J&T Express Sets up Its MENA Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia and Signs a MoU on the Largest Smart Logistics Park in the Region

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – J&T Express, an international express logistics company, today announced at LEAP that it will set up its MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and build the largest smart logistics industrial park in the region together with eWTP Arabia Capital and other partners.

Held in Riyadh from February 1-3, 2022, LEAP Summit is a leading global technology event in Saudi Arabia, featuring over 700 emerging technology startups. Jet Lee, Founder and Chairman of the J&T Group, delivered a keynote speech via video at the summit, announcing that J&T Express will set its MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and build the largest smart logistics park in the region. He shared that the industrial park will meet the growing logistics demands in the region, serve J&T’s consumers and partners, and enhance delivery service experiences.

Representing the Saudi Arabian government, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the smart logistics industrial park project with J&T Express and eWTP Arabia Capital. H.E. Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency the President of GACA, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, and the Chairman of Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), Board Member of Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Mr. Faisal Alkhamisi, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

With the signing of the project, J&T Express is committed to cultivate professional talents, invest in advanced technology and equipment, and build the largest smart logistics industrial park in the MENA in the next ten years, making Saudi Arabia a global hub and strategic operation center for the entire regional market. The logistics park will include world-class sorting centers, auto warehousing systems, air cargo terminals, e-commerce industrial parks and modern industrial parks. It will provide the most advanced tech-driven services to its ecosystem partners in the near future and foster robust growth in the local retail and manufacturing sectors with the goal of making Saudi Arabia a pivotal gateway that bridges Asia, Europe, and Africa and helping Saudi Arabia achieve Vision 2030. This initiative is also greatly supported by the MENA venture capital eWTP Arabia Capital and other partners.

eWTP Arabia Capital’s Managing Partner Jerry Li commented at the event, “It’s a great pleasure for eWTP Arabia to participate in this project as a partner to further support J&T Express’ operations in the MENA region and fuel its global network development. Together with J&T Express, we are confident to support more tech-driven innovative companies, supply chains and brands in China, who are looking to win over the global market.”

In January this year, J&T Express launched its business in both the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) markets. With its national self-owned distribution networks and localised warehousing systems, the company has successfully achieved full coverage in both countries.

Since its establishment in 2015, J&T Express has always adhered to a global mindset. With its unique operation model and active market expansion, it has rapidly built its own delivery network in 10 countries across the pan-Asia Pacific region to meet the growing demand of users for cross-border services. J&T Express will continue exploring opportunities in emerging markets as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistic benefits to all.

About J&T Express

Founded in August 2015, J&T Express is a rapidly-growing international delivery company, with its core business in express services and cross-border logistics. J&T Express is committed to continuously creating integrated quality experiences for its customers globally. J&T Express’ network spans ten countries including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and serves over 2 billion people.

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GARDAWORLD LAUNCHES SESAMI: A TECH-ENABLED CASH ECOSYSTEM SOLUTION INTEGRATOR

  • Sesami acquires Dallas-based Tidel and Sweden-based Gunnebo Group’s cash management business, laying the foundation for its software suite, intelligent device offering and global capabilities
  • Sesami, which will operate as an independent entity of GardaWorld, brings together industry leading cash management and cash automation business activities with over C$1.3 billion in revenues

MONTREAL AND DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Garda World Security Corporation (“GardaWorld” or the “Company”), one of the largest security companies in the world, is pleased to announce the creation of Sesami Cash Management Technologies (“Sesami”), an innovative cash ecosystem performance and technology company. Sesami will operate as an independent entity of GardaWorld and will be led by Stéphane Gonthier, who joined GardaWorld in 2016 as CEO of its cash services business.

Sesami Logo

With global capabilities, Sesami is an open, integrated and sophisticated business intelligence platform offering customizable services including software, intelligent devices and managed services for end-to-end cash ecosystems and cash automation operations.

GardaWorld is also pleased to announce Sesami’s acquisition of Dallas-based Tidel, a leading North American provider of cash automation solutions, and the signature of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Sweden-based Gunnebo Group’s cash management business, comprising automated cash processing solutions, software and related services, with a leading market position in EMEA, LATAM and APAC for a combined consideration of approximately C$900M. With the integration of these two best-in-breed cash management and cash automation service providers, Sesami’s platform will be powered by cutting-edge software and an unrivalled portfolio of intelligent devices with the capability to serve clients globally. Darren Taylor, CEO of Tidel, will lead Sesami’s intelligent devices business and Christian Weisser, President of Gunnebo Cash Management, will lead Sesami’s managed services business.

