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

Award recognizes Acrow’s continued growth in international markets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8853202

Getinge Selects Anaqua to Provide Single, Centralized IP Management Platform

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

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

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

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

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

About Getinge

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

About Anaqua

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

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

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852728

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

Ai-Media at BroadcastAsia 2023 in Singapore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Ai-Media

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

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

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852879

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

Figure 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Road to Autonomy - Executive Summary

About VERSES

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

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

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

On Behalf of the Company 

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

Media and Investor Relations Inquiries 

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

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

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852483

Barchok Raises Concern Over Resurgence Of Banned Plastic Bags

Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok has raised concern over the resurgence of banned plastic bags in counties near the Lake Victoria region.

Barchok, who is the Chairman for Environment Committee in the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB), said there was rampant use of clear plastics for packaging meat and groceries in the region prompting environmental concern.

The Governor was speaking at Silibwet grounds during the marking of World Environmental Day which was attended by the 14 LREB counties.

‘We have to put good use of plastics so as to curb environmental degradation. Plastics can also be used in an environmentally friendly way,’ said Barchok.

‘By planting trees as we have done, we are putting in place one of the interventions to address the negative effects of climate change,’ he said.

Citing the recent drought that he termed as the worst in recent years, Barchok said if no stringent interventions were put in place, the situation may further escalate.

He said climate change, which resulted from human activities, has not only meted adverse effects on humans only but also wildlife.

He cited the recent spate of wildlife, getting out of their natural habitat such as Maasai Mara game reserve, in search of water and food.

‘Mother nature can be unforgiving, that is why we take care of our ecosystem within our localities,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenyans Discouraged Using Plastics In Food Packaging

plastic materials poses health risk to consumers as plastics produce toxic chemicals when exposed to high temperatures.

The Kericho law courts chief magistrate Mr. Charles Obulutsa said that plastic materials when exposed to food under high temperatures produces toxic substances which are harmful to human beings.

He was speaking during the World Environment Day held at Litein high school in Kericho County whose theme was based on the ‘Solutions to plastic pollution.’

Mr. Obulutsa who represented Kericho High Court Judge-Justice Sergon at the function noted that since being posted to Kericho as the chief magistrate, not a single case of plastic has been brought before the court.

He urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and security agencies to decisively act on illegal suppliers of single use plastics which were rampant in Litein town, Kericho and other urban centres in Kericho.

Mr. Obolutsa suspected that the single use plastics which was popular among grocery and other small business traders in packaging food products for their customers were emanating from a neighbouring country.

He maintained that it was the responsibility of all Kenyans to follow the law in regard to environmental protection which involves among others avoiding the use of plastic materials in packaging their food.

He said that according to the law, it is an offense to use plastics in packaging food and those found guilty in using or supplying the banned plastics risked being fined Sh4 million or 2 years imprisonment.

Speaking at the same function, Kericho NEMA officer Mr. Moses Morindat issued a stern warning against the illegal suppliers and users of single use plastic materials in Kericho that their days were numbered and those who will be found will be arrested and prosecuted.

Other speakers at the function who included the Director of Litein Mission Hospital, Dr. Elijah Terer appealed to Kenyans to develop a positive attitude towards plastic waste management by collecting all plastics within their compounds.

Dr. Terer said in a move to conserving and protecting the environment, Litein hospital had acquired a modern exhauster to aid in emptying of full septic tanks and latrines in the community to avoid contamination of water sources especially during rainy seasons

Source: Kenya News Agency

Barchok Rolls Out Alternative Income-Sources To Curb Illicit Brews

Bomet Governor, Prof. Hillary Barchok, has raised concerns over drug and alcohol abuse among the county’s residents.

Barchok said there has been increased drinking and abuse of drugs, especially bhang, among the youths.

He said the trend threatened the future of young people, while endangering the social fabric through moral decay.

Concerned with the threat, the governor said his administration has put in place measures to provide alternative sources of income to the youth and women, who have cited lack of employment as the reason why the youth drink and why women engage in the brewing and selling of illicit brews.

He said the County Government had revamped Vocational Training Colleges, in order to provide the youths with various technical skills that would enable them to start their own businesses and projects at the village level.

Barchok said his Administration has rolled out ‘mama na kuku’ program that donates ‘kienyeji’ chicken to women’s groups, as a head start to setting up their own poultry farms.

‘We are also reviewing modalities on how we are going to issue operating licenses to alcohol outlets, in a bid to reduce the number of bars and wine and spirits shops in the county,’ he said.

Barchok further urged the security agencies and the National Government Administration to work with the judiciary so that offenders were convicted.

Source: Kenya News Agency

New OCS To Combat Nakuru Gangs

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara has assured the residents of Nakuru of their security following a spate of stabbings and armed robberies in the Rhonda and Kaptembwa areas.

