Month: December 2021

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General Fusion closing oversubscribed $130 million transitional financing round

Fueled by a new investor syndicate, Series E is supporting aggressive commercialization

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — General Fusion announced today it is closing an oversubscribed $130 million (USD) Series E funding round filled by a new syndicate of global investors. This financing, led by Temasek, significantly expands the company’s portfolio of institutional, sovereign, family office, and high net worth investors, providing the prelude to a large financing round being prepared for 2022. Combined with broad financial support from the Canadian, U.K., and U.S. governments, the General Fusion Series E round supports aggressive pursuit of several near-term initiatives and milestones in its program to commercialize Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF).

In addition to a portfolio of important individual investors, which includes Jeff Bezos, Tobias Lütke, and Kam Ghaffarian, Series E brings a new syndicate of major institutional and family office investors to General Fusion. These anchoring investors include Temasek, GIC, the Jameel Investment Management Company (JIMCO), and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), as well as broader participation from other capital market segments represented by investors such as a large U.S. state pension plan and the hedge fund firm Segra Capital.

“Segra Capital believes General Fusion is best positioned among its peer group to deliver fusion at a commercial scale in the near term,” said Adam Rodman, Founder and CIO, Segra Capital. “While Segra Capital has traditionally invested primarily in public markets, this compelling opportunity resonated with our core ESG and cleantech-focused partners, so we are excited to participate in this Series E financing and look forward to supporting the company in the future.”

“General Fusion’s drive to shape the market for clean fusion energy is just one of the many reasons why JIMCO is investing in its commercialization program,” said Fady Jameel, a member of the Jameel Family’s Investment Supervisory Board. “The global energy sector is undergoing tremendous change to secure a cleaner future for all, which JIMCO is passionate about and ready to support through investments like the one in General Fusion.”

“With our 75-year history of investing in companies positively shaping the future of the core industries, we believe General Fusion’s global, technologically-advanced solution to commercial fusion energy make them a leader in this growing industry.”

“Collectively, the expansion of General Fusion’s investor base in this Series E financing provides a strong foundation for a larger financing next year,” said Greg Twinney, CFO, General Fusion. “From our technology’s inception, we have had a laser focus on cultivating customers and creating a practical, clean energy solution that meets their needs. This approach resonates with investors looking to make an impact in the global energy transition.”

With substantial capital support from both private and government sources, General Fusion has aggressively pursued deployment of its power-plant scale Fusion Demonstration Plant located at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Centre for Fusion Energy near London. The company has also accelerated MTF technology development activities associated with its new Vancouver headquarters and opened a new facility adjacent to Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S. Furthermore, General Fusion has created a Market Development Advisory Committee (MDAC) focused exclusively on fusion. The company’s MDAC is currently comprised of nine leading energy companies and clean energy users representing critical markets for fusion’s carbon-free, on-demand power.

“General Fusion’s unique global presence, with facilities in three countries, allows us to be much more ambitious in pushing toward commercialization,” said Christofer Mowry, CEO, General Fusion. “Our broad network of national laboratory and industrial partners, together with our advisory council of energy market end-users, positions General Fusion well to help the world achieve its net-zero carbon goals.”

General Fusion interacted with, and appreciated the support of, several firms during the Series E financing process, including VAHOCA, based in Singapore, and Disruptive Technology Advisers LLC.

About General Fusion
General Fusion is pursuing the fastest and most practical path to commercial fusion energy and is based in Vancouver, Canada, with locations in London, U.K., and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. The company was established in 2002 and is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com.

General Fusion Media Relations
Email: media@generalfusion.com
Phone: 1-866-904-0995

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สายการบินเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์เริ่มให้บริการเที่ยวบินตรงไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกาได้อย่างต่อเนื่องแล้ว

