COCA-COLA, BUREAU VERITAS, ACCENTURE TO LEAD FOR 2022 AFRICA EDITION OF CEILING TOUCH THE SKY(R)

Africa’s Best organizations to share and learn best practices for leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, and success on June 1, 2022.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd (HORP) today announced that its 2022 Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky® – the success and leadership summit for women will be held virtually on June 1, 2022, bringing together virtually leaders  from the best Companies in Africa to share best practices on leadership, diversity & inclusion, and success. Coca-Cola, Bureau Veritas, and Accenture will lead as the early sponsors for this Edition.

Logo

Break the ceiling touch the sky® is the world’s leading forum for women in leadership, having inspired and enabled over 30000 women leaders to greater success across editions in Africa, North America, Europe, Middle East, ANZ and Asia since 2015. The summit is based on the best-selling book “Break the ceiling touch the sky: success secrets of the world’s most inspirational women” by Anthony A. Rose, Chairman and CEO, House of Rose Professional.  The summit supports MISSION 2029 FOR A BETTER WORLD – a 10-year global initiative led by HORP and several global partner organizations to shape a better world by quintupling the number of Female CEOs in the worlds 500 largest Companies by 2029 and doubling the number of Male CEOs advocating and investing in diversity & inclusion.  With some of the world’s fastest growing economies in Africa, the Region is expected to contribute significantly towards this Mission.

Commented Philippine Mtikitiki,Vice President, South Africa, The Coca-Cola Company, “Diversity and inclusion is at the core of our business. We continue to invest and make progress in unlocking the full potential of our people with equal access to development and opportunity.  We are delighted to partner with Break the ceiling touch the sky® for this important 2022 Africa Edition and contribute to accelerating the development of human capital in the region.” 

Commented Marc Roussel, President Government Services & International Trade & SVP Africa, Bureau Veritas“An Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky® is an important development in the mission for global gender diversity & inclusion. Gender diverse companies are financially more successful, better employers, greater innovators, and better corporate citizens. Bureau Veritas Africa looks forward to sharing and learning best practices on leadership, diversity & inclusion best practices alongside many other winning organizations at the 2022 Africa Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky.”

Vukani Mngxati, Chief Executive Officer & Board Chairman, Accenture in Africa, shared, “We believe the future workforce is an equal one. There is no doubt that the pandemic hit women the hardest. From skyrocketing unemployment to taking on more responsibilities at home, it has never been more important to ensure equitable experiences for women. We expect leaders at all levels to help create and sustain a culture of equality. I personally believe that inclusion helps us to unleash greater innovation and enables  our people to perform at their very best. Through Break the ceiling touch the sky® we share our learnings on leadership, diversity & inclusion to benefit the broader industry and  learn from others’ best practices as well.”

Companies or individuals can register for the summit at

https://houseofroseprofessional.com/btctts-world-tour-2022/africa-2022/

House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd® is a global leader in the Talent, Training and Transformation businesses via its three core brands Break the ceiling touch the sky® (Training), Dream Job International®(Talent) and CEOSmith® (Transformation).

Inquiries contact:

Anthony A. Rose
House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd.
Email: anthony@houseofroseprofessional.com
www.houseofroseprofessional.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1559937/House_of_Rose_Professional_Logo.jpg

Vela Diagnostics présente ses panels de séquençage des gènes du cancer ciblés (60 gènes) et complets (525 gènes) basés sur les NGS

HAMBOURG, Allemagne, 28 mars 2022  /PRNewswire/ — Vela Diagnostics a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement de ses nouveaux panels de séquençage OncoKey® SL 60 et 525 Plus. Ces panels basés sur les systèmes de séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS) sont conçus pour détecter les biomarqueurs d’ADN et d’ARN du cancer à partir d’échantillons de tissus fixés au formol et inclus en paraffine (FFPE), pour un maximum de 64 échantillons par cycle de séquençage.