“The cash services industry is rapidly evolving and Sesami is poised to revolutionize it with a new, unique and tech-enabled service delivery model which is open, integrated, comprehensive and customizable. Only Sesami can offer clients a holistic view of the performance and management of the entire cash ecosystems, and this is a game changer for both clients, and the industry,” said Stephan Crétier, Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GardaWorld.

Sesami website screenshots“Sesami’s open architecture approach will both simplify and optimize the outsourcing of end-to-end cash ecosystem management through a single-partner platform, committed to only bringing in the best-in-breed,” said Stéphane Gonthier, Chief Executive Officer of Sesami. “We are extremely pleased to begin this journey with Tidel and Gunnebo’s cash management business, two industry leaders and trusted partners in the market. Together, they form the foundation of Sesami’s cash optimization platform, which will be powered by the best performing software on the market and able to offer advanced cash management solutions globally.”

INTEGRATION OF TIDEL AND GUNNEBO CASH MANAGEMENT

Tidel and Gunnebo cash management will be joining Sesami, bringing with them a team of over 300 software, cash automation and product specialists and a comprehensive portfolio of cash automation solutions, including smart safes and cash recyclers all of which optimize the full cash ecosystem of financial institutions and consumer businesses.

“Tidel is proud and excited to play a foundational role in the creation of Sesami, which will be uniquely positioned to provide clients with access to a full suite of highly innovative cash ecosystem management services,” said Darren Taylor, CEO of Tidel and Global Head of Sesami’s Intelligent Devices business. “As Tidel embarks on this new chapter, we are committed to ensuring continuity for our clients by providing the same level of service and excellence for which we are best known. We will also continue to work closely with our existing cash industry partners, in line with Sesami’s partnership approach to managed services.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with other best-in-breed cash management providers and to have Gunnebo Cash Management’s suite of highly-powerful technology solutions be at the core of a new player on the scene set to transform the industry. We look forward to bringing our unique expertise, solutions and global reach to Sesami’s clients while continuing to serve existing clients,” said Christian Weisser, President of Gunnebo Cash Management and Global Head of Sesami’s Managed Services business.

SESAMI: REVOLUTIONIZING THE CASH MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY

As the cash industry evolves, there is a growing need to engage in a global revolution to integrate and completely digitalize operations and Sesami was created to address this market opportunity head-on. As an agile, one-stop-shop for consumer businesses and financial institutions looking to optimize and outsource their cash management activities, Sesami offers a trustworthy integrated solution to customers for cash ecosystem management.

In addition to providing real-time connection to its customers’ cash ecosystems, Sesami integrates the full spectrum of cash management products and services. These include advisory, business intelligence and analytics; a comprehensive and customizable software suite for tracking, forecasting and data aggregation; managed product maintenance, cash-in-transit and processing services delivered by best-in-class third-party cash operators wherever our clients operate; and a vast array of leading intelligent cash automation and security device options, including Tidel and Gunnebo Cash Management solutions.

For more information visit www.sesami.io

About GardaWorld

GardaWorld is a global champion in security services, integrated risk management and cash solutions, employing more than 120,000 highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Driven by a relentless entrepreneurial culture and core values of integrity, vigilance, trust and respect, we offer sophisticated and tailored security and technology solutions through high-touch partnerships and consistently superior service delivery. With a deep understanding that security is critical to conducting business and keeping communities safe. GardaWorld is committed to impeccable governance, professional care, and the well-being of everyone. Thanks to a well-earned reputation, we are proud to be the long-standing security partner of choice to some of the most prominent brands, Fortune 500 corporations and governments.  For more information, visit https://www.garda.com/.

Media Contact, GardaWorld Media Relations Team, media@garda.com, +1 514-845-8763

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JES3plus Training Now Available Through Interskill Learning Mainframe Course Catalog

IBM Mainframe Specialist — JES3plus Experienced 1.1 — Interskill — IBM Digital Credential

IBM Authorized Digital Credential earned on completion of JES3plus course

IBM Authorized Digital Badge Awarded on Completion of JES3plus Training

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interskill Learning, a leading independent supplier of online mainframe training, and Phoenix Software International, Inc., today announced the release of a JES3plus course curriculum. JES3plus, developed by Phoenix Software International, Inc., is a derivative work based on z/OS® JES3, and offers a path forward for organizations wishing to remain on JES3 technology in lieu of a costly and potentially risky JES2 conversion. z/OS 2.5, the latest release of the operating system, is the last to include JES3. Upon completion of the course, students will earn an IBM Authorized Digital Badge — JES3plus Experienced 1.1.

JES3plus customers and JES3 organizations planning their migration to JES3plus will benefit from access to training for existing staff and new hires. The Interskill course designers worked closely with the JES3plus development team at Phoenix Software to provide detailed online, on-demand JES3plus training for mainframe personnel. The course is appropriate for application programmers, system programmers, and system operators.