นครโฮจิมินห์ เวียดนาม , Dec. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — สายการบินเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์ (Vietnam Airlines) ผู้ให้บริการสายการบินที่เติบโตเร็วที่สุดในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ ได้ประกาศความสำเร็จในวันนี้ว่าสามารถให้บริการเที่ยวบินตรงไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกาครั้งแรกได้แล้ว ถือเป็นอีกหนึ่งการบรรลุเป้าหมายการพัฒนาที่สำคัญในการเป็นผู้ให้บริการเที่ยวบินชั้นนำในเวียดนามเที่ยวบินปฐมฤกษ์ No.VN98 จากนครโฮจิมินห์ไปยังซานฟรานซิสโก จุผู้โดยสารในโบอิ้ง 787-9 ดรีมไลเนอร์ ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในเครื่องบินที่มีเทคโนโลยีขั้นสูงล่าสุดของกลุ่มเครื่องบินในสายการบินเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์

เที่ยวบินที่จะถูกจารึกไว้เป็นประวัติศาสตร์นี้ชี้ให้เห็นถึงการพัฒนาที่สำคัญของระบบการบินในเวียดนาม และสายการบินเวียนดนามแอร์ไลน์เป็นสายการบินแรกของประเทศที่สามารถให้บริการเที่ยวบินตรงไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกาอย่างต่อเนื่องได้แล้ว

ทั้งนี้ เวียดนามแอร์ไลน์ใช้ความพยายามมาตลอด 20 ปีตั้งแต่ก่อตั้ง เพื่อจัดตั้งสำนักงานตัวแทนสายการบินในซานฟรานซิสโก เพื่อวางรากฐานการให้บริการเที่ยวบินตรงระหว่างสองประเทศ

“เวียดนามแอร์ไลน์ภาคภูมิใจมากที่เป็นสายการบินแรกของประเทศที่ให้บริการเที่ยวบินเช่าเหมาลำไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกามาเป็นเวลาปีกว่าแล้ว เพื่อต้อนรับเพื่อนร่วมชาติกลับสู่บ้านเกิด วันนี้เรายินดีที่จะประกาศความสำเร็จของการให้บริการเที่ยวบินตรงประจำไปยังสหรัฐอเมริกาเป็นครั้งแรก เป็นการบรรลุเป้าหมายใหม่อีกขั้นสำหรับเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์และระบบขนส่งทางอากาศของเวียดนาม” Le Hong Ha ประธานและซีอีโอสายการบินเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์กล่าว

“เราได้รับเกียรติเป็นสนามบินแห่งแรกในสหรัฐอเมริกาที่ให้บริการเที่ยวบินประจำมายังเวียดนามแบบไม่พักเครื่อง เราภูมิใจที่ได้มอบประสบการณ์ชั้นนำระดับโลกด้วยการส่งตรงผู้โดยสารถึงพื้นที่อ่าวซานฟรานซิสโกอย่างราบรื่น และดีใจอย่างยิ่งที่เวียดนามแอร์ไลน์ได้ปักหมุดที่ซานฟรานซิสโกเป็นปลายทางแรกของสหรัฐอเมริกา” Ivar C. Satero ผู้อำนวยการสนามบินซานฟรานซิสโกกล่าว

เบื้องต้นเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์จะให้บริการ 2 เที่ยวบินต่อสัปดาห์บินจากนครโฮจิมินห์ไปยังซานฟรานซิสโกด้วยเครื่องบินโบอิ้ง 787 และแอร์บัส A350 ซึ่งเป็นสองเครื่องบินที่มีลำกว้างและทันสมัยที่สุด

สายการบินตั้งเป้าจะเพิ่มการให้บริการเป็น 7 เที่ยวบินต่อสัปดาห์หลังสามารถควบคุมการแพร่ระบาดของโควิด-19 ได้ และวางแผนจะเปิดเส้นทางใหม่เพื่อให้บริการระหว่างลอสแอนเจลิส ฮานอย และนครโฮจิมินห์

เกี่ยวกับสายการบินเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์

เวียดนามแอร์ไลน์ สมาชิกพันธมิตรสายการบิน SkyTeam ผู้ให้บริการเที่ยวบินชั้นนำของเวียดนามและผู้ให้บริการเที่ยวบินรายใหญ่ในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ ให้บริการเที่ยวบินใน 95 เส้นทาง 22 ปลายทางในประเทศ และ 29 ปลายทางต่างประเทศ มีเที่ยวบินเฉลี่ย 400 เที่ยวบินต่อวัน Skytrax ซึ่งเป็นสายการบินชั้นนำของโลกและองค์กรผู้ให้คะแนนสนามบิน ได้จัดอันดับเวียดนามแอร์ไลน์เป็นสายการบินระดับ 4 ดาวติดต่อกันสี่ปีซ้อน

