Day: October 14, 2021

Featured Image for Disrupt-X

Featured Image for Disrupt-X

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Disrupt-X, a Dubai-based IoT development company, partnered with Ajax Systems to launch Defcon Patrols, a Global Security and Intrusions IoT Platform. The platform is designed to deliver security command and control on a single screen, helping streamline the work of security companies, alarm receiving centers, and government bodies and improving end users’ experience.

Defcon Patrols collects data from Ajax devices and sensors to display a convenient dashboard, ensuring constant security control and fast response to intrusions. End customers can purchase the platform directly from Disrupt-X or through a security company. Business customers, like monitoring centers or government bodies can use this solution for their own needs and provide services to end customers.

Disrupt-X’s IoT cloud solutions comprises of Web and Mobile Applications hosted on AWS using Intel Architecture. The Defcon Patrol solution aims to enhance intrusion security through multi-level alarms escalation. Platform highlights include alerts on property intrusion instantly through the Mobile Application/WhatsApp/Email, detailed alarms logs that ensure clients stay aware on every action being taken, escalation option to security companies or registered police stations and role-based access for different users – customer, security company admins, operators, responders and police stations that enable each user to receive only required information to take preventative action.

Moreover, Disrupt-X offers a subscription based model for their solutions, which in-turn makes it cost-effective. The Ajax hardware with sleek design and prolonged battery life is a perfect combination for this IoT Cloud Solution. Learn more about Defcon Patrols at GITEX 2021.

About Ajax Systems
Ajax Systems is a professional security equipment manufacturer with over ten years of expertise in the industry and Ukrainian roots. Ajax security systems are famous for their sleek design, robust proprietary technologies and a vast portfolio of software products. Ajax protects over a million users around the world from burglars, fires and floods.

“We are happy that we can cooperate with keen developers, who are digging into the intersection of the security world and IoT.  The more options of control and management we deliver to our users, the more secure this world becomes. We are looking forward to intensifying our joint efforts in the future.” — Dmytro Schebetenko, Regional Sales Director MEAA at Ajax Systems.

Commenting on the joint venture, Mr. Yaseen AlJaizani – CEO at Disrupt-X said “It is our pleasure to be associated with the Ajax brand. Given the vast offerings available for security products, we envisage our synergy with Ajax will lead to a beneficial market differentiator in ensuring that the devices which are keeping an eye on our security are also being checked on by our IoT services. Operating as another security layer with Ajax products, our Defcon patrols system can be easily integrated with existing security platforms which are currently running with security companies and government authorities allowing them to be alerted for alarms raised.”

Disrupt-X Website: https://disrupt-x.io
Defcon Patrols: https://disrupt-x.io/intrusion-alarms-services

Contact info@disrupt-x.io for more information.

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The partnership enables issuance of Carbon Credit NFTs to individuals and businesses that wish to offset their carbon footprint.

Phantasma Chain and Save The Planet

Phantasma Chain and Save The Planet

CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The leading Smart NFT blockchain Phantasma Chain has recently announced a partnership with Save Planet Earth enabling Save Planet Earth to issue transparent, immutable, and certified Carbon Credit NFTs using Phantasma’s Smart NFT technology.

After researching multiple service providers, Save Planet Earth has selected Phantasma due to its, by design, minuscule carbon footprint. Phantasma itself has been on a quest to minimize its carbon footprint even more, eventually becoming CARBON NEGATIVE. Save Planet Earth is facilitating this goal.

The partnership enables Save Planet Earth to issue Carbon Credit NFTs to individuals and businesses that wish to offset their carbon footprint. Due to the immutable nature of Phantasma’s blockchain and the certification accreditation of Save Planet Earth, the holders of these NFTs can be certain that purchasing these NFTs result in a verifiable carbon offset.

Since Phantasma Chain will be purchasing these NFTs themselves, users of the chain can be assured that their activities will not result in a carbon footprint. This applies to users of the blockchain, every dApp creator, and those using their dApps. Even better, due to the Phantasma blockchain going carbon negative, every single action on the blockchain will lower the carbon footprint. Using the Phantasma blockchain will help Save Planet Earth.

This partnership allows digital media applications to directly access this initiative, opening the possibilities of greater masses contributing to saving planet earth while they embark on their favorite digital activities.

An NFT is a Non-Fungible Token that is unique and is not interchangeable. NFTs are immutable units of data stored on a decentralized blockchain, essentially a global base of data. Phantasma’s Smart NFT technology provides superior functionality that lends itself well to video games and applications that require smart functionality.

For additional information on the Phantasma Chain & Save The Planet Smart NFT initiative, contact Gary Ollivier at gary@phantasma.io or visit https://www.phantasma.io.

