Play Ball! Major League Baseball and Zoom Announce First-of-its-kind Partnership; Zoom Contact Center to Power ‘Zoom Replay Operations Center’

  • Zoom becomes Official Unified Communications Platform of MLB and Presenting Partner of MLB Replay Review
  • MLB to introduce league-first, broadcast look-ins from the Zoom Replay Operations Center
  • Zoom Contact Center, Zoom Events, and Zoom’s all-in-one collaboration platform will deliver unprecedented transparency to the fans and enhanced communications between front office staff, umpires, and league officials

SAN JOSE, Calif. and NEW YORK, March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Major League Baseball (MLB) and Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership for the league, aimed to enhance MLB games and the fan viewership experience. As the new Official Unified Communications Platform of MLB, Zoom Contact Center and the Zoom platform technology will power new elements of Major League games and broadcasts.

MLB Chief Operations & Strategy Officer Chris Marinak, said: “We are always looking for innovative ways to leverage best-in-class technology to advance the MLB experience and deliver more to our fans. Partnering with Zoom, a category leader that reinvented the way we connect, was a natural next step for us. We are excited to integrate Zoom Contact Center and other Zoom platform technology into our gameday operations and continue to modernize experiences in a secure, reliable, and innovative way.”

Zoom Chief Marketing Officer, Janine Pelosi said: “MLB brings together tens of millions of passionate fans every season. Zoom’s rapid pace of innovation and obsession with making human connection easier and better, is crucial to help MLB evolve its experience and deliver unprecedented transparency and access to its fans. With MLB leveraging Zoom Contact Center and Zoom’s all-in-one collaboration platform, we are able to truly show the world how a historical brand can continue to innovate and unlock new possibilities.”

Zoom platform integration drives MLB innovations:

  • Zoom Contact Center transforms replay review – In the 2022 MLB season, there were more than 1,400 replay reviews. Historically, the league’s replay review was reliant on disparate technology and audio-only communication with umpires on the field, resulting in fans being disconnected from the decision-making process.

    Beginning with the 2023 Season, the Crew Chief, the most senior member of the four-man umpire crew, will connect to the Zoom Replay Operations Center using Zoom’s Contact Center solution during any replay review. During national broadcasts on MLB Network and Apple TV+, fans will also see the Zoom Replay Operations Center in action live during replay reviews and hear from an expert rules analyst who will discuss replay reviews with the broadcast team. MLB’s goal with this new setup is to create a more transparent and engaging review process.

  • Zoom Platform helps streamline communication – Zoom will be used to securely deliver sensitive information in one of the most high-pressure and high-profile MLB Events, Day One of the 2023 MLB Draft.
  • Broader league-wide Zoom integrations advance collaboration – Zoom’s all-in-one collaboration platform is integrated across several MLB clubs, platforms, and broadcast outlets. In addition to Zoom Meetings, many MLB teams are using Zoom Phone to stay connected with colleagues and customers, as well as Zoom Contact Center to deliver prompt, accurate, and highly personalized customer experiences to their fans. MLB’s corporate offices use Zoom Meetings, Zoom Rooms, Zoom Phone, and Zoom Webinar to connect, collaborate, and communicate.

To learn more about the Zoom platform and the technology that will power several new elements in MLB starting in the 2023 season, read the blog here.

About MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing, community relations and social responsibility endeavors. MLB currently features record levels of competitive balance, continues to expand its global reach through programming and content to fans all over the world, and registered records in games and minutes watched this season on MLB.TV. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

MLB Communications
David Hochman
david.hochman@mlb.com

Zoom Public Relations
Candace Dean
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8789553

WillScot Mobile Mini to Participate in Jefferies Business Services Summit

PHOENIX, March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. (“WillScot Mobile Mini” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: WSC), the North American leader in innovative flexible space and storage solutions, today announced that Brad Soultz, Chief Executive Officer, and Matt Jacobsen, Senior Vice President of Finance, will participate in private investor meetings at the Jefferies Business Services Summit in New York, NY on March 23, 2023.

About WillScot Mobile Mini

WillScot Mobile Mini trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “WSC.” Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the Company is a leading business services provider specializing in innovative flexible space and storage solutions. WillScot Mobile Mini services diverse end markets across all sectors of the economy from a network of approximately 240 branch locations and additional drop lots throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Additional information can be found on the company’s website at www.willscotmobilemini.com.

Contact Information
Investor Inquiries: Media Inquiries:
Nick Girardi Jake Saylor
investors@willscotmobilemini.com jake.saylor@willscot.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8787467

TMC Enters into MOU with Leading Nickel Processor PAMCO to Evaluate the Processing of Polymetallic Nodules into Battery Metal Feedstocks

Nodules on the conveyor

Once nodules have made their 12-minute-long journey up a 4.3km-long riser pipe to the surface, they are then separated from the seawater and sediment and sent along a conveyor to the hold of the Hidden Gem.