The JES3plus training curriculum consists of five modules:

  • Introduction to JES3plus
  • Working with JES3plus
  • Monitoring the JES3plus Environment
  • Defining the JES3plus Environment
  • Application Interaction with JES3plus

Detailed information about the JES3plus course and each module is available on the Phoenix Software website.

IBM offers an official IBM Authorized Digital Credential which is earned on completion of the five JES3plus modules. The IBM Digital Badge Program offers a recognized, respected and valued benchmark for Z mainframe knowledge and skills in the global mainframe computing industry.

Ed Jaffe, Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix Software International, said, “Our JES3plus team really enjoyed partnering with Interskill. In doing so, we learned first-hand why they’re considered the de facto source for mainframe training globally. Interskill’s talented course developers did a great job of tapping our decades of JES3 knowledge to create an e-learning curriculum that serves as a solid foundation for mainframers working in JES3plus shops.”

Darren Surch, COO of Interskill Learning, said, “JES3 is critical to many mainframe organizations and this collaboration with Phoenix Software lets us harness their team’s remarkable depth and breadth of knowledge to provide quality, insightful, on-demand training on the important JES3plus product. We are excited to include this exceptional course in Interskill’s extensive online mainframe training curriculum.”

About Interskill Learning

Interskill Learning (https://www.interskill.com) is a leading provider of IBM Z mainframe training. The company develops, delivers and supports the broad array of modern Z mainframe workforce training components that deliver year-round, global, broad-spectrum mainframe training to mainframe personnel.

About Phoenix Software International

Phoenix Software International, Inc., (https://www.phoenixsoftware.com/) is a systems software development company providing advanced software applications to enterprises around the globe. The company offers a wide range of solutions to modern business challenges.

Press contact:
(310) 338-0400
news@phoenixsoftware.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83dce5bd-f9bf-4b6b-bf5e-e65a101cc0cd

The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT’S LATEST COLLECTOR COIN OFFERING INCLUDES A FINE SILVER TRIBUTE TO GREAT INVENTOR ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Stories of great achievement often find their way on Royal Canadian Mint coins and to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of famed inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the Mint is dedicating its 2022 Proof Silver Dollar to his legacy of innovation and life-long commitment to science.  Born in Scotland, Bell settled with his family in Brantford, Ontario, where he developed a passion for problem-solving at an early age, which sparked his interest in science.  After inventing the telephone in 1876, he later built an estate near Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It is there that he collaborated on more innovations, such as the Silver Dart, Canada’s first powered airplane, and futuristic hydrofoil marine craft that blazed the waters of Bras D’Or Lake.

The Royal Canadian Mint's 2022 Proof Silver Dollar marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of famed inventor Alexander Graham Bell

This year’s Proof Silver Dollar features a word-art profile of Bell speaking into his breakthrough invention that forever changed global communications.  The creative assortment of words that describe aspects of his personal life and character, as well as his many innovations create a revealing portrait of one of the world’s greatest inventors.  This exceptional coin, along with the 2022 Fine Silver Proof Set featuring the same artistic rendition of Bell, can be ordered from the Mint as of today.

Other collector products launching today include:

  • The 2021 $50 Fine Silver Diamond-Shaped Coin – Forevermark Black Label Round Diamond;
  • The 2022 $500 Pure Gold Diamond-Shaped Coin – Forevermark Black Label Round Diamond;
  • The 2022 Specimen Set – Conservation Stories – Swift Fox;
  • The 2022 $50 Fine Silver Coin – Maple Leaves in Motion;
  • The 2022 $20 Fine Silver Coin – 50th Anniversary of the Medal of Bravery;
  • 2022 $5 Fine Silver Coin – Moments to Hold 50th Anniversary of the Medal of Bravery; and
  • The 2022 $8 Pure Gold Coin – Earth Dragon.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the “Shop” tab of www.mint.ca. Images of the coins are available here.

These products can be ordered by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267‑1871 in Canada, 1-800-268‑6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.  Follow the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Telephone: 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

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CGTN: 2022 ‍Spring Festival Gala: A visual feast for the Year of the Tiger

BEIJING, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — China Media Group (CMG) held the 2022 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening as Chinese people worldwide celebrated the start of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.

It is the most important Chinese festival centering on family reunions. And the five-hour-long television extravaganza has been a symbolic part of the celebrations since it was first broadcast in 1983.

This year’s gala featured a multitude of performances aimed at entertaining millions of Chinese families ringing in the Year of the Tiger, which symbolizes bravery, vigor and strength in traditional Chinese culture.

The performances revolved around multiple themes, including the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), rural revitalization, ecological civilization, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, China’s space achievements and major archaeological discoveries.