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7591ba77-2286-479a-bb64-b43fe983f5ac

public-relations@vietnamairlines.com
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GA-ASI Completes Series of System Level Tests for Protector

Full-Scale Static, High-Intensity Radiated Frequency and Environmental Testing Complete for new RPA

Featured Image for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

Featured Image for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully completed key system-level tests for the new Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The Protector is the U.K. Royal Air Force’s version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, which is GA-ASI’s latest model of RPA and is on track to become the world’s first certified Medium-altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) RPA. The first Protector is expected to complete its test and evaluation program late 2022 and arrive in the U.K. in 2023.

The recently completed tests include Full-Scale Static Strength, High-Intensity Radiated Frequency (HIRF) and Environmental Testing. Most of the tests were performed by GA-ASI using internal research and development funding with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and U.S. Air Force supporting key elements of the HIRF testing.

“It’s exciting to see the progress of the Protector Programme,” said RAF Group Captain Shaun Gee, Director Air ISTAR Programmes (RPAS and TacISR), and SRO Shadow Programme. “GA-ASI has provided support, not only in the testing of the aircraft, but in developing this game-changing RPA platform. GA-ASI provided a company MQ-9B over this past summer and operated it from RAF bases in the U.K. to help us get acquainted with its operational capabilities ahead of the first delivery of Protector.”

The Full-Scale Static (FSS) test included multiple stress tests where the full fuselage, wings, tails and landing gear were tested to 150% of the highest operational loads. FSS tests the strength of all the major structures in the aircraft, verifying its safety and reliability when operated at maximum airspeeds and G-loads. This is key to demonstrating the aircraft’s airworthiness, which will enable Protector to fly in all classes of U.K. and international airspace.

Environmental Testing took place at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base and featured a variety of tests, such as extreme cold temperature (to -33 degrees Celsius), in-flight ice, supercooled fog, in-flight rain, high humidity, and high temperature with solar load.

High-Intensity Radiated Frequency testing occurred at the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Test Facility at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River where the system was subjected to high-intensity electromagnetic radiation across the full operational electromagnetic spectrum. The test program also included the Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation on Ordnance (HERO) testing for the Protector weapons load-out.

“These critical system-level tests prove the safety and reliability of our aircraft to operate in extreme climates and electromagnetic environments,” said Chris Dusseault, Senior Director for the Protector RPAS at GA-ASI. “We’re proud to see the design concepts of MQ-9B be proven in operational environments bringing the Protector system one step closer to fielding with our RAF partner.”

About GA-ASI

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

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

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

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Gov’t to distribute set-top boxes before analog switch-off

The government will distribute set-top box units to eligible recipients before the final phase of the analog television switch-off commences in November 2022, an official has informed.

“We hope 6.8 million set-top box units could be distributed to low-income residents who still use tube television sets before November 2, 2022,” the Communication and Informatics Minister’s expert staff for legal affairs, Henri Subiakto, stated on Wednesday.

The government had earlier planned to commence the distribution process in mid-2021, but due to the analog switch-off delay, it will commence the distribution process and reschedule the timetable based on the new switch-off phasing date, he informed.

The first phase of the switch-off has now been rescheduled for April 30, 2022, while the second phase will be conducted at the end of August 2022, and the third phase is expected to start by November 2022, he said.

The set-top boxes will be distributed to low-income residents who cannot afford to purchase digital television sets and whose names are included in the Social Affairs Ministry’s benefit recipients database.

Only Indonesians with a verified personal ID card who are living within areas covered by terrestrial television broadcast and owning analog television sets are eligible to get the set-top box units, the expert staff stated.

He admitted the set-top box distribution would be complex as the authorities will need to verify each family and the television units owned by it.

The government has currently conceived several methods for a feasible set-top box distribution process, including providing a centralized pick-up point at local government or post offices and direct distribution to recipients’ homes, he said.

The authorities have suggested that residents owning a tube television unit who are not included in the set-top box benefit recipients’ list purchase a set-top box unit certified by the national standard, he added.