  • TMC and PAMCO have entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding where PAMCO will evaluate the feasibility of processing of 1.3 million tonnes of wet polymetallic nodules (PMN) per year from 2025 onwards to produce lithium-ion battery and steel making feedstocks as part of TMC’s NORI-D Project Zero development
  • This MoU is a key element of TMC’s stated capital-light strategy to get into commercial production with low upfront capital costs by leveraging existing production assets which require minimal modification
  • PAMCO will undertake studies and testing on a 22-tonne PMN sample collected by NORI during the successful integrated collection system test completed on the NORI – D area in November 2022 to confirm the capacity and identify any additional facility requirements of the PAMCO Hachinohe facility to process PMN into nickel-copper-cobalt alloy and manganese silicate
  • PAMCO is also evaluating the feasibility of a new processing facility to convert nickel-copper-cobalt alloy into an upgraded matte product
  • The parties are working towards a binding MOU for toll-processing in 2023 with definitive agreements to follow

NEW YORK, March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or the “Company”), an explorer of the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, today announced that it has entered into a non-binding MOU with Pacific Metals Co Ltd (PAMCO) of Japan, to evaluate the toll treatment of an initial quantity of 1.3 million tonnes of wet polymetallic nodules per year at PAMCO’s Hachinohe smelting facility starting in 2025, consistent with the commencement of TMC’s planned first commercial production by end of 2024. The toll treatment is intended to take place on a dedicated rotary kiln-electric arc furnace (RKEF) processing line and produce two products: nickel-copper-cobalt alloy — an intermediate product used as feedstock to produce Li-ion battery cathodes — and a manganese silicate product used to make silico-manganese alloy, a critical input into steel manufacturing. PAMCO’s Hachinohe facility is located on the coast in northern Japan and is equipped with port and processing infrastructure required to receive and process polymetallic nodules and to ship products to customers.

Nodules aboard the Hidden Gem

During recent integrated collection system trials in November, TMC successfully collected over 3,000 tonnes of nodules while independent scientists from a dozen of the world’s leading marine research institutions monitored the environmental impacts.

Under the MOU, PAMCO will undertake studies to estimate the cost of processing polymetallic nodules through existing facilities and identify any additional equipment requirements, currently expected to be minimal. This work will inform expected nodule through-put, process operating conditions and product specifications for PAMCO’s dedicated production line. PAMCO has received a 22-tonne sample of polymetallic nodules for use in the evaluations.

In parallel, PAMCO is studying the addition of a facility to process the intermediate alloy to nickel-copper-cobalt matte, which is an upgraded intermediate battery supply chain feedstock. It is anticipated that the additional facility would be constructed once commercial processing of polymetallic nodules to alloy has been demonstrated. The parties are working towards a binding MOU for toll-processing in 2023 with definitive agreements to follow.

Gerard Barron, CEO & Chairman of The Metals Company, said: “We are excited about the prospect of working closely with PAMCO who have been smelting nickel laterite ores at their Hachinohe facility since 1965 and have considerable experience in adapting to various land-based feedstocks from the Pacific. Technically, the Hachinohe plant appears well-suited to deploy the near-zero solid waste flowsheet we developed for processing nodules with little modification. Strategically, we are aligned with PAMCO’s goal to contribute materials to a sustainable and recycling-oriented society. We look forward to working with PAMCO on the upcoming study program, finalizing the agreements and ultimately processing nodules to provide the metals required for the energy transition. This MoU is part of our stated capital-light strategy to get into initial commercial production swiftly and with lower upfront capital by re-using existing production assets like our first production vessel and former drill ship, Hidden Gem, and existing smelting facilities onshore, as well as by leveraging the deep operational expertise of our partners Allseas and onshore processors like PAMCO. These partnerships and our relentless focus on the environmental and social impacts of any future operations is how we unlock the enormous battery metal resource held by TMC.”

Masayuki Aoyama, PAMCO President, commented: “We look forward to working with TMC to enhance the value of the Hachinohe facility by processing a higher value material with a lower environmental impact. We are excited by the prospect of being the first commercial processor of polymetallic nodules and see the opportunity to emerge as supplier of Li–ion battery metals.”

About The Metals Company
The Metals Company is an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for the clean energy transition with the least possible negative environmental and social impact and (2) accelerate the transition to a circular metal economy. The Company through its subsidiaries holds exploration and commercial rights to three polymetallic nodule contract areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean regulated by the International Seabed Authority and sponsored by the governments of Nauru, Kiribati and the Kingdom of Tonga.