ABOUT PHANTASMA — Phantasma is a blockchain for content distribution of NFTs, Gaming, and dApps that is fast, secure, and decentralized. The governance token is $SOUL and the energy token is $KCAL, allowing interoperability with other blockchains while maintaining a decentralized governance system. Its innovative staking mechanism, dual token system, and advanced smart non-fungible tokens allow the Phantasma blockchain to be used for digital goods and services such as communication, entertainment, NFT marketplace, and on-chain storage.

ABOUT SAVE PLANET EARTH — Save Planet Earth has various carbon sequestration initiatives worldwide, including approval of the planting of over 100 million trees, initiatives in solar, hydro, wind, beach & ocean clean-up, recycling, waste management, and improving rural technologies. For all these initiatives, Save Planet Earth receives certified carbon credits which can then be sold to individuals and companies who wish to offset their carbon footprint. For additional information about Save Planet Earth, check out its website at https://SavePlanetEarth.io.

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Featured Image for Sonicbidder.com

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LEBANON, Mo., Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Though many cars sold at Sonicbidder.com’s Spring Cleaning Auction, it was seen as a modest victory amongst the feats before. When three auctions in three weeks were announced, skeptics dismissed the relatively new company. Nonetheless, frequent consignors returned and new sellers joined. Loyalty and ambition were rewarded as Sonicbidder.com’s trifecta sold MANY cars and defied all expectations. Sonicbidder.com continues to be the foremost online auction platform to sell internationally.

Muscle Car Madness featured iconic Mopars and muscle cars. A lot was riding on its shoulders. The auction would set the tone for the rest of the fall season, and set the tone it did! International bidders, including Sweden and Canada, showed up to buy. A 2008 Ford Mustang Roush 428R GT (Stage 3) hammered for $28,600. A 1965 Corvette Stingray hammered for $80,300 during the sale as well. These numbers came after the world record 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda sold for a show-stopping $1,210,000 a week BEFORE the auction. A testament to the marketing and reach you could receive from Sonicbidder.com.

Momentum continued when Auto Exotix went live. The sale featured rare cars from Europe. The international attention grew as bidders from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Czech Republic joined the live auction. Ferraris, Porsches, and Formula 1 race cars abounded, but Ferraris dominated the day with $3,355,000 million in bids out of $5,672,750 in the sale. Other noteworthy cars were a 1958 AC Aceca Fast Back Coupe that hammered for $126,500 and a 1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud hammering for $84,700. Some of these cars, such as the legendary Michael Schumacher Ferrari Team Motorhome, weren’t even in America when they were being bid for. They were in Germany. Auto Exotix proved Sonicbidder.com can sell anything anywhere at any time.

Sonicbidder.com’s three week auction run closed with Hershey at Home 2021. Though Auto Exotix had a more opulent taste, Hershey at Home had to perform due to it being the follow up to its successful originator in 2020. Sonicbidder.com once again surpassed expectations. A 1914 Jeffery Touring hammered for $39,600, a 1931 Auburn 8-98A Rumble Seat Convertible hammered for $105,600, and a 1913 Stutz Bearcat Speedster hammered for $121,000. Remarkably, one of the very first cars EVER, a 1903 Cadillac Model A, sold for $99,000. Historic value was as high as the turnout with countries like Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Australia represented worldwide. Hershey at Home 2021 secured a record for Sonicbidder.com. Well over $40,000,000 in bids have been placed on the website this year. That’s serious buying power on Sonicbidder.com.

As the holiday season approaches, Sonicbidder.com isn’t slowing down. Up next is their “Christmas Around the World” Auction on December 8th. They are accepting consignments and would love to help you achieve amazing returns on your investments. To find out how you can sell on a world stage, visit their website or contact them by calling (877) 824-3337.

Vault Dog Media, inquiries@sonicbidder.com

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U.S. Polo Assn.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) today announced that U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), has been ranked in the 2021 Digital Commerce 360‘s Top 500, a globally recognized ranking of the leading 500 online retailers headquartered in North America. U.S. Polo Assn. experienced a surge in web sales in 2020 due to its accelerated digital strategy and the desire by consumers to buy online during the global coronavirus pandemic.

This is the first year the multi-billion-dollar, sport-inspired lifestyle brand has been included on the prestigious Digital Commerce 360 list that tracks dozens of metrics on thousands of online retail companies. The 2021 Top 500 Report is selected and published by Digital Commerce 360 based on data and analysis on the prior-year web sales of some of the largest and fastest-growing retailers. Other top brands on this years’ list include Nike and Lululemon.

“Last year saw stronger traffic and conversion across our global websites, resulting in a triple-digit e-commerce increase compared to 2019,” said Jose Nino, Vice President of Global E-Commerce and Digital Strategy, USPA Global Licensing. “We have leveraged a multi-faceted strategy for U.S. Polo Assn. that supports an omnichannel experience. We know that optimizing online and in-store experiences provide the best opportunities for sustained growth into the future.”