Residents who own a digital television set do not need to purchase a set-top box, as their television is capable of receiving digital signals, he said.

Source: Antara News

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Proper planning can optimize disaster mitigation: BNPB

Proper planning can help optimize and bolster disaster mitigation, the primary secretary of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said in a written statement posted on BNPB’s official website on Tuesday evening.

“In order to realize this, formulating quality and directed planning is necessary to resolve dynamic environmental challenges,” he said.

Disaster mitigation planning should be done in accordance with the conditions in each region by evaluating previous activities, with the aim to reduce disaster risk, he said.

“Provincial, district, city, regional disaster mitigation agencies (BPBD) should evaluate their implemented policies in order to know whether they are accurate, should they be continued, or should they be revised,” he elaborated.

The current priority in disaster mitigation is reducing the risk of a disaster since that can greatly affect material loss and loss of life, he said during the BNPB-BPBD’s Technical Coordination Meeting in Surabaya, East Java.

“Reducing the risk of disasters, or pre-disasters activities, is a form of investment. We would not lose anything despite the fact that we spend a lot,” he said.

Many studies indicate that US$1 spent on reducing disaster risk can save US$7, Kurniawan highlighted.

The Technical Coordination Meeting on disaster mitigation planning is being held from November 29 to December 3, 2021, to discuss regional activities planning in 2023.

The meeting will feature speakers from the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Domestic affairs.

It will also host speakers from BPBD and regional government organizations from provinces in the eastern region: North Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Gorontalo, North Maluku, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.

Source: Antara News

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Maritime Minister inaugurates monitoring ship of Sawu National Park

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono inaugurated the monitoring ship of the Center of National Waters Conservation Area (BKKPN) of Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, on Wednesday.

The 11-gigaton (GT) vessel will be used to monitor the preservation of the ecosystem at the Sawu Sea National Park.

“Please continue to maintain the area. If more people come (to exploit it), then the ecosystem can be damaged,” Trenggono noted at the Tenau Kupang Port, Kupang City, NTT Province.

The ship — with speeds reaching up to 31 knots — will also survey the protected marine biota in the area and their habitats as well as the coastal ecosystems.

In addition, it is used to monitor the suitability and zoning of the biota’s habitat as well as to quickly handle stranded sea animals.

The vessel — capable of carrying 12 people — is named Balaenoptera, derived from the scientific name for blue whale since the sea mammal is the icon of the national park.

Thus, it will also oversee the implementation of blue whale tourism at the Sawu Sea National Park.

The area was determined to be a national park on January 28, 2014, through Ministerial Decree of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Number 5 of 2014.

It occupies an area of 3.35 million hectares, spanning 10 districts in NTT Province.

Meanwhile, apart from the blue whales, the main conservation targets in the area comprise turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, coral reefs, and seagrasses.

Head of BKKPN of Kupang City Imam Fauzi affirmed that the Balaenoptera Ship will further optimize the monitoring of marine ecosystems in the center’s working area.

“We are striving to maintain the sustainability of ecosystems in Sawu Sea in accordance with the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s vision of implementing the blue economy,” he added.

Source: Antara News

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Indonesia, explore Seychelles blue economy collaboration

Indonesia and the Republic of Seychelles are exploring opportunities for strategic cooperation and investment based on the blue economy, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has informed.

“I appreciate the Seychelles government’s support and cooperation, which encourages public interest and participation in efforts to accelerate a more inclusive, sustainable economic transformation and strategic partnerships in exploring pilot activities or other investments based on the blue economy,” Trenggono said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday.

As a blue economy pioneer country, Seychelles, through its sovereign blue bond program, has realized the fishery potential of an area can be a guarantee for investors, especially for the development of marine tourism, he noted.

The Indonesian government, especially KKP, which manages marine areas, continues to strive to achieve ecological and economic balance as well as technological innovation by applying the blue economy concept, he remarked.

“We have carried out various breakthrough programs by applying the blue economy principle, namely the implementation of measurable fishing for ecological sustainability, increasing fishermen’s welfare and also increasing non-tax revenue; developing the cultivation of four leading commodities in the global market, namely shrimp, lobster, crab, and seaweed; as well as the development of aquaculture villages based on local wisdom in freshwaters, brackish waters, and the sea,” he explained.