About Pacific Metals (PAMCO)
Since its establishment in 1949, Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. (PAMCO) has performed through Japan’s post-war reconstruction and many crises to develop new technologies, launch new products, and implement an effective quality control program with a view to satisfying the needs of the customer and becomes Japanese leading ferronickel producer. With ferronickel as its main product, PAMCO produces nickel slag products obtained as by-products in the smelting process.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the studies to evaluate the processing of polymetallic nodules and the processing of a 22-tonne sample of nodules and feasibility of adding a new processing facility to convert nickel-copper-cobalt alloy into an upgraded matte product. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside TMC’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: Regulatory uncertainties and the impact of government regulation and political instability on TMC’s resource activities; changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or policies to which TMC is subject; the impact of extensive and costly environmental requirements on TMC’s operations; environmental liabilities; the impact of polymetallic nodule collection on biodiversity in the CCZ and recovery rates of impacted ecosystems; TMC’s ability to develop minerals in sufficient grade or quantities to justify commercial operations; the lack of development of seafloor polymetallic nodule deposit; uncertainty in the estimates for mineral resource calculations from certain contract areas and for the grade and quality of polymetallic nodule deposits; risks associated with natural hazards; uncertainty with respect to the specialized treatment and processing of polymetallic nodules that TMC may recover; risks associated with collection, development and processing polymetallic nodules; risks associated with TMC’s limited operating history; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with TMC’s intellectual property and the validity, use and ownership of any new technology or intellectual property subsisting therein; TMC’s ability to raise additional funds; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s Form 10-K, dated and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 25, 2022 as well as the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2022, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in TMC’s other future filings with the SEC. TMC cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. TMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. TMC does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based except as required by law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5eb127e5-c1da-49f0-83db-c661ef47a44f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa3473bb-76f5-4387-a024-365f85cc58e3

More Info 
Media | media@metals.co 
Investors | investors@metals.co

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8789658

Numerous activities to be held at Hung King Festival 2023

Various activities will be held in the northern province of Phu Tho to mark the death anniversary of Hung Kings, considered the founders of Vietnam, heard a meeting organised by the provincial People’s Committee on the matter.

The 10-day event, beginning on April 20, will also be a platform for the Culture and Tourism Week of Ancestral Land in the locality.

The death anniversary of the Hung Kings is commemorated on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 29 this year, and is a national holiday. The practice of worshiping the Hung Kings in Phu Tho province was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage in 2012.

Main rituals during the event include ceremonies to offer incense to Lac Long Quan and Au Co – the progenitors of Vietnam as well as flower offering at the monument which features the President Ho Chi Minh talking with soldiers from the Vietnam People’s Army.

Other activities include an international conference on Vietnam’s tourism, culture, heritages and sustainable development, a swimming and stand-up paddle board competition, the northwest tourism fair 2023, and football and volleyball tournaments.

Visitors can also enjoy the Northwestern Tourism Fair in 2023, the Northeast – Phu Tho trade fair in 2023, the Land Father Food Culture Festival, and a Cultural Camp and Art Festival to celebrate the legacy of the Hung Kings./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Thai Navy strives to prevent oil spill in Gulf of Thailand

The Thai government has ordered the Royal Thai Navy to join efforts to rescue an oil tanker operated by a unit of Chevron Corp that was damaged earlier this week during a routine maintenance in the Gulf of Thailand.

According to government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, the Navy will focus on helping the crew in plugging a leak that has led to water seeping into the hull of the ship, adding that they will also take steps to prevent oil spill as the tanker is carrying 400,000 barrels of crude oil

Sea water seeped into FSO Bechamas 2 on March 14 following the explosion of a machine during the routine maintenance.

One crew member was killed in the explosion, while the remaining 28 members are safe and the ship was in a steady condition, Anucha said.

The official said that the vessel is now 200km from Sattahip naval base in the eastern province of Chon Buri.

The spokesman confirmed that the Navy will assist in recovering the body of the deceased crew member and be ready to respond in the event of an oil spill, noting that no report about a crude oil leak has been released./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Photo exhibition reveals daily life of late composer Trinh Cong Son

A photo exhibition featuring late composer Trinh Cong Son opened on March 16 at the Centre for Culture, Information and Sports in Hue City, the hometown of the composer, in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

The exhibition, Trinh Cong Son- Lan Dau Gap Lai (Trinh Cong Son- Meeting you again for first time), features 35 black-and-white photos taken by photographer Duong Minh Long which capture the everyday moments of the musician.

All works in the exhibition are introduced to the public for the first time, including those of the musician and relatives and friends, such as late composer Van Cao, Vietnamese-French film director Tran Anh Hung and singer Liz Mitchell of the German-Caribbean vocal group Boney M. They are selected from over 9,000 photos that Long took of the late composer over 11 years, from 1990 to his death in 2001.