Vela Diagnostics propose deux panels de séquençage des gènes du cancer : le système OncoKey® SL 60 Plus et le système complet OncoKey® SL 525 Plus. Avec seulement 40 ng d’acide nucléique, le panel de séquençage peut détecter les biomarqueurs suivants en un seul test : polymorphisme d’un seul nucléotide (PSN), insertions ou délétions (indel), variations du nombre de copies (copy number variations, CNV), instabilité des microsatellites (microsatellite instability, MSI), fusions, épissage alternatif, virus et bactéries oncogènes, et peut mesurer la charge mutationnelle tumorale (CMT).

Ces panels basés sur les NGS présentent un flux de travail hautement automatisé, de l’échantillon au résultat. Ils peuvent produire des résultats en cinq jours, ne nécessitent que 2,5 heures de travail manuel et assurent une traçabilité élevée des échantillons, de l’extraction automatisée des échantillons au contrôle de la qualité (CQ) des données. VELA® Analytics permet de créer des rapports internes concis, fondés sur des données probantes, qui fournissent aux clients les informations nécessaires pour prendre des décisions éclairées quant aux options de traitement possibles. Par ailleurs, les laboratoires disposant de peu d’échantillons peuvent choisir d’effectuer les tests manuellement.

Le flux de travail des panels OncoKey® SL 60 et 525 Plus repose sur les plateformes de séquençage Illumina. Les panels peuvent donc s’adapter sans problème aux situations actuelles des laboratoires. Associés à des adaptateurs UMI-UDI doubles, à un système de capture par hybridation, à un séquençage par synthèse et à un pipeline bio-informatique validé avec soin, les panels présentent une sensibilité élevée et un profilage complet des variantes, ainsi qu’une couverture de séquençage uniforme.

« Les panels OncoKey® 60 et 525 Plus de VELA sont un formidable progrès dans la médecine de précision pour le cancer, a déclaré le Dr Andreas Goertz, directeur général de la division européenne de Vela Diagnostics. Ces panels sont composés de gènes pertinents d’un point de vue clinique et ont été conçus sur la base de contributions de personnalités influentes dans le domaine de l’oncologie, ainsi que de références à des directives professionnelles, à des essais cliniques et à des bases de données sur le cancer. »

« Vela Diagnostics prévoit de rendre disponibles les panels OncoKey® 60 et 525 Plus au quatrième trimestre 2022 aux États-Unis et en Asie-Pacifique, a ajouté Sam Dajani, PDG et président exécutif de Vela Diagnostics. L’utilisation de ces panels sur le flux de travail automatisé de Vela Diagnostics permettra de réduire les erreurs humaines et de minimiser la contamination croisée des échantillons qui peut être engendrée par un flux de travail manuel. Par ailleurs, nos solutions et services VELA® Analytics peuvent identifier et interpréter les variantes génétiques dans les tumeurs, ce qui permet de fournir rapidement et avec précision des options exploitables aux professionnels de la santé et de la recherche. »

À propos de Vela Diagnostics

Vela Diagnostics est un fournisseur de premier plan de solutions intégrées de diagnostic in vitro, de l’échantillon au résultat. Les solutions de test de VELA utilisent la plateforme automatisée Sentosa®, et offrent la possibilité unique d’utiliser un seul système pour les tests NGS et PCR dans le domaine des maladies infectieuses et de l’oncologie.

Tous les produits Sentosa® énumérés ci-dessus sont de Vela Diagnostics. Pour plus d’informations, consultez le site www.veladx.com. Tous les autres noms de produits, marques déposées et logos sont la propriété de leurs détenteurs respectifs.

Contact pour les médias :

vince.yip@veladx.com

 

 

Vela Diagnostics Launches Focused (60 Genes) and Comprehensive (525 Genes) NGS-Based Pan-Cancer Panels

HAMBURG, Germany, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vela Diagnostics announced today the launch of its new OncoKey® SL 60 and 525 Plus Panels. These next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based panels are intended for detection of DNA and RNA cancer biomarkers from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens, for up to 64 samples in a single sequencing run.

