly collaborative consortium of global experts in conservation and technology, with resources, data, and volunteer contributions from Microsoft, Conservation International, the Singapore National Parks Board, Sineurope Pte Ltd, Rumah Foundation, Coastal Natives and Wild Me.
Richard Koh, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Singapore, shared, “AI has the potential to solve critical environmental challenges. By taking AI tools out of the lab and putting it into the hands of experts in the field, we can accelerate new solutions for a better world. That’s why we are proud to support Fin Finder as it protects global shark and ray populations and preserves our ocean life. By conserving wildlife with help from technology, future generations can enjoy our natural world, as we empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
Fin Finder is a project in Microsoft AI for Earth, a global program that supports organizations applying responsible AI and cloud computing to address critical environmental issues. The program is part of Microsoft’s AI for Good initiative, which aims to solve the world’s most challenging problems, from climate change to agriculture, biodiversity and water. To date, AI for Earth has awarded 138 grants to people and businesses in more than 45 countries globally.
Notes to Editor: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that regulates the international trade of wild animals and plants to ensure that it does not threaten their survival.
[1] 39 CITES Appendix II, IUCN Shark Specialist Group News, Jan 2022 issue, pg. 16
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
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About the National Parks Board
The National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for enhancing and managing the urban ecosystems of our City in Nature. We are the lead agency for greenery, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife and animal health, welfare and management. We are also working closely with the community to enhance the quality of our living environment.
NParks manages some 400 parks, 3,347 hectares of nature reserves, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pulau Ubin and the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. Adding to this is the extensive network of Nature Ways, and the over 300 km Park Connector Network that links major parks, nature areas and residential estates island wide. Every year, we run over 3,500 educational and outreach programmes across our various green spaces.
NParks has developed an urban biodiversity conservation model, which aims to conserve representative ecosystems in land-scarce Singapore. NParks also monitors and coordinates measures to enhance the presence of biodiversity in our urban landscape.
NParks is working closely with partners in the landscape, horticulture, veterinary and animal sectors to increase productivity, and provide training for all levels of the workforce. Enhancing competencies of the industry will support Singapore’s vision of being a City in Nature.
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
Cellini announces the opening of its sixth outlet at The Centrepoint. Cellini’s new store will open its doors this June and will make its mark amongst other retail businesses in the iconic Orchard Road, Singapore. In addition to its furniture selection boasting exquisite craftsmanship and characteristic designs, the new boutique will offer up to 60% off storewide in celebration of the launch.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 June 2022 – With five stores already in operation across Singapore, Cellini has set its sights on The Centrepoint shopping mall. Set to open on June 11, 2022, the new location exemplifies the home-grown designer furniture brand’s drive to design and curate inspirational pieces for all modern homes. With a growing demand for proximity to quality home furnishings, Cellini’s third outlet in the city centre focuses on providing an engaging space for consumers to get the full experience of the brand’s quality craftsmanship, exclusive designs, and timeless furniture pieces. Combining the beauty of old traditions with innovation, the new store will feature a furniture gallery, a mattress boutique, dedicated service for exclusive products, and more.
Reaffirming its Commitment to Bring Quality Furniture
Evolving according to the needs of modern-day customers,Cellini plans to enhance retail experiences while retaining its signature convergence of old-world passion and craftsmanship with modern technology and design. Promising the same seamless shopping experience customers can enjoy both in-store and online, the new store will woo customers with its furniture gallery comprising contemporary furniture and a mattress boutique featuring plush mattresses under the Nightingale by Cellinicollection. Designed with a calming light wood interior and lime-washed walls, the 5,000 sqft store will also have furniture such as the Celadon Modular Fabric Sofa with Movable Side Desk and high-end premium quality mattresses like the Seville Lux taking centre stage.
Storewide Discounts, Cash Rebates & More
As part of Cellini’s opening offer, customers can enjoy special discounts, including up to 60% off all furniture. From a wide variety of sofas and recliners to mattresses and bed frames, customers can bring these visionary concepts to their own homes at affordable prices. Additional launch promotions include SGD500 off selected mattresses like the Seville Lux, cost savings of up to 20% for the customisable Essential and Elegant Home Packages, instant cash rebates of up to SGD250 with an SGD3000 minimum spend, and more. Customers can also leverage the 3-tiered cashback in combination with the all-in-one Home Packages, and pay for their purchases with affordable interest-free instalment plans to maximise savings.
Cellini’s new store is a testament to its commitment to being the ultimate go-to furniture brand. With five showrooms in Singapore now under its belt, this sixth store at The Centrepoint allows customers to experience the passion of this lifestyle label with ease.