The exhibition offers an opportunity for viewers and Son’s music lovers to know more about his life, said Director of the Centre for Culture, Information and Sports of Hue city Tran Viet Hung.

Born in Hue in 1939, Son became popular in 1957. His lasting legacy includes albums of romantic love songs, such as Diem Xua (Diem, My Cherished Old Flame) and Ru Tinh (Lullaby to Love), released in the 1960s and 70s.

Diem Xua is well-known in Japan, where it was introduced through well-known singer Khanh Ly in Osaka in 1970. Later, the song was written in Japanese, titled Utsukushii Mukashi, and was listed among Japan’s top 10 favourite love songs.

Son went on to become southern Vietnam’s most famous songwriter of anti-war music collections, including Ca Khuc Da Vang (Yellow Skin Song), Kinh Viet Nam (Vietnamese Prayer) and Ta Phai Thay Mat Troi (We Must See The Sunlight).

He died in HCM City in 2001 after a prolonged illness.

The exhibition will remain open until April 2./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Poland: PM

Vietnam always treasures and wants to strengthen its multifaceted cooperation with Poland, a traditional friend and partner in Central Eastern Europe, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while receiving Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Hanoi on March 16.

The PM thanked the Government and people of Poland for their donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tonnes of medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome the pandemic and boost economic recovery, stressed that the move reflected sincere affection and deep attachment between the people of the two countries.

For his part, Rau said he is impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to fortify its collaboration with the nation, the most important partner of Poland in Southeast Asia.

Regarding the Vietnam-Poland relationship, PM Chinh expressed his pleasure to see its positive progress over the past time and suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones and between sectors and localities, to boost political trust and mutual understanding, forming a basis for their bilateral cooperation expansion across all fields.

Poland has been Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in Central Eastern Europe for years and the two countries’ economic and trade cooperation maintains a strong growth momentum despite COVID-19, the Government leader said, adding that bilateral trade stood at a high level in 2021 and 2022, over 2.5 billion USD.

PM Chinh recommended Poland to create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic products to penetrate deeper into the Polish market; and encourage Polish businesses to step up investment in Vietnam’s pharmaceuticals, food processing, and manufacturing industries.

He proposed the European nation soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate equal and mutually beneficial investment cooperation between the two countries; and urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its yellow card warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports, meeting the interests of Polish and EU consumers and ensuring livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of workers in the Vietnamese fishing industry.

The host and guest exchanged views on a number of measures to beef up cooperation in education-training, culture-tourism, agriculture, and science-technology.

Rau pledged to encourage Polish ministries and branches to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to concretise the PM’s recommendations, contributing to making the bilateral cooperation more practical and effective.

He expressed his desire to strengthen the bilateral partnership in areas where Poland has strengths such as IT, smart cities building, green technology, and environmental protection.

The PM and the Polish minister agreed that the two countries should strengthen cooperation at multilateral and regional forums.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they emphasised the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea as well as settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Chinh thanked the Polish Government’s support for Vietnamese expatriates in Poland as well as Vietnamese people in Ukraine who evacuated to the country. He proposed Poland further create favourable conditions for the expatriate community to stabilise their lives and make practical and effective contributions to the fine traditional friendship between Vietnam and Poland.

On this occasion, Rau conveyed Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki’s invitation to PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Poland soon. The Vietnamese leader said he will arrange a trip to Poland at an appropriate time./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

PM meets with chiefs of Vietnamese representative offices abroad

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with 16 ambassadors and chiefs of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad for the 2023-2026 tenure in Hanoi on March 16, before they set off for work in 48 countries and territories worldwide.

Speaking at the meeting, the PM lauded significant contributions by the diplomatic sector to the cause of national construction, including those by representative agencies abroad.

He asked the diplomats to persistently and flexible implement the foreign policy of the Party and the State, and thoroughly grasp Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s instruction that is “serving national development is the key task of the diplomatic sector.”

Each of the mission chiefs should regard economic diplomacy as a high priority during their term, with the organisation of all-level external activities being the top focus, the leader said. PM Chinh asked them to maintain close links with ministries, agencies and localities at home to facilitate investment attraction as well as market and supply chain expansion and diversification.

The diplomats were also requested to deepen relations with partners and identify key cooperation areas with each of them, while paying more attention to citizen protection and overseas Vietnamese affairs, thus encouraging OVs to contribute more to the home land and strengthening the great national unity bloc in national construction and defence.

The PM urged them to promote the image of Vietnam through diverse forms as well as Vietnamese language teaching in foreign countries.

The leader expressed his belief that the mission chiefs will maintain the solidarity within their circle and with other representative offices, carry forward traditions of the diplomatic sector and well implement diplomatic guidelines set by the Party and the State./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency