Smashing Success: NASA Asteroid Strike Results in Big Nudge

A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions of miles away succeeded in shifting its orbit, NASA said Tuesday in announcing the results of its save-the-world test.

The space agency attempted the first test of its kind two weeks ago to see if in the future a killer rock could be nudged out of Earth’s way.

The Dart spacecraft carved a crater into the asteroid Dimorphos on Sept. 26, hurling debris out into space and creating a cometlike trail of dust and rubble stretching several thousand kilometers. It took days of telescope observations to determine how much the impact altered the path of the 160-meter asteroid around its companion, a much bigger space rock.

Before the impact, the moonlet took 11 hours and 55 minutes to circle its parent asteroid. Scientists had hoped to shave off 10 minutes but NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the impact altered the asteroid’s orbit by about 32 minutes.

“This mission shows that NASA is trying to be ready for whatever the universe throws at us,” Nelson said during a briefing at NASA headquarters in Washington.

Neither asteroid posed a threat to Earth — and still don’t as they continue their journey around the sun. That’s why scientists picked the pair for the world’s first attempt to alter the position of a celestial body.

Launched last year, the vending machine-size Dart — short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test — was destroyed when it slammed into the asteroid 11 million kilometers away at 22,500 kph.

The test cost $325 million.

Source: Voice of America

White House: Get New Booster by Halloween for Safer Holidays

The White House on Tuesday said eligible Americans should get the updated COVID-19 boosters by Halloween to have maximum protection against the coronavirus by Thanksgiving and the holidays, as it warned of a “challenging” virus season ahead.

Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 coordinator, said the U.S. has the tools, both from vaccines and treatments, to largely eliminate serious illness and death from the virus, but he stressed that’s only the case if people do their part.

“We are not helpless against these challenges,” he said. “What happens this winter is up to us.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says only about 11.5 million Americans so far have received the updated shots, which are meant to provide a boost of protection against both the original strain of COVID-19 and the BA.5 variant that is dominant around the world. Jha said studies suggest that if more Americans get the updated vaccines, “we could save hundreds of lives each day this winter.”

More than 330 people die on average each day of COVID-19, according to CDC data, with the U.S. death toll standing at over 1.05 million.

Jha acknowledged the slower pace of vaccinations, saying, “We expected September to be a month where it would just start picking up.” He added that the White House expects more Americans to get the updated boosters this month, around the time when they get their annual flu shots. He also emphasized that they should look to get them soon to be protected when they gather with family and friends.

“I think people should get vaccinated before Halloween,” he said.

Jha criticized Congress, which has refused the White House’s $22 billion budget request for virus response, saying that has kept the U.S. from building a stockpile of tests to use in the event of a new winter surge.

“You can’t fight a deadly virus without resources,” he said, “and congressional inaction is really costly.”

Source: Voice of America

Angosat-2 to be launched Wednesday

Luanda – The Angolan AngoSat-2 satellite will be launched into orbit on Wednesday from Baikonur Aerospace Station, in Kazakhstan.

Angosat-2 has a transmission capacity seven times greater than the first device, which had 16 transponders in C Band and six in KU Band.

Having 15 years of lifetime, Angosat-2 will also have six transponders in the C Band, 24 in the KU Band and, as a novelty, one transponder in the KA Band.

Angosat-2 is a High Transmission Rate (HTS) satellite with a total weight of two tonnes and will provide 13 gigabytes in each illuminated region (zones within reach of the satellite´s signal). The satellite will be based on the Eurostar-3000 platform.

Angosat-2 began construction on 28 April 2018 at Airbus company´s facility in France, where all the satellite´s payload was installed.

The structure was then transferred to the ISS Reshetnev factory in the “closed” city of Zheleznogorsk, near Krasnoyarsk in the Siberian region, where the casing was produced and the starter mechanism was installed.

It was followed by the transfer to the launch site, at the Baikonur aerospace station in Kazakhstan, from where it will leave for space orbit.

The new Angolan AngoSat-2 satellite is part of the framework of the Angolan Executive to reduce digital exclusion in the country particularly and in Africa in general, thus allowing to extend telecommunication services in the deeper locations with competitive prices.

The satellite comprises a series of services with capacity to cover the African continent, especially the southern region and most part of southern Europe.

It emerged with the mission of replacing ANGOSAT-1, the first Angolan satellite, launched into orbit on 26 December 2017, which faced problems in space.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Ahli United Bank and Montran Corporation to Deliver Virtual Accounts Management to Ahli United Bank Corporate Clients

Ahli United Bank will enhance its value propositions for its various corporate client segments in the Middle East and North Africa via Montran’s next-generation solutions

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Ahli United Bank, a leading pan-regional financial services provider, today announced that it has selected Montran Corporation’s Virtual Account Management solutions to provide centralized treasury and cash management operations, across its diverse corporate client segments. Both companies commemorated the announcement with a signing ceremony at Sibos 2022 in Amsterdam.