About Cellini Singapore:
Cellini is a home-grown designer furniture brand in Singapore. Investing in state-of-the-art technology, Cellini’s furniture showrooms boast specially curated pieces that are second-to-none in terms of quality craftsmanship. It has also expanded its services to offer timeless furniture pieces across Asia, in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, in addition to making its mark as a successful e-commerce business. For more information, please visit: https://www.cellini.com.sg/.
NetApp announces new innovations for a simple, secure and flexible hybrid multicloud experience
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 June 2022 – NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced continued innovations and solutions to provide enterprises with more simplicity, more security and more flexibility for their hybrid multicloud environments.
These new capabilities include improved ransomware protection, hybrid cloud storage in a single subscription, unified management in a single user interface, and close collaboration with VMware to help transition workloads to the cloud.
As enterprises acquire public cloud services to augment their existing on-premises data centers, these combined infrastructures become more disparate, inconsistent and fragmented over time. These multicloud silos are inherently more complex to manage due to dealing with multiple disparate environments.
Today, NetApp is delivering a unified and consistent hybrid multicloud experience, allowing customers to run and manage a single platform that spans from on-premises to the world’s biggest public clouds.
“As organizations today explore the promise of hybrid multicloud environments, they are keen to avoid complexity, security, and cost efficiency challenges,” said Ronen Schwartz, senior vice president, Cloud Volumes Service at NetApp. “With NetApp’s simplified management and consumption experience, organizations can enjoy improved security, manageability, speed of operations, and cost savings – ultimately allowing them to be more responsive to the growing needs of their business by delivering capabilities faster, and keeping data available and protected no matter where it lives.”
Sanjay Rohatgi, senior vice president and general manager, NetApp Asia Pacific & Japan, said: “Today’s launch comprehensively addresses the challenges that organisations across Asia Pacific have been experiencing in the last two years – complexity of management, security risks, and cumbersome migration of workloads to the cloud. To that end, NetApp is working hand in glove with our partners to speed up the deployment of these solutions to deliver a unified and consistent hybrid multicloud experience for our customers.”
Simple, secure, and flexible enhancements to NetApp’s hybrid cloud portfolio include:
By delivering everything “as a service,” NetApp simplifies and optimizes hybrid cloud environments with new capabilities, including:
Hybrid cloud Storage-as-a-Service (STaaS) in a single, flexible subscription with Keystone. Organizations can flexibly move workloads to and from the cloud in a single contract.
In addition to managing and monitoring data storage, protection, governance and tiering across multicloud environments, Cloud Manager can now manage Keystone services, track software licenses, monitor infrastructure health and provide proactive recommendations that optimize costs and data protection with automated actions.
“Organizations today are looking for flexibility both on-premises as well as across cloud providers and are investing in as-a-service consumption models to help achieve this,” said Scott Sinclair, practice director at ESG. “NetApp’s approach with Keystone is targeted at that need; offering hybrid cloud simplicity and flexibility that allows users to accelerate their IT objectives with management, orchestration, and billing wrapped into a single subscription and experience. Keystone’s transferable subscription model also supports future cloud migration planning to any major cloud provider, with enterprise-level storage capability and integrated data protection.”
Cyber Resilience for Today’s Hybrid Cloud – The rise of ransomware over the past few years is a growing problem for enterprises. IDC’s 2021 Ransomware Study: Where You Are Matters![1] found that more than one third of organizations worldwide have experienced a ransomware attack or breach that blocked access to systems or data in the 12 months prior.
With NetApp’s new, powerful, built-in cyber resilience capabilities that include anti-ransomware, data protection and security – organizations can mitigate unauthorized user access and threats to data from ransomware attacks. Customers can protect a multitude of workloads, enterprise apps, virtualized workloads and modern containerized applications against security breaches, quickly detect attacks and rapidly recover data before experiencing any impact to operations.
Accelerating Enterprise Cloud Transformation – NetApp is empowering customers to “modernize to the cloud” using a supplemental datastore for data-intensive, storage demanding workloads running in a single or across multicloud environments. NetApp is the only cloud storage service provider today to be certified and become supported for use as an external supplemental datastore for VMware Cloud environments running in the largest public clouds.
“Organizations across all industries rely on the combination of VMware and NetApp as the platform of choice for delivering business-critical workloads,” said Narayan Bharadwaj, vice president of Cloud Solutions at VMware. “NetApp is now able to deliver the same levels of enterprise-class data management that our mutual customers have enjoyed for decades on-premises to workloads running in any of the major public clouds.”
NetApp is a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company that empowers organizations to lead with data in the age of accelerated digital transformation. The company provides systems, software and cloud services that enable them to run their applications optimally from data center to cloud, whether they are developing in the cloud, moving to the cloud, or creating their own cloudlike experiences on premises. With solutions that perform across diverse environments, NetApp helps organizations build their own data fabric and securely deliver the right data, services and applications to the right people—anytime, anywhere. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.