November 2, 2022

ACAMS Africa Conference Spotlights Rising Threats and Recommended Best Practices for AFC Professionals

Subject-matter experts from the Egmont Group, GIABA, OFAC, and other organizations to address evolving AML and sanctions expectations for financial institutions

MIAMI, Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of its efforts to support anti-money laundering (AML) professionals and strengthen financial inclusion around the world, ACAMS will host a virtual training and networking event for its 5^th Annual AML & Anti-Financial Crime Conference – Africa. On November 7^th, high-level anti-financial crime (AFC) experts from the Egmont Group, Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), U.S. Treasury Department, Compliance Institute Nigeria, and many of the region’s largest banks, FinTech firms, crypto-asset platforms and other institutions will outline the latest AML and sanctions guidance for compliance professionals working in the region.

The conference will also feature keynote remarks from sanctions compliance officers at the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and a special presentation and Q&A with Edwin W. Harris Jr., GIABA’s newly appointed Director General.

In addition to taking part in informal networking and professional-development sessions, attendees will learn strategies to strengthen collaboration among AFC stakeholders in the public and private sectors, manage risks associated with designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), enhance cyber-hygiene and security for remote workers, and improve financial inclusion through technological solutions designed to mitigate Know Your Customer challenges, among other recommended compliance steps.

“With the Financial Action Task Force calling for more effective compliance and the Russian invasion of Ukraine driving a rise in AML and sanctions risks around the world, it’s more important than ever that financial institutions in Africa stay apprised of emerging threats and the latest best practices to shield themselves from criminal abuse,” said ACAMS CEO Scott Liles. “That’s why the ACAMS Africa Conference is designed to give attendees a platform to pose their most pressing compliance questions to the region’s most knowledgeable experts.”

“Whether you’re looking to more effectively monitor for signs of sanctions evasion, build an alliance between a brick-and-mortar bank and a FinTech company, or incorporate ESG controls into your AML frameworks, this event promises to deliver practical advice that can help shield your institution from monetary penalties and reputational harm,” he said.

Participants in the ACAMS Africa Conference will be able to livestream the event or view it on-demand for a 90-day period. Find out more about the conference here.

About ACAMS®

ACAMS is the largest international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime (AFC) education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 100,000 members across 180 jurisdictions, ACAMS is committed to the mission of ending financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, ESG initiatives, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The association’s CAMS certification is the gold- standard qualification for AFC professionals, while the CGSS certification is its premier specialist qualification for sanctions professionals. ACAMS’ 60 Chapters globally further amplify the association’s mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.

Lashvinder Kaur
ACAMS
+44 7388 264478
lkaur@acams.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8687702

November 2, 2022

Hisense lance de nouvelles barres de son et de nouveaux haut-parleurs en Afrique du Sud, pour une expérience d’écoute d’un niveau supérieur

CAPE TOWN, Afrique du Sud, 2 novembre 2022/PRNewswire/ — Hisense, fabricant de produits électroniques de premier plan, a annoncé que la société apporte en Afrique du Sud une nouvelle gamme de produits destinés à améliorer l’expérience d’écoute. Les trois produits : HP100 Speaker pour la musique de fête, Dolby Atmos® AX5100G et AX3100G Soundbar pour le divertissement de niveau de théâtre, sont conçus dans le but d’offrir des performances défiant toute concurrence, avec des fonctions d’amélioration du son qui complètent les configurations cinématographiques personnelles des utilisateurs pour créer une expérience audiovisuelle immersive.

« Que ce soit pour une soirée cinéma à la maison ou une réunion d’amis en plein air, nous espérons offrir à nos clients une gamme de produits dotés de fonctions faciles à utiliser et puissantes qui leur permettent de créer des expériences cinématographiques ou musicales immersives », a déclaré Patrick, directeur du marketing chez Hisense South Africa.