Utilizing Montran’s multi-currency virtual account management platform will allow Ahli United Bank to help their corporate clients in the region to both simplify their cash and payment transactions and manage them more effectively.

“Our large corporate clients typically have a complex account structure that complicates unified, real-time visibility and reconciliation,” said Othman Hijazi, Deputy Group CEO, Corporate Banking, Ahli United Bank. “With the help of Montran’s Virtual Account Management solutions, we will be better equipped to empower said clients to simplify and streamline their bank account structures, gain a unified view and control of real-time liquidity positions, and drive greater efficiency across global liquidity reporting and management, as well as overall treasury operations.”

Alexander Esca, Chairman and CEO at Montran Corporation, said, “The versatility of Montran’s multi-bank Virtual Account Management solutions mean a fast and streamlined integration into Ahli United Bank’s existing infrastructure, with rapid client onboarding across the MENA region. Montran’s Virtual Account Management solutions enable a modern platform for Ahli United Bank to offer its various client segments sophisticated liquidity management capabilities. We are thrilled to announce this strategic relationship, and look forward to delivering the future-forward solutions that Ahli United Bank requires.”

About Ahli United Bank
Ahli United Bank B.S.C (AUB) is a leading pan-regional financial services provider, incorporated in Bahrain in May 2000. It offers a full range of retail, commercial, and private banking & wealth management services, both conventional and Sharia-compliant, across the MENA region and the UK. AUB operates through its Bahrain Head Office and its subsidiaries in Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, and the UK as well as its associates in Oman and Libya; and a branch in the UAE (DIFC). For more information, visit www.ahliunited.com.kw.

About Montran
Founded in 1979, Montran Corporation provides Payment, Cash and Liquidity Management solutions and services to many of the world’s foremost financial and corporate institutions, enabling them to stay ahead in today’s increasingly challenging financial industry landscape. Having mission critical installations and operations in over 80 countries, Montran Corporation is a global leader in the financial technology arena. More information about Montran Corporation’s Products and Services can be found at www.montran.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1917767/Montran_Sibos_Group.jpg

St Kitts and Nevis – the perfect choice for astute investors concerned about global instability

BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Oct. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The world is changing and is at an unpredictable place. The aftermath of the global pandemic has plagued the world with instability and many people are looking for options to escape the challenges and restrictions imposed by their countries of origin. At some point in life, almost everyone has fantasized about escaping from their highly stressed lives to live in the peaceful and calm surroundings of a beautiful island. Making this dream a reality is now more accessible than ever before as the world rallies to recover from the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Instability caused by political conflict or malfunctioning societies has been experienced by both developing and developed countries. With the world in crisis and a number of protectionist regimes gaining power, exacerbated by tightening of borders and increased measures to prevent flight out of capitals, people feel like their freedom is under threat. In these situations, looking to relocate to a different country while seeking peace and stability is neither a far-fetched thought nor a selfish act. Families and entrepreneurs who have both the resources and the will to relocate to a different country, seeking better opportunities and living conditions for themselves and their families, are one of the most well-suited groups for investing in CBI programmes offered by a number of countries throughout the world.

St Kitts and Nevis, located in the Eastern Caribbean, is one of the most sought-after destinations when it comes to travel and tourism. But in addition to that, the country is home to the world’s first and one of the most trusted Citizenship by Investment Programmes. With a stable, safe and peaceful environment, it is a welcome space for those who choose to make it their home.

The CBI Programme of St Kitts and Nevis was launched in 1984 and has been the pride of the Caribbean ever since. The idyllic islands’ stunning natural beauty, rich history, and friendly locals make it a perfect destination for people looking for the traditional Caribbean experience.

The island nation in the western hemisphere has become a favourite destination for wealthy people from countries in East Africa, and it is especially attractive to High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) globally.

East Africa includes a diversified set of nations, with these countries not only home to many HNWIs, but also a wide range of issues that might cause internal conflict or instability. At least three East African nations, including Kenya, are among the seven most populous nations on the continent, thus making the area into one of the fastest-growing populations in the world.

However, at the same time, the East-African region is plagued with a number of concerns, which make the area less desirable. Over the last few years, East Africa has experienced insecurity, a lack of stability and good governance. The nations in the East Africa have, for a long time, struggled to cope with and resolve some major security concerns such as security breaches, widespread terrorism, and disputes. With these challenges individuals question whether their home country is the ideal environment to raise a family, start a business or invest ones wealth.

High Net Worth Individuals residing in such a political area often find it easier and more comfortable to switch to a more peaceful and stable nation. The friendly and peaceful shores of St Kitts and Nevis are an ideal destination for individuals seeking a respite from the chaos of the world.