According to the minister, in addition to supporting national food security, the programs will have a multiplier effect on national development.

The policy is also expected to encourage investment opportunities in primary and secondary activities, one of which is managing marine tourism by not forgetting the importance of preserving the ecology, he said.

One of the cooperative efforts by Indonesia and Seychelles was the ‘Indonesia-Seychelles Blue Economy Workshop: Opportunities for Collaboration and Investment’, held at the KKP Headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday (November 30, 2021).

According to the Special Envoy of the President of Seychelles to ASEAN, Nico Barito, as an archipelagic country, Seychelles pays very serious attention to the issue of saving the environment, especially marine resources.

Therefore, he proposed bilateral collaboration in the marine sector, especially in small islands and sustainable marine tourism, responsible fisheries, conservation, and monitoring of biodiversity and islands to achieve economic growth as well as environmental preservation.

“In building a blue economy, we are focusing on quality over quantity. As in tourism development, it is necessary to apply the concept of development that can minimize its negative impact, namely through the concept of sustainable tourism. Communities, tourists, and host communities as well as local governments must practice the concept of sustainability. In the fishing zone, it is also necessary to set a quota of fish that can be caught for industry, traditional fishermen, and quotas for hobbies and tourism to avoid overfishing,” he informed.

He also expressed the wish for collaboration in investment related to Seychelles’ best practices in the blue economy and the preparation of policy recommendations to achieve blue economy coherence; exploration of facilities and infrastructure in setting priorities for coastal management, including monitoring, research, coastal protection, and risk-based spatial planning; as well as increasing the capacity of marine and fisheries human resources.

Meanwhile, Indonesia proposed cooperation in the development of tourism destinations such as Maratua Island in Kalimantan and other potential locations through the expansion of world-class international hotel networks; active synergy in attracting foreign investment through guaranteed Indonesian marine wealth (Blue Bonds) as an effort to build a sustainable Indonesian marine and fisheries sector; develop marine and fisheries human resources; as well as benchmark the development of marine tourism with the development of marine tourism training modules at Indonesian tourist sites.

Seychelles was the first country to launch sovereign blue bonds on the sidelines of the Our Ocean Conference on October 28, 2018, in Bali.

The export value of Indonesian fishery products to Seychelles in 2020 was recorded at US$546,428 an increase of about 733 percent from the previous year when it was pegged at US$74,449.

Source: Antara News

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BRIN creates food product to prevent stunting in Indonesia

The National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN’s) Technology Review and Application Research Organization (OR PPT) has created a food product in the form of a meat floss that could prevent stunting in Indonesia, the agency’s official revealed.

“This contains vitamins that are able to increase iron that can be used to prevent stunting for teenagers,” BRIN’s official, Soni Solistia Wirawan, noted at the Health and Food Research and Innovation 2021 webinar here on Wednesday.

Stunting is impaired growth in children, specifically of the body and brain, owing to the lack of nutrition for a prolonged period of time.

Children suffering from stunting usually have a shorter body posture as compared to those with normal growth.

Stunting could occur when pregnant mothers suffer from anemia that is attributed to nutritional deficiency.

According to data from the Basic Health Research 2018, some 27.2 percent of women suffer from anemia.

If a pregnant woman experiences anemia for a long period of time, it could affect the fetus and the child could be born with stunting.

To this end, iron intake through the consumption of meat floss could prevent anemia that in turn could avert stunting in babies.

Iron is crucial for the production red blood cells in the body. Adequate intake of iron is expected to prevent anemia.

The meat floss of Purula brand could serve as a food supplement akin to furikake in Japan, Wirawan noted.

The meat floss was created with various flavors, such as beef, which can be adjusted to match the consumers’ taste, and it could also be consumed as it is with a hot rice.

Stunting remains a prevalent issue that the Indonesian government is keen to immediately address in order to support the birth of a productive and quality future generation.

According to data from the Indonesian Children Nutritional Status Survey (SSGBI) 2019, the number of cases of stunting in Indonesia had reached 27.7 percent.

Source: Antara News

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