Le haut-parleur Party Rock HP100 de Hisense présente un aspect tendance et accrocheur avec une finition noire élégante et des panneaux lumineux colorés autour de ses quatre haut-parleurs. Avec son système audio puissant et sa grande polyvalence, l’enceinte HP100 est conçue pour améliorer l’expérience de fête grâce à diverses fonctionnalités, notamment le mode Karaoké, cinq effets lumineux et cinq effets DJ.

La centrale sonore compacte, mais puissante, de la HP100 est équipée de deux woofers de 6,5 pouces et de deux tweeters de 2,5 pouces, suralimentés par sa puissance de sortie de 300 watts, et peut produire un son fort et net ainsi que des basses profondes et puissantes. Grâce à sa batterie d’une autonomie de 15 heures et à sa conception anti-éclaboussures IPX4, le HP100 permet aux utilisateurs de s’amuser toute la nuit, grâce aux jantes lumineuses éblouissantes qui ajoutent un effet électrisant à la scène musicale.

Les utilisateurs peuvent tirer parti des 340 watts de puissance maximale de l’AX5100G pour profiter d’une immersion totale dans la pièce, ainsi que de la prise en charge de Dolby Atmos® et de DTS : X® qui permet de transformer la musique, les films ou les jeux en un festin auditif surround d’un réalisme à couper le souffle.

Les barres de son AX5100G 5.1 canaux et AX3100G 3.1 canaux sont dotées de sept haut-parleurs qui transportent l’auditeur au centre de la scène musicale ou cinématographique, ainsi que d’un puissant subwoofer sans fil de 6,5 pouces qui produit des basses riches et puissantes, permettant aux utilisateurs de profiter des détails et de la profondeur exceptionnels de leurs morceaux et émissions préférés. Les deux modèles sont conçus pour plus de simplicité et de polyvalence, avec un design à montage mural et un large choix d’options de connectivité qui permettent aux utilisateurs de configurer facilement l’appareil en suivant des étapes d’installation simples.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1934888/image_5020023_32572150.jpg

November 2, 2022

Orders for the Eviation Alice Pass US$ 2 Billion

Order Book for the World’s First Flight-Tested All-Electric Passenger Airplane Passes Major Milestone

ARLINGTON, Wash., Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Eviation Aircraft, a manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, today announced that the order book for its world-leading nine-seater all-electric Alice airplane has passed a total value of US$ 2 billion.

The Eviation Alice conducted its first flight on 27 September 2022 at Grant County International Airport (MWH), Washington, U.S., the first all-electric commuter airplane to pass this test. This historic achievement marked the start of a new phase in the development of the Alice. Eviation is now focused on its certification program on the way to completing Entry into Service (EIS). Customers for the Alice so far include U.S. regional airlines Cape Air and Global Crossing and German airline operator EVIA AERO.

“Our order book passing the US$ 2 billion mark is a significant commercial milestone,” said Gregory Davis, President and CEO of Eviation. “This success demonstrates that the Alice is leading the industry and meeting the market demand for zero-carbon flight. We are already seeing a growing clamour from passengers for sustainable aviation, matched by an increasingly robust attitude from regulators. By ordering the Alice, our forward-thinking customers are positioning themselves wisely for the future.”

The Alice, built from a clean-sheet design around all-electric propulsion, produces no carbon emissions and costs significantly less to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops. The aircraft is also quieter than combustion engine aircraft, allowing more flights into cities and communities where noise is a factor. Together, these developments promise to usher in a new era of low-cost point-to-point travel, reshaping the commuter and regional air market. Alice is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units developed by magniX, the global industry leader in flight-proven electric propulsion systems.

“With almost 300 aircraft now on order, the Alice is receiving strong customer endorsement. The aircraft is capturing the hearts and minds of the marketplace with its beautiful design, low operating costs and carbon zero footprint,” said Eddie Jaisaree, Vice President, Commercial Sales at Eviation. “The Alice will not just protect the planet but also create a more enjoyable flight experience for passengers. Considering the environmental and fuel cost challenges facing conventional airlines, incorporating the Alice into our customers’ fleets will give them a significant competitive advantage.”