St Kitts and Nevis is jointly managed via the efforts of the Governor-General, who is the crown’s official representative in the country, along with the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, and the Premier, who is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of Nevis Island.

The distribution of power between the three entities who are answerable to the people of the federation, ensures that there is a fair distribution of power amongst the representative entities. As a result, St Kitts and Nevis is able to provide a politically stable home to those who seek to invest in the CBI Programme of the country to attain alternative citizenship.

The country has a deep-rooted history which has been passed down through generations of people who lived on the islands and has for generations attracted historians and enthusiasts of history to its shores.

The CBI Programme of St Kitts and Nevis provides an opportunity to obtain alternative citizenship for the investor and their family. An investor’s spouse, children, parents and siblings are eligible for citizenship along with the investor. Another benefit is that once a person has citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis, children can inherit citizenship from their parents.

Many countries all over the world have been dubbed insensitive and non-inclusive of a certain group of people; accordingly, people find it hard at times to ensure their safety and the safety of their families. St Kitts and Nevis is a country of inclusivity and provides citizens with a place they can live their life the way they want without the fear of discrimination. St Kitts and Nevis is known for its welcoming and warm nature to all those who grace its shores, whether for tourism or citizenship.

As one of the oldest CBI programmes on offer in the Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis has been recognised several times as the best running CBI Programme in the world. In 2022 the Professional Wealth Management Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times, ranked it jointly as the number one programme in the 2022 CBI Index Report. Amongst others it was recognised for its “Ease of Processing” and “Due Diligence” Pillars.

In a time when the world is less certain than ever before and where a growing number of people are considering their options, relocating to St Kitts and Nevis to enjoy the peace, stability and opportunities afforded by the country seems to be the perfect option for a number of high net worth individuals, for economic, financial, political and social reasons.

Alternative citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis emerges as a platform to alleviate the risk of uncertainty and works as an insurance policy. There is no better plan than having the option to set up a new home and escape to a better lifestyle.

Like every other person on the planet, people from East Africa require alternative citizenship to protect their families and in a secure and stable environment. It offers peace of mind in an uncertain world – it’s the perfect backup plan (Plan B).

Contact Information:
St Kitts and Nevis PR
pr@csglobalpartners.com
T: (1-869) 467 1474

IPLOOK Completed Full Interoperability Test between its Mobile Core Network and PortaBilling OCS

A complete, affordable, and fully customizable MVNO solution is now a possibility after IPLOOK IMS and P-GW perform a successful 3GPP-compliant interoperability test with the PortaBilling platform from PortaOne.

HONG KONG, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — IPLOOK Technologies, the leader in end-to-end mobile network solutions, announced it has completed its interoperability test (IOT) with PortaOne, a global provider of charging and service platforms for communication services providers, validating the SIM card activation/deactivation flow and real-time charging for voice, data and SMS services between IPLOOK’s IMS and P-GW with PortaBilling OCS. The combined solution provides new MVNOs of any size with a unified platform to launch a deployment with reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) and ability to quickly integrate it with third-party systems (such as point-of-sale activation terminals or online signup portals) for improved customer experience (CX).

IPLOOK’s mobile core networks enable telecom operators and enterprise users to rapidly deliver affordable and customized 3G/4G/5G networks. PortaOne offers a flexible real-time billing & service monetization platform for prepaid voice, data and messaging services.

“The win-win cooperation between us enables both products to better meet the needs of customers effectively,” said Jarod Wang, VP at IPLOOK. “Implementing our mobile network solution, combined with PortaBilling OCS, will launch a full MVNO offering as well as provide voice and data services with a flexible charging system while keeping the cost and time-to-market under control.”

“This powerful joint solution gives operators the power to deploy faster and control their budgets while creating a fully customized solution to meet the needs of their own unique market niche. Combining IPLOOK’s end-to-end core network with our resilient and flexible charging platform capitalizes on both products’ proven record of reliable performance and simple maintenance,” said Klaus Haertel, Director for Global Channel and Alliances at PortaOne.

About IPLOOK

Founded in 2012, IPLOOK is an industry-leading mobile network provider. Its virtualized 3G/4G/5G core networks can be deployed for Mobile Network Operators (MNO), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP) and Enterprises.

More info: www.iplook.com. Follow IPLOOK on LinkedIn @IPLOOK Technologies

About PortaOne

PortaOne, a global telecommunication software platform developer, supplies integrated and flexible BSS, OCS, and softswitch solutions for operators, telecommunication service providers, and carriers. It has helped over 500 telcos from 100+ countries become market leaders while keeping their costs under control.

More info: www.portaone.com

Contact us

info@iplook.com