One of the most eye-catching performances was the poetic dance named “Journey on a Painted Landscape.” The dance was inspired by the 900-year-old Chinese painting masterpiece “A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains” created by Song Dynasty (960-1279) painter Wang Ximeng. The elegant dance, together with the atmospheric scenic design, showcased traditional Chinese art and cultural charms.

With the Beijing Winter Olympics just a few days away, elements of the Games were highlighted. Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon, mascots of the Games, explored the magnificence of the venues in the classic skating Waltz song.

Meanwhile, high tech brought the audiovisual experience to the next level. A giant 720-degree curved LED screen was installed to connect the stage with the auditorium, forming a highly extensible three-dimensional space. Extended reality, augmented reality, holographic scanning and 8K naked-eye 3D rendering technology were adopted to create a more immersive viewing experience. Also, the gala was, for the first time, broadcast live with the option of a vertical viewing mode, catering to more people’s viewing habits on mobile devices.

The gala was aired on multiple TV channels, radio stations and new media platforms. Some 600 foreign media outlets from more than 170 countries and regions also did live broadcasting and reporting on the gala, according to CMG.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-31/2022-Spring-Festival-Gala-A-visual-feast-for-the-Year-of-Tiger-17h6VNrq3Ru/index.html

2022 ‍Spring Festival Gala: A visual feast for the Year of the Tiger

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtEROmL0NzQ
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Savings Banks Group Expands Agreement with Kyndryl to Accelerate Digital Transformation Journey

Multi-year agreement positions bank for its next era of digital innovation and follows the official approval of Kyndryl’s acquisition of Samlink

HELSINKI and NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, and Savings Banks Group in Finland today announced a 7-year agreement to enable the bank to transform and modernize both its customer-facing and back-office systems. This agreement follows the official closure of Kyndryl’s recent acquisition of Samlink, the leading solutions developer and services provider to the banking industry in Finland.

Savings Banks Group is Finland’s oldest banking group serving up to half a million Finnish households, small and medium-sized companies, and agriculture. In addition to comprehensive private banking services, the Group also offers services in the areas of investment, real estate and insurance. To reinvigorate Savings Banks Group’s ability to adapt quickly to evolving market conditions, the bank selected Kyndryl as its strategic partner for the next phase of its digital transformation journey.

“We have very high expectations for Kyndryl as a new owner of Samlink. It is of the utmost importance for us to secure the business continuity of our critical IT systems and we expect modern and more agile development opportunities for our services. It is evermore crucial to build a solid and efficient foundation for our business needs, which enables us to run and change digital bank in agile and cost-effective way,” says Tomi Närhinen, CEO, Savings Banks Group.

Central to the agreement is the modernization of Savings Banks Group’s IT infrastructure, including core banking systems that run on mainframe technology. This modernization will enable the bank to shorten development times of digital innovations and achieve cost efficiencies, while maintaining business continuity to safeguard the customer experience. Collaborating with Kyndryl and Samlink allows the bank to expand its digital and personal services to customers in a highly competitive market challenged by growing fintech sector players.

Optimizing the customer experience has been essential to Savings Banks Group’s leadership in the banking sector. They will rely on Kyndryl´s experience and expertise across its six practices to ensure the seamless delivery of the customer-centric services that Savings Banks Group has provided for 200 years.

“We are excited to work with Savings Banks Group to unlock maximum value across technology, data, and operations to accelerate their unique digital transformation, while meeting the changing regulatory requirements,” says Anil Joshi, Managing Director, Kyndryl Finland. “On top of managing zCloud workloads and core enterprise services, Kyndryl brings a powerful combination of Cloud services, Security and Resilience, Data and Artificial Intelligence technologies delivered through new ways of working to drive increased agility and end-user experience.”

“Samlink brings the experience in solutions development and services for the financial sector. Combined with Kyndryl’s demonstrated leadership in IT infrastructure services and vast global talent, we are capable of providing comprehensive technological expertise and deep industry insights to enable financial institutions to build solutions that touch every aspect of the customer journey,” adds Senior Partner for Samlink, Arto Sorvoja.

About Savings Banks Group
The Savings Banks Group has promoted the financial wellbeing of individuals and the community for 200 years. We want to be known for our bravery, expertise and passion for excellent customer service. Savings Banks Group consists of local savings banks across Finland and the Savings Bank Centre. In addition to comprehensive retail banking services, we provide our customers with investment, real estate and insurance services. For more information, visit https://www.saastopankki.fi/en/savingsbanksgroup

About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider. The company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. Kyndryl’s nearly 90,000 employees serve over 4,000 customers in more than 60 countries around the world, including 75 percent of the Fortune 100. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.