About Eviation Aircraft

Based in Washington State, Eviation Aircraft Inc. develops and manufactures electric aircraft to delight operators and passengers with green, cost efficient and convenient regional transportation. Its electric propulsion units, high-energy-density batteries, mission-driven energy management, and innovative airframe are designed from the ground up for electric flight. Please visit us at www.eviation.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1509407/eviation_logo.jpg

November 2, 2022November 3, 2022

UN chief welcomes first trial of special court in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS— UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the completion of the first trial of the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic (CAR), hailing it as a milestone in the country’s efforts to bring to justice those committing serious crimes, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.

In its judgment issued on Monday, the Special Criminal Court found three accused armed group members guilty of certain crimes against humanity and war crimes following their involvement in the May 2019 massacre of 46 civilians in Lemouna and Koundjili, in the northwest of the country, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson, said in a statement.

The three were sentenced to prison terms from 20 years to life, and the judgment is subject to appeal, the statement added.

Guterres “notes that this trial is a milestone in the Central African Republic’s efforts to bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes, which is crucial for fighting impunity, breaking cycles of violence and contributing to transitional justice,” the statement said.

The secretary-general called on member states to continue to provide support to the Special Criminal Court to ensure continuity of its operations, and on the CAR government to promptly renew the court’s mandate, it said.

On Oct 31, the court convicted Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouba, and Tahir Mahamat of the 3R rebel group for war crimes and crimes against humanity in May 2019 in the villages of Koundjili and Lemouna, northwest Central African Republic.

“The conviction sends a strong signal that those who commit the worst crimes in the Central African Republic can be held to account, even after so many years of widespread impunity” said Elise Keppler, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. “The verdict is a milestone for the victims, including those who bravely testified, some traveling to the country’s capital for the first time in their lives to do so, and communities that have been terrorized during the country’s conflicts.”

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

November 2, 2022November 3, 2022

UN: Agricultural Automation Can Boost Global Food Production

A new U.N. report finds agricultural automation can boost global food production and be a boon for small-scale farmers in developing countries.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, has just released The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 report. The report’s authors said automation is rapidly changing the face of agriculture. New technologies, they say, are quickly leaving behind some of the old larger-type tractors and large machinery in ways that could benefit small holders in developing countries.

Parallels can be drawn with the introduction of cellphones. The World Bank, among other observers, notes African and other developing countries can harness digital technologies to boost their economies by advancing from landlines to smartphones.

FAO said automation can play an important role in making food production more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

Chief FAO economist Maximo Torero said many emerging technologies would have been unimaginable years ago. He cited as examples fruit-picking robots that use artificial intelligence and sensors that monitor plants and animals.

“Automation allows agriculture to be more productive, efficient, resilient, and sustainable and can improve working conditions,” Torero said. “However, as with any technological change, automation also implies disruption to the agricultural systems. The risk is that the automation could exacerbate inequalities if we are not careful on how it is being done and developed and deployed.”

The report looks at 27 case studies from all over the world. They represent technologies at different stages of readiness suitable for large or small agricultural producers of varying levels of income.

Torero said the report investigates the drivers of these technologies and identifies barriers preventing their adoption, particularly by small-scale producers. The report, he said, also looks at one of the most common concerns about automation — that it creates unemployment.

“While it concludes that such fears are overblown, it acknowledges that agricultural automation can lead to unemployment in places where rural labor is abundant, and wages are low,” he said. “It is important to understand that in a continent like sub-Saharan Africa, where there is an enormous amount of youth population, we can build the skill sets of these people to be able to have access to these technologies.”

In areas where cheap labor is abundant, the FAO urges policymakers to avoid subsidizing automation while creating an enabling environment for its adoption. At the same time, the report said governments should provide social protection to the least skilled workers who are likely to lose their jobs during the transition.

Source: Voice of America