With 1,100 stores across 190 countries, U.S. Polo Assn.’s digital strategy was well underway in 2020. Efforts then ramped up to accelerate digital in response to the global pandemic, with captivating results. Fast-tracking digital resulted in websites for more than 35 countries in 16 different languages and the activation of more than 6 million social media followers of the brand worldwide.

“Our global expansion of e-commerce has successfully taken U.S. Polo Assn. from one that’s been known as a brick-and-mortar brand to one that meets the customer where they want to be, whether that’s online or in-store,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPAGL, the company that manages the multi-billion-dollar, sport-inspired U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “We are proud to receive this recognition for such outstanding e-commerce results, especially in today’s rapidly evolving state of retail,” added Prince.

About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL)

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through some 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores, department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories and footwear in 190 countries worldwide. Recently ranked the fifth largest sports licensor in License Global magazine’s 2020 list of “Top 150 Global Licensors,” U.S. Polo Assn. is named alongside such iconic sports brands as the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com.

USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and its exclusive worldwide licensor. USPAGL manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand and is the steward of the USPA’s intellectual properties, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV the world’s leading production entity for global polo broadcasts and polo lifestyle content. Learn more at globalpolo.com.

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For further information contact: 

Stacey Kovalsky – Senior Director, Global Communications
Phone +001.561.790.8036 – Email: skovalsky@uspagl.com

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• New research highlights a chronic lack of finance that will leave billions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia without electricity or clean cooking by 2030
• Urgent action to accelerate investment in clean energy for developing countries is needed from global leaders assembling at COP26 to ensure a just energy transition

VIENNA, Austria, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This year’s Energizing Finance research series – developed by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and Dalberg Advisors – shows the world is falling perilously short of the investment required to achieve energy access for all by 2030 for the seventh consecutive year.

In fact, tracked finance for electricity in the 20 countries that make up 80 percent of the world’s population without electricity – the high-impact countries – declined by 27 percent in 2019, the year before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The economic strain caused by Covid-19 is expected to have caused even further reductions in energy access investment in 2020 and 2021.

Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2021, one of two reports released under the series, finds committed finance for residential electricity access fell to USD 12.9 billion in 2019 (from USD 16.1 billion in 2018) in the 20 countries. This is less than one-third of the USD 41 billion estimated annual investment needed globally to attain universal electricity access from 2019 to 2030.

Meanwhile, there is an abysmal amount of finance for clean cooking. Despite polluting cooking fuels causing millions of premature deaths each year and being the second largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide, only USD 133.5 million in finance for clean cooking solutions was tracked in 2019. This is nowhere near the estimated USD 4.5 billion in annual investment required to achieve universal access to clean cooking (accounting only for clean cookstove costs).

These findings have been released just ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, where global leaders will focus on how to spark meaningful progress on fighting climate change. As part of this, they will need to consider how to reduce global emissions from the energy sector while also increasing energy access in developing countries to support their economic development.

“We are at a critical moment in the energy-climate conversation,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. “What is clear is that the path to net zero can only happen with a just and equitable energy transition that provides access to clean and affordable energy to the 759 million people who have no electricity access and 2.6 billion people who lack access to clean cooking solutions. This requires resources to mitigate climate change and create new opportunities to drive economic development and enable people everywhere to thrive. Energizing Finance provides an evidence base of current energy finance commitments and the finance countries require to meet SDG7 energy targets.”

In 2018, 50 percent of total electricity finance flowed to grid-connected fossil fuels in the high-impact countries compared to 25 percent in 2019. While this is a positive trend for the climate, tracked investment in off-grid and mini-grid technology also declined and represented only 0.9 percent of finance tracked to electricity.

Dr. Barbara Buchner, Global Managing Director at CPI, who partnered with SEforALL on Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2021, said: “Achieving both the Paris Agreement and universal energy access requires far greater investment in grid-connected renewables and off-grid and mini-grid solutions than what has been tracked in Energizing Finance. These solutions are essential to helping high-impact countries develop their economies without a reliance on fossil fuels.”

To better illuminate the challenges high-impact countries face, the second publication in the series, Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021, offers a detailed look at the estimated volume and type of finance needed by enterprises and customers to achieve universal energy access for both electricity and clean cooking by 2030 in Mozambique, Ghana and Vietnam. Importantly, it illustrates the energy affordability challenges people face in these countries and the need for financial support for consumers, such as subsidies.

The report finds that providing access to clean fuels and technologies, i.e. modern energy cooking solutions, in Ghana, Mozambique and Vietnam will cost a total of USD 37-48 billion by 2030; 70 percent of which will be for fuels (e.g., LPG, ethanol and electricity). A more achievable scenario would be for all three countries to deliver universal access to improved cookstoves at a total cost of USD 1.05 billion by 2030.