Vela Diagnostics offers two pan-cancer gene panels: the focused OncoKey® SL 60 Plus Panel, and the comprehensive OncoKey® SL 525 Plus Panel. With just 40 ng of nucleic acid, the panel can detect the following biomarkers in one assay: single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), copy number variations (CNVs), microsatellite instability (MSI), fusions, splice variants, oncogenic viruses and bacteria, as well as measuring the tumor mutation burden (TMB).

These NGS-based panels feature a highly-automated, sample-to-result workflow. They are able to produce results within 5 days, requiring only 2.5 hours of hands-on time, and provide high sample traceability, from automated sample extraction to data quality control (QC). VELA® Analytics can create concise, evidence-based in-house reports that help customers with the information to make timely, informed decisions about possible treatment options. Additionally, laboratories with low sample volumes can choose to perform the assays in a manual workflow.

Crucially, the OncoKey® SL 60 and 525 Plus Panel workflow is wrapped around Illumina sequencing platforms. Thus, the panels can be seamlessly adapted to current lab situations. Combined with dual UMI-UDI adapters, hybrid capture target enrichment, sequencing by synthesis and thoroughly validated bioinformatics pipeline, the panels boast high sensitivity and comprehensive variant profiling, plus sequencing coverage uniformity.

“VELA’s OncoKey® 60 and 525 Plus Panels represent an exciting development in precision medicine for cancer,” said Dr Andreas Goertz, Managing Director of Vela Diagnostics’ European organization. “These panels consist of clinically relevant genes of interest and were designed based on input from key opinion leaders in oncology, as well as references to professional guidelines, curated clinical trial and cancer databases.”

“Vela Diagnostics is planning to launch our OncoKey® 60 and 525 Plus Panels in Q4 2022 in the USA and Asia Pacific,” said Sam Dajani, CEO and Executive Chairman of Vela Diagnostics. “Using these panels on Vela Diagnostics’ automated workflow will reduce human error and minimize sample cross contamination which can be generated by using a manual workflow. In addition, our VELA® Analytics solutions and services can identify and interpret genetic variants in tumors making it possible to provide actionable options for healthcare and research professionals quickly and accurately,” added Mr Dajani.

About Vela Diagnostics

Vela Diagnostics is a leading provider for integrated IVD system solutions, from sample to result. VELA’s test solutions utilize the automated Sentosa® platform, providing the unique ability to leverage one system for NGS and PCR testing in infectious disease and oncology.

All Sentosa® products listed above are by Vela Diagnostics. For more information, visit www.veladx.com. All other product names, trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact

vince.yip@veladx.com

Presales Open for Metahunter: The Metaverse for All

The combination of MMORPG, Sandbox, and open-world concepts opens the door to a new Metaverse.

SINGAPORE, March 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A new dawn is coming to the virtual world in the shape of Metahunter, a platform that is focused on accessibility, education, and opportunity for any and all who want to experience the metaverse. Presales have now begun at https://metahunter.com/.

Metahunter Logo

With over 500 influencers onboarded into the ecosystem, Metahunter is on track to becoming the largest Metaverse space in the world. Metahunter aims to become the Metaverse for all by providing equal opportunity to all regardless of social level, becoming the first of many to make the virtual experience a reality for millions of unserved people worldwide.

Metahunter Influencers Community

Unlike many other projects created in the market, Metahunter isn’t just trying to take advantage of the hype and short-term profits. Instead, Metahunter makes the Metaverse experience accessible to tens of millions of people in the market who don’t currently have the opportunity and knowledge to participate due to high entry costs and other barriers.

Not only does Metahunter provide a beginner-friendly platform, but it also provides a place for newcomers to learn more about play-to-earn gaming and blockchain technology. It gives everyone a chance to get into Metaverse at an affordable price. The new platform will offer those that haven’t been able to participate in play-to-earn gaming a unique first-time opportunity.