Kibaara, who regretted that three people had been killed as a result of the resurgent criminal gangs, said that major reshuffles had been done among the security agents in the area to contain the situation.

Already, 302 young men had been arrested and arraigned before the Nakuru Magistrate Court, with the county commissioner decrying lenient fines and sentences that continued to water down their efforts.

‘Despite the lenient fines, we will not condone regrouping and harassment of the residents. It is not going to be business as usual, and the gangs should either change their ways or leave the area.

‘A new OCS has been posted to Rhonda police station, and we are pursuing to have a change of police officers who have overstayed in the area and are abating crimes,’ he noted, adding that the Nyumba Kumi Clusters will be revitalized to enhance security.

He regretted that the infamous Confirmed, TZ, Mungiki, and Mauki groups had surged with a mop-up in Nakuru North and Nakuru East Sub-Counties, driving them to Nakuru West.

‘Young men between 18 and 25 years old are joining these groups, and most of them are engaged in gambling, boda boda, touting, and taxi businesses. They have been extorting money for the residents, with those resisting being stabbed,’ noted the county commissioner, putting on notice politicians said to be having a hand in the crimes.

County Police Commander Zachary Kimani, while drawing attention to Ponda Mali, Nakuru West, and the Free Area, noted that more arrests had been made last night, with the gang members being found armed with kitchen knives and Somali swords.

‘Our officers know the criminals, and the more they have stayed in the area, the more likely they are to abate these crimes,’ said Kimani.

He accused the media of exaggerating crime reports and causing unnecessary tension, urging the residents to use anonymous means to tip the police as part of concerted efforts against the crimes.

Cases of stabbings and killings have in the recent past been reported, with members of the Mauki gang group said to be in revenge mode following the killing of their leader last week.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Meru Huduma Centre To Start Offering KASNEB Services

Meru Huduma Centre is among the centers in Kenya that will benefit from additional public service delivery through the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB).

KASNEB is the body responsible for preparing and administering examinations for diplomas and professional certificates in secretarial courses.

Speaking to KNA, Meru Huduma Centre Manager Mr Peter Mutiso said the service will be a game changer for those who had to travel long distances to have their issues addressed.

He further said that the staff who will be delivering the services at the premise had already been identified and were ready for the job.

He said that the first meeting had already been held with the expected staff members to discuss some logistics pertaining to the delivery of the service.

‘We are expecting the deployment of the staff members in two weeks’ time,’ Mr Mutiso said.

He said that services such as inquiry, registration, and administration of examinations are among the services that would be offered at the facility.

Mr Mutiso added that the examinations will be administered in the months of June and December every year.

‘We will be able to tell the charges when the service delivery starts officially and the body brings their service charter,’ he said.

He also reminded the residents that the centre is usually open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and that they should take advantage of the time extension to have their issues addressed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

School Leaver Slapped With Life Imprisonment For Defiling Minor

A Kangema court sentenced a 20-year-old young man to life imprisonment Monday after he was found guilty of defiling an 11-year-old girl.

Dancan Thiongo Kariuki was slapped with the sentence by Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Kiama after the court proved he defiled the grade 6 pupil several times on diverse dates between January and June 13, 2022, at Nyakahura Sub location in Kangema Sub County.

In her testimony, the girl testified that the accused used to visit their home, where she stayed with her grandmother and uncle.

She noted Kariuki was a friend to her uncle whom they schooled together in a local secondary school.

The court heard that during the period of committing the offense, the accused was a form four student.

The pupil informed the court that the accused started to seduce her in January 2022 and forced her to watch pornographic videos once he visited their home.

‘In June 13, 2022, I was with my aunt, who had visited us. We went to give our goats water, when my aunt left me behind and went back in the house, the accused came and found me, forced me to lie down, and then defiled me near the goats’ den,’ the girl narrated before the court.

The pupil added that it did not stop there, as Kariuki defiled her several times on different dates. ‘The other times he used the house of my uncle to defile me,’ she claimed.

The girl said she was forced to inform her school friend who advised her to tell their class teacher.

The court heard, the teacher called and informed their grandmother and the girl’s mother who works in Nairobi.

The girl was taken for medical examination at Kangema hospital and was given some medications to prevent her from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

The medical report tabled before the court revealed the girl was defiled, but tests for venereal diseases and pregnancy were negative.

In his defense, Kariuki said on the mentioned dates he was in school, thus the family of the girl was lying about the defilement incidents.

He claimed the girl mistook him with another person, claims which were dismissed by the court saying he was positively identified and he was a neighbour to the girl’s home.

He told the court that after clearing secondary education, he was preparing to join college by mid this year.

Delivering the judgement, the magistrate rejected the accused’s defense in totality saying it does not tilt the prosecution’s facts.

Kariuki was given 14 days to appeal if not satisfied with the judgment.

Source: Kenya News Agency