“Ghana, Mozambique and Vietnam each have unique challenges to achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking,” said Aly-Khan Jamal, Partner at Dalberg Advisors, who partnered with SEforALL on Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021. “This research digs deep into these national contexts to identify solutions that can make Sustainable Development Goal 7 a reality.”

Providing results-based financing for energy project developers and exploring policies that facilitate demand-side subsidy support and reduce taxes on solar home systems are among several policy recommendations presented for Ghana, Mozambique and Vietnam.

Energizing Finance also advocates for increased innovation in financial instruments to reach the scale of finance needed for universal clean cooking access; for integration of electricity access, cooking access and climate change strategies; and for national governments, bilateral donors, philanthropies, and DFIs to all increase their efforts to mobilize commercial capital to Sub-Saharan African countries.

More of the reports’ key findings and recommendations are available here.

Notes to editors

Contact
For further details on the reports or any interview requests, please contact: Sherry Kennedy, Sustainable Energy for All: Sherry.Kennedy@SEforALL.org / media@seforall.org or +43 676 846 727 237

About Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate. SEforALL works to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfill their potential.

SEforALL is led by Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. Follow her on Twitter @DamilolaSDG7. For more information, follow @SEforALLorg.

Law enforcement worldwide received 266 million reports from scam victims, up from 139 the year before

Growth in Number of Scams Reported per Country

Growth in Number of Scams Reported per Country

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In ScamAdviser’s 3^rd Global State of Scams Report, 42 countries were analyzed on the number of people scammed and the amount of money lost.

Number of Scams Boomed

The number of reported scams increased from 139 million in 2019 to 266 million in 2020. The amount lost grew from €36 ($41.7) to €41 ($47.8) billion.

While the definitions and reporting methods used by different countries for scams differ strongly, nearly all nations have reported large increases in the number of reported scams.

The number of scams and money lost is probably only a small fraction of the actual size of online fraud as less than 3% up to 15% of consumers report a scam.

Investment scams are on the rise

The money lost per victim differs strongly by country as well as the type of scam. From less than €10 for fake shops, counterfeiters, and subscription traps to several €100,000 for ransomware, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and investment/crypto scams.

With the “zero-interest” economy and boredom, people, especially men, proved to be willing victims to “investment opportunities”. These scams, also called ‘pig butchering,’ can run for 3, 6, or even 12 months. The scammer builds up a trusted and sometimes romantic relationship with the victim before inviting him to invest in an “incredible opportunity”.

Countries are becoming creative

To fight scams, many countries have resorted to more aggressive annual awareness campaigns. However, results are mixed. As the themes of the scam change (e.g. pet scams, COVID grants), citizens worldwide still seem to fall for them, despite earlier warnings.

The Center for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) booked more success. It launched an email address to report phishing emails. In 2020, CCB received 3.2 million emails. The data is used to feed Internet filters, protecting Belgium citizens from malicious domains.

Likewise, Pakistan is training CyberScouts, which can be police officers but also students and youngsters. Goal: ingrain cybercrime awareness in local communities.

Finally, Japan launched Operation “Pretend to Be Fooled”, asking people who’ve been contacted by a scammer to notify the police. The potential victim and police then work together to catch the criminal. The target victim receives a reward of 10,000 Yen (€77.50 / $88).

How to Turn the Tide

In many countries, scams are now the most reported form of crime. In Sweden, fraud was 5% of all crime cases reported in 2000. Now, it is 17% of all reported crimes. In the UK and USA, scams are now the most commonly experienced form of crime. Finally, Singapore states that 44% of all crimes are related to online scams.

The World Economic Forum estimates that 0.05% of all cybercrime is actually prosecuted. This makes scams, which are even more underreported than “big cybercrimes”, a very lucrative business.

Online security firms are scaling up. Trend Micro, for example, is heavily investing in new anti-scam services, such as the real-time scam detection tool Trend Micro Check. In 2021, they already blocked more than 2.4 billion phishing emails and scam site visits.

While many developing countries are now focusing on building cybercrime awareness amongst their populations, several developing countries have learned that education alone is not enough.

Countries like Spain and the Netherlands have made online reporting via WhatsApp and Telegram easier, resulting in more and better data. The American Federal Trade Commission is gathering all scam-related data from 3,000 federal, state, and local law enforcers.

According to several countries, the next step is for tech giants to take more responsibility, using their own data to identify and prevent scams better.

While the USA, Canada and Australia have started sharing scam data amongst each other, most countries still don’t. Yet, according to ScamAdviser, sharing online fraud data globally is the only real solution to turning the tide on the worldwide epidemic of scams.

The full report will be presented at the Global Online Scam Summit and can be downloaded from ScamAdviser.com.

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Contact:
Jorij Abraham, General Manager
E: jorij.abraham@ecommercefoundation.org,
P: +31 6 52840039

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