Allen Tan Chee Hoe

Founded by Allen Tan Chee Hoe, who previously founded Findwork, a recruitment platform with over 4 million verified and certified users that connects underserved personnel to working opportunities. Currently, Allen leads the Metahunter team of seasoned executives in blockchain, technology, capital markets, marketing, entrepreneurship, gaming, influencers, community builders, and more. The Metahunter team has a background from companies like Facebook Gaming, SuperCell, J.P. Morgan, Renaissance Capital, etc.

Unlike other platforms which rely on bots or other sources to generate traffic, Metahunter will build an organic approach. With a possible outreach of at least 100 million people globally, Metahunter is on track to create the most immersive Metaverse experience.

Metahunter is a “Metaverse for All” where everyone can play, learn, and earn together. Take advantage of this early opportunity, and let’s build the largest Metaverse world together!

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1766819/logo_final_Logo.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1769461/1.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1769462/2.jpg

Research Claims Widespread Fraud in Australia’s Official Carbon Abatement Scheme

Australia’s 11-year-old carbon credit scheme aims to reward farmers, landholders and other businesses to store carbon in trees, the soil or to use different methods to cut emissions.

For every ton of greenhouse gases stored or prevented, projects registered under Australia’s official $3.4 billion Emissions Reduction Fund receive a carbon credit. The credit is essentially a certificate or permit allowing the holder to emit a ton of greenhouse gas.

Most credits have been bought by the government in Canberra, while a growing number are privately traded by companies wanting to offset their own emissions.

However, new research has uncovered alleged widespread inconsistencies in the system.

The study was undertaken by Australian National University law professor Andrew Macintosh, who was involved in the development of the initial scheme.

He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that most of the credits do not represent a real or extra carbon abatement.

“What we have got happening at the moment is a collection of things across a range of methods; issuing credits to not clear forests that were never going to be cleared, to issue credits for growing trees that simply are not there, or issuing credits for growing trees that are already there, or in the case of that landfill gas, giving people credits for capturing and combusting methane in circumstances where it would have been done anyway because it is commercially viable to do it,” he said.

Macintosh has called for the entire program to be scrapped and for the process to start again from scratch.

In response, Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator, which runs the initiative, said it would assess the research.

It has, however, insisted the projects it manages are carefully monitored. The regulator rejected assertions in the study that between 70 to 80% of the carbon credits issued were essentially worthless.

Australia’s center-right government pledged last year to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 “in a practical, responsible way…while preserving Australian jobs and generating new opportunities for industries.”

Campaigners, however, have argued that the government’s strong support for the fossil fuel industries is environmentally irresponsible.

Australia has high rates of per capita emissions in large part because of its reliance on coal for much of its electricity generation.

Source: Voice of America

Oscars Audience Tops 15 Million, Exceeding Last Year

Television ratings for the Oscars rebounded somewhat from last year’s record low, but the event clearly doesn’t have the appeal to viewers that it once had.

Sunday’s ceremony reached an estimated 15.36 million viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen company numbers released on Monday by ABC. A more detailed estimate is expected Tuesday, with elements like out-of-home viewing added.

“CODA” won best picture in Sunday’s ceremony, but all of the winners and losers were overshadowed by best actor winner Will Smith storming the stage to slap comic Chris Rock because of a joke Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 ceremony had reached a startlingly low 9.85 million viewers. That led to several changes in the Oscars going into this year, including the addition of hosts and awarding eight categories ahead of the broadcast and editing them into the live show.

While that clearly seemed to help, an audience of 15 million is still below the 23.6 million people who watched the Oscars in 2020. Until last year, that was the smallest-ever audience for an Oscars ceremony.

Nielsen did not immediately have more specific viewership numbers for Sunday’s show. The research company Samba TV said its own statistics indicate some 1.5 million more households watched the Oscars after the Smith-Rock incident than were watching before.

Viewership for live television events, with the notable exception of NFL football games, has been declining for several years with the advent of streaming and cord-cutting. Some Hollywood observers believe that the relatively niche appeal of many films honored by the Oscars has also limited the audience.

Source: Voice of America